Depth Issues

[swans4eva]

Our team when it has all the players on the park is a very, very good team. However, the issue is... if 3 or 4 players go down, there is about a group of 15 players who are all not up to best 22 standard for a team looking to the top four and they let the team down as a whole.
In the pre-season, there was a lot of talk about how we have a lot of depth, however, that is meaningless if they are all not up to standard. We are quickly becoming the Carlton of two years ago where they had a great team of about 18 or so players. But other fringe players let the team down which restricted their finals action.

Swans4eva

 

[Jizza9]

The problem is we've had injuries in key positions, Rucks/Tall Backs/Tall Forwards. No team really has much depth in these positions. They are too rare to have quality waiting in reserve. We have loads of depth in mids and running defenders, we've been really unlucky with who has gone down injured/suspended.

 

[DragonLass]

I don't really buy into the idea that we have no depth. We have plenty of guys who could step up if given a chance. It's hard to suddenly thrust a guy who has been playing in the canberra AFL competition for weeks, into AFL level, and then judge them on just that game. This is where most other AFL teams have an advantage over us, they play in the VFL/SANFL/WAFL, which is a much higher standard.

Look at some of our players:

Ted Richards - has not had the greatest 2 weeks, but has played on 2 very difficult teams. His best is very good. He will improve.

Paul Bevan - was in our best premiership side, didn't have a great year last year, but I really think he is still hungry to get back in the best 22 and will work hard to get there

Craig Bird - can't wait for The Bird to get back on the park

Veszpremi - when he gets over his injury niggles, he will be able to make an impact.

Trent Dennis-Lane - OK so he hasn't lit up the ressies just yet, but give him some more time to settle and he'll come good.

Then there's more youngsters who may be ready to have a shot this season if the conditions are right: Heath, O'Dwyer, Currie ....

We've got just as much depth as most other teams in the comp, and definately more than some (*cough* St Kilda).

 

[MF]

Not many teams have adequate cover for their full forward, best defender, 2 best ruckmen and best small forward all at the same time.

 

[CAS79]

Our depth is been tested and to date has played two of the best sides going around. No surprise it has failed. Look at the Hawks - premiers to duds, The Crows to no where and the saints without Riewoldt are look very vulnerable

The Greatest of teams ride out their depth problems, Collingwood seem ot be able to cover and the cats as well, no doubt their depth is better but as has been pointed our KP injuries and suspension are hurting, but it's the next couple of weeks we really find out how much.

 

[WoGiTaLiA]

I think our depth is actually very good, we just don't have the top end superstars to cover for them against teams like the Dogs and Geelong, who do.

We only have one or two players at the same level as Ablett, Bartel, Chapman, SJ and Selwood in the middle, we then have a lot of good solid players. When you take away what we have missing you start to look shallow if you don't have stars. Doesn't help that Goodes and ROK have each had shockers in one of the last 2 games. We need both those guys playing well to remain competitive(Note both had good first quarters prior to the stinkfests and we were competitive for you guessed it... one quarter).

 

[HighReeve]

I think our depth is actually very good, we just don't have the top end superstars to cover for them against teams like the Dogs and Geelong, who do.

We only have one or two players at the same level as Ablett, Bartel, Chapman, SJ and Selwood in the middle, we then have a lot of good solid players. When you take away what we have missing you start to look shallow if you don't have stars. Doesn't help that Goodes and ROK have each had shockers in one of the last 2 games. We need both those guys playing well to remain competitive(Note both had good first quarters prior to the stinkfests and we were competitive for you guessed it... one quarter).

This is it. We're such an even team.

If you look back at threads here and RWO from 4-5 years ago there are sensible posters saying 'what happens when Bolton retires?' 'what happens when Bolton is injured?' 'what happens when O'Loughlin and Hall are gone' aaaand (well apart from Bradshaw falling into our lap) you can see, we are left with playing Richards and Playfair instead. Who are just not up to standard.

We should've been drafting key position players years ago.

 

[barry fu]

It's a simple case of Keanu Reeves syndrome, not enough depth for the lead roles. Unfortunately the only probable solution to this blight of our list, Brian Waldron bookkepping.:diamond:

 

[bedford]

We don't need Bullies at our club , Barry. He is NO good, was hated at the scum and to make it even worse is that he barracked for South Melbourne Football Club. ( had to do that as it looks good )

 

[barry fu]

We don't need Bullies at our club , Barry. He is NO good, was hated at the scum and to make it even worse is that he barracked for South Melbourne Football Club. ( had to do that as it looks good )

Yes, more to John Elliots school of sum one would think.

 

[The King!]

if we did up a depth chart i think theres a bit to optomistic about. But some of the depth is players we (especially swans fans) THINK could be good, as opposed to being proven players.

Examples, currie, veszpremi bird rohan johnston heath, players who could be anything but if we pick them now it could be hit or miss.