Analysis 2026 - Rusty's Player List & Stats

[rustycrate]

Latest update
Ned Bowman moved from Forwards to Defenders
Max King out for 6 months

 

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Jevan and Harry did quads in the latest match sim.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Jevan and Harry did quads in the latest match sim.

View attachment 2527812

Again, I must say, this is just fantastic stuff you’ve created rusty

 

[rustycrate]

Bowman did a hammy. Out for 8 weeks.

 

[SydneyBlood]

Love the Rusty list each season as a great reference guide. One note, with the sub rule being axed and now just a 23 player squad each game, no real need to differentiate that 23rd player from the other 22?

 

[rustycrate]

Love the Rusty list each season as a great reference guide. One note, with the sub rule being axed and now just a 23 player squad each game, no real need to differentiate that 23rd player from the other 22?

Thanks for the feedback. Everyone on BF has contributed to The List. I make changes based upon constructive feedback.
I check my stuff against Robbieando's thread a few times a year. He doesn't make mistakes. I do.
I think I will just take away the 23 in the far left column. The position of the 23rd player will be different every week.

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[rustycrate]

The Big Mac signs a 5 year extension to 2031.

 

[rustycrate]

Injury update plus team selection as at today.

 

[rustycrate]

Almost a perfect weekend so far.
1. Sydney win
2. Carlton loss by huge margin
3. Hawthorn loss by good margin
4. Collingwood loss by

Our picks this year are made better when Carlton, Hawthorn and Collingwood lose.

 

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Round 0 Results plus injury report

2026 picks update
Carlton and Hawthorn lost.
Collingwood won.

 

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Round 1 Results plus injury report
Table
2-0. Another great win. Sitting top of the table.

Injury update
Errol out for 4 months. Devastating. But we will endeavour to endure. Gives others opportunities.
Heeney a test. Hope they don't play him. I would feel better if he got a few weeks rest.
Getting a few players back and a few close to returning. We need more depth.
Cunningham should be back. I reckon Cleary might get a run.
Who am I driving the bus for?
Cootee. He will soon be back from injury.

2026 deathriding other teams picks update
Carlton and Hawthorn won.
Collingwood lost.

 

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Round 2 Selection

Out
Heeney
Gulden

In
Corey Warner
Cleary

I thought Cunningham would get a run.
No Mills to the mids.
Cox is backing in two young mids to replace our two gun mids. Backing in the existing team structure.
Will be interesting to watch. If we get off to a bad start I wonder whether Mills will be released to the mids.

 

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Round 2 Results plus injury report
Table
2-1. We were in it leading early in the 4th. Hate losing to Hawks. Sitting 3rd.

Injury update
The Swans have the bye this week, which means Heeney has an extra week to recover from his hamstring issue for the trip to Perth to face the Eagles in round five. The fresh absentees are rucks Ladhams (VFL ban) and Green, who bizarrely broke his toe while slipping down the stairs at the MCG and will miss three months. Gulden had a successful procedure last week and will be in a sling for a fortnight, while Andrew will also go under the knife for his troublesome quad issue. Harry Cunningham and Taylor Adams had plenty of the ball at VFL level last week and could be ready for senior footy again with another week of training under their belts. - Martin Smith

2026 deathriding other teams picks update
We really want Carlton and Collingwood to tank because they are our pick 3s.
Carlton bye. 15th
Collingwood bye. 9th
Hawthorn won. 4th

Selection
Bye week. No selection. Still another boring week to wait until we play West Coast.
I would have played Harry back last week and moved Mills to the mids. With Heeney back hopefully this is not required.
Hope Heeney is back to full fitness.

 

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Round 3 Injury report
Table
2-1. Sitting 4th.

I flew up to Sydney this week and caught up with Gulden and Heeney at training.
I showed Gulden The List and he liked it and suggested I add a Gulden watch to track his return from injury. I said I would. He is in good sprits after surgery. I asked Heens if I could snap his picture. He had his shirt off and you know how he is a bit self conscious. So he put his training top back and and I snapped his picture. I asked him how he was feeling this week and he replied "Guns are ready!!".

Injury update
The horrible injury run of Adams has continued, with the veteran set to miss up to two months after injuring his hamstring in team training over the bye weekend. Heeney is expected to play the Eagles on Saturday night after his hamstring issue, while Gulden is set to come out of a sling after consulting with his surgeon. Youngsters Cootee and Bowman could play their first VFL games of the season this weekend after their recent injuries. - Martin Smith

2026 deathriding other teams picks update
We really want Carlton and Collingwood to tank because they are our round 3 picks. Hawthorn round 4 pick.
Carlton loss. 16th
Collingwood win. 7th
Hawthorn bye. 5th

Who am I driving the bus for? Cootee.
Cootee likely plays his first game in the VFL this week after returning from injury.

Selection
Heeney is likely returning to the side.
I would would still like Harry back this week and move Mills to the mids.
Heeney and Mills to the mids replacing CC and Corey.
After WC we have Suns, GWS and Bulldogs. We need a better midfield.
Won't happen.

 

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Round 4 Selection

In
Heeney

Out
Cleary

Also Bowman and Cootee I took off the injured list as they are selected to play in the VFL.
Cootee to make his VFL debut.

 

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Round 4 Results & Injury report
Table
Big win over West Coast
3-1. Sitting 2nd.

Injury update
Rosas Jnr was a last-minute withdrawal against West Coast due to a tight calf, but after looking sharp during training on Tuesday, he remains a test for this weekend's clash with Gold Coast. His potential absence could open the door for Billy Cootee, who impressed in the VFL with 20 disposals, or Jesse Dattoli, who starred with 16 disposals and two goals. Chamberlain continues to progress through the AFL Concussion Guidelines following a head injury suffered during the bye weekend. He is set to undergo a fitness test to determine his availability, with Caiden Cleary (22 disposals, six tackles) and Ned Bowman (14 disposals) both vying for senior selection after strong VFL showings. - Emily Patterson

2026 deathriding other teams picks update
We really want Carlton and Collingwood to tank because they are our round 3 picks. Hawthorn round 4 pick.
Carlton loss. 15th
Collingwood loss. 10th
Hawthorn win. 6th

Who am I driving the bus for? Cootee.
Cootee debuted for the club in his first game in the VFL last week after returning from injury.
Top 5 in the stats for the Swans Reserves. 20 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 behind.
Datolli also not far behind, 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals and 1 behind.



Selection for Round 5
Rosas was a late out last weekend replaced by Cunningham. Cunningham played well.
Sheldrick copped a week for an errant elbow.
Rosas is still a test for Round 5.
Everyone would like to see Datolli come in to replace Sheldrick, including me, except those that don't.

I would would still like Harry to stay in the team but play back. Move Mills to the mids. Datolli fwd in his natural position.
The Swans face 3 very good midfields in the next 3 weeks and I would like a hardarse like Mills in the guts.

 

[rustycrate]

Round 5 Selection

In
Hamling
Rosas

Out
Sheldrick
Melican

Not exciting. Exciting would be Datolli in, Snell in. But they are the two safest in form options if you were not biased in any way.
Here's to a great game.

 

[rustycrate]

Round 5 Results & Injury report
Table
4-1
Swans sitting first with a massive percentage


The Game
A beautiful win against a strong performing Gold Coast. Gold Coast won no contested possessions. A stat only ever seen once before in AFL history. A true team defensive effort.
Swans 100-GC 68.

Rosas kicked a Goal of the Year contender which will take a lot of beating.

Injury update
The Swans will regain Angus Sheldrick after serving a one-match suspension for striking. Category B rookie Noah Chamberlain is available for selection after successfully navigating the AFL's concussion protocols following a head injury suffered during the bye. - Emily Patterson

Errol still 3-4 months.
Sheldrick available after suspension





2026 deathriding other teams picks update
We really want Carlton and Collingwood to tank because they are our round 3 picks. Hawthorn round 4 pick.
Carlton loss. 16th
Collingwood loss. 13th
Hawthorn win. 3rd

Who am I driving the bus for? Cootee.
VFL playing the curtain raiser before Swans team Friday night at the SCG.
VFL starts at 3:35pm

Selection for Round 6
Sheldrick in for Corey probably.

 

[SydneyBlood]

Love the updates Rusty. Looks like you've omitted McCartin instead of Melican from the senior team by accident.

 

[rustycrate]

Love the updates Rusty. Looks like you've omitted McCartin instead of Melican from the senior team by accident.

Fixed.
Wow. What a blunder. It wasn't wishful thinking.

Thanks.

 

[SydneyBlood]

Fixed.
Wow. What a blunder. It wasn't wishful thinking.

Thanks.

Ha! Had me shook for a second when I saw McCartin in reserve grade.

 

[rustycrate]

Round 5 Selection

In
Sheldrick

Out
Rampe

Rampe being managed. I like to see players being managed. Swans need to get to the business end of the season fit and healthy.


View attachment 2585114

 

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Round 6 Results & Injury report

The Round 6 Game
Swans 107-GC 66.
Another beautiful win against a strong performing GWS. Swans are playing a very fast brand of footy. A beautiful brand.

Table
5-1
Swans still sitting first with a massive percentage.

Injury update
A hamstring setback means Adams is no closer to a return, extending a layoff that dates to round 13 of last year. His recovery timeline will be re-assessed over the coming week. Dean Cox

Dean Cox

Age

44

Ht

203cm

Wt

107kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.9

4star

K

8.9

3star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.5

3star

G

0.6

4star

No current season stats available

D

13.0

4star

K

5.8

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

1.4

4star

G

0.0

1star

has confirmed Dane Rampe will return against the Bulldogs after being rested for the Sydney Derby. Meanwhile, Gulden has begun range-of-motion and introductory strength work following shoulder surgery and is expected to resume running next week. In the VFL, mature-age draftee Billy Cootee (12 disposals and three goals) impressed and has been confirmed for his AFL debut, as has Will Edwards (21 disposals, nine marks). Caiden Cleary pushed his case for a senior recall with a lively 28 disposals and a goal, while forward Hayden McLean was equally clinical with four majors. - Emily Patterson

Errol just 3 months. We have movement people!!







2026 deathriding other teams picks update
We really want Carlton and Collingwood to tank because they are our round 3 picks. Hawthorn round 4 pick.
Carlton loss. 16th
Collingwood win. 11th
Hawthorn win. 3rd

Who am I driving the bus for? Cootee.
Who is making his AFL debut after only 2 VFL games. Yep. Woohoo.

Selection for Round 7
The Sydney Swans can confirm Will Edwards and Billy Cootee have been selected to make their AFL debuts in Thursday night’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Edwards, a QBE Sydney Swans Academy athlete, was recruited to the Swans as a Category B Rookie in the 2022 NAB AFL Rookie Draft. He has played 44 VFL games in the red and white largely across half back.

The 22-year-old starred last week in the Swans’ VFL win over the Giants, racking up 21 disposals and pulling down nine marks.

Edwards and Cootee to debut for Swans

Senior coach Dean Cox announced the news to the team on Tuesday afternoon and said he was extremely proud of both Edwards and Cootee for their resilience.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

I would say:
Cootee for Corey.
Will for Hamling.
Apparently Rampe is back too. Hmmm interesting.
We are developing depth baby!!

 

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Round 7 Selection

In
Edwards
Cootee
Rampe

Out
Hamling
Corey Warner
Heeney

Edwards. Congrats. Has been on the list for years. Has had his injury battles and as Big Cox says has been rewarded for his persistence.
Cootee. I am so impressed. After he got selected I knew he would make it. Injury. Plus two VFL games and he is in. I read a lot about him and he has Papley traits.
Heeney huge out. Calf.

The drafting, trading, list development and coaching of this team under Big Cox tenure has been progressive. We have got better. You see it on game day the way the players attack via handballs and kicking. They swarm down field. They are all on the same page. Without Heeney is going to challenge the side. Without Gulden McInerney stepped up and is proclaiming himself a superstar. Not by words. By actions. Who will step up in Heeney's absence?

The list
Had to move a lot of magnets around for it all to make sense.