Coaching Staff Former Coach Ben "Truck" Rutten - Sacked for real this time - 21/8

[BrunoV]

I also though that was Rutten's best and most natural presser.

Does he even have the options available to use the selection table?

 

[Old Campaigner]

If that's what he means by blue collar then I think he needs a dictionary. Blue collar is supposed to mean hard work, the kind of jobs where you wear dark blue cotton drill (sometimes high vis and reflective tape these days), which is to say heavy duty clothing that hides the dirt, 60-80 hour weeks doing manual and technical work out in the weather, in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, trades and auxiliary industries.

In reality the message simply isn't getting through, or is being disregarded when received. He might want and expect "blue collar" players who do the 1%ers, tackle hard, muck in, put their body on the line, and care about their teammates. But other than a small handful, the players aren't currently showing much aptitude for it.

It's attitude, not aptitude imo

It doesn't take skill to chase, tackle and apply pressure. Look at Snelling. There's definitely some football acumen required to do all that within the framework of a gameplan but that doesn't explain the sheer lack of effort on display.

That effort requires the right attitude, and once a critical mass of the playing group and leadership start displaying that kind of attitude it becomes a culture.

 

[Lore]

I also though that was Rutten's best abs most natural presser.

Does he even have the options available to use the selection table?

Forwards available:
Kaine Baldwin - emg
Alec Waterman - emg
Tex Wanganeen - small
Joshua Eyre - tall
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti - unfit

Ruck/Mids available:
Andrew Phillips - test returning from hamstring
Cian McBride - Cat B rookie (need to upgrade in lieu of LTI)
Brayden Ham - emg
Tom Hird - Cat B rookie (need to upgrade in lieu of LTI)

Defenders available:
James Stewart - test returning from hamstring
Cody Brand - tall
Garrett McDonagh - hbf
Alastair Lord - hbf

There was apparently a practice match of some sort yesterday due to the VFL bye, so idk if that's regarded as good preparation or an opportunity to push for selection really.

 

[TheGrizz]

I also though that was Rutten's best abs most natural presser.

Does he even have the options available to use the selection table?

The move (if he wants to make one) is probably Hobbs into the starting midfield rotation with Perkins getting more minutes through there.

that would mean dropping one of Shiel/Parish/McGrath (outright - no sub) to make a point in addition to having Caldwell out with injury.

You then bring in Waterman and may a Wanganeen to fill in the flank. The side gets appreciably worse but it send a point.

 

[Halftimehero]

Forwards available:
Kaine Baldwin - emg
Alec Waterman - emg
Tex Wanganeen - small
Joshua Eyre - tall
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti - unfit

Ruck/Mids available:
Andrew Phillips - test returning from hamstring
Cian McBride - Cat B rookie (need to upgrade in lieu of LTI)
Brayden Ham - emg
Tom Hird - Cat B rookie (need to upgrade in lieu of LTI)

Defenders available:
James Stewart - test returning from hamstring
Cody Brand - tall
Garrett McDonagh - hbf
Alastair Lord - hbf

There was apparently a practice match of some sort yesterday due to the VFL bye, so idk if that's regarded as good preparation or an opportunity to push for selection really.

There is dead set no one there we can bring in that makes us better, Philips maybe?

 

[Lore]

Only got half the press conference coz Channel 7 likes the sound of their own voices better:

• Comprehensively beaten, scoreboard flattered us. Contest work, pressure, tackling so much better than ours.
• The night, ground, opposition demanded a contested high pressure tackling game and we weren't up for it.
• Swans were up for the fight. Look across our squad/team didn't show the resolve or steely-ness to maintain that we needed to, got off track and didn't get back on it.
• Near the contest it is easier to tackle because the ball is right there, but when you're further away and you're slow to react, second to the ball, it's harder. Lots of missed/broken tackles (this is his favourite stat I think)
• sigh
• Asked about Shiel: Yeah you're right, don't want to single players out. Game requires to run, tackle, win the ball, chase out after it, surging and .... [some other stuff I didn't catch]. Senior players have to get down and do the work and show the way. Tonight was a night that required it, didn't do it.

Press conference replay is on the club website now, so can watch the second half that Channel 7 decided not to put to air:

• Asked about backing in senior players: Yeah of course we do, we need them, absolutely we need them. You know, our more experienced players have shown multiple times, we've seen enough of them, we know what they can do. They're just way off their best tonight, individually and as a group, and then that compounds, you know, it snowballs. And then when you're up against a team, like the Swans were tonight, that have a real appetite for it. Sometimes it can feel like it's a long way back but yeah we need to keep backing the [senior players] in, coaching them hard, being really clear on the expectations around what the requirements are and supporting them to get there.
• Caldwell incident [something about MRO I think?]: Yeah I haven't looked at it from that point of view, I just thought it was an unbelievably courageous act. Jye is a young player who is really brave and has a real appetite for the contest and that is the spark we wanted from more of our guys more consistently. Unfortunately he's got a bit of an AC he's pretty sore at the moment, don't know the extent of the damage and we'll find that out in the early part of the week. But it was a really brave act from Jye and unfortunately it took him out of the game but we've seen a bit of that from Jye around training and at various stages throughout the game and that's the way he plays and we'll keep encouraging him to do that.
• Looking for consistency showed an improved level last week and finished the game and took some confidence and belief out of that but also a bit of what I spoke about today, when it's not going our way, the opposition is getting on top, we need to be able to get back to our game and our best footy wasn't there tonight. That's where the improvement is, doing it consistently, and doing it under all circumstances, oppositions, weather conditions, grounds, winning or losing, just keep turning up for each other in and around the contest in particular. But a long way off it, a long way off it tonight.
• Does it add to the disappointment that it was Heppell's 200th: Yeah of course it does. He's a really special person and contributor for our footy club, and has been for a long time. He's been the captain for a fair while now, always puts other people first, always puts the club first. I thought we, yeah. We still want to celebrate him for his contribution to the club and what he's done and what he will continue to do, but yeah disappointing about the result and the way we played.
• All good? [Any injuries], other than Jye? Yeah pretty good, Jye is the only one at the moment.

 

[Lore]

There is dead set no one there we can bring in that makes us better, Philips maybe?

Ham probably comes in for Caldwell. Or maybe Wanganeen comes in and Perkins/Hobbs go in the middle a bit more. Something like that.

Smith was originally another week on his knee strengthening program, not sure if that will go longer given he didn't do the work last week when he was called up to play instead. Snelling is out until the bye, unless they rush him but they did commit to conservative management. Stringer has a week or two on his hamstring, don't think they'll rush it this time. Hurley indefinite. Jones is kind of available but has had a super interrupted end of last year, pre-season and all of this year, barely strung together any training or games so probably not coming in until he's had a chance to blow out the cobwebs in the VFL. Langford was 1-2 weeks last week according to the AFL injury list so should be test this week, but Murphy said we probably won't see him until after the bye so probably another conservative management type one. Zerk has an unknown injury. Voss has a foot issue and has several weeks to go.

If we're really desperate there are a few that are kind of touch and go and could be rushed back that are currently doing injury rehab. But I'd rather just lose a couple more games and get them right, rushing them back now is a bit short-sighted.

I suspect a few of our mids and maybe Ridley are also carrying niggles of one sort or another. Very monty python black knight sort of situation except without the hopping around and demanding a fight.

 

[maskmcgee]

Is Rutten really going to be given the time to turn over the list? It's the only sane course of action, but will take a long, long time. Footy clubs aren't the most patient organisations.

If the players actually tried and showed effort, the thing you expect from 5 year old Auskickers, then I wouldn't care even if all the scorelines were exactly the same as they have been. If the players won't try, they should have their contracts torn up, as I would with Shiel, and he could waste as much time as he wanted challenging it in the courts, the humiliation alone would be worth it and make the other players realise this isn't ****ing Centrelink.

The players refuse to try and the coach refuses to do anything. That's why I have no patience for him.

 

[Halftimehero]

Ham probably comes in for Caldwell. Or maybe Wanganeen comes in and Perkins/Hobbs go in the middle a bit more. Something like that.

Smith was originally another week on his knee strengthening program, not sure if that will go longer given he didn't do the work last week when he was called up to play instead. Snelling is out until the bye, unless they rush him but they did commit to conservative management. Stringer has a week or two on his hamstring, don't think they'll rush it this time. Hurley indefinite. Jones is kind of available but has had a super interrupted end of last year, pre-season and all of this year, barely strung together any training or games so probably not coming in until he's had a chance to blow out the cobwebs in the VFL. Langford was 1-2 weeks last week according to the AFL injury list so should be test this week, but Murphy said we probably won't see him until after the bye so probably another conservative management type one. Zerk has an unknown injury. Voss has a foot issue and has several weeks to go.

If we're really desperate there are a few that are kind of touch and go and could be rushed back that are currently doing injury rehab. But I'd rather just lose a couple more games and get them right, rushing them back now is a bit short-sighted.

I suspect a few of our mids and maybe Ridley are also carrying niggles of one sort or another. Very monty python black knight sort of situation except without the hopping around and demanding a fight.

I’d be bringing in Tex and giving Hobbs and Perkins more midfield time for sure, we’ve seen enough of Ham.

 

[Old Campaigner]

I suspect a few of our mids and maybe Ridley are also carrying niggles of one sort or another. Very monty python black knight sort of situation except without the hopping around and demanding a fight.

It wouldn't surprise me if a couple of them are dealing with lingering covid after-effects too.

 

[Lore]

It wouldn't surprise me if a couple of them are dealing with lingering covid after-effects too.

The virus that went through last week wasn't covid, seemed to be a flu and then also some sort of stomach bug. Although I think most of them had covid in January so it could be that I guess, can mess up your concentration and aerobic ability for quite a while afterwards depending on your luck.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

The move (if he wants to make one) is probably Hobbs into the starting midfield rotation with Perkins getting more minutes through there.

that would mean dropping one of Shiel/Parish/McGrath (outright - no sub) to make a point in addition to having Caldwell out with injury.

You then bring in Waterman and may a Wanganeen to fill in the flank. The side gets appreciably worse but it send a point.

And having a worse side is arguably good thing. I see very little value to winning this year, outside of games against Carlton and Norf

 

[boncer34]

Ham probably comes in for Caldwell. Or maybe Wanganeen comes in and Perkins/Hobbs go in the middle a bit more. Something like that.

Smith was originally another week on his knee strengthening program, not sure if that will go longer given he didn't do the work last week when he was called up to play instead. Snelling is out until the bye, unless they rush him but they did commit to conservative management. Stringer has a week or two on his hamstring, don't think they'll rush it this time. Hurley indefinite. Jones is kind of available but has had a super interrupted end of last year, pre-season and all of this year, barely strung together any training or games so probably not coming in until he's had a chance to blow out the cobwebs in the VFL. Langford was 1-2 weeks last week according to the AFL injury list so should be test this week, but Murphy said we probably won't see him until after the bye so probably another conservative management type one. Zerk has an unknown injury. Voss has a foot issue and has several weeks to go.

If we're really desperate there are a few that are kind of touch and go and could be rushed back that are currently doing injury rehab. But I'd rather just lose a couple more games and get them right, rushing them back now is a bit short-sighted.

I suspect a few of our mids and maybe Ridley are also carrying niggles of one sort or another. Very monty python black knight sort of situation except without the hopping around and demanding a fight.

So he's right. There's no one to bring in to make us better.

 

[ant555]

Rutten also put the blame on his senior players in skipper Dyson Heppell's 200th game.

"The night, the smaller ground, the opposition, it demanded a contested pressure tackling game and we weren’t up for it," Rutten said.

"(Callum) Mills had 13 tackles individually. He was fantastic. He was one of a lot of Swans that were up for the fight.

"When I look across our squad, we didn’t show the resolve, steeliness to maintain the level that we needed to. There were times we were too easily derailed off our game.

"We found it hard to get back, in particular our more senior players. They're the ones we need to pave the way and shine the light for our younger guys. They didn’t do that tonight."

Rutten declined to single out individuals but was pressed of the form of Dylan Shiel

9

Dylan Shiel

Age

32

Ht

182cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.6

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

12.2

5star

M

3.1

3star

T

3.9

5star

CL

4.9

5star

D

23.4

5star

K

13.6

5star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.2

2star

T

3.4

4star

CL

6.4

5star

D

19.8

5star

K

8.4

4star

HB

11.4

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

3.8

5star

, who has been in and out of the 22 this season, and only managed five kicks and 15 handballs for 69 metres gained.

"I don’t want to single players out at the moment, it's not the time," he said.

"He's one of our senior guys that I mentioned who we need in a game like that that requires us to be up for the contest, pressure and tackling.

"We've got some inexperienced players, but the senior guys need to be ones to get down and do the work and show the way. We were way off the level."

I know Rutten does not rant but this is pretty blunt.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Rutten also put the blame on his senior players in skipper Dyson Heppell's 200th game.

"The night, the smaller ground, the opposition, it demanded a contested pressure tackling game and we weren’t up for it," Rutten said.

"(Callum) Mills had 13 tackles individually. He was fantastic. He was one of a lot of Swans that were up for the fight.

"When I look across our squad, we didn’t show the resolve, steeliness to maintain the level that we needed to. There were times we were too easily derailed off our game.

"We found it hard to get back, in particular our more senior players. They're the ones we need to pave the way and shine the light for our younger guys. They didn’t do that tonight."

Rutten declined to single out individuals but was pressed of the form of Dylan Shiel, who has been in and out of the 22 this season, and only managed five kicks and 15 handballs for 69 metres gained.

"I don’t want to single players out at the moment, it's not the time," he said.

"He's one of our senior guys that I mentioned who we need in a game like that that requires us to be up for the contest, pressure and tackling.

"We've got some inexperienced players, but the senior guys need to be ones to get down and do the work and show the way. We were way off the level."

I know Rutten does not rant but this is pretty blunt.

I'm pretty happy with that. He's not making it personal or dragging guys in the media. He's identified (correctly in my view) the problems that need to be addressed.

I think he's pretty much on the money with the need to be better defensively, and while I'm not sure if his gameplan is going to achieve that I don't think the current list is in any shape to actually put it to the test. Give him 3 more years to clean the joint out and see how we look then.

 

[BomberManU]

So what exactly is the problem with the players? They're not stupid, they know what zero effort leads to in this game - how could their personal pride allow them to knowingly look so bad?? There's obviously a 'dis-connect', but what has happened to cause it? We weren't world beaters last season, but appeared to be on the same page and heading in the right direction. Did something happen over the preseason that put a couple of noses out of joint?
The problem for BR is that historically there's only one way to fix a dis-connect.

 

[ant555]

So what exactly is the problem with the players? They're not stupid, they know what zero effort leads to in this game - how could their personal pride allow them to knowingly look so bad?? There's obviously a 'dis-connect', but what has happened to cause it? We weren't world beaters last season, but appeared to be on the same page and heading in the right direction. Did something happen over the preseason that put a couple of noses out of joint?
The problem for BR is that historically there's only one way to fix a dis-connect.

Same issue we have had for 15 years. We have not really put together a list of genuine hard working players who actually like playing hard footy week in and week out. We where not that great last year early although the effort most weeks was better. But new coach , clear message after the confusion of having two head coaches in 2020. One thing to remember is the back end of last year we won at least 3 games off the back of Stringer being in the best 4 or 5 players in the game for that period.
The disconnect is the coaches wanted to add more defensive aspects which we 100% need but our blokes do not defend and there is a lot of finger pointing going on as to who should be doing what and when.

 

[maskmcgee]

Why isn't he doing this?

 

[citizen-erased]

And having a worse side is arguably good thing. I see very little value to winning this year, outside of games against Carlton and Norf

Id take the norf loss just to get ahead in the draft.

What am i saying....*shakes head

 

[bennyg12]

Still game style with zero pressure

 

[Lore]

So he's right. There's no one to bring in to make us better.

I wasn’t disagreeing

 

[dank420_]

Why isn't he doing this?

As someone who is spending 100% of my time with Rutten, I can assure you he is thinking about it and may have even done while I wasn't looking.

 

[Jack Richards]

Id take the norf loss

Me too to be honest.

But I don't think this is on Rutten as we have had how many coaches since Sheedy and have had none have won a finals game.

 

[citizen-erased]

Same issue we have had for 15 years. We have not really put together a list of genuine hard working players who actually like playing hard footy week in and week out. We where not that great last year early although the effort most weeks was better. But new coach , clear message after the confusion of having two head coaches in 2020. One thing to remember is the back end of last year we won at least 3 games off the back of Stringer being in the best 4 or 5 players in the game for that period.
The disconnect is the coaches wanted to add more defensive aspects which we 100% need but our blokes do not defend and there is a lot of finger pointing going on as to who should be doing what and when.

Competitors are missing.
Redman, caldwell, hobbs, draper, perkins, guelfi - all Competitors.
Reid and cox too.

Rutten also put the blame on his senior players in skipper Dyson Heppell's 200th game.

"The night, the smaller ground, the opposition, it demanded a contested pressure tackling game and we weren’t up for it," Rutten said.

"(Callum) Mills had 13 tackles individually. He was fantastic. He was one of a lot of Swans that were up for the fight.

"When I look across our squad, we didn’t show the resolve, steeliness to maintain the level that we needed to. There were times we were too easily derailed off our game.

"We found it hard to get back, in particular our more senior players. They're the ones we need to pave the way and shine the light for our younger guys. They didn’t do that tonight."

Rutten declined to single out individuals but was pressed of the form of Dylan Shiel, who has been in and out of the 22 this season, and only managed five kicks and 15 handballs for 69 metres gained.

"I don’t want to single players out at the moment, it's not the time," he said.

"He's one of our senior guys that I mentioned who we need in a game like that that requires us to be up for the contest, pressure and tackling.

"We've got some inexperienced players, but the senior guys need to be ones to get down and do the work and show the way. We were way off the level."

I know Rutten does not rant but this is pretty blunt.

Thing is, its not the inexperienced guys letting us down either

Martin would be top 3 in the bnf and fave for rising star on form

Reid has been solid in defence since coming

Archie and hobbs are cracking in
Draper and bryan - too early but look a good duo project

Elephant in the room is the experienced mids. Shiel, parish, merrett, mcgrath. These guys brasher pointed to as the foundations the 2020 rebuild would be built on. Part of the rutten/brasher blueprint.

But my thing is, these arent bad players.
Shiel is an all Australian who had half the league chasing him 3 years ago

Parish and merrett were excellent last year as a duo.

Does truck need to ask all three of them to bring their AA jackets in and get them to explain why they deserve them to the group?
Or ask himself why the gap between best and worst, and why the latter is more consistently dished up.

 

[Jack Richards]

Does truck need to ask all three of them to bring their AA jackets in and get them to explain why they deserve them to the group?
Or ask himself why the gap between best and worst, and why the latter is more consistently dished up.

You will find its players not sticking to the plan. Redman cracked it at a team mate last night who wasn't sticking to his man.