Analysis 2026 - The Way Forward

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

With the 5 man bench I’d like to see us use Amartey in shorter, impactful bursts.

Seen him catch fire like this before.

Might also preserve those tissues for hamstrings of his.

CC gives us massive options. Logan could go forward whilst CC goes back (have seen Carlton do this) if we need to stem the tide and vice versa if needed.

Coxy now has hired the brains trust so hope he makes us less predictable in game. Exciting!

 

[Punts]

Play Joel deep and Charlie up the ground

Joel’s body doing more kms doesn’t cope to well , less strides the better

 

[Jeffers]

I can’t see Amartey used in the ruck. He just doesn’t have the tank to do that and be a very effective forward consistently. It will
Cook him let alone him being more likely to get injured again.

Might have to have Ladhams as the second ruck.

Man Sam Reid

20

Sam Reid

Age

33

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

6.3

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

4.7

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

12.0

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

6.0

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

0.0

1star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.4

3star

would have flourished as second ruck with a squad of 23.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

I can’t see Amartey used in the ruck. He just doesn’t have the tank to do that and be a very effective forward consistently. It will
Cook him let alone him being more likely to get injured again.

Might have to have Ladhams as the second ruck.

Man Sam Reid would have flourished as second ruck with a squad of 23.

It would be handy if McDonald could take on second ruck duties as i agree Amartey, ideally, shouldnt ruck but Id also prefer that we didnt have to pick Mclean or Ladhams just so that theres soneone to chop out Grundy.

 

[Kiama Chris]

It would be handy if McDonald could take on second ruck duties as i agree Amartey, ideally, shouldnt ruck but Id also prefer that we didnt have to pick Mclean or Ladhams just so that theres soneone to chop out Grundy.

This is the biggest conundrum we are going to have. Three talls or 4? One of them second ruck.
A) Do we want Curnow or McDonald rucking? I don't - surely we learnt from Tippett that rucking can destroy a key forward. So do we play 3 and the third is one of Amartey, McLean or Ladhams? Amartey is by far the best forward but do we risk him in the ruck and does he have the tank and durability? Or use Ladhams who is the best ruck but a pretty ordinary forward? Or McLean who is average at both but competent? None of those is ideal.
B) Or do we play 4 and abandon the idea of a smaller, faster forward line? Curnow, McDonald, Amartey and Ladhams as second ruck (with 3 forwards we don't need McLean).
My preference is A) and reduce Amartey's ToG% and have him rucking in short stints. Curnow and McDonald should both be able to run quite high ToG.
Use option B) against a team who runs two rucks; to get a better result from Ladhams but also to preserve Amartey.
McLean is the handy injury cover.
Then comes the question of which smalls!

 

[ErrolisGoldun]

This is the biggest conundrum we are going to have. Three talls or 4? One of them second ruck.
A) Do we want Curnow or McDonald rucking? I don't - surely we learnt from Tippett that rucking can destroy a key forward. So do we play 3 and the third is one of Amartey, McLean or Ladhams? Amartey is by far the best forward but do we risk him in the ruck and does he have the tank and durability? Or use Ladhams who is the best ruck but a pretty ordinary forward? Or McLean who is average at both but competent? None of those is ideal.
B) Or do we play 4 and abandon the idea of a smaller, faster forward line? Curnow, McDonald, Amartey and Ladhams as second ruck (with 3 forwards we don't need McLean).
My preference is A) and reduce Amartey's ToG% and have him rucking in short stints. Curnow and McDonald should both be able to run quite high ToG.
Use option B) against a team who runs two rucks; to get a better result from Ladhams but also to preserve Amartey.
McLean is the handy injury cover.
Then comes the question of which smalls!

The 2nd/relieving ruck is a conundrum.

I don’t think Amartey is the answer, Punts mentioned it, not the body to crash and bash. I think we need to minimise the kms to ensure he can play more games.

Appears to be a fast twitch type athlete, fast, burst power but is susceptible to injury if overused.

McDonald will be a wildcard in how he develops physically. Could be an undersized 2nd ruck (has the tank) but also not overly keen to expose to crash and bash injury.

McLean is a toiler and is the best 2nd ruck of the three but has limitations as a forward. Will always put in a shift.

I lean towards playing Ladhams as a genuine 2nd ruck, giving Grundy a greater chop out to provide greater longevity in the season (2024 being the lessen of running Grundy into the ground with a heavy workload).

Hopefully this lightens Grundys workload, gives Ladhams a deserved opportunity (has also proven adequate as a resting ruck forward) and gives greater balance.

Understand this means we have one less running player, keen to start off this way and see whether it works.

 

[Kiama Chris]

The 2nd/relieving ruck is a conundrum.

I don’t think Amartey is the answer, Punts mentioned it, not the body to crash and bash. I think we need to minimise the kms to ensure he can play more games.

Appears to be a fast twitch type athlete, fast, burst power but is susceptible to injury if overused.

McDonald will be a wildcard in how he develops physically. Could be an undersized 2nd ruck (has the tank) but also not overly keen to expose to crash and bash injury.

McLean is a toiler and is the best 2nd ruck of the three but has limitations as a forward. Will always put in a shift.

I lean towards playing Ladhams as a genuine 2nd ruck, giving Grundy a greater chop out to provide greater longevity in the season (2024 being the lessen of running Grundy into the ground with a heavy workload).

Hopefully this lightens Grundys workload, gives Ladhams a deserved opportunity (has also proven adequate as a resting ruck forward) and gives greater balance.

Understand this means we have one less running player, keen to start off this way and see whether it works.

Amartey is actually quite a good ruck, at one point definitely better than McLean, but durability and tank

 

[Wheresbuddy]

The 2nd/relieving ruck is a conundrum.

I don’t think Amartey is the answer, Punts mentioned it, not the body to crash and bash. I think we need to minimise the kms to ensure he can play more games.

Appears to be a fast twitch type athlete, fast, burst power but is susceptible to injury if overused.

McDonald will be a wildcard in how he develops physically. Could be an undersized 2nd ruck (has the tank) but also not overly keen to expose to crash and bash injury.

McLean is a toiler and is the best 2nd ruck of the three but has limitations as a forward. Will always put in a shift.

I lean towards playing Ladhams as a genuine 2nd ruck, giving Grundy a greater chop out to provide greater longevity in the season (2024 being the lessen of running Grundy into the ground with a heavy workload).

Hopefully this lightens Grundys workload, gives Ladhams a deserved opportunity (has also proven adequate as a resting ruck forward) and gives greater balance.

Understand this means we have one less running player, keen to start off this way and see whether it works.

Apparently there are times when the 5th intetchange is barely used in AFLW so having Ladhams there solely to relieve Grundy would be worth a go. In general terms, it will be interesting to see how clubs use the extra interchange player.

 

[Kiama Chris]

The 2nd/relieving ruck is a conundrum.

I don’t think Amartey is the answer, Punts mentioned it, not the body to crash and bash. I think we need to minimise the kms to ensure he can play more games.

Appears to be a fast twitch type athlete, fast, burst power but is susceptible to injury if overused.

McDonald will be a wildcard in how he develops physically. Could be an undersized 2nd ruck (has the tank) but also not overly keen to expose to crash and bash injury.

McLean is a toiler and is the best 2nd ruck of the three but has limitations as a forward. Will always put in a shift.

I lean towards playing Ladhams as a genuine 2nd ruck, giving Grundy a greater chop out to provide greater longevity in the season (2024 being the lessen of running Grundy into the ground with a heavy workload).

Hopefully this lightens Grundys workload, gives Ladhams a deserved opportunity (has also proven adequate as a resting ruck forward) and gives greater balance.

Understand this means we have one less running player, keen to start off this way and see whether it works.

I suspect that this is what will happen.

 

[Nuggetz]

Depends how many tall fwds we want on the field at the same time. I think all 3 or amartey/curnow/mcdonald can be on the field together. Amartey could ruck inside 50 but I don't want him jumping at the centre bounce.

I think we need a genuine ruck when Grundy is off the field. It's a risk having amartey, curnow or mcdonald in that role. Hence, I'd go with ladhams on the bench.

Amartey had 70% TOG & Grundy 80% TOG. I wouldn't be surprised if that reduced a bit for Grundy to manage him better, around 75%.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

This is the biggest conundrum we are going to have. Three talls or 4? One of them second ruck.
A) Do we want Curnow or McDonald rucking? I don't - surely we learnt from Tippett that rucking can destroy a key forward. So do we play 3 and the third is one of Amartey, McLean or Ladhams? Amartey is by far the best forward but do we risk him in the ruck and does he have the tank and durability? Or use Ladhams who is the best ruck but a pretty ordinary forward? Or McLean who is average at both but competent? None of those is ideal.
B) Or do we play 4 and abandon the idea of a smaller, faster forward line? Curnow, McDonald, Amartey and Ladhams as second ruck (with 3 forwards we don't need McLean).
My preference is A) and reduce Amartey's ToG% and have him rucking in short stints. Curnow and McDonald should both be able to run quite high ToG.
Use option B) against a team who runs two rucks; to get a better result from Ladhams but also to preserve Amartey.
McLean is the handy injury cover.
Then comes the question of which smalls!

I hear you on Option A.

I actually like Option B. Our talls will be fresher and sharper. Grundy will also make it through the year fresher.

Grundy, Logan and even Curnow can also play behind the ball. Perhaps this lets us play slightly smaller behind the ball, with just the three talls (McCartin, Melican and hopefully Serong - noting Blakey under no circumstances can be one them).

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Apparently there are times when the 5th intetchange is barely used in AFLW so having Ladhams there solely to relieve Grundy would be worth a go. In general terms, it will be interesting to see how clubs use the extra interchange player.

Do you know why this happens in the W?

Is it rotation restrictions? Or lack of depth?

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I think we will have an exciting midfield next year.

One rotation option: Mills as stopper, Heeney as extractor, Warner on the outside. Fair bit of top line talent there!

The option that gets me most excited: Mills as stopper, Sheldrick as extractor, Heeney on the outside. A fair bit of grunt there, especially if Sheldrick improves his defensive side.

Then we have very dangerous wingers on the outside in Gulden and JMac, with hopefully Blakey also getting a run.

Then for rotations through the middle we could have Rowbottom, Jordon, Gulden, JMac, Papley, Cleary,
Campbell (not sure if they will all be selected in the same team at once, but some good depth there).

 

[Kiama Chris]

I hear you on Option A.

I actually like Option B. Our talls will be fresher and sharper. Grundy will also make it through the year fresher.

Grundy, Logan and even Curnow can also play behind the ball. Perhaps this lets us play slightly smaller behind the ball, with just the three talls (McCartin, Melican and hopefully Serong - noting Blakey under no circumstances can be one them).

I think this and the structure of defence are the two biggest issues for the coaches.
Midfield almost sorts itself with only a couple of fringe issues around Lloyd and Cleary if they're not being used forward.
I think Cox has given up trying to play Blakey as a third tall (thank heavens!) but now he will have to decide whether to add another tall to McCartin and Melican. I would and we should see a good contest between Serong, Edwards and Snell with Hamling to step in if necessary. It might end up being at the expense of Cunningham which would be a shame but I hope Bice comes on as having all our exits hinging on Blakey is risky. Another conundrum!

 

[rustycrate]

I think this and the structure of defence are the two biggest issues for the coaches.
Midfield almost sorts itself with only a couple of fringe issues around Lloyd and Cleary if they're not being used forward.
I think Cox has given up trying to play Blakey as a third tall (thank heavens!) but now he will have to decide whether to add another tall to McCartin and Melican. I would and we should see a good contest between Serong, Edwards and Snell with Hamling to step in if necessary. It might end up being at the expense of Cunningham which would be a shame but I hope Bice comes on as having all our exits hinging on Blakey is risky. Another conundrum!

Another reason Mills will move to the midfield.

• Allows Bice and Blakey to be the outlets. Both great runners and kickers.
• I suspect Rampe will be bracketed with (contest between Serong, Edwards and Snell with Hamling to step in if necessary.
• Hardens the mids. Allows Heeney to go forward whenever he likes.
• Mills and Sheldrick extractors
• Allows Warner to move outside to be a receiver
• Our outside brigade (Gulden, McInerney, Lloyd etc) delivering to the new forward line
• New forward line in Curnow, Amartey, McDonald
• Crumbers in Papley, Rosas, Datolli, Bowman, Hanily

I am excited.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Another reason Mills will move to the midfield.

• Allows Bice and Blakey to be the outlets. Both great runners and kickers.
• I suspect Rampe will be bracketed with (contest between Serong, Edwards and Snell with Hamling to step in if necessary.
• Hardens the mids. Allows Heeney to go forward whenever he likes.
• Mills and Sheldrick extractors
• Allows Warner to move outside to be a receiver
• Our outside brigade (Gulden, McInerney, Lloyd etc) delivering to the new forward line
• New forward line in Curnow, Amartey, McDonald
• Crumbers in Papley, Rosas, Datolli, Bowman, Hanily

I am excited.

I think we started to see a little of that in the last few games with Heeney tearing it up, Sheldrick more mid time, Rowie less. There are a lot of possibilities there, flexibility.
If we can rebuild the connections we had in the first half of 2024 it could get very exciting indeed

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Do you know why this happens in the W?

Is it rotation restrictions? Or lack of depth?

I hadn't given it much thought but lack of depth would be an issue. The 21st player (16 on field in AFLW) picked is generally not adding much to the team when on ground in most AFLW sides.

 

[Nuggetz]

I think this and the structure of defence are the two biggest issues for the coaches.
Midfield almost sorts itself with only a couple of fringe issues around Lloyd and Cleary if they're not being used forward.
I think Cox has given up trying to play Blakey as a third tall (thank heavens!) but now he will have to decide whether to add another tall to McCartin and Melican. I would and we should see a good contest between Serong, Edwards and Snell with Hamling to step in if necessary. It might end up being at the expense of Cunningham which would be a shame but I hope Bice comes on as having all our exits hinging on Blakey is risky. Another conundrum!

Imo this is an area where Wicks can develop further. I think he has the tools for it too but needs better consistency with his kicking. I thought Cunningham was pretty good last year & didn't really drop off while Bice had issues defensively. I wouldn't move out Cunningham for Bice yet.

I think we need as many good 1v1 defenders in our defence as possible because tbh I can see the ball flying out from our fwd 50 due to the addition of Curnow. Our fwd combination doesn't have the strength of being high pressure creating turnovers, it's more of impact scoreboard through first use. A big onus on the midfield to help out defensively too.

 

[Wazowski]

Apparently there are times when the 5th intetchange is barely used in AFLW so having Ladhams there solely to relieve Grundy would be worth a go. In general terms, it will be interesting to see how clubs use the extra interchange player.

AFLW would be a poor comparison though. It's a different game, less players on the field and there's alot less depth or drop off between best and worse players.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

CodeSports' "injury wrap" for every club ahead of pre-season

SYDNEY​

Unlike their 2025 campaign, the Swans are in a strong position when it comes to their injury list over the summer. The club had no off-season surgeries with key players like Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner getting through the year unscathed. There will be a watch on how Logan McDonald recovers from his ankle injury that saw him on the sidelines for the majority of the year, but the Swans took a cautious approach with the forward, who was a strong participant in training throughout August. Another highly-rated Swans prospect who had a troubled year with injuries is Will Edwards, after a variety of leg injuries and infections. But the Swans see him as a future first-choice key defender and will be hoping he gets a clear run at things after putting his troubled past behind him in the back half of the year.


Link: https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/w...n/news-story/a1568cf2a2823188ad47a475df73861e

 

[Kiama Chris]

CodeSports' "injury wrap" for every club ahead of pre-season

SYDNEY​

Unlike their 2025 campaign, the Swans are in a strong position when it comes to their injury list over the summer. The club had no off-season surgeries with key players like Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner getting through the year unscathed. There will be a watch on how Logan McDonald recovers from his ankle injury that saw him on the sidelines for the majority of the year, but the Swans took a cautious approach with the forward, who was a strong participant in training throughout August. Another highly-rated Swans prospect who had a troubled year with injuries is Will Edwards, after a variety of leg injuries and infections. But the Swans see him as a future first-choice key defender and will be hoping he gets a clear run at things after putting his troubled past behind him in the back half of the year.


Link: https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/w...n/news-story/a1568cf2a2823188ad47a475df73861e

Reckon Papley played wounded all year as well.

 

[Nuggetz]

Like the Edwards comments. He's got the size for an ideal key defender.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Like the Edwards comments. He's got the size for an ideal key defender.

Been my major hope since he was drafted. Saw him play in a preseason game and he played both ends. Took a terrific mark up front but only kicked a behind. Kicks the ball 70 effortlessly. Good athlete for such a big bloke. Could be what McKay pretends to be.

 

[Nuggetz]

Been my major hope since he was drafted. Saw him play in a preseason game and he played both ends. Took a terrific mark up front but only kicked a behind. Kicks the ball 70 effortlessly. Good athlete for such a big bloke. Could be what McKay pretends to be.

You sold me on him a long time back. We're sitting in the front seats of his train.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Spending a bit of time thinking about the VFL side. The development there is an important part of the way forward. Assuming Rampe, Serong, Rosas, Bice and Ladhams are playing seniors. This could be miles out but changes would be pretty much one for one. Again assuming we take all 5 academy kids.
21 listed players so I'm missing two.

FB Cunningham Edwards Andrew
HB Carmichael Snell Roberts
C Lloyd Adams Chamberlain
Foll Green Cleary Kyle
HF King McLean Bowman
FF Hanily Hamling CoWarner
IC McNamara

Main points:
If Rampe and Serong play seniors one of Cunningham or Bice/Roberts gets squeezed out
Hamling will most likely need to play forward again
We need a VFL listed ruck due to the shortage of KPFs
The spine is not too bad.
The midfield is REALLY shallow with Adams, Cleary, Roberts? Kyle? McNamara? CoWarner? and maybe one more not in seniors.
The 44 max list kills us.