Opinion Ideal 22 in season 2014

[okeydoke7]

Intruder Alert:

FB: Richards, Reid, Smith
CHB: Malceski, Grundy, Johnson
C: Mcveigh, Parker, Kennedy
CHF: Jetta, Tippett, Rohan
FF: Goodes, Franklin, O'Keefe
F: Pyke, Jack, Hanneberry

Int: Shaw, McGlynn, LRT, Mitchell (sub)

Hoping I haven't made a glaring omission. If I have, my bad.

I'm aware that this team is possibly too tall. I get the feeling that Reid will play on the tall forwards while Richards will play on mid-sizers and float off to offer support. LRT on the bench means that this team has LRT, Richards, Grundy (backs playing tall), Franklin, Tippett, Goodes (forwards playing tall [but all good at ground level]) Reid (back/forward tall and swingman) plus Pyke. Maybe it's too much and maybe Reid or LRT start as sub and a tall is subbed off depending on conditions?? It's a good predicament to be in.

A lot of the Swan's success in 2014 will come from the backline. If they can stay injury free and find a settled back 6, they can win the premiership. I find that this is instrumentally important.

The midfield and forward line are elite. I am actually extremely excited to watch this unfold (maybe because i'm a saints supporter and don't have much else to look forward to in 2014). I believe Franklin will play deep forward and Goodes will be a damaging cameo playing closer to goal. Franklin will have a big season, IMO. If Rohan and Jetta play forward flank fully fit all year, it will be very exciting.

We all know how good the midfield is, but my "surprise packet" of the season will be Parker. Perhaps not a surprise to some Swans supporters. But he will play a prominent role in the Swans midfield this season. He will get more time through the midfield and develop his outside game. We all know he is tough as nails, but I see the potential for development...The way he moves his feet and hips (we don't see it enough yet) reminds me of a young GAJ... but don't get your hopes up that he will end up as good If he can use that to break the lines more he will poll some brown low votes and add another elite blonde midfielder to your ranks.

Massive premiership chance. The challenge is finding the right balance in your team. Balance between falls and smalls and balance between older players and younger players.

Good luck.

 

[Bonz]

Intruder Alert:

FB: Richards, Reid, Bird
CHB: Malceski, Grundy, Johnson
C: Mcveigh, Parker, Kennedy
CHF: Jetta, Tippett, Rohan
FF: Goodes, Franklin, O'Keefe
F: Pyke, Jack, Hanneberry

Int: Shaw, McGlynn, LRT, Mitchell (sub)

Hoping I haven't made a glaring omission. If I have, my bad.

I'm aware that this team is possibly too tall. I get the feeling that Reid will play on the tall forwards while Richards will play on mid-sizers and float off to offer support. LRT on the bench means that this team has LRT, Richards, Grundy (backs playing tall), Franklin, Tippett, Goodes (forwards playing tall [but all good at ground level]) Reid (back/forward tall and swingman) plus Pyke. Maybe it's too much and maybe Reid or LRT start as sub and a tall is subbed off depending on conditions?? It's a good predicament to be in.

A lot of the Swan's success in 2014 will come from the backline. If they can stay injury free and find a settled back 6, they can win the premiership. I find that this is instrumentally important.

The midfield and forward line are elite. I am actually extremely excited to watch this unfold (maybe because i'm a saints supporter and don't have much else to look forward to in 2014). I believe Franklin will play deep forward and Goodes will be a damaging cameo playing closer to goal. Franklin will have a big season, IMO. If Rohan and Jetta play forward flank fully fit all year, it will be very exciting.

We all know how good the midfield is, but my "surprise packet" of the season will be Parker. Perhaps not a surprise to some Swans supporters. But he will play a prominent role in the Swans midfield this season. He will get more time through the midfield and develop his outside game. We all know he is tough as nails, but I see the potential for development...The way he moves his feet and hips (we don't see it enough yet) reminds me of a young GAJ... but don't get your hopes up that he will end up as good If he can use that to break the lines more he will poll some brown low votes and add another elite blonde midfielder to your ranks.

Massive premiership chance. The challenge is finding the right balance in your team. Balance between falls and smalls and balance between older players and younger players.

Good luck.

Hey and welcome to the board

A nice write up, the two real omissions you have left out are Rampe and Smith (Smith is our best small defender and Rampe was given Bolton's old number for next season and after last seasons performance in the eyes of the coaching staff he would be amongst the first 18 players selected).

Bird also won't play in the backline he has never really played that position before and is usually either an defensive midfielder or forward.

In all honesty if we have a fully fit list next year I don't think all of our tall's will be playing at the same time, as for who gets rotated out of the squad at this point in time is really anyones guess.

I also can't see Goodes, Johnson, LRT, Mitchell and Shaw all starting the same game (Especially in round 1) as they have all had injury interrupted pre-seasons.

I agree with you in regards to our defence and Parker, when we are playing our best football it is our defence that gives us that extra drive from defence and allows us to play our best football, as for Parker he is the player most Swans fans really expect to take another step up next year.

 

[okeydoke7]

Bird also won't play in the backline he has never really played that position before and is usually either an defensive midfielder or forward.

Haha I've changed that now. I genuinely don't know what I was thinking...I must have had Bird and Smith confused. Bird/Rampe are probably on a list with those on the Int and 4 or 5 others that could easily play. Good depth.

 

[TripleB]

Haha I've changed that now. I genuinely don't know what I was thinking...I must have had Bird and Smith confused. Bird/Rampe are probably on a list with those on the Int and 4 or 5 others that could easily play. Good depth.

So you're another one that can't find a place for Bird in the best 22.

What part of back to back Top 10 B&F finishes don't you people get??

 

[Bonz]

So you're another one that can't find a place for Bird in the best 22.

What part of back to back Top 10 B&F finishes don't you people get??

Look in his defence his an opposition supporter and most football fans wouldn't know much about Bird and who has finished in the top 10 of our best and fairest.

it also proves how hard its going to be to pick a best 22 if our whole team is up and running next year.

 

[Punts]

Our midfield got smacked against Pies , Freo Final etc at the end of the year.
With ROK 33 and slowing down and Goodes 34 and under an injury cloud , there is no way we can loose McVeigh to the HBF , guys like Mitchell , Bird , Towers next winger/mid in line you would think have to really step up otherwise I think we will be in trouble against the better mids in the comp .
As much as I hate to say it but I think our midfield is a little overrated at times (Roos)and as I have said a few times I think Rampe should be tried in the midfield as another big body mid that would help Kennedy and cover for ROK plus another rotation , he is quick and no doubt has the endurance.
I think Freo has the best midfield by a long way ,they have Mundy ,Fyfe , Crowley , Barlow all that are 189cm + so another big body in Rampe would help us.

I think our midfield is more of a concern than we think atm

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Our midfield got smacked against Pies , Freo Final etc at the end of the year.
With ROK 33 and slowing down and Goodes 34 and under an injury cloud , there is no way we can loose McVeigh to the HBF , guys like Mitchell , Bird , Towers next winger/mid in line you would think have to really step up otherwise I think we will be in trouble against the better mids in the comp .
As much as I hate to say it but I think our midfield is a little overrated at times (Roos)and as I have said a few times I think Rampe should be tried in the midfield as another big body mid that would help Kennedy and cover for ROK plus another rotation , he is quick and no doubt has the endurance.
I think Freo has the best midfield by a long way ,they have Mundy ,Fyfe , Crowley , Barlow all that are 189cm + so another big body in Rampe would help us.

I think our midfield is more of a concern than we think atm

Interesting view what are your thoughts of Smith going into the midfield? i know the club is already making plans for McGlynn to have a more of a midfield role than a small forward.

But we all know how we were easily beaten teams were planning on not worrying about Kennedy and shutting down Jack and Hanners which was our demise.

 

[Punts]

Smith is the best small defender in the comp and a general down back , why move him.
People say Rampe can cover Smith , I cant see it but that's me.
McGlynn now going to run through the midfield in 2014 , shows me they need more guys to run through there otherwise Kennedy , Jack , Hannebery , ROK 33 will be stuffed by the end of the year ala 2013.
McVeigh has to go back through there and Mitchell has had his year of learning what it takes at the top level and now has to start at centre bounces were he belongs.
Regardless of Birds top 10 in the B/F I still think he has to step up and be a bit more consistent but atm is no doubt in best 22.

 

[SouthSwans]

Our midfield got smacked against Pies , Freo Final etc at the end of the year.
With ROK 33 and slowing down and Goodes 34 and under an injury cloud , there is no way we can loose McVeigh to the HBF , guys like Mitchell , Bird , Towers next winger/mid in line you would think have to really step up otherwise I think we will be in trouble against the better mids in the comp .
As much as I hate to say it but I think our midfield is a little overrated at times (Roos)and as I have said a few times I think Rampe should be tried in the midfield as another big body mid that would help Kennedy and cover for ROK plus another rotation , he is quick and no doubt has the endurance.
I think Freo has the best midfield by a long way ,they have Mundy ,Fyfe , Crowley , Barlow all that are 189cm + so another big body in Rampe would help us.

I think our midfield is more of a concern than we think atm

I disagree.
The lads were belted from pillar to post during the second half of 2013.
Hanners, Macca & ROK had been battered in the weeks prior to the prelim in Perth.
Jetta & Rohan were both underdone and shouldn'tve been playing.
Injuries to KPs hurt our midfield in 2013 also.
The team is much better if a) the midfield is fully fit and b) the midfield is supported by the likes of Tippett, Goodes, Reid, LRT & Johnson.
In 2014 it will be Kennedy, Jack, Hannebery, Parker, O'Keefe, Jetta and Bird with Mitchell, Cunningham, Biggs & Jones coming up from underneath (alongside part-time rotations McVeigh, McGlynn, Rohan).
If they are all fit and firing and competing for the same spots in the 22 then I have no doubt that our midfield group can be as strong as ever in 2014.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Our midfield got smacked against Pies , Freo Final etc at the end of the year.
With ROK 33 and slowing down and Goodes 34 and under an injury cloud , there is no way we can loose McVeigh to the HBF , guys like Mitchell , Bird , Towers next winger/mid in line you would think have to really step up otherwise I think we will be in trouble against the better mids in the comp .
As much as I hate to say it but I think our midfield is a little overrated at times (Roos)and as I have said a few times I think Rampe should be tried in the midfield as another big body mid that would help Kennedy and cover for ROK plus another rotation , he is quick and no doubt has the endurance.
I think Freo has the best midfield by a long way ,they have Mundy ,Fyfe , Crowley , Barlow all that are 189cm + so another big body in Rampe would help us.

I think our midfield is more of a concern than we think atm

Firstly, while we can't just plays guys where they want to be played every time (or we'd end up with 13 midfielders and 9 "power" Forwards) Smith has said publicly he wants to play midfield. The club may want to repay some of his loyalty (or to try keep him in our colours anyway) by giving him a few runs through the midfield and seeing how he goes. We'd lose a very good small defender and I think his worth to the team would be more-so in the backline than competing with our full time & part time midfields for the ball going forward. However, Rampe doesn't have the runs on the board that Smith has and I don't think leaving a developing player like Rampe in defence is a bad thing for development either. I'm sure the coaches will make a call on our 'core' defenders early and stick with it as we need as settled a back 6 as we can next year. A settled defence that communicates well and knows each others patterns/movements/skills etc is more vital than bolstering our already pretty good midfield next year IMO. If that means both Rampe & Smith stay in the backline then I'd ratehr that.

Not to mention the whole "McGlynn to the midfield" news has been plastered all over the website and media it may be Smith & Rampe both have to wait their turn to get in there.

In a perfect world where everyone is fit and firing I'd go with a core defensive group of: Teddy, Grundy, Rampe, Malceski, AJ, Smith and Shaw playing that loose Def/midfielder role ala Macca this year. We also have LRT, Reid & Laidler to bolster this group.

In a more realisitic world I think Shaw could miss some game time so Laidler comes in for him and Smith takes up that Defender/through midfield role.

 

[baja]

Not sure where to post but reading the paper this morning I noticed they had Brandon Jack and Zac Jones as our rising star favourites so when will we see them play if our best 22 is so good?

 

[baja]

^^ ok Ill add to the post above, since 1993 when the Rising star awards began how many Rising Star winners would have been in bigfooty posters best 22 teams the year they won it?

Adam Goodes won it in 1999 and Hanners in 2010 where they in our best 22 at the start of their winning year?

Just interested how many in last years best 22 thread would have picked our best 22 this year or even now that the year is over is it even possible to pick it? Maybe the first 22 in the B+F count?

Or is this thread more about our 'ideal' best 22 because I don't think in the history of football an ideal best 22 has ever played the whole year and even then its debatable.

Ok, I know what I mean lol.

 

[Wolftone]

A Carlton reserves player a definite starter in our best 22? A team that won a flag then followed up with a season that fell short by one game from another grand final with a injury riddled team with a few best 22 players to return from said injuries? Sounds legit.

To be fair on Laidler, Carlton were asking him to play way above his weight. They did the same to Walker in 2013. Will Walker suffer the same fate as Laidler, possibly. If he doesn't fit into Mick's way he will go too. I don't blame Laidler for being pissed off as he was a relly good player before injury interrupted his career. He played really well in the VFL and still couldn't crack a game when Carlton were crying out for a good HB. I think Mick has a one track mind and is pretty overrated as a coach anyway. He had great players at both West Coast and Collingwood, the recruiters did a wonderful job for him. I wonder if he is going to have the same sort of high quality recruiters at Carlton? The other thing is he has a whole group of high draft picks that really are underperforming and can he change that culture. Time will tell but he would havew been better sticking with a few more players like Laidler and a few less like Kruiser

 

[Wolftone]

I am going to say that circumstance will dictate our best side for 2014. Injury, suspension, form. But I am giving it a go.


Forwards; Rohan Tippett Goodes

Half Forwards; ROK Reid Franklin

Centre line; Jetts Joey Hannas

Half Backs; Rampe Grundy Malceski

Backs; AJ Teddy Smithy

Followers; Pyke Kizza Parker

Interchange; Macca, Mitchell, LRT, Sub; Bird

Emergencies; Laidler, Biggs, Cunningham, Benny, Shaw

I think Benny, BJ, Shaw & Harry are both capable of being in the top 22.

But in saying that I think the input of Rhyce this year will be far less in the seniors. I think this year we will be looking to place players who are the future of the club not the past as we will have to get used to not having several players including Shaw in 2015. Do not be surprised to see Marsh, Membrey, Towers, Perris, Lloyd, Xav Richards, Jones, Derrickx, Nankervis and Naismith get a few games. The future is upon us and when we look back on predictions for 2015 I bet not too many match up. They never do. someone new always comes through and does something extraordinary and ruins the plot.

 

[Number37]

So you're another one that can't find a place for Bird in the best 22.

What part of back to back Top 10 B&F finishes don't you people get??

Pick themselves - Richards, Grundy, Smith, Malceski, McVeigh, Parker, Kennedy, Tippett, Franklin, O'Keefe, Pyke, Jack & Hannebery.

Pick themselves if fit - Goodes, Reid, Shaw, Johnson, LRT

Then you have to choose from Mitchell, McGlynn, Jetta, Rohan, Bird and the rest.

Bird is simply not an automatic choice, there is no space for him in the forward line, his only option is to play midfield tagger, who does he kick out of the midfield?

Not saying he is no good, just saying we are so awesome that we might NOT have a best 22 spot for a player of Bird's calibre!
With our potent forward line and gun midfield it is hard to see us playing anything else but attacking footy, perhaps Bird will be the one defensive pick for the midfield?

 

[Wolftone]

i think with our depth we it will be horses for courses this year. We will play the players who match up or are going to outplay the opposition on the day. Some players have problems playing against other players, especially when tagged. If you can upset the balance of the opposition simply by not playing that player and playing someone who matches up on the tagger really well then why not.

 

[Punts]

Going to be a few fighting it out come R1 to get selected , Shaw will be pushing for R1 by the looks of it to.

 

[cinderella man]

Pick themselves - Richards, Grundy, Smith, Malceski, McVeigh, Parker, Kennedy, Tippett, Franklin, O'Keefe, Pyke, Jack & Hannebery.

Pick themselves if fit - Goodes, Reid, Shaw, Johnson, LRT

Then you have to choose from Mitchell, McGlynn, Jetta, Rohan, Bird and the rest.

Bird is simply not an automatic choice, there is no space for him in the forward line, his only option is to play midfield tagger, who does he kick out of the midfield?

Not saying he is no good, just saying we are so awesome that we might NOT have a best 22 spot for a player of Bird's calibre!
With our potent forward line and gun midfield it is hard to see us playing anything else but attacking footy, perhaps Bird will be the one defensive pick for the midfield?

Yeah the rest of the competition might as well not turn up.

 

[swans2014]

Intruder Alert:

FB: Richards, Reid, Smith
CHB: Malceski, Grundy, Johnson
C: Mcveigh, Parker, Kennedy
CHF: Jetta, Tippett, Rohan
FF: Goodes, Franklin, O'Keefe
F: Pyke, Jack, Hanneberry

Int: Shaw, McGlynn, LRT, Mitchell (sub)

Hoping I haven't made a glaring omission. If I have, my bad.

I'm aware that this team is possibly too tall. I get the feeling that Reid will play on the tall forwards while Richards will play on mid-sizers and float off to offer support. LRT on the bench means that this team has LRT, Richards, Grundy (backs playing tall), Franklin, Tippett, Goodes (forwards playing tall [but all good at ground level]) Reid (back/forward tall and swingman) plus Pyke. Maybe it's too much and maybe Reid or LRT start as sub and a tall is subbed off depending on conditions?? It's a good predicament to be in.

A lot of the Swan's success in 2014 will come from the backline. If they can stay injury free and find a settled back 6, they can win the premiership. I find that this is instrumentally important.

The midfield and forward line are elite. I am actually extremely excited to watch this unfold (maybe because i'm a saints supporter and don't have much else to look forward to in 2014). I believe Franklin will play deep forward and Goodes will be a damaging cameo playing closer to goal. Franklin will have a big season, IMO. If Rohan and Jetta play forward flank fully fit all year, it will be very exciting.

We all know how good the midfield is, but my "surprise packet" of the season will be Parker. Perhaps not a surprise to some Swans supporters. But he will play a prominent role in the Swans midfield this season. He will get more time through the midfield and develop his outside game. We all know he is tough as nails, but I see the potential for development...The way he moves his feet and hips (we don't see it enough yet) reminds me of a young GAJ... but don't get your hopes up that he will end up as good If he can use that to break the lines more he will poll some brown low votes and add another elite blonde midfielder to your ranks.

Massive premiership chance. The challenge is finding the right balance in your team. Balance between falls and smalls and balance between older players and younger players.

Good luck.

Really good team, and I'm impressed by your knowledge of Sydney's list.

Like you said, it might be a little tall, so to save making tough decisions let's assume that one of the talls is injured (and one probably will be most weekends), then the only changes I'd make would be McGlynn and the injured tall out for Bird and Rampe.

There's been a fair bit of hype surrounding McGlynn this year because of reports of him training with the midfield group, but that doesn't make him a lock in the 22, all it really says is that the club has decided that he needs to be able to play multiple roles to be of more value to the side. Bird can already play multiple roles so that's why at this stage I'd have him ahead of McGlynn.

The forward line is elite, as good (or better?) than the 2005 forward line.

 

[Crackers27]

F: Gary Rohan, Kurt Tippett, Lewis Jetta

HF: Ryan O'keefe, Adam Goodes, Lance Franklin

C: Daniel Hannebery, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack

HB: Alex Johnson, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski

B: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe

Foll: Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad Mcveigh

Inter: Ben Mcglynn, Craig Bird, LRT/Sam Reid, Tom Mitchell

Emer: Harry Cunningham, Sam Reid/LRT, Rhyce Shaw

 

[swans2014]

F: Gary Rohan, Kurt Tippett, Lewis Jetta

HF: Ryan O'keefe, Adam Goodes, Lance Franklin

C: Daniel Hannebery, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack

HB: Alex Johnson, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski

B: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe

Foll: Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad Mcveigh

Inter: Ben Mcglynn, Craig Bird, LRT/Sam Reid, Tom Mitchell

Emer: Harry Cunningham, Sam Reid/LRT, Rhyce Shaw

Interesting that most people seem to agree on the best 24 (the squad Crackers listed minus Cunningham), it's mostly a debate over who fills the bench spots and the emergencies.

If all 24 of those guys are fit to play it will be a horribly tough call on who misses out. You would think that it will probably be one of the talls and one of the small/mediums that miss, and based on what people have been posting so far that would mean LRT and Reid in competition for one spot and Shaw, McGlynn, Mitchell, Rampe and Bird fighting it out for four spots between the five of them (or if the coaches decide to go in tall, those five small/medium guys would have three spots to share).

 

[Wolftone]

I think Longmire started to telegraph the way he wanted footy to be played by the selection of players like BJ, Harry & Biggs. All are quick movers of the ball and I think that is where Horse wants our footy to develop. Extensions of the sling shot and also the introduction of direct movement in the forwardline are very much the go I believe. Mids will have to be very strong at the ball and there seems to be a lot of emphasis in training drills so far on extracting the ball fro the stoppages. If you look at the players we have drafted in the last three to four years, the mids have either of two traits, they are fast or they are good extractors. The forwards/utilities that have been drafted, Rohan, BJ, Towers, young Hewitt & even Membrey are flexible enough to play a number of positions. The backs all have one thing in common, big or small, they move well and move the ball around, they are all good in arael contests, tight checking can be taught but natural speed & movement are gold. THe rucks are all versatile & can go forward and kick goals.

 

[Punts]

(IF) no setbacks from here till R1 both Shaw and AJ have declared them selves fit and ready for GWS (touch wood) , going to be interesting selection for the coaches.

 

[Wolftone]

(IF) no setbacks from here till R1 both Shaw and AJ have declared them selves fit and ready for GWS (touch wood) , going to be interesting selection for the coaches.

going to be very interesting. I think there could be more players vying for possies than people realise. Those who have put in huge preseasons could make a mark in the preseason matches and then it opens a pandora's box. Minimal opportunity for so many as far as I am concerned. Some here seem to think we have that workman type list with a couple of stars still. That is long gone, there is far too much talent and ability in this list to ever by called workmanlike. This is a great erticle by Jake Niall;

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/sydneys-stealth-tactics-are-no-longer-new-20140125-31fru.html

 

[bungee]

Smith is the best small defender in the comp and a general down back , why move him.
People say Rampe can cover Smith , I cant see it but that's me.
McGlynn now going to run through the midfield in 2014 , shows me they need more guys to run through there otherwise Kennedy , Jack , Hannebery , ROK 33 will be stuffed by the end of the year ala 2013.
McVeigh has to go back through there and Mitchell has had his year of learning what it takes at the top level and now has to start at centre bounces were he belongs.
Regardless of Birds top 10 in the B/F I still think he has to step up and be a bit more consistent but atm is no doubt in best 22.

1) Bird is consistent and rarely has a bad game
2) Before he could hope for any time midfield Rampe needs to i) learn to hit a target, or we'll waste our talented forward line ii) Shave off that silly mo and get back to focussing on footy. Not sure if Oz has got UK Top Gear series 21 yet but Clarkson et al claim that a mo is a complete distraction.