News Preseason 2013

Might still be rehabbing that knee injury instead of full training though

Saw about 20 minutes worth of training yesterday before a job interview. I know a small sample size, the only things I was able to really pick up on was Pyke and Naismith duelling in the ruck and Pyke physically dominating him to the point where Naismith was off with a bloody nose. The other thing was when they moved to some running drills, I noticed Mitch Morton putting 110% in to the point where he was actually leading the pack. Mattner and Smith were cycling up and down Driver Ave as well. What I picked up on in the skills drills was we don't have a huge amount of elite kicks, Armstrong is definitely one of them was hitting everything. KT split off by himself during the fitness drills to take some shots at goal, he's got a really smooth kicking action - good kick for goal

Mitchell has been mainly doing laps, really big laps around Moore Park where they train i.e. he does a lap of the oval where they train, then goes out around the rest of the park. McGlynn was doing some agility, kicking and handball drills, Smooch and Mattner were doing just plain laps together and Goodesy has been doing a lot of laps too.

How are the new draftees looking ( in particular membrey )

Jake Lloyd is a really strong runner. Membrey was pulled out for a bit to do a beep test like thing last week. The rest I'm not so sure, I only watch training for about 30 minutes after a run.

That's great to hear about Mitchell, Sounds like the knee is fine and they are just trying to get his fitness up to scratch before he joins in with the rest of the group.

Thanks for the updates from both yourself and ShaySwannies

Benny doesn't seem too far away from rejoining the main group.

And lord Jesus, Tippett is a really really big toned fast guy who is very good at kicking goals. Mind you Kennedy and malceski were also chipping them in from everywhere.

I thought we've established Malceski is the premier from-everywhere clutch goal kicker in the league?

Tippett's set shot skills will desert him on game day. Unless we can get Davo onto him, too. Is he still around the club?

Lol yeah but it's still crazy to think a defender is slotting them in when we need to haha

He is. In the most unlikely role one could guess he would be performing for us 10 years ago, a runner.

It's the first time in 3 years I haven't headed over to Sydney to watch
Them train in the pre season and it's killing me. I really really hope Mitchell gets some games this year and Rohan manages to break in for a few games

Is there a link to those photos?

Originally posted this on the wrong board and copped some flak.

Glad to have found the right place, hope this is ok on this thread:

This is my annual gift to the list. I've been attending the odd training while on Hols and got to say very impressive both recruits and old stagers:

1. Tim Membury - looks big and scary but may lack fitness and a defensive posture at this stage. At least a year away.
2. Rhyce Shaw - looks comfortable and focussed. Great finals campaign especially Prelim and GF.
3. Jared McVeigh - stepped up his already outstanding work rate in finals. My man of the finals. Being recognised more for his leadership role as well.
4. Daniel Hanneberry - outstanding work rate in a young player, courage beyond understanding and an ability to be where the ball is, stamps him as the next big thing (future Captain?)
5. Ryan O'Keefe - Great GF best year of his career after what I thought was a slow start. Should push for AA selection if his form carries over this year.
6. Tom Mitchell - Fanastic prospect. Really liked what I saw in Reserves last year but looks fragile. Hope that he can stay on paddock, great distribution skills, gets footy, brings other players into the game. real leader.
7. Harry Cunningham - looked great last pre-season but faded. Looks stronger and fitter. Has real pace, good finisher and readsthe ball well. Future at club as small forward, goal kicking mid-fielder, etc.
8. Kurt Tippett - Hmmm. Looks great on track and big. Wonder how PTB see his role. Is he the power forward, the relieving ruckman, the Centre Half Forward? Will be interetsing to see how he fits in the mix when he becomes available but just as importantly how he adapts to the challenges of his publicity.
9. Nick Malceski - the bookends in GF made up for the many disappointments in his career. Not sure about his longevity but he has made me re-evaluate his value to the team.
10. Mitch Morton - won a lot of belief with some spectacular cameos in the finals. Needs to be consistent in his application to maintain position especially as he does not seem to have flexibility to play anywhere but up forward.
11. Jed Lamb - thought he might break out last year but with full pre-season and some luck could be his year. Great skills, reads play well, finishes with poise.
12. Josh Kennedy - Outstanding player. Most feared player at the Swans now after last year. Will be tagged relentlessly, good luck going up against his hard body. Might open up oppourtunities for other mid-fielders by playing more forward to try and break tag.
13. Andrejs Everitt - played some pivotal roles for Swans last year and deserved more oppourtunities but seems to drift in and out of play. Could have big year if he can get more involved more often.
14. Craig Bird - what a great team player. Prepared for any role , tagging half forward, run with midfielder, wing, back, anywhere. Got it all except for real pace but makes up for it in other departments.
15. Keiran Jack - despite being able to win his own the inside ball when required does most damage running wide and linking up play. Become an elite A grader against all expectation and don't you love it when he lines up from the boundary on the run. Still able to do tagging role when required but more damaging than most taggers.
16. Gary Rohan - what a start to the year. Looked great especially one out up forward, either as leading or marking forward. Hope all is well for a sucessful comeback looks like a few months away yet.
17. Tommy Walsh - had a good game against weaker opposition but still lacked polish. Training house down again and looks great, if there are injuries to key players may get chance.
18. Jesse White - "looks like Tarzan plays like..." have my doubts about whether he can raise the bar to be in best 22. Would love to see it happen but ...
19. Tony Armstrong - started match against Essendon spectacularly, winning possessions and distributing well. Needs to be more involved when he has oppourtunities. Backline positions early might be up for grabs with Nick Smith and Mattner in recovery mode so competition should be fierce.
20. Sam Reid - this guy gets a lot a lot of flak for not getting enough possessions especially in the media. My observations are more about what we miss when he isn't there. He provides a contest almost every time the ball arrives, he leads up, takes grabs, kicks goals (and points) and gives us structure.
21. Ben McGlynn - really felt for this guy on GF day. Works tirelessly up the ground and gut running back to the square. Courageous to a fault and a goal kicker.
22. Dean Towers - from training and video looks like a good prospect as an attacking wing/back, hopefully we'll get to see more of him in NAB Cup.
23. Jordan Lockyer - interrupted season last year but looks fully fit and training well. May get early chances on backline to make an impression.
24. Jude Bolton - thought he was finished after Carlton game but couldn't have been more wrong (thankfully). Great competitor and has a role with team that is peerless, think back to Prelim Final and his passes to both Sam Reid and Jetta admittedly one was more memorable than the other but its Jude that counts.
25. Ted Richards - was at Etihad when he got cleaned up against Carlton and wondered how he didn't lose a kidney or worse. Testimony to his courage that he came back at all but if anyone ever doubted that his GF was a masterpiece of will over circumstance.
26. Luke Parker - great early in year and was a stand out in mid-field against Hawks in Launceston. Suffered injury and struggled to restablish himself, started to get back to real form late and deserved his spot in GF team.
28. Matthew Dick - will take time to fill out and establish credentials, good background so fingers crossed.
29. Marty Mattner - showed grit to go with other qualities in finals. Great one on one or floating defender, may have injury concerns and preparation issues but still one of our better players.
30. Lewis Roberts-Thomson - loved Cometti's description "like a Swiss Army knife has lots of roles and does them all well". Pretty much describes LRT but in so doing overlooks his courage, determination and committment.
31. Harrison Marsh - video and training looks good, look forward to seeing more of him in pre-season.
32. Lewis Jetta - after being overlooked for AA selection, stuck it up selectors by playing pivotal role in Qualifying and Prelim, then gave great service to Swans with amazing smarts in GF. Gets better every year had my doubts especially after 0-19 but gotta love "the Jet". Reckon he's good for another 5K in attendance anytime we play.
34. Alex Johnson - his combination with Nick Smith, and the other back 6 was instrumental in our success. Has pace, endurance, courage, will and an appetite for the contest.
36. Alex Brown - not seen on track. looks likely in videos but will need a year or two to develop.
37. Adam Goodes - one of the genuine superstars of the AFL and with a desire and love for the club that is both breath taking and reassuring.
38. Mike Pyke - "the worst player in the history of the AFL/VFL", "the most improved player in the universe", the difference between winning and losing in the GF. Can he maintain his position in light of the Tippett factor? I hope so, I love seeing this game evolve and Mike Pyke is a shining example to the world that this game is there for everyone.
39. Heath Grundy - there is so little fuss made of this tradesman yet he is such a key player for us. His almost mystic understanding with Ted Richards has made this the stingiest defence in the comp.
40. Nick Smith - has finally got the recognition he deserves from the media but that would the furthest thing from his mind as he continues to do whatever job "Horse" needs doing and doing it brilliantly.
41. Shane Mumford - when I heard the rumour on GF day that he had hamstring problems, my heart sank and I immediately went to the SEN tent and asked their producer if they had any news. They had not heard anything but thought that it might be genuine. The relief when I saw him run out with the team was immense. His value to the team is both physical (hell yeah) but also psychological everyone walks taller and why not. More than just a tap ruckman pays his way as a midfielder as well.
Rookies - cannot comment with any confidence about any rookies with exception of:
43. Dane Rampe - had a lot to do with Dane as a junior and at school. Followed his career with interest and wish him well. Training house down in pre-season. Can kick goals, take a mark and has bigger body and endurance from 2 years with Williamstown in VFL. Could step upin better company and loves being home.

Really looking forward to the new season and gotta love them swannies!!!

Tippett actually seemed to sort out his set shots in the latter part of last year (see Prelim).

Good work Graemed, well done, keep it coming. Good to hear about Rohan. I like the prospects for Towers, Rampe and Cunningham in 2013. I agree that Hanneberry is a future captain.

Quietly confident that White can raise the bar. I don't think that's his problem.

Not to take away from an excellent post, but a lot of those general observations aren't anything new. We know the guns are guns, and the young guys are exciting!

Any specific standouts that you have seen? How are the injured boys coming along?

Cheers

Have not seen Mitchell, Goodes, Smith or Mattner on the training track yet. Rohan has been doing running on grass for less than a week. McGlynn, Richards, Jude and Mumford are in full training. Tippett is running with group and looking sxcary good in skills and practice drills.
Of the new guys, still trying to identify individuals but Cunningham, Marsh, Lockyer, Lamb and Rampe look to be making an impression.

Seems like the training watchers are impressed with Tippett. Agree he is a very big and athletic unit. I was pissed off to see him leave when I thought his best footy was still in front of him and from reports it looks like you guys will reap the reward for your very large investment.

Who will KT push out of the side when he finally appears in red and white? Does the highly underrated LRT or GF surprise packet Pyke make way? Will KT play as a permanent FF?

I reckon you have a very good list but it does lack experienced depth in case injuries strike. You'll obviously be hoping that some of your promising untried types can step up if needed.

I think it's likely that it'll be LRT given he has been playing the FF role. Also gives us flexibility if a defender goes down as he can swing back. His time will be managed well so that he can shine in the finals again, especially in the big one

Pyke probably stays in as we have a 2 ruck structure that works well, especially when double teaming and working over a single opposition ruckman. But it wouldn't surprise me if he sat out.

The good thing about the Swans system is that any player that comes in is there to play a role. It's much less pressure on an untried player if they have specific roles to play, rather than try to make an impact straight away.

That's a long way of saying I don't really know, but it's a good problem to have!

We haven't got any less depth than we did last year. Nobody retired, all the players we traded or delisted played a combined total of 13 games in 2012 so we're losing little there, and the player we brought in (Tippett) played 21 games in 2013, so we've actually improved.

Will have to correct you, McGlynn hasn't resumes full training yet. He did minimal training with the rest of the playing group as of Monday. Generally does agility or skills separately with a trainer. Doesn't seem that far away though. I'd be really surprised if Rohan is in any seniors games this year, he's still learning to trust his leg. Hasn't participated in any skills training at the open training sessions I've attended

Thanks arrived late on Monday and saw him with main group