Media Swans Talk in the Media 2025

[Ticky009]

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[bedford]

It's sad

 

[The Blue Max]

I would absolutely love to see a healthy Mills in the midfield. I think that's been one of the things we have been missing in there, a two way player who can take control and stem the bleeding when we lose momentum.
I love Rowbottom, he's my favourite player but he just isn't a two way player, he's the one who has been picking up the slack for the other more attacking minded players. He needs help, and the midfield needs balance. Mills fits that role perfectly.

The only problem with this is that we still haven't replaced McCartin (the Paddy variety). Mills has been trying to plug that hole but he's not really that player either. This is the season we really need someone to step up. Serong, Edwards, Snell, heck even if MacDonald ends up back there I don't really care. They just need to get Tom and Melican some help back there.

Good point. The game hasn’t changed so much you can run an undersized backline.

Ramps can’t cover the talls anymore - it’s why Francis and Hamling have been filling the gap.

Neither showed they are up to it, sadly.

We still have a serious hole back there - our recruits MAY starburst - but I worry about our resilience - Oldies and Repats.

 

[dosser]

Good point. The game hasn’t changed so much you can run an undersized backline.

Ramps can’t cover the talls anymore - it’s why Francis and Hamling have been filling the gap.

Neither showed they are up to it, sadly.

We still have a serious hole back there - our recruits MAY starburst - but I worry about our resilience - Oldies and Repats.

Hamling has been an adequate replacement without being a star.

 

[RubbaDuck]

I strongly agree with this. I think it’s undoubtedly best for the side in the long and short term for someone to convincingly push him out - imo it’s most likely to be Serong - but having watched him for so long I think we all know he will not give up his spot without a fight and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him play a lot this year. Same with Lloyd and Cunningham.

For the sake of our side long term but also in 2026, we need enough competition to be pushing these guys out, but they are true professionals who have lasted this long by using everything at their disposal and will use the competition (and I’m sure the move to the rookie list in the case of Rampe and Lloyd) to motivate themselves for one last crack at it. “You sent me to the rookie list and kept Paddy Snell on the seniors list? I’ll show you” sort of stuff. Not personal but using anything to get themselves up.

You're right, of course.

We need to make it clear to all of our players that any spot if up for grabs, if they can better an incumbent player (or players) they should feel confident to put up their hand for a senior game.

An older but experienced list is not so much of a risk if there are genuine understudies ready to step into a role. The "overnight miracles" that Geelong seem to unearth every year are mostly just very good players waiting behind someone better. Some of them have had to wait a long time but those understudies allow them to manage older stars. It gives them true depth across virtually every position.

In both 2022 and 2024 our lack of depth came to bite us in finals. We risked playing Sam Reid because we didn't have anyone ready to step into his role. McDonald was a huge loss to our 2024GF team, as was Mills.

Last year's run of injuries presented countless opportunities for our less experienced players to show their abilities, push their claims or at the very least, to grab some experience and confidence at senior level.

Injuries aside, the VFL is the development arena for young or returning players who need game time, experience or just to work on their craft. So our VFL team and development coaching must align with the gameplan of the senior team to offer a clear pathway to seniors.

The best teams are bloody hard to crack into, but the challenge to get there will probably do more for a player's career than, say, getting a few easy games at Norf.

Serong could turn out to be a bloody wonderful pickup, but we won't know until he genuinely earns a spot in the seniors

 

[Callipygian]

Good point. The game hasn’t changed so much you can run an undersized backline.

Ramps can’t cover the talls anymore - it’s why Francis and Hamling have been filling the gap.

Neither showed they are up to it, sadly.

We still have a serious hole back there - our recruits MAY starburst - but I worry about our resilience - Oldies and Repats.

It could be that Tom can be Paddy's replacement provided Will Edwards could step up to fill Tom's shoes. Will hasn't debuted so we don't know how close or far off he is, but Keane has tipped him for a big year. He has the body to play seniors. Hopefully Will gets to play a fair bit with Rampe and/or Hamling next to him (whether at AFL or VFL level) and mentoring him in the role so he can really accelerate his development this year.

 

[Kiama Chris]

It could be that Tom can be Paddy's replacement provided Will Edwards could step up to fill Tom's shoes. Will hasn't debuted so we don't know how close or far off he is, but Keane has tipped him for a big year. He has the body to play seniors. Hopefully Will gets to play a fair bit with Rampe and/or Hamling next to him (whether at AFL or VFL level) and mentoring him in the role so he can really accelerate his development this year.

I think this is exactly what the club has had in mind before Will's injuries. To take place as Rampe exits stage left. Not to take Rampe's place per se but to rebalance. Serong adds another possibility.

 

[Callipygian]

I think this is exactly what the club has had in mind before Will's injuries. To take place as Rampe exits stage left. Not to take Rampe's place per se but to rebalance. Serong adds another possibility.

I think Serong is more similar to Snell (and hence they could be in competition with each other, at least to start off with before they can both win senior spots). Edwards however is a proper KPD who will have to deal with the really tall KPFs. He is competing for the roles filled by Melican and McCartin currently. McCartin is a little bit more versatile, like Paddy but sadly not quite in Paddy's league as an interceptor.

Thanks to a helpful reminder, I just realised we should probably take this discussion somewhere else. Maybe a mod could help us move this chat?

 

[Kiama Chris]

I think Serong is more similar to Snell (and hence they could be in competition with each other, at least to start off with before they can both win senior spots). Edwards however is a proper KPD who will have to deal with the really tall KPFs. He is competing for the roles filled by Melican and McCartin currently. McCartin is a little bit more versatile, like Paddy but sadly not quite in Paddy's league as an interceptor.

Thanks to a helpful reminder, I just realised we should probably take this discussion somewhere else. Maybe a mod could help us move this chat?

Perhaps to The Way Forward?
Problem is when someone does an interesting post you can't resist.

 

[Nuggetz]

I think Serong is more similar to Snell (and hence they could be in competition with each other, at least to start off with before they can both win senior spots). Edwards however is a proper KPD who will have to deal with the really tall KPFs. He is competing for the roles filled by Melican and McCartin currently. McCartin is a little bit more versatile, like Paddy but sadly not quite in Paddy's league as an interceptor.

Thanks to a helpful reminder, I just realised we should probably take this discussion somewhere else. Maybe a mod could help us move this chat?

Paddy had good kicking skills while Tom is shocking. No point intercepting if you're going to turn it over. I honestly think we should free up blakey to be that interceptor. He's got elite speed, great leap, height & elite kicking skills. I hated seeing blakey as a key defender.

 

[dosser]

Paddy had good kicking skills while Tom is shocking. No point intercepting if you're going to turn it over. I honestly think we should free up blakey to be that interceptor. He's got elite speed, great leap, height & elite kicking skills. I hated seeing blakey as a key defender.

Tom is a better mark than Blakey, hence more suited to interceptor, however I can see your argument.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Latest episode of Paps' "Early Crow" podcast:



Swans chat starts at 26 min mark

 

[The Blue Max]

It could be that Tom can be Paddy's replacement provided Will Edwards could step up to fill Tom's shoes. Will hasn't debuted so we don't know how close or far off he is, but Keane has tipped him for a big year. He has the body to play seniors. Hopefully Will gets to play a fair bit with Rampe and/or Hamling next to him (whether at AFL or VFL level) and mentoring him in the role so he can really accelerate his development this year.

Edwards is one of the possible starbursts I mentioned.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Tom is a better mark than Blakey, hence more suited to interceptor, however I can see your argument.

The interceptor doesn't have to be a great kick, just good enough to hit the next target. Tom is good enough. He's solid at ground level too.

 

[Nuggetz]

Tom is a better mark than Blakey, hence more suited to interceptor, however I can see your argument.

That's fair, 1000x better contested mark but I hope the interceptor role means we don't have that player taking contested marks, or being in a position where that occurs often. You could argue that Tom has better judgment than Blakey too which is important for the interceptor role.

I'm of the mindset the interceptor player has to have good kicking skills to launch quick transition. Intercept then transition quickly while oppo defence isn't set, that's my idea anyway. I get worried when Tom kicks lol. I thought Paddy had the perfect skillset for that role.

 

[Kiama Chris]

That's fair, 1000x better contested mark but I hope the interceptor role means we don't have that player taking contested marks, or being in a position where that occurs often. You could argue that Tom has better judgment than Blakey too which is important for the interceptor role.

I'm of the mindset the interceptor player has to have good kicking skills to launch quick transition. Intercept then transition quickly while oppo defence isn't set, that's my idea anyway. I get worried when Tom kicks lol. I thought Paddy had the perfect skillset for that role.

He did but beggars can't be choosers. Tom is the best we have. If we give him good outlets and simple decisions he'll be fine.

 

[bedford]

Latest episode of Paps' "Early Crow" podcast:



Swans chat starts at 26 min mark

Thank god Swans media on here , not GD

 

[Callipygian]

 

[Kiama Chris]

Smart cookie, very balanced, measured responses but not dodging questions.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

A couple of media write-ups out of Errol's presser:

The Swans "secret weapon" who could shape their 2026

“There hasn’t been much spoken about him but I’m pretty happy to keep it that way.”

www.zerohanger.com

Just like Buddy: Swans recruit draws comparisons to AFL legend

Charlie Curnow is already calling the shots with his new Sydney teammates, with midfielder Errol Gulden seeing similarities with an AFL legend

www.afl.com.au