Preview R17 - Swans v Dockers

[Heeney2Franklin]

Yeah nah.
I don't believe in that. Whatso ever.
Tanking, gifting games. That's loser talk.
Teams like essendon...north.

Momentum and continuity flow from season to season.
This side has only basically been together this season for 3 games.

With the exception of a couple of people. The core of the side needs to play more.

Well this is why we have awful depth.

Guess we will be rolling Lloyd/Rampe/Florent/McLean in 2026 then.

 

[caesar88]

We might have a team that can challenge but we are way too far back in the pack to be able to challenge.

Lets set ourselves up for next year by getting games into youth

I think the "just play the kids" ethos is a bit too broad. Each individual 'youth's situation is different.

There are kids like Dattoli and Snell who I think have some exposed VFL form to suggest they could go OK at senior level, and they play roles that actually need to be filled in the senior 22 going forward - like the third tall down back (currently occupied by a 35 year old with a calf injury) and small forward (of which we really only have one, and that's Papley.) So these types of guys are potentially a worthwhile investment from a future perspective.

Then there are those like Cleary and Buller, who have played enough footy on our list to know what they're about as players. Even if one doesn't have them in their best 22, it is surely reasonable to think that both are preferable to players currently in the 22, like Cleary (pressure) over Bice or Florent (flankers), or Buller's game last week being better than any McLean had had for weeks and weeks. So these types of kids are potentially a worthwhile investment from a selection integrity perspective.

Where I think it goes off the rails a little is when names like Andrew & Green & Bowman start getting thrown around. To me that really does veer into just playing kids for the hell of it, which I don't think benefits anyone.

 

[Donza]

Well this is why we have awful depth.

Guess we will be rolling Lloyd/Rampe/Florent/McLean in 2026 then.

You don't get depth by debuting random players in 1st grade. Not until they are ready.
You need a stronger VFL side .

 

[Kbroome]

I think the "just play the kids" ethos is a bit too broad. Each individual 'youth's situation is different.

There are kids like Dattoli and Snell who I think have some exposed VFL form to suggest they could go OK at senior level, and they play roles that actually need to be filled in the senior 22 going forward - like the third tall down back (currently occupied by a 35 year old with a calf injury) and small forward (of which we really only have one, and that's Papley.) So these types of guys are potentially a worthwhile investment from a future perspective.

Then there are those like Cleary and Buller, who have played enough footy on our list to know what they're about as players. Even if one doesn't have them in their best 22, it is surely reasonable to think that both are preferable to players currently in the 22, like Cleary (pressure) over Bice or Florent (flankers), or Buller's game last week being better than any McLean had had for weeks and weeks. So these types of kids are potentially a worthwhile investment from a future perspective.

Where I think it goes off the rails a little is when names like Andrew & Green & Bowman start getting thrown around. To me that really does veer into just playing kids for the hell of it, which I don't think benefits anyone.

I would stagger it

Snell and Dattoli in this week

A couple weeks later when its high odds we lose a game and season is mathematically cooked then I would bring in Cleary to play on ball

Maybe last game or two you bring in some youngsters alongside the retirement games for Rampe and others

 

[Kbroome]

You don't get depth by debuting random players in 1st grade. Not until they are ready.
You need a stronger VFL side .

And thats when players leave to become AFL footballers at other clubs cause you don't give them opportunities and go for experience over youth

 

[Donza]

Anyways.
Its a conversation for another thread.

I get sick of these preview threads being a round and round of axes being ground.

 

[TasSixer]

Just want Buller to get another go over McLean. I get were trying to field our best team with the slim chance of the season still being alive so no debut for Dattoli. But I genuinely think on form Buller helps us win more than McLean right now.

 

[Donza]

And thats when players leave to become AFL footballers at other clubs cause you don't give them opportunities and go for experience over youth

To go to which clubs? Which players?

Nah. I can't be bothered.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Anyways.
Its a conversation for another thread.

I get sick of these preview threads being a round and round of axes being ground.

Arent the ins/outs part of the discussion for this week team?

 

[Punts]

Hope Buller gets another crack

 

[Donza]

Arent the ins/outs part of the discussion for this week team?

To quote you.

"My gripes are we are not doing anything to improve our position for 2026 its more or less the same side thats lost the last 2 GF by 140pts combined."

 

[Kbroome]

To quote you.

"My gripes are we are not doing anything to improve our position for 2026 its more or less the same side thats lost the last 2 GF by 140pts combined."

Yes the team lineup for this week is just introducing back into the fold guys that won't be there for 2026 like Hamling.

So yes you can both be discussing the ins and outs for this week whilst also looking at the long term for the club

 

[ErrolisGoldun]

This really is a case study on the positive optimistic fan versus the pessimistic negative fan.

The positive optimistic fan is a lot like the club, until it’s mathematically impossible to make finals will always keep believing and work out ways we can make it. Thinking things like, if we are able to go on a run with our tails up we will be able to knock off Brisbane in Brisbane and Geelong and look to thump West Coast by 200 to lift our percentage.

Most of the time we have been rewarded, 2005, especially Nick Davis game, run to the finals in 17 (we came from further back than we are this year), even 22 was a wild ride but sometimes when you dream and it comes true, even though it didn’t make sense at the time, when reality hits the pay off is massive!! Such a thrill!

What joy do the negative pessimistic fans get? Is it about being right (even if it costs the team a game or a season?) or is that you never want to get your hopes up. Is it that you once were optimistic positive fan and you turned bitter and twisted over time?

All supporter groups has these two distinct supporters. Genuinely interested in what gets the pessimistic supporter up and about!!

 

[Donza]

Yes the team lineup for this week is just introducing back into the fold guys that won't be there for 2026 like Hamling.

So yes you can both be discussing the ins and outs for this week whilst also looking at the long term for the club

I see zero indication that Hamling is playing.

 

[Kbroome]

I see zero indication that Hamling is playing.

Then Blakey is playing as a responsible tall and can't go on big runs that he has been doing for the last month

 

[Donza]

Then Blakey is playing as a responsible tall and can't go on big runs that he has been doing for the last month

Melican and McCartin will match up.
I'm not sure Freo really have a third tall that would have had Rampe's attention.

 

[caesar88]

Melican and McCartin will match up.
I'm not sure Freo really have a third tall that would have had Rampe's attention.

They have Treacy, Amiss & Voss, plus two rucks.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I just created a semi realistic ladder where we finish 10th on 56 points. Yes some stuff will happen but we have to go 8-0 plus win each game by 6 goals just to make finals

Which would be the worst idea. Either come 6 or get a selection before the bid

 

[Donza]

They have Treacy, Amiss & Voss, plus two rucks.

I thought Voss got suspended?

 

[Kbroome]

Melican and McCartin will match up.
I'm not sure Freo really have a third tall that would have had Rampe's attention.

This guy called Luke Jackson is a pretty tough match up for Blakey

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I thought Voss got suspended?

Got a week yes.

 

[Donza]

This guy called Luke Jackson is a pretty tough match up for Blakey

So Hamling is going to play cause of the Luke Jackson match up?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Just hope we compete if you forget about results the year is so much easier trust me lol

Hopefully we aren’t playing any of Ladhams or Hamling types waste of time

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Do I read anything into Rowy being named on the bench?

Could the caesar88 desire for a Rowy sub be possible?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

So Hamling is going to play cause of the Luke Jackson match up?

Well this is Cox who hasn’t been the greatest selector this year