Unofficial Preview SEASON 2025 - Best 22, Game Plan, Personnel

[SGBeach]

What about all the halves or 3qtrs of games where he doesn't do a lot, and where his defensive work is barely there?

It's all well and good turning it on for a quarter, but it'd be nice if he was more consistent so we don't rely on massive quarters from him, Heeney etc to squeak over the line (or not).

The midfield is made up of many players playing their roles.. The coaches (agree or disagree with them) assign roles based on the players strengths.
Warner has speed, acceleration, can kick goals from outside 50 and has Power.. He was played to his strengths.

Warner walks into every midfield in the comp.

 

[Bloods86]

The midfield is made up of many players playing their roles.. The coaches (agree or disagree with them) assign roles based on the players strengths.
Warner has speed, acceleration, can kick goals from outside 50 and has Power.. He was played to his strengths.

Warner walks into every midfield in the comp.

If the coaches give him a major role at centre bounces, and he continues to be inconsistent, then yeah I'm going to disagree with them.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Heeney needs a partner in the midfield who can extract the ball and move it forward when players are fresh and the game is hot.

Warner wasn’t that man last year (and Heeney ended up trying to do too much - see first half of GWS final). Warner was outstanding when he got it on the outside and when opposition pressure dropped.

Maybe Warner lifts next year to be outstanding all four quarters - wouldn’t that be something? I’m not sure that is a fair ask or sensible expectation though.

Nothing wrong with playing Warner to his strengths. Start him at half forward so he can get the ball on the outside when the game his hot. Give him bursts through the midfield at end of quarters, most of fourth quarter and when we need a spark - mid up so the opposition can’t predict exactly when he will come through.

Imagine being an opposition mid group and finding a way to lock down Heeney, Mills and Rowbottom - only for Warner to rock up at the next centre bounce and say hi.

 

[BloodySwan]

Heeney needs a partner in the midfield who can extract the ball and move it forward when players are fresh and the game is hot.

Warner wasn’t that man last year (and Heeney ended up trying to do too much - see first half of GWS final). Warner was outstanding when he got it on the outside and when opposition pressure dropped.

Maybe Warner lifts next year to be outstanding all four quarters - wouldn’t that be something? I’m not sure that is a fair ask or sensible expectation though.

Nothing wrong with playing Warner to his strengths. Start him at half forward so he can get the ball on the outside when the game his hot. Give him bursts through the midfield at end of quarters, most of fourth quarter and when we need a spark - mid up so the opposition can’t predict exactly when he will come through.

Imagine being an opposition mid group and finding a way to lock down Heeney, Mills and Rowbottom - only for Warner to rock up at the next centre bounce and say hi.

One player I'd be looking to go back into the middle is Gulden.

Towards the end of '24 he was a real driving force for us. We know he can do it, get in and under and get the ball moving forward aggresivly.

He is amazing on the wing and we lose a lot of that outside run but we'll need it less if we get more in the middle. Also I don't feel like we're lacking wingers, we would be able to compensate for Gulden's loss.

It would also give Warner a lot more freedom to run and carry which he does best.

 

[RUNVS]

One player I'd be looking to go back into the middle is Gulden.

Towards the end of '24 he was a real driving force for us. We know he can do it, get in and under and get the ball moving forward aggresivly.

He is amazing on the wing and we lose a lot of that outside run but we'll need it less if we get more in the middle. Also I don't feel like we're lacking wingers, we would be able to compensate for Gulden's loss.

It would also give Warner a lot more freedom to run and carry which he does best.

Truth be told I would rather find someone else help Heeney if we can as Gulden is just too valuable on the wing.

 

[Bloods86]

Truth be told I would rather find someone else help Heeney if we can as Gulden is just too valuable on the wing.

Mills, Sheldrick

 

[Bloods86]

Heeney needs a partner in the midfield who can extract the ball and move it forward when players are fresh and the game is hot.

Warner wasn’t that man last year (and Heeney ended up trying to do too much - see first half of GWS final). Warner was outstanding when he got it on the outside and when opposition pressure dropped.

Maybe Warner lifts next year to be outstanding all four quarters - wouldn’t that be something? I’m not sure that is a fair ask or sensible expectation though.

Nothing wrong with playing Warner to his strengths. Start him at half forward so he can get the ball on the outside when the game his hot. Give him bursts through the midfield at end of quarters, most of fourth quarter and when we need a spark - mid up so the opposition can’t predict exactly when he will come through.

Imagine being an opposition mid group and finding a way to lock down Heeney, Mills and Rowbottom - only for Warner to rock up at the next centre bounce and say hi.

Mills, Sheldrick if he continues on from where he was pre-injury.

Warner should still attend centre bounces, but as you say, when he's switched on. More likely in 2nd halves. Say 30% CBA instead of 60 odd, more if he is firing.

 

[RUNVS]

Mills, Sheldrick

Ideally yes.

I also think both are good at centre clearances, but Longmire tended to play pretty loose in the centre clearances, often even playing with one fewer player there from memory than a lot of teams so it made actually winning those clearances a lot more difficult. If we even up the numbers, sacrifice a bit elsewhere in order to really try and win the clearances I wonder how Mills will go.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[RUNVS]

I wonder what Swans supporters would have thought at the end of 2006 if they saw this photo from the future.

 

[Nuggetz]

I like how they've got the players to stand on chairs, thought a professional photoshoot could ensure some proper benches or the like to stand on...

 

[Adnico26Parker]

I like how they've got the players to stand on chairs, thought a professional photoshoot could ensure some proper benches or the like to stand on...

For a photo that would take 3-5 minutes to take

 

[Kiama Chris]

Sitting here for the last couple hours before heading to the airport and flying off to Ghana my thoughts turn to what I think SHOULD be the team we take into our first finals match. As always, it requires everyone be fit and in form.
Defence:
FB: Cunningham Edwards Rampe
HB: Roberts Melican Blakey
Seventh: Snell though challenge from Fox, Bice.
Forwards:
HF: Jordon McDonald Rotating Mid (Warner)
FF: Papley McCartin Hayward
Seventh: McLean as second ruck. Amartey doesn't have the tank for that role, nor to take McDonald's place. The rotating mid will be Warner, Heeney and occasionally others. Jordon will tag.
Midfield:
Foll: Grundy Heeney Rowbottom
C: Gulden Mills McInerney
Seven & Eight: Sheldrick, Lloyd
These two positions would probably generate the most discussion with Campbell, Cleary, Dattoli, even Roberts coming into play. My view. The difference is not huge but Sheldrick gives more inside.
Sub: I want an impact sub so I go for Campbell for this match who can play forward. Sadly, it seems the sub will stay
The really big call is Edwards and Snell if they are good enough and releasing McCartin forward. I hope Cox makes the call as McCartin would improve our tall structure and pressure significantly. If Snell is too soon the Fox or Bice.
Hope everyone has a great time leading up to the season.
Cheer cheer!

 

[Bloods86]

Sitting here for the last couple hours before heading to the airport and flying off to Ghana my thoughts turn to what I think SHOULD be the team we take into our first finals match. As always, it requires everyone be fit and in form.
Defence:
FB: Cunningham Edwards Rampe
HB: Roberts Melican Blakey
Seventh: Snell though challenge from Fox, Bice.
Forwards:
HF: Jordon McDonald Rotating Mid (Warner)
FF: Papley McCartin Hayward
Seventh: McLean as second ruck. Amartey doesn't have the tank for that role, nor to take McDonald's place. The rotating mid will be Warner, Heeney and occasionally others. Jordon will tag.
Midfield:
Foll: Grundy Heeney Rowbottom
C: Gulden Mills McInerney
Seven & Eight: Sheldrick, Lloyd
These two positions would probably generate the most discussion with Campbell, Cleary, Dattoli, even Roberts coming into play. My view. The difference is not huge but Sheldrick gives more inside.
Sub: I want an impact sub so I go for Campbell for this match who can play forward. Sadly, it seems the sub will stay
The really big call is Edwards and Snell if they are good enough and releasing McCartin forward. I hope Cox makes the call as McCartin would improve our tall structure and pressure significantly. If Snell is too soon the Fox or Bice.
Hope everyone has a great time leading up to the season.
Cheer cheer!

Not sure we go with 4 KPDs, and that's what Snell is until we see differently. The one to miss might be Rampe, though I also don't know why people are moving Tmac up forward. Defence has been blamed for other shortcomings imo.

Any reason why Snell, Fox and Bice are mentioned interchangeably? I can see Fox acting as a KPD (but not a 4th), and Bice is not a defender by what has been written (unless things change), he's predominantly an attacking HB like Blakey, Florent can be.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Kiama Chris]

Not sure we go with 4 KPDs, and that's what Snell is until we see differently. The one to miss might be Rampe, though I also don't know why people are moving Tmac up forward. Defence has been blamed for other shortcomings imo.

Any reason why Snell, Fox and Bice are mentioned interchangeably? I can see Fox acting as a KPD (but not a 4th), and Bice is not a defender by what has been written (unless things change), he's predominantly an attacking HB like Blakey, Florent can be.

Enjoy the trip!

Thanks.
I reckon Rampe's days as a KPD are long gone. Definitely a medium now.
Think Snell can play as the third tall. Too often we were short. If he's not up to scratch either bring in Fox or Bice or don't move McCartin but let him play interceptor.
Use Rampe's last year to develop the youngsters.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[wolftone57]

I'm probably in the minority, but I'm not as down on Tmac as others. So I do see him and Melican as very important for our backline. I think too often people blame the defence for other shortcomings, and Tmac also had another interrupted year. So a disruption free Tmac, Melican and Cunningham I see as most important for the defence.

But yeah, some weird calls as I mentioned.

I think Lewis Melican is very underrated.

 

[wolftone57]

I actually think it's the other way around.

If people see him as better than Blakey or Florent i.e. who he would replace as attacking half backs in the 22, then I'm not sure why people aren't angry that we didn't pick him earlier and risked missing out.

If he's good enough to be in the 22 as some believe, and not replacing like for like, that's a mistake imo. We don't need another attacking HB. We have the two above, plus Jmac is capable. Sure Lloyd might be in danger but he was often pushed out of defence anyway and would better strengthen other areas if replaced.

I think he (Bice) was drafted as mature age depth and hasn't played a game at the level yet, so probably doesn't warrant too many mentions in Best 22/23 discussions.

He could turn it on in pre season games sure, but it should be Blakey or Florent in the gun, though maybe the latter moves elsewhere opening a spot at HB as 2nd fiddle to Blakey.

Actually, Bice is probably one of those rare players who can lock down but hurt them on the rebound. Not only that an attacking HB, who generally give away goals by being far too loose, is not Bice.. Plus, he has the best disposal rating in the VFL.

 

[wolftone57]

This is a slightly controversial opinion but I think not entirely unfounded. I don't think I've seen Gus take a VFL game by the scruff of the neck nor has he had a prolonged period where he has looked a cut above. But there have been a few glimmers of his potential so I'd be optimistic he could be a good at AFL level.

Gus numbers;
WB Dis 28, Tackles 12. In a teams flogged by 37 points
Pies; 36, 7
Sharks; 22 & 7 against the team that played in the GF.
Lions; 29, 9 & 1.1
North; 17, 4
The last was with limited time on ground, at the most 60%. Now they are pretty good figures. For a mid he probably doesn't hurt them on the scoreboard enough. Otherwise those figures are really good. Especially the tackles, because tackles cause turnovers.

 

[wolftone57]

Sitting here for the last couple hours before heading to the airport and flying off to Ghana my thoughts turn to what I think SHOULD be the team we take into our first finals match. As always, it requires everyone be fit and in form.
Defence:
FB: Cunningham Edwards Rampe
HB: Roberts Melican Blakey
Seventh: Snell though challenge from Fox, Bice.
Forwards:
HF: Jordon McDonald Rotating Mid (Warner)
FF: Papley McCartin Hayward
Seventh: McLean as second ruck. Amartey doesn't have the tank for that role, nor to take McDonald's place. The rotating mid will be Warner, Heeney and occasionally others. Jordon will tag.
Midfield:
Foll: Grundy Heeney Rowbottom
C: Gulden Mills McInerney
Seven & Eight: Sheldrick, Lloyd
These two positions would probably generate the most discussion with Campbell, Cleary, Dattoli, even Roberts coming into play. My view. The difference is not huge but Sheldrick gives more inside.
Sub: I want an impact sub so I go for Campbell for this match who can play forward. Sadly, it seems the sub will stay
The really big call is Edwards and Snell if they are good enough and releasing McCartin forward. I hope Cox makes the call as McCartin would improve our tall structure and pressure significantly. If Snell is too soon the Fox or Bice.
Hope everyone has a great time leading up to the season.
Cheer cheer!

Fox or Bice are no good at Key positions. You need Key Backs. To say 'If Edwards & Snell are no good then replace them with Fox & Bice is astounding. Who would stand the opposition Key forwards? Fox can't anymore & Longmire knew it. That's why he sung him forward. Rampe can't either. The umpires are after undersized key backs & are penalising them every time now. Rampe got 5 frees against him in a game last season & Longmire shifted him to a medium forward & he had no problems after that. It is no longer viable, especially as the key forwards get bigger every year most are noe between 196 & 205cm, as spoiling these guys at 186cm means infringing almost every time.

 

[wolftone57]

Not sure we go with 4 KPDs, and that's what Snell is until we see differently. The one to miss might be Rampe, though I also don't know why people are moving Tmac up forward. Defence has been blamed for other shortcomings imo.

Any reason why Snell, Fox and Bice are mentioned interchangeably? I can see Fox acting as a KPD (but not a 4th), and Bice is not a defender by what has been written (unless things change), he's predominantly an attacking HB like Blakey, Florent can be.

Enjoy the trip!

Bice is actually a lock down back who can play on the small forwards. But he will hurt you the other way with his ability to beat his opponent, run off & with his damaging disposal. He is not a Key forward though & I don't think Fox should be. Last year undersized key backs all over the comp were being penalised for infringing more than ever before. In one match where Rampe played the Key role for some unknown reason he got 5 frees against in a short period then after half time he was shifted to a medium forward and all was good. The player who should have been on the talls was eventually sent there. Another thing, the talls aren't getting any smaller. They now range FROM 196-205cm. The tallest ever in the history of the AFL.

 

[Bloods86]

Bice is actually a lock down back who can play on the small forwards. But he will hurt you the other way with his ability to beat his opponent, run off & with his damaging disposal. He is not a Key forward though & I don't think Fox should be. Last year undersized key backs all over the comp were being penalised for infringing more than ever before. In one match where Rampe played the Key role for some unknown reason he got 5 frees against in a short period then after half time he was shifted to a medium forward and all was good. The player who should have been on the talls was eventually sent there. Another thing, the talls aren't getting any smaller. They now range FROM 196-205cm. The tallest ever in the history of the AFL.

I must be going mad.

From what I've read, Bice is an attacking half back. No-one mentions him as lock down material (unlike Paton or Leidler). After we drafted say Vickery, Kinnear was clear that we actually saw him as a small defender as well.

With Bice, Keane said "He's a rebounding half back flanker who possesses really good speed and endurance...".

The write ups on the AFL site, RookieMe etc say the same thing. Rebounder, hard runner, great kick. RookieMe, fwiw, says he could work on the contested stuff.

He may well become a good attacking half-back at AFL level, but it's Blakey, Florent, maybe Roberts (though he looks settled) based on roles towards the end of the season, that he'd be replacing.

Talk of us being more contested and yet bringing Bice in to replace Fox, Cunningham or a KPD, I really don't know how people are coming to these conclusions.

If he's in Rd0, I could see maybe Lloyd missing, with Florent never going back into D50. But if we're serious about the contest I don't see it being actual defenders missing for him.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Fox or Bice are no good at Key positions. You need Key Backs. To say 'If Edwards & Snell are no good then replace them with Fox & Bice is astounding. Who would stand the opposition Key forwards? Fox can't anymore & Longmire knew it. That's why he sung him forward. Rampe can't either. The umpires are after undersized key backs & are penalising them every time now. Rampe got 5 frees against him in a game last season & Longmire shifted him to a medium forward & he had no problems after that. It is no longer viable, especially as the key forwards get bigger every year most are noe between 196 & 205cm, as spoiling these guys at 186cm means infringing almost every time.

If Edwards isn't up to it you can't move McCartin forward. Too early for Snell to play on the big boys and possibly he isn't big enough anyway. Sorry I didn't make that up plain enough.
Edwards is the key to improvement in our defence (pun intended).
Never intended for Fox or Bice to play as keys. Not sure how you got that idea. Only playing as mediums if Snell wasn't up to playing as the third tall. Forces Blakey to play more accountable but the story gets too long.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

AFL match sim Friday 21st Feb @ 10am (from CodeSports article)

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Random question for discussion's sake...

Out of Sheldrick, Cleary & Warner Jr., who do we think is most likely to play 12+ senior games this year?

I feel as though I should abstain.