Dane Swan

[rustyg70]

1: Can our Brownlow medalist keep performing at the level we are accustomed to?
2: Will he be forced out of the midfield with the return of Ball and the rise of Beams?
3: Are we robbing Peter to pay Paul by using him in the forward line more often?

Just how long can we expect Swanny to keep up the workrate that he has been producing for the last couple of years?

These are the questions I'd like to know.

 

[Fruit]

I just hope that we only hear good news about Swanny this year. Bit nervous about him to be honest.

 

[jamieb1983]

I would imagine he will perform at his usual high level for a couple more years at least. There is nothing to suggest he won't. Even in the forward line he will be devastating.

 

[SnakePlisskin]

I would imagine he will perform at his usual high level for a couple more years at least. There is nothing to suggest he won't. Even in the forward line he will be devastating.

Spot on mate , and the return of Ball helps him even more.

 

[bucksisbest]

I was relieved when I opened this thread and saw it was a harmless football opinion thread.

I think a 75 - 25 split between midfield and forward line.

Lack of defensive intent will have him spend less time in the midfield, rather than being forced out by players outperforming him.

 

[forwardflanker]

1: Can our Brownlow medalist keep performing at the level we are accustomed to?
2: Will he be forced out of the midfield with the return of Ball and the rise of Beams?
3: Are we robbing Peter to pay Paul by using him in the forward line more often?

Just how long can we expect Swanny to keep up the workrate that he has been producing for the last couple of years?

These are the questions I'd like to know.

1- Yes
2- Yes
3 - No

He is most valuable to us spending more time as a leading half forward in 2013 imo

 

[soreplums]

I'd like to see how he goes lining up at half forward but actually use him as an extra midfielder. Creates space for our forwards to work into, plus he'll run his man off his feet heading back to goal.

 

[Rohan25]

I'm backing him for the brownlow. He only missed by 5 votes last year after missing 4 games. The guy is a gem, he's going to dominate the competition again, just watch.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Like our entire midfield, he needs to defend better than in 2012.

Unrelated, but it really annoys me when people put full stops in thread titles.

 

[Knightmare]

1: Can our Brownlow medalist keep performing at the level we are accustomed to?
2: Will he be forced out of the midfield with the return of Ball and the rise of Beams?
3: Are we robbing Peter to pay Paul by using him in the forward line more often?

Just how long can we expect Swanny to keep up the workrate that he has been producing for the last couple of years?

These are the questions I'd like to know.

1. I think Swan will be fine. Has had another strong preseason hitting the track hard and I don't see him declining.
For those wondering what Swan's numbers will be like, look for something like 2011 as with Ball back that's probably a better indication than 2012 year of what his numbers will be like with Ball back again this year.

2. Swan won't be kicked out of our midfield rotation at the expense of anyone. It just means that he might get to play some more outside minutes which he didn't get much of a chance to do as much of in 2012 as that primary inside midfielder with Ball out and I'd say the same of Beams, but I see the balance as roughly the same as in 2011 and nothing unusual for Swan. There is room for all of Pendlebury/Swan/Beams/Ball in that same midfield - just Beams and Swan probably both play some outside and Ball some forward minutes to allow for it.

3. Swan I think will remain a full time midfield in 2013. He best functions when he has those couple of 50 second rests on the bench where he can re-fuel and get that energy back and burst back into the game. Why I see this rather than going into the forward half is not just that chance to lose a tag but also because he regularly consumes varying energy formulas so that he can run back into the game with energy and just burn away. It is robbing Peter to pay Paul but as a situational type thing if the team is struggling to get a mark or kick a goal moving Swan forward is something that can be considered at various times.

With Swan in my mind as long as he can stay motivated he can continue to produce. I think he retires before he slows down so I wouldn't be too concerned and it's been pretty clear with the clubs comments that he has hit the preseason hard so what's slowing him down this year. In saying that he probably only hangs around for another 2-3 years so don't expect him to stay on deep into his 30s even if he can very capably do so.

 

[THATSGOLD]

I think this might be his last year as elite status and up there in top 5 of the Brownlow.

 

[The Sqawka]

1. Yes - He is a Gun and will continue to dominate, until he hangs them up
2. No - Swanny pushed out of the midfield? <-- this face says it all
3. Yes - But Paul needs it more than Peter, so all is okay

 

[Soul_Pie]

He does need to work on his defensive game badly, though, this year he really slipped, as did his disposal by foot. He's still a star, but he has played much better footy.

I'd love to see him play up forward more often, he would be devastating there.

 

[PieNSauce]

I think the most ardent of us would have to admit albeit grudgingly, to some nervousness about the off-season rumour and innuendo propagated by the likes of Caro. I'm certainly not swallowing that stuff hook, line and sinker but there is an old adage about smoke and fire which plays on the mind and which we all hope is proven to be completely off the mark.

That said, and assuming that the only smoke is that which the journos have combined with mirrors for their own purposes, I can't see any reason why Swanny wouldn't continue to produce at a similar level although I can see a possibility that he may be given an altered role if Bucks thinks the team needs it. I certainly don't see him being pushed out of the midfield by others but more called upon to add strength elsewhere when needed as he was on occasion in 2012. With Beams having taken the next step and Ball coming back I certainly wouldn't see it as robbing Peter to pay Paul but more about using midfield oversupply to best advantage elsewhere.

 

[4#Didak#4]

I think the most ardent of us would have to admit albeit grudgingly, to some nervousness about the off-season rumour and innuendo propagated by the likes of Caro. I'm certainly not swallowing that stuff hook, line and sinker but there is an old adage about smoke and fire which plays on the mind and which we all hope is proven to be completely off the mark.

That said, and assuming that the only smoke is that which the journos have combined with mirrors for their own purposes, I can't see any reason why Swanny wouldn't continue to produce at a similar level although I can see a possibility that he may be given an altered role if Bucks thinks the team needs it. I certainly don't see him being pushed out of the midfield by others but more called upon to add strength elsewhere when needed as he was on occasion in 2012. With Beams having taken the next step and Ball coming back I certainly wouldn't see it as robbing Peter to pay Paul but more about using midfield oversupply to best advantage elsewhere.

This for me is the big question. We do have a midfield oversupply, which with the 3 man bench and less ability to rotate these guys, what do we do with the excess capacity.

There is too much quality to not have them in the best 22. Therefore the only answer is to move one permanently forward or rotate a number through the forward line.

I personally like the idea of rotating through the forward line as we have a number of guys that can all be dangerous forwards and play midfield: Beams, Swan, Thomas, Blair, Pendles. They are all different and dangerous in their own way. It makes us less predictable up forward as well and very hard to match up on. It should also give the midfield a little more of a rest, although not a huge amount, every 1% is important.

If you look at the permanent forward option, I think only Thomas & Swan fit this as both are great overhead marks. I am a big fan of having Swan playing permanent forward at the end of his career, he is perfectly suited to this role. However, I don't think Swanny will hang around for this to happen, which is a great shame. I often wonder how many goals Bucks would have kicked in this role had his hammies held up.

 

[soreplums]

I'd only have swan, Thomas, beams, Blair and maybe sidey rotate forward. I'd rather pendle and ball play midfield only, resting on the pine- not because pendle cant play forward- would just prefer him to be at 100% When in the middle and where he is more dangerous. I'd even consider Thomas to rest/rotate down back. Pick up a resting rover and use his legs out of the backline

 

[ksardog]

I'd like to see how he goes lining up at half forward but actually use him as an extra midfielder. Creates space for our forwards to work into, plus he'll run his man off his feet heading back to goal.

this is what i would like to see if we can afford that luxury. he could potentially kick 40-50 goals while still having 20-25 possesions. still give him time in the middle (his clearance and burst work out of the centre square is as good as any) but manage his midfield time with his high half forward work .
should of gone back to back in the brownlow, any apparently he has been burning up the track this pre season

 

[PepperFace]

But I thought Swan was going to be sacked? Damn Carro got one wrong....

 

[Hva sher a]

But I thought Swan was going to be sacked? Damn Carro got one wrong....

Caro...wrong? Surely you jest!

 

[Mick98]

Dane rubbed his tummy after demolishing Essendon ANZAC day and being BOG.

Maybe this year when he tears another team a new one he can direct some sort of drug user sign towards the press box

 

[sirene]

Even though my crystal ball is broke, I will still make a prediction...
Swan will absolutely **** it up....he will move a little forward and then will get an invitation to the Brownlow! Think it will be his breakout year....lol!

 

[well left]

I'd like to see how he goes lining up at half forward but actually use him as an extra midfielder. Creates space for our forwards to work into, plus he'll run his man off his feet heading back to goal.

This is the role that Cousins played towards the end of his career at West Coast and has some merit with Swan - not that I am comparing them Caro!

I'd still give him considerable time in the middle but he has the ability to play this role effectively as he has that gut running endurance that runs opposition players ragged plus great goal sense.

 

[Quicky]

The game is won in the middle. Swan is a devastating midfielder. You keep him there.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

In our premiership year we had a fleet of goalkicking midfielders and few if any permenant small forwards. Thats the recipe I want to see again.

Swan to keep doing what hes been doing. Midfield but with time up forward.

 

[the mighty T]

was watching a replay of our game against the Brions where Swanny went forward to lose the tag and ended up with 3-4 marks inside 50 for the quarter. His speed and strength make him a handful in the forwardline and i wouldnt be opposed to extending his minutes there at some point. Right now however, hes still the most prolifc accumulator in the comp and his greatest value to us is in the middle