What do you think of Dane Swan?

[Bomber Man]

I like what I've seen of him, saw him absolutely dominate a 2's game last season and thought he showed signs of the same ability in the seniors.

Can he get a run in the centre/on-ball with the likes of Licuria, O'Bree, Johnson, Holland, Buckley, Lockyer, Burns, and all the other youth pushing in?

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Tough backman but is still used as a fringe player. Over the last few years has showed his talent which seemed forgotten, but still managed to get dropped. A footballing name probably saved him, not that he was no good, just that he stayed on the list. His improvement over the past year has been great and is a strong player to have on the field.

 

[jefffff34]

He's not a fringe player, he is in our best 22 easily.

 

[Jabso]

Yeah his 2005 was superb. Everyone saw him as a fringe player who is flexible, not many glaring weaknesses but if you have a convo to a Collingwood supporter 99% of the time the phrase "not enough guns" would come up. In 2005 he showed his value as a backman (and sometimes as a midfielder see his last quarter effort against a rampaging Sam Mitchell) with the great ability to find the ball (especially early in the game) and read the play, although did leak a few opportunities though the way we were getting beaten it was to be expected.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

He's not a fringe player, he is in our best 22 easily.

Yeah, no doubt about that, but Mick thinks and uses/used him as a fringe player, which i never liked. Have always loved Swanny.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Dane Swan is an interesting prospect. He had a very good 2005 season, but he tends to go quiet after a good season.

The only weakness Dane has to his game is his speed, and he must try and work on it if he wants to break into the midfield. This would give him more options, rather than just the one - defence role.

Dane fits into the Best 22 now, but it is a matter on whether he can sustain it over a long period of time. Time will tell.

 

[Johnson#26]

He's not a fringe player, he is in our best 22 easily.

I'm not exactly sure that he is. I'd have him on the cusp of the XXII - but it depends on who you want on the bench (ie - a Rusling type or a smaller, prolific ball winner such as Swan).

I think he has the ability to become a good, solid player. No star, but one who gets the job done each week with a minimum of fuss. Can do a tagging role in defense or as a ball winner off halfback/ruck-rover. A big year ahead in 2006, where he will be looking to nail down a spot in the back half. Swan doesn't take a backward step, and while his kicking style may look shaky at times, it is still quite effective.

 

[FIGJAM]

Not enough guns (thanks jabs) to play midfield. Probably lacks the pace and endurance to play a run with role, although not completely out of the question for slower Mitchell types if he can build his tank.

He's very composed mentally (contrary to his off the field behaviour) and uses it wisely, although he's not silky by any stretch.

He is a fringe player, but that's not to say he can't crack a starting 18 team if he finds his niche (which at the minute is down back on medium forwards).

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

He's not a fringe player, he is in our best 22 easily.

Deffinatelly in your best 22 just a bit of a worry on his foot skills.

 

[jefffff34]

I'm not exactly sure that he is. I'd have him on the cusp of the XXII - but it depends on who you want on the bench (ie - a Rusling type or a smaller, prolific ball winner such as Swan).

Half back flanker. He took Cole's role off him because of his form.

 

[Johnson#26]

I'd prefer Jason Cloke at CHB, and Maxwell and Johnson as the back flankers.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Yeah, he adds depth, but Swan is a favourite, so I rate him inside the best 22.

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

I'd prefer Jason Cloke at CHB, and Maxwell and Johnson as the back flankers.

i rate Swan ahead of both Maxwell and Johnson.

 

[WhyWilliams]

i rate Swan ahead of both Maxwell and Johnson.

I am aware this is the off season and we tend to focus on good things but whilst i have no doubt about Swan with courage and even kicking for goal. I reckon he struggles in the pace, skill and smarts department I reckon at best he is a 25 to 30 player.

I hope I am wrong given he can kick a goal and has that in and under look about him and as I said there is no doubt about his ticker.

But please Maxwell and Johnson are so far in front of him both can play at both ends and in the middle. Both I reckon are where our improvement will come from in 2006.

I am not sure about him taking Cole's spot it was just that Cole went to the pie shop a bit much with an Essendon board member

 

[MagpieScouser]

this is coming for a carlton supporter?

the club that has had its fair share of hacks in recent years

david clarke,digby morell ,luke livingston ring a bell?

 

[jefffff34]

I'd prefer Jason Cloke at CHB, and Maxwell and Johnson as the back flankers.

Personally I'd prefer Clement as CHB.

 

[Coin_Toss]

i rate Swan ahead of both Maxwell and Johnson.

Maxwell and Johnson will/are very good footballers.

I don't rate Maxwell as a forward, but he is a very good defender. He can play on talls and smalls, which is a very important asset to have if you are a defender.
Maxwell has got a bucket load of talent, and he has got great leadership qualities too.

Johnson has got a very unique kicking style, but 99% of the time it works. I hope he can play more in the midfield next year, because he has got some reasonable speed on him, and he has polished foot skills. He is set for a huge year!

The difference is Johnson and Maxwell are easily in our Best 22, while Swan just sneaks into our Best 22 at the moment - could be different down the track, tho.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Always been a big fan of Swanny, and think he deserves to be in our best 22.
Remember arguing with some idiot here, I think it was TheClokes at the end of 2004, who said he should been delisted at the time.

Stick him in the BP/HBF. Agreed, doesn't have the guns to play midfield but still a valuable player to have in the back half.

 

[Johnson#26]

Personally I'd prefer Clement as CHB.

Ah well. Differing opinions. Its just that I'd like to see Jason Cloke to return to his best. If he does, it adds an extra dimention to the team.

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

Always been a big fan of Swanny, and think he deserves to be in our best 22.
Remember arguing with some idiot here, I think it was TheClokes at the end of 2004, who said he should been delisted at the time.

Stick him in the BP/HBF. Agreed, doesn't have the guns to play midfield but still a valuable player to have in the back half.

Swan is a ball magnet although he does lack the speed to play midfield, probably dont need another slower paced midfielder. Could be a very handy Half ack Flanker of even across the foreward line. I rekon he is a very similar player to what Shannon Grant was in his early days.

 

[Johnson#26]

Lacks the skills of Grant, but certainly has a similar size about him.

 

[F/D]

No where near a Grant.


Grant actually had skill and kicked goals.


Best kick to a lead for the Roos is Grant, so I wouldnt say he is a good comparison.

 

[Jimbeam]

swan is not slow, he is not super fast but very far from slow, i also reakon he is a great player, not a star but very useful to have on the ground.. i dont think he is in our top 22 though since we will have almost a full list next year, players like anthony and even Iles will be putting swannys position under the pump...

 

[FIGJAM]

Lacks the skills of Grant, but certainly has a similar size about him.

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

No where near a Grant.


Grant actually had skill and kicked goals.


Best kick to a lead for the Roos is Grant, so I wouldnt say he is a good comparison.

If i remember correctly Grant was a rather average kick when he was younger but has improved dramatically since coming to the roos.