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

[caesar88]

In a few short weeks the AFL draft will be taking place, where we'll add a handful of new Swans to the list, and the squad will be returning to training for pre-season. So it seems like a good time to look ahead to next year and what it could bring for us.

There will be a separate thread for pre-season updates from the track, so keep an eye out for that one as well.

I know there is still some angst regarding the grand final, and that is partly why the mods held off creating a new thread, but please keep any further commiserating of the GF performance to the autopsy thread. This one is purely about looking forward and how we can get better and win the flag in 2025

 

[tombomb]

Warner re-signs long term over summer.

Sheldrick starts in the centre in round zero.

Logan has the Thilthorpe preseason and comes back a beast.

We all fall back in love with the club.

 

[RUNVS]

We need to start focusing on winning the centre clearances more, or at the very least stopping the super clean centre clearances from the opposition. It doesn't matter too much in the regular season but it kills us in Grand Finals against teams who are actually really good in the centre.

I mean I don't think Longmire will do this as he doesn't care about the centre clearances, he never has, but I think it is what we should do.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

C: Sheldrick Rowbottom Warner

Everything else is a moot point.

 

[tombomb]

We need to start focusing on winning the centre clearances more, or at the very least stopping the super clean centre clearances from the opposition. It doesn't matter too much in the regular season but it kills us in Grand Finals against teams who are actually really good in the centre.

I mean I don't think Longmire will do this as he doesn't care about the centre clearances, he never has, but I think it is what we should do.

One of the small glimmers of hope I have is that our main issue is relatively simple.

Clean, quality, ball in the middle of the ground.

 

[caesar88]

C: Sheldrick Rowbottom Warner

Everything else is a moot point.

You want Sheldrick on a wing? Are you feeling alright DQ?!

 

[Dubai Quacker]

You want Sheldrick on a wing? Are you feeling alright DQ?!

Ha, no - I just want Sheldrick on the team sheet & attending the opening centre bounce of the season.

Cmon Horse - it’s what the fans want.

 

[tombomb]

C: Sheldrick Rowbottom Warner

Everything else is a moot point.

There needs to be a rotation, but Sheldrick must be part of it.

You need three or four players capable of winning clean ball in the middle. We went into GF day with one (Heeney).

 

[Kiama Chris]

Thanks caesar88 good to get it going again.
Following tombomb style I'm hoping, pretty much in order:
1) A really suitable group of draftees. No skinny flankers (though Cochran might turn into one)
With the space we have there should be enough second level talent to fill our needs. That said, I don't expect to see any of them debut.
2) A new midfield strategy coach, telling us that Horse is taking it seriously.
3) A ripping start to the preseason with lots of PBs telling us the guys are taking it very seriously.
4) A solid review that we will never know the results of.
5) A strong start to the season with a rearranged approach to the midfield. This could involve a lot of things but I want to see a fit Sheldrick in there to help with the heavy lifting and Mills too, not in defence. Heeney to have a modified role to save his body a bit. We don't need 4 wingers (Gulden, McInerney, Florent and Lloyd) but none to move back. Forward or out. 5 if you count Campbell.
6) I don't mind the three talls (remember mostly there are only two at a time) but I want to see the two on deck playing closer to goal. Stop playing McDonald as a high half forward. I'd like the last small. I know many don't rate him but I think we're better with Wicks than without. If we nab a good'un in the draft maybe give him a taste in an easier game if he's ready. Keep developing Cleary in his midfield role except for emergency.
7) As part of the changes to the midfield manage Grundy better. If Ladhams gets a game so be it.
8) Most of all I want to see the tenacity that went missing mid-season. I've posted elsewhere about how the coaches should deal with that.
I'll post separately about the team itself sometime soon (not that you'll be holding your breath).

 

[Kiama Chris]

One of the small glimmers of hope I have is that our main issue is relatively simple.

Clean, quality, ball in the middle of the ground.

Perhaps straightforward rather than simple. Apart from anything else we need to develop a number of alternatives and be prepared to switch quickly. But yes, it's our single biggest tactical flaw. Mentally.....

 

[The King!]

I think Warner signing is important because we missed the chance to get value .

I would like to see what Sheldrick can do, I don't think it is fair to expect he solves problems and people here place unrealistic expectations on the kid, but he and Adams should be playing. Play Adams in the guts in and under doing dirty work and if he gets hurts or plays shit then he is out. None of this half forward stuff.

I thought at times the three talls individually performed up forward and it might all gel , but we need to move away from it being locked in. McDonald needs to work up the ground and Mclean deep maybe? Amartey out? I don't know but the current set up doesn't take marks .


But basically we roll with what we have there isn't much wiggle room and that's potentially ok until the pressure comes.

Manage the list more , not saying you have to rest players but if there is a niggle then stop ****ing playing them.

We need Mills back at his best , an All australian Midfielder

 

[The King!]

Also the big disadvantage for the losing grand final side if our players will be back later

 

[caesar88]

Thanks caesar88 good to get it going again.
Following tombomb style I'm hoping, pretty much in order:
1) A really suitable group of draftees. No skinny flankers (though Cochran might turn into one)
With the space we have there should be enough second level talent to fill our needs. That said, I don't expect to see any of them debut.
2) A new midfield strategy coach, telling us that Horse is taking it seriously.
3) A ripping start to the preseason with lots of PBs telling us the guys are taking it very seriously.
4) A solid review that we will never know the results of.
5) A strong start to the season with a rearranged approach to the midfield. This could involve a lot of things but I want to see a fit Sheldrick in there to help with the heavy lifting and Mills too, not in defence. Heeney to have a modified role to save his body a bit. We don't need 4 wingers (Gulden, McInerney, Florent and Lloyd) but none to move back. Forward or out. 5 if you count Campbell.
6) I don't mind the three talls (remember mostly there are only two at a time) but I want to see the two on deck playing closer to goal. Stop playing McDonald as a high half forward. I'd like the last small. I know many don't rate him but I think we're better with Wicks than without. If we nab a good'un in the draft maybe give him a taste in an easier game if he's ready. Keep developing Cleary in his midfield role except for emergency.
7) As part of the changes to the midfield manage Grundy better. If Ladhams gets a game so be it.
8) Most of all I want to see the tenacity that went missing mid-season. I've posted elsewhere about how the coaches should deal with that.
I'll post separately about the team itself sometime soon (not that you'll be holding your breath).

I always look forward to reading your thoughts KC!

 

[tombomb]

Perhaps straightforward rather than simple. Apart from anything else we need to develop a number of alternatives and be prepared to switch quickly. But yes, it's our single biggest tactical flaw. Mentally.....

One of the problems is we are hoping that players like Sheldrick and Cleary change our midfield situation - but they have barely played 10 games between them.

It seems totally unrealistic to expect them to get to a big final in 12 months and compete with guys like Neale and Bontempelli ... and many others.

The other issue is that I am not sure the coaches understand the problem we have in the centre.

When you are being totally handled by Tim Taranto in round three and 15 weeks later you are still saying 'we don't understand why we start so slowly', I am not sure it is every going to sink in.

 

[tombomb]

I think Warner signing is important because we missed the chance to get value .

I would like to see what Sheldrick can do, I don't think it is fair to expect he solves problems and people here place unrealistic expectations on the kid, but he and Adams should be playing. Play Adams in the guts in and under doing dirty work and if he gets hurts or plays shit then he is out. None of this half forward stuff.

I thought at times the three talls individually performed up forward and it might all gel , but we need to move away from it being locked in. McDonald needs to work up the ground and Mclean deep maybe? Amartey out? I don't know but the current set up doesn't take marks .


But basically we roll with what we have there isn't much wiggle room and that's potentially ok until the pressure comes.

Manage the list more , not saying you have to rest players but if there is a niggle then stop ****ing playing them.

We need Mills back at his best , an All australian Midfielder

As a supporter, re-signing Warner over the summer would restore a lot of my lost faith that the club knows what it is doing.

 

[Punts]

Clean clearances

team defence , even if have to go back looking like shit for a bit. Get that mentality back that we are hard to score against. Pure defenders

Go away from the 3 talls

Not sure who on the list is capable of being that outlet , contested marking player

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

One of the problems is we, at least the supporters, are hoping that players like Sheldrick and Cleary change our midfield situation - but they have barely played 10 games between them.

It seems totally unrealistic to expect them to get to a big final in 12 months and compete with guys like Neale and Bontempelli ... and many others.

The other issue is that I am not sure the coaches understand the problem we have in the centre.

I mean, when you are being totally handled by Tim Taranto in round three and 15 weeks later you are still saying 'we don't understand why we start so slowly', I am not sure it is every going to sink in.

Mills has to be a huge part of the answer. A core CB starting group of Mills, Heeney and Rowbottom will be hard to push around. Then we need to rotate players through to keep them fresh.

Mills will be coming in very fresh and with a big point to prove after his last 13 months. I hope he has Kane Cornes face on his locker with the quote that his contract is one of the 10 worst in the league. He only gets to rip it off at the end of the season, once he proves Cornes wrong.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Thanks caesar88 good to get it going again.
Following tombomb style I'm hoping, pretty much in order:
1) A really suitable group of draftees. No skinny flankers (though Cochran might turn into one)
With the space we have there should be enough second level talent to fill our needs. That said, I don't expect to see any of them debut.
2) A new midfield strategy coach, telling us that Horse is taking it seriously.
3) A ripping start to the preseason with lots of PBs telling us the guys are taking it very seriously.
4) A solid review that we will never know the results of.
5) A strong start to the season with a rearranged approach to the midfield. This could involve a lot of things but I want to see a fit Sheldrick in there to help with the heavy lifting and Mills too, not in defence. Heeney to have a modified role to save his body a bit. We don't need 4 wingers (Gulden, McInerney, Florent and Lloyd) but none to move back. Forward or out. 5 if you count Campbell.
6) I don't mind the three talls (remember mostly there are only two at a time) but I want to see the two on deck playing closer to goal. Stop playing McDonald as a high half forward. I'd like the last small. I know many don't rate him but I think we're better with Wicks than without. If we nab a good'un in the draft maybe give him a taste in an easier game if he's ready. Keep developing Cleary in his midfield role except for emergency.
7) As part of the changes to the midfield manage Grundy better. If Ladhams gets a game so be it.
8) Most of all I want to see the tenacity that went missing mid-season. I've posted elsewhere about how the coaches should deal with that.
I'll post separately about the team itself sometime soon (not that you'll be holding your breath).

Exactly this.

 

[tombomb]

Mills has to be a huge part of the answer. A core CB starting group of Mills, Heeney and Rowbottom will be hard to push around. Then we need to rotate players through to keep them fresh.

Mills will be coming in very fresh and with a big point to prove after his last 13 months. I hope he has Kane Cornes face on his locker with the quote that his contract is one of the 10 worst in the league. He only gets to rip it off at the end of the season, once he proves Cornes wrong.

That's a hope more than an answer imo.

Mills is building a fair reputation for being an absolute panic merchant in finals. He was also there in 2022, when Dangerfield and Selwood made him look like an U16s player.

Then there is the issue of him being injured constantly for two seasons.

I think he can help, but the club is kidding itself if they think Mills is going to resolve our key issue in the centre. We'll be back here in 12 months talking about the same stuff if he is the only thing that changes in the midfield.

 

[caesar88]

Keep Heeney in the mids but play him 1/4 forward for rests. Get rid of Rowbottom's role FFS. Give Warner the ultimatum - harden up or no more midfield time. Add Sheldrick into the mix as a support act who provides grunt, NOT flash. Add Mills into the mix for strength and tagging jobs when mids are off the chain.

There's your five, lock them in and make them focus on WINNING THE BALL!

 

[Tedeski]

In a few short weeks the AFL draft will be taking place, where we'll add a handful of new Swans to the list, and the squad will be returning to training for pre-season. So it seems like a good time to look ahead to next year and what it could bring for us.

There will be a separate thread for pre-season updates from the track, so keep an eye out for that one as well.

I know there is still some angst regarding the grand final, and that is partly why the mods held off creating a new thread, but please keep any further commiserating of the GF performance to the autopsy thread. This one is purely about looking forward and how we can get better and win the flag in 2025

We won’t make finals.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Really will be super fascinating how the players especially handle a new season more so than the coaches.

You know what your gonna get with Longmire but how the players respond?

 

[The King!]

We won’t make finals.

Unpopular opinion but in some ways we would be better off falling down the ladder

 

[Wheresbuddy]

I can't see our best 22 changing too much for R1. Mills in for Parker is the obvious one with Fox, Adams, Campbell, Sheldrick and Cleary fighting it out for the last spot.

As the season progresses, I'm sure there will be a few form slumps, injuries and then hopefully guys who make the jump up to AFL level, just like Roberts did. I'm hoping Sheldrick, Cleary, Snell, Edwards and Buller, at very least, force their way in for a good number of games. If any of our new additions can impact, that would be a massive bonus.

Re game plan, we need to lift in and around the contest I'd love to see us be able to match it with the top teams for the full 4 quarters with an even contribution from our onballers. When we play the lower ranked teams, we need to really flex and bully them. At the moment, all sides know that they can over power us for extended periods as our midfield is soft. We got out of gaol last year on many occasions through short bursts of brilliance. We still need this of course but I feel the only way we can win a flag us to be harder over four quarters.

Overall, I'm hopeful for a good season next year but I'd be lying if I said I'm not feeling a large degree of trepidation about how we bounce back from that cluster f*** of a GF.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Unpopular opinion but in some ways we would be better off falling down the ladder

Why? we gotta have something to show Heeney/Mills/Lloyd/Rampe/Cunningham/Grundy are all coming to the latter stages.

I still cant believe we didnt get a flag out of our peak 2014 side good god that was criminal