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

[LukeParkerno1]

The problem with the 'gameplan' was if teams don't let us move the ball with uncontested marks and zig zag up the ground, then we struggle to move the ball at all.

If you take a tall out of the team, that is only going to make the problem worse.

The real problem is that our tall forwards aren't good enough, it isn't the structure of the team. They need to improve.

Not having a slow moving tree in McLean might help too, he can't move. Put a medium in that moves and you can do a second thing and that is allow Cleary to go on ball a few mins here and there, change it up. Horse was way too set in his way and if it didn't work refused to change it. Did he even think of changing our centre square for starters?

Take a tall out, you get a medium in who is tall enough by the way. Chad could easily play that role and we could play Sheldrick as an extra mid.

The forwards may not be good enough, bombing it at their head isn't helping, they aren't prime Reiwoldt

 

[BloodySwan]

The ones we have drafted over the next few years can hopefully step in. We are in a window we aint not playing Rampe.

reduced game time does not mean not playing at all. It means bringing someone else in when we verse the bottom 6 teams.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

reduced game time does not mean not playing at all. It means bringing someone else in when we verse the bottom 6 teams.

Highly risky, could easily drop those games if we do. Not against a rest here and there but not more than that.

 

[caesar88]

Social media's a funny place. Moreso on there than on here, but there's a lot of barracking for individual players and how they HAVE to be in the team. "Dattoli must play next year", "Sheldrick should play round 1", etc.

I get that people have areas they want the team to improve in next year, but does it really matter which individual helps bring about that improvement? As long as we see it I wouldn't care if it's a rat in tap shoes who gets the spot.

 

[SwansLifer]

The problem with the 'gameplan' was if teams don't let us move the ball with uncontested marks and zig zag up the ground, then we struggle to move the ball at all.

If you take a tall out of the team, that is only going to make the problem worse.

The real problem is that our tall forwards aren't good enough, it isn't the structure of the team. They need to improve.

I agree to an extent. Amartey and McLean are similar in terms of impact IMO and neither are good enough to be that 2nd tall forward right now. Who knows if one of them make a jump.

BUT, if you reduce the number of talls the zig zagging down the field actually becomes a little easier depending on the make up of the team and how Cox wants them to play.
Speed on the ground is important and with small forwards like Papley, Cleary, Warner along with let's say Hayward, that is an impressive mix of players (to join McDonald and McLean/Amartey.

Add that to the run from behind in Blakey and Roberts, who should improve, and there is a great mix of opening up space.
Once the oppo teams worked it out it made it more difficult because of the tall forward system. That game plan needs a quick team with 1 guy that's a break glass in case of emergency and kick it down the line and McDonald and Amartey/McLean can do this just fine at different intervals.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Cox presser:

 

[Kbroome]

Cox presser:

Really think he is in touch with what the fans want but also the blinking obvious

Reading between the lines it sounds like less flankers more contested players

More ground speed and pressure

But also a want to return to the tough gritty defensive unit of the past

 

[tombomb]

Cox presser:

He sounds confident about Warner. That's twice now he has said he wants/expects something to happen soon.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

He sounds confident about Warner. That's twice now he has said he wants/expects something to happen soon.

I took the opposite view, not confident at all.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

​

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Good to see McKirdy giving a shout out to a few other players in his article today

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/news/tom-mccartin-trialled-in-attack-as-sydneys-first-preseason-under-dean-cox-hints-at-changes/news-story/1d61c3c4d0a3ee47f3a7343e9313955d

Players to watch: Peter Ladhams, Lewis Melican, Jack Buller, Sam Wicks, Caleb Mitchell

 

[caesar88]

Lewis Melican is going to be a premiership captain omg

 

[tombomb]

I took the opposite view, not confident at all.

For him to put any kind of timeframe on it indicates to me that they must be expecting something to happen soon one way or another.

 

[BloodySwan]

Good to see McKirdy giving a shout out to a few other players in his article today

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/news/tom-mccartin-trialled-in-attack-as-sydneys-first-preseason-under-dean-cox-hints-at-changes/news-story/1d61c3c4d0a3ee47f3a7343e9313955d

Peter Ladhams
The backup ruckman looks in very good nick to start pre-season and is running strongly. His ball use, especially his kicking, was also on display. It’s a big year for Ladhams given his is coming off contract, but Cox’s early suggestion of making sure everyone gets a game should give him some confidence of deputising at some point for Brodie Grundy.


Lewis Melican
Melican has been very vocal during the first few sessions of pre-season, often leading the running drills and getting around his teammates. He is exuding confidence following his career-best year and could be tasked with more responsibility if McCartin is shifted forward.


Jack Buller
Buller played in the AFL a week after being picked up in the 2022 mid-season draft but hasn’t been spotted since due to countless injuries. However, he has started pre-season strong and many Sydney defenders have stated he can be a handful in one-on-one contests. Could be one to watch if Cox is set on changing their forward dynamic, and if the 23-year-old can get his body right.


Sam Wicks
Wicks fell out of the team in the back half of last season but is playing for a contract again and has ticked all the right boxes early. His speed and forward pressure has always been a standout, but the 25-year-old looks to have bulked up slightly and will hope he can win a place back in the club’s best 23.


Caleb Mitchell
Mitchell is another one who has caught the eye in multiple pre-seasons but hasn’t quite been able to break through consistently. He made his debut earlier this year and was a constant presence in drills, buzzing around the ball and always looking to get involved. Now in his third year in the AFL, it could be his time to finally shine.

Is this the whole article? Did it mention if McCartin was being trained as a forward again?

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Is this the whole article? Did it mention if McCartin was being trained as a forward again?

Yes, it led with it.

These 5 were featured as "players to watch", article has more info.

 

[caesar88]

Is this the whole article? Did it mention if McCartin was being trained as a forward again?

McCartin played as the deepest forward but it was a low-intensity drill. Sounded like the other talls aren't training fully yet. Mentioned the defenders we drafted could allow McCartin to shift forward.

It said several players were on modified programs but of course it only mentions Heeney & Papley by name. (Seriously over it, not that you asked.)

Talked about how the drills had an emphasis on fast transition, looking for outlet options etc. but didn't name any standout players in this part.

Then the five players to watch for, as Adnico26Parker shared.

 

[BloodySwan]

McCartin played as the deepest forward but it was a low-intensity drill. Sounded like the other talls aren't training fully yet. Mentioned the defenders we drafted could allow McCartin to shift forward.

It said several players were on modified programs but of course it only mentions Heeney & Papley by name. (Seriously over it, not that you asked.)

Talked about how the drills had an emphasis on fast transition, looking for outlet options etc. but didn't name any standout players in this part.

Then the five players to watch for, as Adnico26Parker shared.

Thanks, sounds less likely a permanent shift than it does for training

 

[bedford]

The vision of training was fantastic , really good stuff by our media team

 

[ShireSwan]

Cox presser:

Good first up messaging IMO.

 

[Punts]

Will change a fair bit if it , ( game plan )

Interesting

 

[McGowan3]

McCartin showed a lot of promise as a forward but playing there put him more in harm's way in terms of concussion. Fair amount of risk putting him back there i reckon. He is an oustanding contested mark.

Must say I was impressed by the way Cox spoke to the players and the media. Big presence and lots of positive energy.

 

[bedford]

McCartin showed a lot of promise as a forward but playing there put him more in harm's way in terms of concussion. Fair amount of risk putting him back there i reckon. He is an oustanding contested mark.

Must say I was impressed by the way Cox spoke to the players and the media. Big presence and lots of positive energy.

Day 1 of pre season and he is playing FF , turn it up

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

T Mac as a forward, back to where he started. Given the amount of goals he leaked and the fact he’s probably a better mark than our current forwards, it’s a net positive.

In fact put all the panic merchants and goal leakers forward. Eg T Mac, Blakey.

Then play forwards who can’t score back in defence.

I take it back about drafting a KPD, we’ve got some guys there ready to go.

This Cox guy sure can coach.

 

[McGowan3]

Day 1 of pre season and he is playing FF , turn it up

Not saying he will play there round one, but in his interview, Cox had positive things to say about his ability to play forward.

 

[SwansLifer]

Not saying he will play there round one, but in his interview, Cox had positive things to say about his ability to play forward.

To be fair he wouldn't say a negative thing about any player on the list. He would probably say Ramps is a good forward too.