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

[Kiama Chris]

I agree with the concerns raised in this (ie. that if we play McCartin forward our defence could be left vulnerable), but they're so dumb when they say "the Swans only have one top-line defender and that's McCartin." If McCartin's a top-line defender at this stage then I am Keith Richards.

There's also a guy called Lewis Melican, who I actually thought was better than McCartin this year. But they've never heard of him.

Why Swans great Healy isn’t surprised by star defender’s touted position switch

“My mail is…”

www.sen.com.au

Reckon Healy would know Melican but also reckon there's very little chance of this happening.

 

[caesar88]

Both show/have shown plenty of promise. Both second tier draft picks nowhere near their ceilings. Neither should be in line to be dropped off.

Agree KC, hence I said depending on how their season goes (in Sheldrick's case.)

Next year will be his fourth year. We can't keep him forever as the "promising young player." At some point he has to turn that promise into performance and show us why he's worth keeping. If it doesn't happen next year... he probably starts looking elsewhere, and we wouldn't have much reason to try and stop him.

Not saying this to be harsh, I like Sheldrick, but it's nearing make or break time for him.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Agree KC, hence I said depending on how their season goes (in Sheldrick's case.)

Next year will be his fourth year. We can't keep him forever as the "promising young player." At some point he has to turn that promise into performance and show us why he's worth keeping. If it doesn't happen next year... he probably starts looking elsewhere, and we wouldn't have much reason to try and stop him.

Not saying this to be harsh, I like Sheldrick, but it's nearing make or break time for him.

Hopefully Gus is actually given a chance to play senior footy next year, so we can see if he's worth keeping or not.

Noting he had injuries which did affect his year this year, but he could have been given a game or three to show something.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Agree KC, hence I said depending on how their season goes (in Sheldrick's case.)

Next year will be his fourth year. We can't keep him forever as the "promising young player." At some point he has to turn that promise into performance and show us why he's worth keeping. If it doesn't happen next year... he probably starts looking elsewhere, and we wouldn't have much reason to try and stop him.

Not saying this to be harsh, I like Sheldrick, but it's nearing make or break time for him.

I think it's infinitely more likely that he looks elsewhere than that we don't offer him a contract. If he follows his past performance arc he should be one of the pieces that provide that higher pressure around the stoppage.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

I like Cleary a lot, but by the end of next year he'd have been in the system for two seasons. He would be 20 years old and in his first year in the best 22 (if he manages that.) If he is not willing to take whatever we give him, even if it is perceived unders, then I'm not sure I'd even want to keep him.

I like Cleary as well, and I don't think it would ever come to a situation where we would tell any player to take whatever we give them.

My hypothetical was a bit OTT - it was just a 'what if' question. Of course we'd hope he enters negotiations, if it's what both parties want, I hope that he extends long term

 

[caesar88]

I like Cleary as well, and I don't think it would ever come to a situation where we would tell any player to take whatever we give them.

My hypothetical was a bit OTT - it was just a 'what if' question. Of course we'd hope he enters negotiations, if it's what both parties want, I hope that he extends long term

Yeah I'd be shocked if he didn't extend. I also hope Sheldrick stays and the two of them come good and we can one day, in the post-Heeney/Mills era - have a midfield of Rowbottom/Sheldrick/Cleary.

They're in somewhat different positions because Cleary realistically could play forward or mids, and also has one of the best tanks at the club, so is a red hot chance to play senior footy. Sheldrick is more of a pure mid and is really waiting for that inside mid spot to open up. I feel Sheldrick's best chance next season will be Cox being as receptive to moving Warner to HF as many on here seem to be...

 

[Kiama Chris]

Yeah I'd be shocked if he didn't extend. I also hope Sheldrick stays and the two of them come good and we can one day, in the post-Heeney/Mills era - have a midfield of Rowbottom/Sheldrick/Cleary.

They're in somewhat different positions because Cleary realistically could play forward or mids, and also has one of the best tanks at the club, so is a red hot chance to play senior footy. Sheldrick is more of a pure mid and is really waiting for that inside mid spot to open up. I feel Sheldrick's best chance next season will be Cox being as receptive to moving Warner to HF as many on here seem to be...

The minimum you need to run a midfield (not counting wings) is 4. Some teams run 5 with one on the bench at any given time. Often they'll run an additional resting in the forward line.
In our case we run Jordon as a negating forward, not a midfielder.
There's room for Sheldrick but structurally at the expense of either a winger (my preference), negating forward or a tall forward. 5 man bench.
Mids: Heeney, Mills, Rowbottom, Sheldrick
Wings: Gulden, McInerney, Lloyd/Florent
Forwards: Jordon, Warner (rotates through mid)

 

[caesar88]

The minimum you need to run a midfield (not counting wings) is 4. Some teams run 5 with one on the bench at any given time. Often they'll run an additional resting in the forward line.
In our case we run Jordon as a negating forward, not a midfielder.
There's room for Sheldrick but structurally at the expense of either a winger (my preference), negating forward or a tall forward. 5 man bench.
Mids: Heeney, Mills, Rowbottom, Sheldrick
Wings: Gulden, McInerney, Lloyd/Florent
Forwards: Jordon, Warner (rotates through mid)

The three locks to dominate CBAs (ie. 45-50% and above) will be Heeney, Rowbottom & Mills.

The likely candidates for that fourth spot are Warner & Sheldrick.

If Sheldrick gets it, then Warner will be fine - he'll take the fifth spot and divide his time between midfield and half forward, where many fans think he belongs anyway. But if Warner gets it, then I think Sheldrick potentially misses out on selection altogether, because he doesn't have the positional versatility of others to be that fifth mid.

So I think Sheldrick needs to be seen in that top four of our midfield in order to play senior footy. Gonna be an extremely interesting pre-season.

 

[Kiama Chris]

The three locks to dominate CBAs (ie. 45-50% and above) will be Heeney, Rowbottom & Mills.

The likely candidates for that fourth spot are Warner & Sheldrick.

If Sheldrick gets it, then Warner will be fine - he'll take the fifth spot and divide his time between midfield and half forward, where many fans think he belongs anyway. But if Warner gets it, then I think Sheldrick potentially misses out on selection altogether, because he doesn't have the positional versatility of others to be that fifth mid.

So I think Sheldrick needs to be seen in that top four of our midfield in order to play senior footy. Gonna be an extremely interesting pre-season.

That's what I reckon, Gus needs to be that 4th for us to get the change in approach we want to see. Those 4 can spread most of the CBAs. I wouldn't mind Warner taking the opposite wing and running in to make a release man. There are a few change ups like that that could be very effective but having Gus doing a share of heavy lifting would give us more options.

 

[Tedeski]

Horse used to always say they don't look at a players birth certificate for their age.

Now it's time to stop looking at their birth certificates for their names.
It's time to stop gifting games to players just because of their names & how they got to the club.
It's time to give them reserve grade games to not only find form but to also keep their form.
I always go back to ROK who only 20 odd games prior, won the Norm Smith Medal in a GF only to spend the whole end of his season in the twos without a look in.

That's the starting point for any of these front runners as far as I'm concerned.
The time is now with the new coach.
No favours. Make it difficult for them to hold their spot in the team. Make them earn every game & if they think it's too tough, bye bye Birdy.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Posted this in the media thread as well (sorry mods )

 

[BloodySwan]

Our club has 1 premiership player left on our books and they are a key defender

 

[bedford]

Our club has 1 premiership player left on our books and they are a key defender

How good

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Florent, Haydos, Joel, Logan, Lloyd, J Mac, Blakey, Warner, Tmac, Campbell and Gulden.

How will they respond to the Cox mantra of playing more accountable footy ?

The only guys I really trust to put in 100% all the time are Rowie, Heeney, Melican, Cunningham, Papley, Hayward, Grundy and Fox.

Could be some big names and big egos having to earn their spot next year. And you know what ?

I CAN’T WAIT.

Time of the Cadbury favourites is over.

 

[caesar88]

Florent, Haydos, Joel, Logan, Lloyd, J Mac, Blakey, Warner, Tmac, Campbell and Gulden.

How will they respond to the Cox mantra of playing more accountable footy ?

The only guys I really trust to put in 100% all the time are Rowie, Heeney, Melican, Cunningham, Papley, Hayward, Grundy and Fox.

Could be some big names and big egos having to earn their spot next year. And you know what ?

I CAN’T WAIT.

Time of the Cadbury favourites is over.

You are being extremely generous with the two bolded IMO.

I like accountable players.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

You are being extremely generous with the two bolded IMO.

I like accountable players.

That’s fair but seeing Will play on one leg like a warrior tipped it for me and Paps going nuts straight back from ankle injury. But yes I do see your point

 

[Kbroome]

Florent, Haydos, Joel, Logan, Lloyd, J Mac, Blakey, Warner, Tmac, Campbell and Gulden.

How will they respond to the Cox mantra of playing more accountable footy ?

The only guys I really trust to put in 100% all the time are Rowie, Heeney, Melican, Cunningham, Papley, Hayward, Grundy and Fox.

Could be some big names and big egos having to earn their spot next year. And you know what ?

I CAN’T WAIT.

Time of the Cadbury favourites is over.

I don't think Haydos plays bruise free footy i just think he looked poorer due to the dinosaur forward line we had in 3 talls Parker Hayward and Papley. Haydos has showed countless times he is able to take pack mark after pack mark and be that presence down the line

I do agree that one of the flankers will surely go because even if they are "accountable" they just won't fit the more contested brand i expect Coxy to employ

 

[bedford]

I don't think Haydos plays bruise free footy i just think he looked poorer due to the dinosaur forward line we had in 3 talls Parker Hayward and Papley. Haydos has showed countless times he is able to take pack mark after pack mark and be that presence down the line

I do agree that one of the flankers will surely go because even if they are "accountable" they just won't fit the more contested brand i expect Coxy to employ

He's never taken pack mark after pack mark !

 

[Kbroome]

He's never taken pack mark after pack mark !

Go back and watch the highlights against Fremantle in rd16, McLean literally takes 3 if not 4 pack marks throughout the game ended up with 11 contested possessions 6 contested marks and 2 goals

 

[bedford]

Go back and watch the highlights against Fremantle in rd16, McLean literally takes 3 if not 4 pack marks throughout the game ended up with 11 contested possessions 6 contested marks and 2 goals

one game lol you can't get out of it with that

 

[Kbroome]

one game lol you can't get out of it with that

He had a 4 week run where he had 2 contested marks per game.

Hayden McLean has had 17 games out of 48 games in the last two seasons where he has taken multiple contested marks in the same game and he averages roughly 1.3 contested marks per game in that span

 

[caesar88]

McLean can look like Wayne Carey* when he's on, no doubt about it.

He's just only 'on' a couple of times a year.

His best stretch was the last five or six weeks of 2023. He just failed to carry that form into this year.

*Wayne Carey as in his marking.

 

[Kbroome]

McLean can look like Wayne Carey when he's on, no doubt about it.

He's just only 'on' a couple of times a year.

His best stretch was the last five or six weeks of 2023. He just failed to carry that form into this year.

Part of the reason he looks poor at times is because Amartey does the exact same thing as him but doesn't ruck as well as McLean, but to Amartey's credit he kicks more goals than McLean.

So McLean almost plays better when he rucks more because he is able to mark the ball in contests around the ground.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

McLean can look like Wayne Carey* when he's on, no doubt about it.

He's just only 'on' a couple of times a year.

His best stretch was the last five or six weeks of 2023. He just failed to carry that form into this year.

*Wayne Carey as in his marking.

Unfortunately McL isn’t much of a forward, nor is he a high quality ruck.

I wouldn’t want to insult anyone by comparing them to Wayne Carey in any context. Instead, here’s a comparison to our last premiership ruckman, the great Mike Pyke:

Hayden McLean vs Mike Pyke

McLean: 198cm, 100kg
Pyke: 200cm, 105kg

McLean: slow
Pyke: lightning fast*

McLean: solid pack mark
Pyke: outstanding pack mark

McLean: 8 disposals per game
Pyke: 9 disposals per game

McLean: decent looker
Pyke: chiseled Adonis that ladies swooned over en masse

The verdict is in. McL is an honest toiler, but he ain’t no Mike Pyke.

We need a Mike Pyke.

* don’t believe me? Look at this.

JackHiscoxWasFast would have to like Mike Pyke.

 

[bedford]

He had a 4 week run where he had 2 contested marks per game.

Hayden McLean has had 17 games out of 48 games in the last two seasons where he has taken multiple contested marks in the same game and he averages roughly 1.3 contested marks per game in that span

Mark after mark you said