Analysis 2026 - The Way Forward

[Wheresbuddy]

Going to have a crack at a line up assuming everyone's fit.

B: Serong, McCartin, Rampe.
HB: Blakey, Melican, Wicks
C: Jmac Mills Gulden
Fol: Grundy, Warner, Rowwy
HF: Heeney, Lmac, Papley
FF: Amarety, Curnow, Rosas.

Int: Jordon, Lloyd, Cunningham, Campbell, McLean.

Unlucky; Roberts, Bice, Cleary, Co.Warner.

I'm not convinced Rosas is that good. But do agree that most listed will be in the R1 side.

 

[Nuggetz]

We need more medical staff, physios etc. Health is wealth for the next few seasons.

 

[Nuggetz]

The biggest unknown is Logan Mcdonald. Hope he can get match fit & firing towards the 2nd half of the season. His skills are already very good. Another off-season of development hopefully results in more impactful performances. He's the perfect complimentary piece to curnow & amartey due to his field kicking & aerobic capacity.

 

[SSwans2011]

FB: Cunningham - Melican - Serong
HB: Blakey - McCartin - Wicks
C: Gulden - Heeney - McInerney
HF: Campbell - Curnow - McDonald
FF: Rosas - Amartey - Papley
Foll: Grundy - Mills - Warner
I/C: Sheldrick - Rowbottom - Jordon - Bice - Ladhams

Rampe, Lloyd, Cleary, Roberts, McLean, Adams, Dattoli, Hamling, Co. Warner, Hanily as depth.

I reckon that's pretty good. Our lack of depth in defence is probably my biggest concern. Hopefully one of Snell or Edwards starts to push for selection and Roberts recapturing his late 2024 form would also help.

Really liking the idea of Rowbottom as a pressure forward if Mills does go back into the midfield. Effectively the role Cleary played when he was in the team this year, but Rowbottom would be much better at it at the moment and I'd still keep him in the midfield rotations. Plus, being able to effectively just swap he and Jordon's role depending on the match-up could prove very useful.

Generally really excited about the forward line. Curnow will be a massive help for Amartey. Can see him kicking some bags next year if he's getting the 2nd / 3rd best key defender. And so much attention being on Curnow should help McDonald, particularly as he re-finds his feet. In any case, with some injury luck we should see the most goals kicked by key forwards at the Swans in quite some time. Excited to see how Rosas goes too, heaps of talent.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

My best 23 for R1

B Wicks Melican Rampe
HB Blakey McCartin Bice
C JMac Warner Gulden
HF Campbell McDonald Rowie
F Papley Curnow Jordan
Foll Grundy Heeney Mills
Int Cunningham Lloyd Serong Amartey Sheldrick

Rampe to play the medium defender role. Still does a good job on the likes of Greene etc

Bice to build on a solid debut season with a full preseason.

Rowie to provide a bit of forward pressure, in between impacting on ball. Think Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

at the Lions.

Amartey to provide ruck chop out in between kicking 2-3 goals as the 2nd / 3rd key forward and to bloody stay fit. Given Grundy is a high ToG player, won't have to do too much ruck work and we could even give McDonald a crack too.

Serong with his versatility to play a mixture of key back, general defence and push up onto a wing as required.

I've been a big Debbie downer on Adams but if he can keep healthy, he could yet make a big impact on the team's fortunes. His good is excellent but just not sure if he still has it in him..........

 

[crankygeese]

Alrighty, time to redo the best 23.

Note - I think this will be our best 23 heading into finals, not necessarily who we start with, as I think that will change pretty quickly as developing players step up and aging players shift back
The Depth portion is rated roughly in order of where I think they'll sit in the depth chart.

I haven't included any of the academy kids as they're all unknowns at this point and they're not yet at the club.

EDIT - Apparently I forgot Rosas

FB	Serong	McCartin	Wicks
HB	Blakey	Melican	Bice
C	Gulden	Rowbottom	Mills
HF	Dattoli	McDonald	Campbell
FF	Amartey	Curnow	Papley
R	Grundy	Heeney	Ch Warner
BENCH	Jordon	Sheldrick	Cleary	McInerney	Ladhams
DEPTH	Cunningham	McLean	Roberts	Snell	Lloyd	Rampe	Bowman	Rosas	Co Warner
DEPTH	Edwards	Andrew	Green	Hanily

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Alrighty, time to redo the best 23.

Note - I think this will be our best 23 heading into finals, not necessarily who we start with, as I think that will change pretty quickly as developing players step up and aging players shift back
The Depth portion is rated roughly in order of where I think they'll sit in the depth chart.

I haven't included any of the academy kids as they're all unknowns at this point and they're not yet at the club.

FB	Serong	McCartin	Wicks
HB	Blakey	Melican	Bice
C	Gulden	Rowbottom	Mills
HF	Dattoli	McDonald	Campbell
FF	Amartey	Curnow	Papley
R	Grundy	Heeney	Ch Warner
BENCH	Jordon	Sheldrick	Cleary	McInerney	Ladhams
DEPTH	Cunningham	McLean	Roberts	Snell	Lloyd	Rampe	Bowman	Edwards	Co Warner
DEPTH	Hanily	Andrew	Green

it’s perfect - where would you put Rosas ?

 

[Wazowski]

Alrighty, time to redo the best 23.

Note - I think this will be our best 23 heading into finals, not necessarily who we start with, as I think that will change pretty quickly as developing players step up and aging players shift back
The Depth portion is rated roughly in order of where I think they'll sit in the depth chart.

I haven't included any of the academy kids as they're all unknowns at this point and they're not yet at the club.

Don't mind it.

Don't thnk Mills is a Wingman. Perhaps need another defender on the bench, unless you're putting Jordan as a lockdown defender. Maybe Cunners on the bench for
Rosas as depth?

 

[Nuggetz]

FB: Cunningham - Melican - Serong
HB: Blakey - McCartin - Wicks
C: Gulden - Heeney - McInerney
HF: Campbell - Curnow - McDonald
FF: Rosas - Amartey - Papley
Foll: Grundy - Mills - Warner
I/C: Sheldrick - Rowbottom - Jordon - Bice - Ladhams

Rampe, Lloyd, Cleary, Roberts, McLean, Adams, Dattoli, Hamling, Co. Warner, Hanily as depth.

I reckon that's pretty good. Our lack of depth in defence is probably my biggest concern. Hopefully one of Snell or Edwards starts to push for selection and Roberts recapturing his late 2024 form would also help.

Really liking the idea of Rowbottom as a pressure forward if Mills does go back into the midfield. Effectively the role Cleary played when he was in the team this year, but Rowbottom would be much better at it at the moment and I'd still keep him in the midfield rotations. Plus, being able to effectively just swap he and Jordon's role depending on the match-up could prove very useful.

Generally really excited about the forward line. Curnow will be a massive help for Amartey. Can see him kicking some bags next year if he's getting the 2nd / 3rd best key defender. And so much attention being on Curnow should help McDonald, particularly as he re-finds his feet. In any case, with some injury luck we should see the most goals kicked by key forwards at the Swans in quite some time. Excited to see how Rosas goes too, heaps of talent.

I'd go with this but Bice for another small fwd.

 

[SSwans2011]

I'd go with this but Bice for another small fwd.

IMO we've got more than enough players that can rotate through the forward line with Heeney, Rowbottom, Jordon, McInerney and Warner.

We need one of Bice/Rampe/Roberts in the team because if Mills goes to the midfield we will not have any rotations for our defenders.

 

[caesar88]

We need better ball-winners in the midfield as the ones we have don't stack up against some of the best in the competition. I think opposition players would fear Heeney & Warner in many scenarios on a footy field but a centre bounce or stoppage probably aren't among them.

 

[crankygeese]

it’s perfect - where would you put Rosas ?

Did I forget Rosas? Ah damnit!

 

[Wheresbuddy]

it’s perfect - where would you put Rosas ?

He's on my watch list.

 

[Glenn_]

For the mids we now have a Ferrari in the full forward line in Curnow , let's hope it's not the Datsun like delivery we saw too often this past season.

 

[Punts]

Chamberlain play r1?

 

[Kiama Chris]

Chamberlain play r1?

Carmichael?

 

[Kiama Chris]

Everyone having a go so I guess I should too:
Defence 7 in all
Tall defenders 3 from in order:
McCartin Melican Serong Hamling Edwards Snell Andrew
Unique 1:
Blakey
Small 2 from in order:
Wicks Cunningham
Medium 1 from in order:
Bice Roberts Rampe Carmichael* McNamara*
Attack 6 in all
Tall forwards 3 in order (includes second ruck):
Curnow Amartey McDonald McLean King* Ladhams©
Small Forwards 3 in order:
Papley Campbell Rosas Dattoli Bowman Hanily
Midfield 10 in all
Ruck 1 in order:
Grundy Ladhams Green
Midfield 9 in order:
Heeney Mills Warner Gulden McInerney Lloyd Rowbottom Sheldrick Jordon Cleary Corey Adams Kyle* Chamberlain*
Ladhams appears twice as either second or first ruck. The * are the as yet undrafted academy lads and where I think they will fit.
I'm assuming we play 3 tall defenders none of whom are either Blakey or Rampe.
Also assuming 3 tall forwards including second ruck, not 4, which should mean Amartey as second ruck.
Three permanent small forwards with mids supplementing.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

I think Edwards or Snell debuting is so important for our potential success.

I’m not convinced Jmac will ever fully recover or be the same after another knee operation. If worst case he doesn’t make it back for whatever reason, we need to move Blakey to the wing. Never again Jake Lloyd

44

Jake Lloyd

Age

32

Ht

182cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.4

5star

K

14.4

5star

HB

9.0

5star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.9

4star

MG

403.9

5star

D

23.4

5star

K

14.4

5star

HB

9.0

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.9

3star

MG

403.9

5star

D

23.2

5star

K

13.4

5star

HB

9.8

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

357.4

5star

, just don’t. Someone will have to slot in the defensive unit.

Let’s hope one of them debuts and soon - imagine what we could do if the Liz moves up the ground.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I think Edwards or Snell debuting is so important for our potential success.

I’m not convinced Jmac will ever fully recover or be the same after another knee operation. If worst case he doesn’t make it back for whatever reason, we need to move Blakey to the wing. Never again Jake Lloyd, just don’t. Someone will have to slot in the defensive unit.

Let’s hope one of them debuts and soon - imagine what we could do if the Liz moves up the ground.

You would think its curtains for them both if they cant play a handful of games in 2026

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Chamberlain play r1?

I think you are confusing him with Carmichael. Chamberlain is a chance either to go elsewhere or not get picked up at all.
Re Carmichael, he seems the most ready to play of our academy players. However, I would rate King and Kyle as having a higher ceiling.

 

[NinjaSwan]

Everyone having a go so I guess I should too:
Defence 7 in all
Tall defenders 3 from in order:
McCartin Melican Serong Hamling Edwards Snell Andrew
Unique 1:
Blakey
Small 2 from in order:
Wicks Cunningham
Medium 1 from in order:
Bice Roberts Rampe Carmichael* McNamara*
Attack 6 in all
Tall forwards 3 in order (includes second ruck):
Curnow Amartey McDonald McLean King* Ladhams©
Small Forwards 3 in order:
Papley Campbell Rosas Dattoli Bowman Hanily
Midfield 10 in all
Ruck 1 in order:
Grundy Ladhams Green
Midfield 9 in order:
Heeney Mills Warner Gulden McInerney Lloyd Rowbottom Sheldrick Jordon Cleary Corey Adams Kyle* Chamberlain*
Ladhams appears twice as either second or first ruck. The * are the as yet undrafted academy lads and where I think they will fit.
I'm assuming we play 3 tall defenders none of whom are either Blakey or Rampe.
Also assuming 3 tall forwards including second ruck, not 4, which should mean Amartey as second ruck.
Three permanent small forwards with mids supplementing.

This is the exact same set up and 23 I’d have, think it’s important to use the extra bench slot on another runner instead of a 4th tall.

If we feel we’re short of forward marking targets during a game the lineup feels flexible, can do things like have Heeney play more forward or move Mills to defence and Blakey forward.

 

[Kiama Chris]

This is the exact same set up and 23 I’d have, think it’s important to use the extra bench slot on another runner instead of a 4th tall.

If we feel we’re short of forward marking targets during a game the lineup feels flexible, can do things like have Heeney play more forward or move Mills to defence and Blakey forward.

I agree about being a bit more imaginative in-game with how we use our troops. Two good examples there. A few years ago McInerney and Dawson swapped back and forth between wing and HBF and both improved. I've classified Campbell as a small forward because I think that's best use of him, albeit at HHF, but you could equally see him as a mid/winger. Cleary has played as a small forward and so on.
The way Brisbane use their flotilla is very flexible and I think that's one of the best learnings from them.

 

[anotherletdown]

Chamberlain play r1?

Are we certain to even draft him?

Carmichael the best chance but King is the one who could blow things up early doors

 

[NinjaSwan]

I agree about being a bit more imaginative in-game with how we use our troops. Two good examples there. A few years ago McInerney and Dawson swapped back and forth between wing and HBF and both improved. I've classified Campbell as a small forward because I think that's best use of him, albeit at HHF, but you could equally see him as a mid/winger. Cleary has played as a small forward and so on.
The way Brisbane use their flotilla is very flexible and I think that's one of the best learnings from them.

I think playing forward is the best use of him too, we've tried him all over the ground and his weakness in every position is he doesn't get enough of the ball, playing half forward feels like the best spot to impact the game with only 12-15 touches.

 

[Punts]

They could possibly play just the 2 tall marking targets in Curnow ( now we have a marking target ) and amerty deep and just go with smalls around them.

Back to what he was talking about start of last year