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

[strauchanie59]

Exactly the point I was making yesterday about him.
I watched Saints games a lot & admired the way he went about it. Unfortunately for him he had some injuries & at the Saints others went past him & established permanent spots in defence which made Paton not have a role in Ross’ eyes.
Paton is exactly the type of player Roos used to take from a club that couldn’t fit in to that team’s line up & wanted opportunity, arriving hungry with their last chance. Think Craig Bolton. He ended up a co-captain & a first picked defender.

He's had to fight and scrap for each game he's played in the AFL...done it the hard way - similar to Robbie Fox. These kind of players we lack on our list, I think. Players who play each game like it's their last week in, week out.

 

[Slingshot Footy]

2020 AFL draft - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yep not exactly stellar.
I know the COVID draft and players would have been affected as such, but it's not as if we have multiple players jumping out of the pack once they got into the system.

I believe;
Only B&F, Gulden, 2023.
Only AA, Gulden, twice.


Would still take Logan (assuming Errol an academy pick) at pick 4.
Admittedly a KPF surcharge.

Who else?
I like Max Holmes (pick #20), McCreery (#44) handy, but apart from that the pickings are very slim.

As it happens Josh Treacy (#7 in the rookie draft) is the one in hindsight that clubs missed.
Ginnivan also went in the rookie draft at #13.

Thilthorpe is starting to emerge. He had a great finish to the season after returning from injury last year.

Jamarra is flaky but his output on the field is heading in the right direction.

I look at a lot of names in that draft, including Logan’s, and think that with more development many of the players will end up having decent careers.

It may well pan out as a stinker of a draft but I’m not ready to label it as such just yet.

If Logan comes good and Phillips doesn’t then North fans will really pull their hair out. Almost like we have with Stephens and Serong

 

[bedford]

Thilthorpe is starting to emerge. He had a great finish to the season after returning from injury last year.

Jamarra is flaky but his output on the field is heading in the right direction.

I look at a lot of names in that draft, including Logan’s, and think that with more development many of the players will end up having decent careers.

It may well pan out as a stinker of a draft but I’m not ready to label it as such just yet.

If Logan comes good and Phillips doesn’t then North fans will really pull their hair out. Almost like we have with Stephens and Serong

Jamarra mightn't be playing for awhile

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Sheldrick and Cleary must start in the 22. Anything else would make a mockery of what we’re hearing about as the new values system from Cox. Also it will reinforce that the GF abomination was acceptable.

Take your pick who they replace, don’t really care.

Also, Gulden and Chad better not get near a centre bounce for a very very very long time. Both were soft as in the GF, we need grunt not onlookers.

I like strong tacklers.

JackHiscoxWasAStrongTackler?

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Depending on their level of training when they resume this week, I'd also be concerned about both Grundy and McLean for the Feb 21 sim vs GWS, and the Hawks R0 game. Given they were still being managed this past week.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I’m getting a feeling we will be playing small in defence. I hope Edwards comes on when he gets back to 100% fitness.

It’s a shame Logan is injured. It would have been interesting to see what Cox would have done with the forward setup.

 

[bedford]

Depending on their level of training when they resume this week, I'd also be concerned about both Grundy and McLean for the Feb 21 sim vs GWS, and the Hawks R0 game. Given they were still being managed this past week.

One thing is for certain and that is that there will be a few changes from September .
Imagine the press if we lose , the usual shit , the GF loss is in their heads , they lost the chance and the reign at the top is over . Prersonally im happy to do a Lions and just build into it, instead of being the hunted all year and burning out

 

[caesar88]

I do worry that because Sheldrick is not in Cox & co's best midfield, that he won't be in their best 22. He'll have to spend probably most of his game time forward, not in the mids, and I could see Cox preferring a more versatile player to slot in there instead, like a Jordon, Florent, Campbell etc. But the problem with that is that we'd be adding another lighter outside player at the expense of Sheldrick's hardness.

Ironically I think having Sheldrick in the team, if not in our first-choice midfield, could afford Cox & co more options and versatility, not less. Without Sheldrick, we're really just limiting the midfield to the expected quartet of Heeney, Rowbottom, Mills & Warner. As soon as one or two of them have a spell on the bench, or have an off day, we're left pretty exposed.

Add Sheldrick to the mix, and suddenly we have the luxury of being able to throw Warner forward for a while, swing Mills back, let Heeney rest inside 50, keep Gulden on the wing, etc., because you've got that extra hard nut up your sleeve.

And I'm not saying this as a mega Sheldrick fan or anything. You could replace him with Adams or Cleary or whoever else is the next-best-inside-mid in the ranks and I'd think they should be in the 22. It just happens to be Sheldrick who appears to have taken that mantle over the pre-season, so it's him I want in the 22.

 

[bedford]

I do worry that because Sheldrick is not in Cox & co's best midfield, that he won't be in their best 22. He'll have to spend probably most of his game time forward, not in the mids, and I could see Cox preferring a more versatile player to slot in there instead, like a Jordon, Florent, Campbell etc. But the problem with that is that we'd be adding another lighter outside player at the expense of Sheldrick's hardness.

Ironically I think having Sheldrick in the team, if not in our first-choice midfield, could afford Cox & co more options and versatility, not less. Without Sheldrick, we're really just limiting the midfield to the expected quartet of Heeney, Rowbottom, Mills & Warner. As soon as one or two of them have a spell on the bench, or have an off day, we're left pretty exposed.

Add Sheldrick to the mix, and suddenly we have the luxury of being able to throw Warner forward for a while, swing Mills back, let Heeney rest inside 50, keep Gulden on the wing, etc., because you've got that extra hard nut up your sleeve.

And I'm not saying this as a mega Sheldrick fan or anything. You could replace him with Adams or Cleary or whoever else is the next-best-inside-mid in the ranks and I'd think they should be in the 22. It just happens to be Sheldrick who appears to have taken that mantle over the pre-season, so it's him I want in the 22.

or 23 88

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I might be overly petulant, but Chad’s recent social media antics left me absolutely cold.

Indeed, I now conclude he’s:

(a) in the departure lounge; and

(b) isn’t too worried about destabilising the club.

And IF that is indeed the case, we should have traded him in the off-season just passed.

 

[McGowan3]

I might be overly petulant, but Chad’s recent social media antics left me absolutely cold.

Indeed, I now conclude he’s:

(a) in the departure lounge; and

(b) isn’t too worried about destabilising the club.

And IF that is indeed the case, we should have traded him in the off-season just passed.

He is 23 years old. When I was 23, I was immature and knew very little, along with many others. Not a major issue I reckon.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

He is 23 years old. When I was 23, I was immature and knew very little, along with many others. Not a major issue I reckon.

I wonder if it will come up at the member event in Melbourne on Wednesday?

 

[SGBeach]

I do worry that because Sheldrick is not in Cox & co's best midfield, that he won't be in their best 22. He'll have to spend probably most of his game time forward, not in the mids, and I could see Cox preferring a more versatile player to slot in there instead, like a Jordon, Florent, Campbell etc. But the problem with that is that we'd be adding another lighter outside player at the expense of Sheldrick's hardness.

Ironically I think having Sheldrick in the team, if not in our first-choice midfield, could afford Cox & co more options and versatility, not less. Without Sheldrick, we're really just limiting the midfield to the expected quartet of Heeney, Rowbottom, Mills & Warner. As soon as one or two of them have a spell on the bench, or have an off day, we're left pretty exposed.

Add Sheldrick to the mix, and suddenly we have the luxury of being able to throw Warner forward for a while, swing Mills back, let Heeney rest inside 50, keep Gulden on the wing, etc., because you've got that extra hard nut up your sleeve.

And I'm not saying this as a mega Sheldrick fan or anything. You could replace him with Adams or Cleary or whoever else is the next-best-inside-mid in the ranks and I'd think they should be in the 22. It just happens to be Sheldrick who appears to have taken that mantle over the pre-season, so it's him I want in the 22.

How do you know if hes in or not in Coxs best midfield?
Of course Cox will prefer someone who's a better forward and more versatile than Gus in the forward line
I ve no problem with a better forward

As it stands without Gus, We've got truckloads of midfield options - Warner, Heeney, Mills, Rowbottom,, then Paps, Gulden, any of the other wingers, Jordon, Florent etc
We already have the luxury of resting Heeney and Warner forward, Mills back.. Only Rowbottom spends all his time on the inside. This was a major part of the Swans winning more games than any other team last year.

 

[Bloods86]

McLean should be right for community "series". Not great for Logan and Buller.

No mention of Fox, which is good (probably). If fit, should be a lock for Rd 0.

Injury Update: February 2025

Find out who is on the mend and who is recovering as the team prepares for upcoming match simulations. Our injury update is presented by Castlereagh Imaging.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Question now becomes who comes in for Logan - is it a simple case of Ladhams in and he can also cover that fwd/ruck role? Rather than rushing McLean back if he's only just starting training this week?

 

[bedford]

McLean should be right for community "series". Not great for Logan and Buller.

No mention of Fox, which is good (probably). If fit, should be a lock for Rd 0.

Injury Update: February 2025

Find out who is on the mend and who is recovering as the team prepares for upcoming match simulations. Our injury update is presented by Castlereagh Imaging.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Fox will not play as many games this year

 

[Bloods86]

Question now becomes who comes in for Logan - is it a simple case of Ladhams in and he can also cover that fwd/ruck role? Rather than rushing McLean back if he's only just starting training this week?

Team training. You'd think he'd be fine for community series (3.5 weeks) and then Rd 0.

 

[Bloods86]

Fox will not play as many games this year

I said "should" not "would".

 

[Kbroome]

Question now becomes who comes in for Logan - is it a simple case of Ladhams in and he can also cover that fwd/ruck role? Rather than rushing McLean back if he's only just starting training this week?

Given that its 4 and a half weeks until the Hawks game McLean could get up in time to allow us to go with a 2 Tall FWD line of McLean and Amartey but probably that Francis comes in as a 3rd tall defender and they keep McCartin forward until some of the other KPFs return

 

[Bloods86]

Given that its 4 and a half weeks until the Hawks game McLean could get up in time to allow us to go with a 2 Tall FWD line of McLean and Amartey but probably that Francis comes in as a 3rd tall defender and they keep McCartin forward until some of the other KPFs return

If we bring Francis in to play Tmac forward, certainly doesn't look hopeful for us having learned any lessons about forward pressure.

Just go with 2 KPFs. Or at worst, play Hamling forward, defensively on say Barrass.

Hawks will be without Lewis and Dear so they'll have Chol, maybe they play 2 rucks or swing Sicily forward. Play Tmac, Melican, Rampe and Fox, then you can swing Tmac forward if desperate.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Apologies if this is the wrong thread, but is there anyone attending the MEL member event tonight who can give us a summary?

 

[S120]

Based on what I've read and seen so far from the bits and pieces of media, on the balance of things and priorities for the side moving forward I'd be wanting to see the following side for round 0:

B: Cunningham - Melican - Rampe
HB: Roberts - Blakey - Fox
C: Gulden - Rowbottom - McInerney
HF: Warner - McCartin - Cleary
F: Papley - Amartey - Hayward
R: Grundy - Heeney - Mills

I/C: Sheldrick - Campbell - Jordon - Paton - Lloyd

Emer: Adams - Florent - Hamling

I like the balance of this side. The defence is more stout with Cunningham, Melican, Rampe, Paton and Fox proper defenders who prioritise beating their man. Blakey is prioritised as the McGovern type leader of the defence and interceptor which is a step up in responsibility for him that I think will benefit him and the side. Melican and Rampe are the two key defenders with McCartin heading forward.

Florent is out which I'm hoping would be a wake up call of sorts. He just doesn't quite fit given the effort to prioritise defending and the glut of runners and flankers we have up the ground. I could see Florent breaking back into the defence over the course of the year particularly if Paton puts pressure on Cunningham as a shutdown small defender. You might choose Florent to rebound over Cunningham's defence given we've already got Paton there.

Cleary, Campbell, Warner, Papley, and Hayward are the ground ball types up forward that we need. Warner floating between forward and midfield.

Two tall forwards in McCartin and Amartey with McLean made to force his way back in. I'm not really sure what's going on with the rucks as Grundy is training but some seem to believe injured as well? I'd hope Amartey is able to do 5 mins a quarter of ruck work as I'm not a Ladhams believer.

 

[zyzzbruh]

If we bring Francis in to play Tmac forward, certainly doesn't look hopeful for us having learned any lessons about forward pressure.

Just go with 2 KPFs. Or at worst, play Hamling forward, defensively on say Barrass.

Hawks will be without Lewis and Dear so they'll have Chol, maybe they play 2 rucks or swing Sicily forward. Play Tmac, Melican, Rampe and Fox, then you can swing Tmac forward if desperate.

Francis gets found out 1 v 1 but the guy has demonstrated an outstanding ability to read the game. He does his best work as an interceptor, every team needs one and we've sorely missed Paddy Mac doing that for us. if we can integrate him solely as our intercepting 2nd/3rd defender i'm all for it. Problem is when he's been called upon it's because Melican or Tmac have been injured and had no choice but to play on the power forwards.

I still think we need atleast 2 1v1 kpds so i dunno how we sort that out. But Francis as an interceptor i'm all for. As much as i rate Melican i just don't see him being able to do it all on his own, hence why i think the tmac experiment will fall flat on it's backside.

 

[Bloods86]

Based on what I've read and seen so far from the bits and pieces of media, on the balance of things and priorities for the side moving forward I'd be wanting to see the following side for round 0:

B: Cunningham - Melican - Rampe
HB: Roberts - Blakey - Fox
C: Gulden - Rowbottom - McInerney
HF: Warner - McCartin - Cleary
F: Papley - Amartey - Hayward
R: Grundy - Heeney - Mills

I/C: Sheldrick - Campbell - Jordon - Paton - Lloyd

Emer: Adams - Florent - Hamling

I like the balance of this side. The defence is more stout with Cunningham, Melican, Rampe, Paton and Fox proper defenders who prioritise beating their man. Blakey is prioritised as the McGovern type leader of the defence and interceptor which is a step up in responsibility for him that I think will benefit him and the side. Melican and Rampe are the two key defenders with McCartin heading forward.

Florent is out which I'm hoping would be a wake up call of sorts. He just doesn't quite fit given the effort to prioritise defending and the glut of runners and flankers we have up the ground. I could see Florent breaking back into the defence over the course of the year particularly if Paton puts pressure on Cunningham as a shutdown small defender. You might choose Florent to rebound over Cunningham's defence given we've already got Paton there.

Cleary, Campbell, Warner, Papley, and Hayward are the ground ball types up forward that we need. Warner floating between forward and midfield.

Two tall forwards in McCartin and Amartey with McLean made to force his way back in. I'm not really sure what's going on with the rucks as Grundy is training but some seem to believe injured as well? I'd hope Amartey is able to do 5 mins a quarter of ruck work as I'm not a Ladhams believer.

Doable for Rd 0 with Hawks missing some KPFs. If they throw Sicily forward, Fox can handle him.

Overall though, I don't know why we'd be playing McCartin forward. I think we'd be more likely to play McLean given he'll have a month of full training and 2 games to prepare with, or play Ladhams. Him playing there in match sims more likely due to who was available on the day for structure.

But pretty close to my team, only a few changes.

Cunningham isn't in danger from anyone on our list. Pretty good year last year, not sure why we'd drop him. Obviously you didn't in the end.

Florent unlikely to miss. If we play Paton, then maybe it'll be Jordon (unless we want him on say Scrimshaw), or one of Gus or Cleary (if we're playing Campbell forward, probably have one of these guys playing there part/most of the time too).

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Question now becomes who comes in for Logan - is it a simple case of Ladhams in and he can also cover that fwd/ruck role? Rather than rushing McLean back if he's only just starting training this week?

Easy, play a medium instead. We are ALREADY too tall. We drafted a few mediums, so go that route. Gut feeling says he'll be fit though. However I wouldn't be taking any risks in round 0,