Yes, there are a number of areas where competition for places looks like being healthy. You could swap a few names without weakening the team. Definitely good.
-
Mobile App Discontinued
Due to a number of factors, support for the current BigFooty mobile app has been discontinued. Your BigFooty login will no longer work on the Tapatalk or the BigFooty App - which is based on Tapatalk.
Apologies for any inconvenience. We will try to find a replacement.
Preview 2026 Opening Round Swans vs Carlton Thurs March 5
- Thread starter SwansProudly
- Start date
- Tagged users None
🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.
Callipygian
Team Player
- May 18, 2021
- 3,376
- 7,402
- AFL Club
- Sydney
I reckon it makes more sense to drop Ramps and Lloyd early and then to bring them back later if there are injuries or the young ones tire. Potentially they could also be recalled at finals time if they are in good form and we feel their experience is valuable although, from the outside, they didn't appear that critical to our recent finals results so maybe not even.
I feel like we need a 7th defender on the interchange bench (even with Mills and others having the ability to go back). Not sure who. Maybe Roberts or Bice because of their versatility, although possibly a taller player would be better.
I feel like we need a 7th defender on the interchange bench (even with Mills and others having the ability to go back). Not sure who. Maybe Roberts or Bice because of their versatility, although possibly a taller player would be better.
It's a really difficult call what to do with Lloyd and Rampe. Rampe finished off last season strongly and Lloyd is very durable so I don't think resting them holds much value except to give others a run preparing for their absence.
If Cox goes for two talls in defence IMO he will need Rampe. He might choose to do that before blooding Serong or Edwards etc. If he starts with three talls (say Serong) he might be better to choose Bice as an extra exit player. Roberts if he wants a lockdown. Rampe in reserves. Not what I said earlier!
Leaving Lloyd out is easier in some ways albeit that the cover for Gulden and McInerney becomes Campbell, Bice or Roberts or a structural shuffle. Even Jordon.
Hanily too.
Is Rosas better than Dattoli or Hanily? Probably not (despite the shiny new toy syndrome).
I still think Dattoli NEEDS to be in the opening round side. If he's not, we have issues.
Log in to remove this Banner Ad
Why would we have issues
As i posted in the daft thread last night , we have done very well (at this stage) with the draft with a lot of depth
What that does now is make the team more prone to changes during the season and players for example Campbell, Hayward , McLean and Florent wouldn't be able to sit back with no pressure on from those in the VFL
sahi11 observed that he felt Dattoli needed to work on his endurance. Maybe lagging a bit? Most appear to have returned in ripping nick.
Rosas definitely has demonstrated past performance that is better than either Hanily or Dattoli. Whether he's at that level now remains to be seen.
Cootee may be an interesting entrant in this space too.
Because if Dattoli isn't deemed better than Rosas and Hanily, the question "have we blown another 1st round pick!?" will start to be asked.
In fairness, he did miss a fair bit of footy last year & I'm not suggesting he's a bust .... but I'm really hoping he's viewed as superior to Rosas and Hanily, both of whom appear to have well defined ceilings. Small forwards picked in the 1st round need to be showing a fair bit by year 2 .... or else they become Konstanty.
Just give him some time
I personally think this is one of the hardest seasons to create a best 22 as I genuinely do not know if players like Rosas, Sarong and Cootee are straight into the team or not, as all three are trade in's or mature age draftees, which implies they should walk straight into the team.
Then there are the ready made sort of players, like Phillipou, will he be in the team come round 0?
Also what about Rampe and Lloyd, are they starters in the team, or will Cox be prioritising youth.
This year just feels so much harder to create a best 22 than usual.
Then there are the ready made sort of players, like Phillipou, will he be in the team come round 0?
Also what about Rampe and Lloyd, are they starters in the team, or will Cox be prioritising youth.
This year just feels so much harder to create a best 22 than usual.
Cox will first need to decide the structure he wants to go with vis a vis talls at either end. His main priority will be winning that first game so he might be a bit conservative and give Rampe and Lloyd games. I think the only newbie 100% guaranteed is Curnow. It's 23 now isn't it?
Maybe wait and see ,,,,,,,
Yeah we're at a weird crossroads where we've been so accustomed to a pretty set 22 over the last few years, but the reality is the squad has to evolve, and it feels weird that some of our consistent starters might be on the verge of being replaced.
We've got Logan, Rosas, Hanily, Dattoli, Cootee, Sarong, Snell, Riak, Bice, Cleary, Bowman, edwards all at the point where they want to be vying for a place in the side, and to top it off you've got blokes like Ladhams, Mclean, Sheldrick and Corey who have been in and out of the side and also looking to cement a place. That's not even mentioning our new draftees who let's be real have a mountain to climb over before getting start. Something has to give to have one of these guys cement their spot let alone a handful of them - question is who in our 22 gives way because i still feel like our mainstay 22 is still held in high regard and will be difficult to shift, and other than Rampe and Lloyd they're not that old either.
Last edited:
I personally think Serong and Rosas will get every opportunity to make a spot their own.
From media reports they both had a decision to make regarding what team to go to.
I dont think they would have come to the Swans on the promise of...perform in the VFL and we will play you..
I think it would more have been ..Its your spot to lose
From media reports they both had a decision to make regarding what team to go to.
I dont think they would have come to the Swans on the promise of...perform in the VFL and we will play you..
I think it would more have been ..Its your spot to lose
This is my best guess at this stage as to our best 22 for opening round
B: Sam Wicks, Tom McCartin, Nick Blakey
HB: Riley Bice, Lewis Melican, Matt Roberts
C: Justin McInerney, Callum Mills, Errol Gulden
HF: Braeden Campbell, Charlie Curnow, Chad Warner
F: Tom Papley, Joel Amartey, Malcolm Rosas
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, James Rowbottom
I/C: James Jordon, Jevan Phillipou, Angus Sheldrick, Logan McDonald
Sub: Taylor Adams
I suspect that Serong and Cootee will be in the mix too as you don't bring in those two without thinking they are either going to be in the best 22 or very near it.
I am also backing Phillipou as being round 0 ready. He just has that vibe about him.
B: Sam Wicks, Tom McCartin, Nick Blakey
HB: Riley Bice, Lewis Melican, Matt Roberts
C: Justin McInerney, Callum Mills, Errol Gulden
HF: Braeden Campbell, Charlie Curnow, Chad Warner
F: Tom Papley, Joel Amartey, Malcolm Rosas
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, James Rowbottom
I/C: James Jordon, Jevan Phillipou, Angus Sheldrick, Logan McDonald
Sub: Taylor Adams
I suspect that Serong and Cootee will be in the mix too as you don't bring in those two without thinking they are either going to be in the best 22 or very near it.
I am also backing Phillipou as being round 0 ready. He just has that vibe about him.
Id be shocked if Pou was ready, and I'm a big fan. From your list I would replace Pou with Bice, and Bice's role is taken by Serong.
I wouldn't bother as so much can happen in 3 and a bit months
You could be right, but I just feel like Phillipou might play a reasonable amount of football in 2026, just a feeling but he feels more ready than a lot of 18 year olds we have drafted in recent years.
Bonz
🤺🤺🤺
If Cunningham is fit I reckon he stays in the squad.
And as much as people here won't like it, going by late season form both Lloyd and Rampe will stay in or be close to the 23 (especially Lloyd). I think it's up to other players to displace them from the side.
Lastly no sub next year, just a best 23 next year
I have for next year(Amartey in a second ruck role)
B: Cunningham, Melican, Rampe
HB: Serong, McCartin, Wicks
C: Gulden, Mills, Blakey
HF: Campbell, McDonald, Rosas
F: Papley, Curnow, Amartey
Foll: Grundy, Heeney, Warner
Int: Rowbottom, Jordon, Sheldrick, McInerney, Llyod
Depth: Roberts, Bice, Ladhams, Cleary, McLean (who may displace someone going by early Pre-season reports), Cootee, Dattoli, Edwards, Snell, Hanily, Phillipou
The really obvious thing is after this Pre-season is we have created great depth in our side so should be able to cope with injury.
The 23 I have selected has a lot of versatility with multiple players who can run in the midfield, through the wings or half back and some serious depth up forward.
Some side notes/ idle thoughts from myself
Blakey: Think he gets pushed up to the wing next year, showed real spark there late in the season.
Serong: Think he starts, has some serious versatility (can be tall, short or an interceptor, had great disposal in the VFL).
Rosas: If he has a great Pre-season think he starts, Cox will want a second crumbling forward with our talls, if not watch on Hanily and Cleary (Dattoli is more lead up and needs to work on his endurance).
Campbell: Apparently has put in some serious work this off-season, I'm expecting him to step up and possibly play some midfield minutes.
Veterans: Hard to drop Llyod or Rampe based on end of season form, but if they can be pushed out this is a great spot for us to be in (look at Brisbane's list and the competition for spots they have in their 23).
Overall the hardest 23 I have had to place for the Swans in quite some time, and possibly our highest overall quality across the park, as there really are not many holes any more.
My 23 much the same except Dattoli instead of Lloyd.
Amartey has to be second ruck to get a game, otherwise it's McLean. Both much better third forwards than Ladhams. Maybe rotate them?
I'd continue to play Blakey mainly off half back occasionally rotating with McInerney for shock value. Just don't let him get dragged deep where he's vulnerable.
My concern is Rosas' motivation. Start him, but if not strong enough then Lloyd back in at his expense playing forward.
At some stage during the year rest Rampe and bring in Edwards or Snell for a look, though it makes us a bit tall. Maybe Serong can play smaller then. Ditto bring Bice or Roberts in to rest Cunningham. Get as much as possible out of the old blokes.
🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.
Early days, but some strong potential teams listed. Swans generally lure players with the pitch of the position is yours to lose, so Serong and Rosas likely to start. Incredible group of players potentially available for the VFL. Perfect mix of experienced players on every line with their own serious claims to play at the top level, while acting as on-field mentors for an exciting development group. Mal must be licking his lips.
McLean, Hetherton, King
Hamling, Bowman, Dattoli
Ladhams, Cootee, Phillipou
Adams, Cleary, Warner
Bice/Roberts, Edwards, Kyle
Rampe, Snell, Andrew
i/c Lloyd, Green, Hanily, Chamberlain
McLean, Hetherton, King
Hamling, Bowman, Dattoli
Ladhams, Cootee, Phillipou
Adams, Cleary, Warner
Bice/Roberts, Edwards, Kyle
Rampe, Snell, Andrew
i/c Lloyd, Green, Hanily, Chamberlain
Last edited:
Personally, I think the R0 team will contain Curnow & McDonald, with not a lot of change beyond that.
I wouldn’t be surprised if McDonald lined up in defence.
I don’t see Rosas as a superior player to our incumbents.
Serong might start …. but only if McDonald is forward.
I’m not convinced Cox sees Rowy in his best midfield mix. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him at HF, or even on the selection fringe.
Adams is the forgotten man …. hard to know if he’s still seen in the best XXII mix.
B: Cunningham McCartin Wicks
HB: Blakey Melican Lloyd
C: Chad Mills Gulden
HF: Campbell Curnow Jordon
F: Dattoli Armatey Papley
R: Grundy Heeney Sheldrick
I: McDonald Cleary McInerney Rowbottom Roberts
I wouldn’t be surprised if McDonald lined up in defence.
I don’t see Rosas as a superior player to our incumbents.
Serong might start …. but only if McDonald is forward.
I’m not convinced Cox sees Rowy in his best midfield mix. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him at HF, or even on the selection fringe.
Adams is the forgotten man …. hard to know if he’s still seen in the best XXII mix.
B: Cunningham McCartin Wicks
HB: Blakey Melican Lloyd
C: Chad Mills Gulden
HF: Campbell Curnow Jordon
F: Dattoli Armatey Papley
R: Grundy Heeney Sheldrick
I: McDonald Cleary McInerney Rowbottom Roberts
Last edited:
Just a couple of points..
Jimmy J finished 3rd in our B and F and he is in the interchange in most peoples sides. I don’t think that we’ve recruited anyone to take his spot..?
Also the fact that wicks is a lock in everyone’s round 1 sides. Great to see and an outstanding turnaround from a fella I viewed as not going to make it.
Jimmy J finished 3rd in our B and F and he is in the interchange in most peoples sides. I don’t think that we’ve recruited anyone to take his spot..?
Also the fact that wicks is a lock in everyone’s round 1 sides. Great to see and an outstanding turnaround from a fella I viewed as not going to make it.
How long do people need to realize that there is no sub next year and there will be 23 in every side????
I think JJ is picked on interchange because he is so versatile so can replace one of a number of players at any given time.
Similar threads
- Locked
