Analysis Swans General Performance 2024

[Al_parks]

Not to tell you all something you already know but Swans so far this season, wow.
I've created my own power ranking system for a game I'm working on. Do better than expected, go up, do worse, go down.
Pretty clear cut that swans are consistently in absolute peak form even while expectations keep rising.

As seen below the gap is just huge.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Who is going better and what roles.

Amartey FF
McDonald CHF
McLean FP/Ruck

With the other forwards and the mids, it is a very balanced scoring spread and they allow us more flexibility.

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See look at all that improvement to be made!!

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Sooner or later we will need to start thinking about resting players. We can afford to lose 4 games out of 10 and still finish top 4. Our performances will be for nothing if we don't win the flag.

Grundy, Heeney, Gulden, Warner are all a massive part of our success. I suspect after Freo we will give Grundy a rest along with minimising midfield minutes for the other 3

We dont rest players it is what it is

 

[MF]

Mills will elevate this side further

Having him in the backline over a Roberts or Campbell is a massive, massive upgrade to the team.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Having him in the backline over a Roberts or Campbell is a massive, massive upgrade to the team.

And handy in case of need in the midfield.

 

[MF]

We dont rest players it is what it is

Yeah, based on Horses history I don't know if we'll see players get rested. I could definitely see them using an early sub if we're well up but I'd be surprised if Horse starting giving Heeney, Gulden, Warner, Blakey etc a week off.

Who knows though? We've never really been in this position so come round 18 or so we might start seeing these guys have a week off with 'hamstring awareness' or 'sprained ankles'

 

[Kiama Chris]

Yeah, based on Horses history I don't know if we'll see players get rested. I could definitely see them using an early sub if we're well up but I'd be surprised if Horse starting giving Heeney, Gulden, Warner, Blakey etc a week off.

Who knows though? We've never really been in this position so come round 18 or so we might start seeing these guys have a week off with 'hamstring awareness' or 'sprained ankles'

I really hope we do rest people with niggles or who need freshening up. Doesn't matter who they are or what position. Even if we do take the shortest road to the GF it's still bloody hard.

 

[SydneyBlood]

It rarely if ever happens, but if all players on the list were available this would be my team based on form so far this season and overall team balance. Can hardly believe I can't find a spot for at least one of Adams or Parker in the 22. But to keep the dynamic and less dour style of our play ongoing this season and for balance of the team, both just miss out. One of them is possibly sub.

Back 7: McCartin - Melican - Rampe - Blakey - Florent - Cunningham - Fox

Middle 8: Grundy - Warner - Heeney - Mills - Rowbottom - Gulden - McInerney - Lloyd

Forward 7: Amartey - McDonald - McLean - Hayward - Papley - Wicks - Jordon

No spot either for Campbell or Roberts. One of four along with Parker and Adams would be the 23rd man (sub). Take your pick? I'd possibly go with Parker. What a hard team to break into and stay in. There's also Sheldrick beyond those already mentioned.

Also no spot for taller options such as Francis, Ladhams, Hamling or Reid (if he was ever fit enough).

That's 31 players who I wouldn't mind being in my top 22 or 23. Most ever in my 40 years of following the Swans. A few preferably as backup only but all having shown something at senior level at the least.

I liked what Fox provided as a defensive type forward earlier in the season too. if the match up made it a viable option, he can go into the forward 7, Jordon back into the mids and McInerney back to defence. Would leave Lloyd on the wing where I have liked his play more this year.

Some might think we need at least one of Parker or Adams in the middle as a hard nut but in Heeney, Rowbottom and Mills I think are covered well enough in that area, while being more athletic and having more flair at the same time.

How different would your "ideal" team be if all fit?

EDIT: Will keep a note of this team and thread and am curious to see how much I would change it (or not) in say one, two and three months time.

Since posting this four weeks ago, would make up a couple of changes. Adams has been more influential with increased game time and fitness, deserves to stay in the 22. Because of that, Mills better suited to slotting in to the defensive seven instead of the midfield. Which would push an unlucky Fox out of the 22 to be a versatile sub.

If all available:

Back 7: McCartin - Melican - Rampe - Mills - Blakey - Florent - Cunningham

Middle 8: Grundy - Heeney - Warner - Gulden - Rowbottom - McInerney - Lloyd - Adams

Forward 7: McDonald - Amartey - McLean - Papley - Hayward - Wicks - Jordon

Sub: Fox

Next up: Campbell - Parker - Roberts - Francis - Hamling - Ladhams - Sheldrick - Reid

All three of Campbell, Parker and Roberts pretty unlucky I'd say. Think they would be in most AFL teams 23. Good position to be in, depth wise.

Will be curious how much I might change this again in a few weeks time.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Since posting this four weeks ago, would make up a couple of changes. Adams has been more influential with increased game time and fitness, deserves to stay in the 22. Because of that, Mills better suited to slotting in to the defensive seven instead of the midfield. Which would push an unlucky Fox out of the 22 to be a versatile sub.

If all available:

Back 7: McCartin - Melican - Rampe - Mills - Blakey - Florent - Cunningham

Middle 8: Grundy - Heeney - Warner - Gulden - Rowbottom - McInerney - Lloyd - Adams

Forward 7: McDonald - Amartey - McLean - Papley - Hayward - Wicks - Jordon

Sub: Fox

Next up: Campbell - Parker - Roberts - Francis - Hamling - Ladhams - Sheldrick - Reid

All three of Campbell, Parker and Roberts pretty unlucky I'd say. Think they would be in most AFL teams 23. Good position to be in, depth wise.

Will be curious how much I might change this again in a few weeks time.

Like this one better. Parker sub. Sorry Foxy.

 

[caesar88]

IMO the five we'd need to look at managing most would be:

Grundy - 30 years old, shouldered a massive rucking load this year, important to our midfield.

Heeney - Been the midfielder getting the most physical attention all year, plus he's our best player so we should want him in tip-top shape anyway.

Rowbottom - Guarantee there wouldn't be a Swan with more wear and tear on his body so far, and our most important mid.

Melican - With his history of soft tissue injuries, every game he plays is another game he could get injured again. We can minimise that risk at least.

Adams - Pretty much the same as Melican, but over 30, and with the most obvious replacement to mitigate his absence.

 

[Kiama Chris]

IMO the five we'd need to look at managing most would be:

Grundy - 30 years old, shouldered a massive rucking load this year, important to our midfield.

Heeney - Been the midfielder getting the most physical attention all year, plus he's our best player so we should want him in tip-top shape anyway.

Rowbottom - Guarantee there wouldn't be a Swan with more wear and tear on his body so far, and our most important mid.

Melican - With his history of soft tissue injuries, every game he plays is another game he could get injured again. We can minimise that risk at least.

Adams - Pretty much the same as Melican, but over 30, and with the most obvious replacement to mitigate his absence.

Just from the point of view of protecting and freshening up. Add anyone carrying a niggle that would benefit from a week off. Careful not to pull out too many at one time.

 

[Tesla Tenet]

IMO the five we'd need to look at managing most would be:

Grundy - 30 years old, shouldered a massive rucking load this year, important to our midfield.

Heeney - Been the midfielder getting the most physical attention all year, plus he's our best player so we should want him in tip-top shape anyway.

Rowbottom - Guarantee there wouldn't be a Swan with more wear and tear on his body so far, and our most important mid.

Melican - With his history of soft tissue injuries, every game he plays is another game he could get injured again. We can minimise that risk at least.

Adams - Pretty much the same as Melican, but over 30, and with the most obvious replacement to mitigate his absence.

Also Amartey and his history with soft tissue issues.

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[Callipygian]

I've just been reflecting on the comparison between our team this year and our 2022 team when we made the granny. And I'm amazed at how much stronger we are.

Paddy McCartin is a loss but Melican is doing well. Doesn't quite have Paddy's rebound and intercepting but is defending really solidly and intercepting and rebounding more than adequately.

Players like Cunningham, Rampe and Fox haven't gone too far backwards.

Lloyd is just as good as he was in '22 and is thriving in his new role.

Grundy is an upgrade on Hickey.

Adams is an upgrade on Clarke.

Jordon is an upgrade on Dyl.

Collectively I would say the current versions of McLean, McDonald and Amartey stack up ok against the 2022 versions of Buddy, Reid and McLean.

Apart from that, most of the team was young, is still young, but is now stronger, harder, and better.

Plus we have the bitter taste of defeat in our mouths and the motivation to make sure that what happened on GF day does not happen again. We're going to take some beating.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I've just been reflecting on the comparison between our team this year and our 2022 team when we made the granny. And I'm amazed at how much stronger we are.

Paddy McCartin is a loss but Melican is doing well. Doesn't quite have Paddy's rebound and intercepting but is defending really solidly and intercepting and rebounding more than adequately.

Players like Cunningham, Rampe and Fox haven't gone too far backwards.

Lloyd is just as good as he was in '22 and is thriving in his new role.

Grundy is an upgrade on Hickey.

Adams is an upgrade on Clarke.

Jordon is an upgrade on Dyl.

Collectively I would say the current versions of McLean, McDonald and Amartey stack up ok against the 2022 versions of Buddy, Reid and McLean.

Apart from that, most of the team was young, is still young, but is now stronger, harder, and better.

Plus we have the bitter taste of defeat in our mouths and the motivation to make sure that what happened on GF day does not happen again. We're going to take some beating.

Look i think you got it totally wrong on all points!

The main reason for our surge is the 2 extra byes.

 

[BloodySwan]

I've just been reflecting on the comparison between our team this year and our 2022 team when we made the granny. And I'm amazed at how much stronger we are.

Paddy McCartin is a loss but Melican is doing well. Doesn't quite have Paddy's rebound and intercepting but is defending really solidly and intercepting and rebounding more than adequately.

Players like Cunningham, Rampe and Fox haven't gone too far backwards.

Lloyd is just as good as he was in '22 and is thriving in his new role.

Grundy is an upgrade on Hickey.

Adams is an upgrade on Clarke.

Jordon is an upgrade on Dyl.

Collectively I would say the current versions of McLean, McDonald and Amartey stack up ok against the 2022 versions of Buddy, Reid and McLean.

Apart from that, most of the team was young, is still young, but is now stronger, harder, and better.

Plus we have the bitter taste of defeat in our mouths and the motivation to make sure that what happened on GF day does not happen again. We're going to take some beating.

I said after the grand final it felt like we were 2years too early. Looking to be spot on. Amazing the development we've had since then

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I said after the grand final it felt like we were 2years too early. Looking to be spot on. Amazing the development we've had since then

I thought about that then my damned mind took me back to 2014 and thus i ruled out that connection

 

[caesar88]

I've just been reflecting on the comparison between our team this year and our 2022 team when we made the granny. And I'm amazed at how much stronger we are.

Paddy McCartin is a loss but Melican is doing well. Doesn't quite have Paddy's rebound and intercepting but is defending really solidly and intercepting and rebounding more than adequately.

Players like Cunningham, Rampe and Fox haven't gone too far backwards.

Lloyd is just as good as he was in '22 and is thriving in his new role.

Grundy is an upgrade on Hickey.

Adams is an upgrade on Clarke.

Jordon is an upgrade on Dyl.

Collectively I would say the current versions of McLean, McDonald and Amartey stack up ok against the 2022 versions of Buddy, Reid and McLean.

Apart from that, most of the team was young, is still young, but is now stronger, harder, and better.

Plus we have the bitter taste of defeat in our mouths and the motivation to make sure that what happened on GF day does not happen again. We're going to take some beating.

Some saw this coming 5 years ago...

None of you are invited to my 2024 grand final viewing party.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Some saw this coming 5 years ago...

I bet it was you im gonna do some digging up now

 

[caesar88]

I bet it was you im gonna do some digging up now

Oh you can go back a long way through my posts and you'll see me talking up 2024 everywhere.* I've always felt like there's a process of trial and error involved that can take 4-5 years. No matter how "great" you think your list is, you've gotta find out the hard way which guys you can go forward with and which ones you need to, respectfully, give the chop.

Feels like that's what we've spent the last 4-5 years doing, so I was pretty confident that with the right coaching moves and improved natural fitness of the squad, it would all come together.

*You'd also see me talking up Will Phillips as being part of the 2024 plans, and George Hewett being instrumental to our flag push, and a ruckman not being that important for us... Just ignore those.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Oh you can go back a long way through my posts and you'll see me talking up 2024 everywhere.* I've always felt like there's a process of trial and error involved that can take 4-5 years. No matter how "great" you think your list is, you've gotta find out the hard way which guys you can go forward with and which ones you need to, respectfully, give the chop.

Feels like that's what we've spent the last 4-5 years doing, so I was pretty confident that with the right coaching moves and improved natural fitness of the squad, it would all come together.

*You'd also see me talking up Will Phillips as being part of the 2024 plans, and George Hewett being instrumental to our flag push, and a ruckman not being that important for us... Just ignore those.

To be fair tho Grundy is more than just another Ruck nobody expected this sort of output from him.

 

[Kiama Chris]

To be fair tho Grundy is more than just another Ruck nobody expected this sort of output from him.

Expect maybe not but definitely hope. He's surprisingly close to his 2019 form.

 

[BloodySwan]

I just keep thinking about Collingwood in 2011 before I get too much hope. Absolute dominant team but failed on the big day.

Richmond in 2018 were the same

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

We haven’t played anywhere near our best, I remain convinced of that.

And I’m not buying into Longmire can’t win grand finals nonsense / we choke etc.

Umpires aside, the only chink is that we are a smallish side across the park. Big bodied midfielders might be hard to lock down as they get handballs away eg Cripps and our defence does look shaky one on one notwithstanding we run a team defence.

Need a modified Kennedy weights program leading into the finals to make tackles stick on the big day.

Aside from that, when we fully click, and if we blow teams away in the first quarter, we might just break them.

We remain faster for longer.

Yours in speed, JHWF.

 

[Voice of the G]

We haven’t played anywhere near our best, I remain convinced of that.

And I’m not buying into Longmire can’t win grand finals nonsense / we choke etc.

Umpires aside, the only chink is that we are a smallish side across the park. Big bodied midfielders might be hard to lock down as they get handballs away eg Cripps and our defence does look shaky one on one notwithstanding we run a team defence.

Need a modified Kennedy weights program leading into the finals to make tackles stick on the big day.

Aside from that, when we fully click, and if we blow teams away in the first quarter, we might just break them.

We remain faster for longer.

Yours in speed, JHWF.

How many more matches will Parker miss?

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I just keep thinking about Collingwood in 2011 before I get too much hope. Absolute dominant team but failed on the big day.

Richmond in 2018 were the same

2011 there was Geelong and Collingwood and nobody else with Geelong beating Collingwood on each occasion by significant margins.

2018 is more akin to a dominant team having a offnight and Cox playing the game of his career.

But yep your point remains anything can happen!