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

[Kiama Chris]

Will be some interesting times ahead at the selection table..

Wicks v Cunningham
Im a big fan of Cunningham, but will he get back in the team when fit? Wicks is playing the role of a small lockdown defender exceptionally well (Who would've thought that playing a player out of position could be a good thing??),, and how many small lockdown defenders is there room for?

Lloyd v Roberts
who plays wing and half back in a fully fit team?
Bice has been excellent so far and should get better. So theres a squeeze on the half back line. Lloyd, Florent and Campbell have all been pushed forward, so theres a squeeze further up the ground too. JMac and Gulden to return to the wing.
Roberts now plays Lloyds old role of a safe distributer off half back.. Im not as big of a fan of Roberts as some on here, I reckon he lacks leg speed and defensive know how. He has been getting beaten regularly this year. Does Lloyd move back and takes Roberts spot?

Hanily v Cleary v Dattoli
McLean v Ladhams
great to see Hanily get a few games, but is he better than Cleary? or Datolli when fit??
I think Logan & Amartey are our best two tall fwds. I also think Grundy needs support in the ruck. So its either McLean or Ladhams as the fwd/ruck. Mclean a better fwd and Ladhams a better ruck.
Id like to see Ladhams get the gig, McLean certainly has some better attributes, eg, marking, dedication, a bigger brain, but Ladhams offers more versatility. If we need another marking target up fwd, McCartin can always swing fwd (another who would be playing out of position,, or would he be playing in his natural position?).

I reckon having these early season injuries has given opportunities to depth players and they've done pretty well
Hanily - shown enough to warrant his spot on the list
Bice - ditto Hanily, and both would be looking at new contracts
Hamling - has done his job (and probably better than Francis). Will be interesting how the Swans see the tall defenders moving fwd to the next few years - TMac, Melican & Hamling, Francis & Snell, Edwards, Andrew
Corey Warner - won a lot more one on one contests than hes lost, runs all day, and has improved his disposal (the initial knock on him when drafted)
Sheldrick - cant kick (yet?)
Wicks - cemented in his new role
Campbell - continues to get better (much Stronger at the contest than previous years)

Plenty of pressure for spots coming.. Mills, Gulden, McDonald, Cunningham, JMac, Adams, (Fox, Datolli, etc)

Many questions, not a lot of answers just yet.
At least having seen these blokes play decisions will be made with evidence.

 

[zyzzbruh]

Will be some interesting times ahead at the selection table..

Wicks v Cunningham
Im a big fan of Cunningham, but will he get back in the team when fit? Wicks is playing the role of a small lockdown defender exceptionally well (Who would've thought that playing a player out of position could be a good thing??),, and how many small lockdown defenders is there room for?

Lloyd v Roberts
who plays wing and half back in a fully fit team?
Bice has been excellent so far and should get better. So theres a squeeze on the half back line. Lloyd, Florent and Campbell have all been pushed forward, so theres a squeeze further up the ground too. JMac and Gulden to return to the wing.
Roberts now plays Lloyds old role of a safe distributer off half back.. Im not as big of a fan of Roberts as some on here, I reckon he lacks leg speed and defensive know how. He has been getting beaten regularly this year. Does Lloyd move back and takes Roberts spot?

Hanily v Cleary v Dattoli
McLean v Ladhams
great to see Hanily get a few games, but is he better than Cleary? or Datolli when fit??
I think Logan & Amartey are our best two tall fwds. I also think Grundy needs support in the ruck. So its either McLean or Ladhams as the fwd/ruck. Mclean a better fwd and Ladhams a better ruck.
Id like to see Ladhams get the gig, McLean certainly has some better attributes, eg, marking, dedication, a bigger brain, but Ladhams offers more versatility. If we need another marking target up fwd, McCartin can always swing fwd (another who would be playing out of position,, or would he be playing in his natural position?).

I reckon having these early season injuries has given opportunities to depth players and they've done pretty well
Hanily - shown enough to warrant his spot on the list
Bice - ditto Hanily, and both would be looking at new contracts
Hamling - has done his job (and probably better than Francis). Will be interesting how the Swans see the tall defenders moving fwd to the next few years - TMac, Melican & Hamling, Francis & Snell, Edwards, Andrew
Corey Warner - won a lot more one on one contests than hes lost, runs all day, and has improved his disposal (the initial knock on him when drafted)
Sheldrick - cant kick (yet?)
Wicks - cemented in his new role
Campbell - continues to get better (much Stronger at the contest than previous years)

Plenty of pressure for spots coming.. Mills, Gulden, McDonald, Cunningham, JMac, Adams, (Fox, Datolli, etc)

Wicks is a lock. Cunningham's spot comes down to Cunners vs Bice. Would've been an easy one replacing Paton but Bice has thrown a massive spanner in the works. No doubt the coaches will be completely reanalysing the back 6 mix with what Bice can offer moving forward.

The other options would be to play Roberts higher and fit cunningham in down back. The adjustments probably won't be too difficult since we have so many injuries but once fully fit it is going to be very interesting.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

There’s been a lot of talk about whether some of our stalwarts (Florent, Hayward and a few others) should spend some time in the VFL.

I attended a really interesting talk with Jude & Kirky over the weekend.

Jude told the story of Nick Davis in 2005. Said he (Davis) was nearly the most talented player on the list (outside Goodes), but the view among the leadership group mid-season was he was being a bit lazy. He spent a month in the VFL as a result - and the rest is history. He came back on fire & kicked 4 in a quarter in the famous Geelong semi.

Jude said it set a clear expectation of standards. There were no exceptions.

It got me thinking about the Florents and Haywards - is the issue with our players attitude or form? I’m sure it’s the latter - because if it was attitude, they’d be in the 2’s (particularly with Kirky still involved!)

Certainly, my impression of Hayward in particular on the weekend is that he was busting a gut, but things just aren’t going his way at the moment.

As an aside, when asked about the Bloods Culture, Jude said that was led by Stuey Maxfield.

Oh, and he said LRT shoulda won the Norm Smith!

 

[bedford]

There’s been a lot of talk about whether some of our stalwarts (Florent, Hayward and a few others) should spend some time in the VFL.

I attended a really interesting talk with Jude & Kirky over the weekend.

Jude told the story of Nick Davis in 2005. Said he (Davis) was nearly the most talented player on the list (outside Goodes), but the view among the leadership group mid-season was he was being a bit lazy. He spent a month in the VFL as a result - and the rest is history. He came back on fire & kicked 4 in a quarter in the famous Geelong semi.

Jude said it set a clear expectation of standards. There were no exceptions.

It got me thinking about the Florents and Haywards - is the issue with our players attitude or form? I’m sure it’s the latter - because if it was attitude, they’d be in the 2’s (particularly with Kirky still involved!)

Certainly, my impression of Hayward in particular on the weekend is that he was busting a gut, but things just aren’t going his way at the moment.

As an aside, when asked about the Bloods Culture, Jude said that was led by Stuey Maxfield.

Oh, and he said LRT shoulda won the Norm Smith!

Love all that and so true

 

[The King!]

There’s been a lot of talk about whether some of our stalwarts (Florent, Hayward and a few others) should spend some time in the VFL.

I attended a really interesting talk with Jude & Kirky over the weekend.

Jude told the story of Nick Davis in 2005. Said he (Davis) was nearly the most talented player on the list (outside Goodes), but the view among the leadership group mid-season was he was being a bit lazy. He spent a month in the VFL as a result - and the rest is history. He came back on fire & kicked 4 in a quarter in the famous Geelong semi.

Jude said it set a clear expectation of standards. There were no exceptions.

It got me thinking about the Florents and Haywards - is the issue with our players attitude or form? I’m sure it’s the latter - because if it was attitude, they’d be in the 2’s (particularly with Kirky still involved!)

Certainly, my impression of Hayward in particular on the weekend is that he was busting a gut, but things just aren’t going his way at the moment.

As an aside, when asked about the Bloods Culture, Jude said that was led by Stuey Maxfield.

Oh, and he said LRT shoulda won the Norm Smith!

Nowadays we let them captain the side for a week instead

 

[SSwans2011]

I'd be bringing Cleary straight in after the bye. Either for Hanily or Warner Jnr. I'd lean towards Hanily, but I don't really mind either way.

In terms of the others that will come in over the next month or so - McInerney for the other of Corey/Hanily, Melican for Rampe, Mills for Sheldrick, Florent to sub. Cunningham for McLean/Ladhams to be our second ruck because they're the obvious in and out leftover.

FB: Cunningham - Melican - Hamling
HB: Blakey - McCartin - Roberts
C: McInerney - Heeney - Lloyd
HF: Hayward - McLean/Ladhams - Campbell
FF: Cleary - Amartey - Papley
Foll: Grundy - Rowbottom - Warner
I/C: Mills - Bice - Wicks - Jordon - Florent

Mills plays midfield, pushing Heeney and Warner forward more often. Bice or Blakey to spend time on the wing, or Roberts can spend time in the midfield. I'd really like this back set-up and Cox to consider having a look at which of the aforementioned players can offer versatility and do contribute in other positions (we already know Heeney can forward). Having more versatility is how we can develop a plan b, c, d, etc, and the lack thereof has been our biggest issue for years.

Haven't even considered how McDonald might fit in. Guess that becomes easier to navigate if Cox elects to persist with 3 tall forwards, but I think we look better with 2 - we just need one of them to be someone that can ruck so Amartey can stay forward. Maybe McDonald can do that, or maybe he and Amartey can at least share the responsibility.

Ladhams to replace Grundy if he's not 100%. Please. It's pivotal in the short, medium and long term that Grundy stays fit.

All of that being said, we're due another handful of injuries before that can manifest anyway.

 

[caesar88]

There’s been a lot of talk about whether some of our stalwarts (Florent, Hayward and a few others) should spend some time in the VFL.

I attended a really interesting talk with Jude & Kirky over the weekend.

Jude told the story of Nick Davis in 2005. Said he (Davis) was nearly the most talented player on the list (outside Goodes), but the view among the leadership group mid-season was he was being a bit lazy. He spent a month in the VFL as a result - and the rest is history. He came back on fire & kicked 4 in a quarter in the famous Geelong semi.

Jude said it set a clear expectation of standards. There were no exceptions.

It got me thinking about the Florents and Haywards - is the issue with our players attitude or form? I’m sure it’s the latter - because if it was attitude, they’d be in the 2’s (particularly with Kirky still involved!)

Certainly, my impression of Hayward in particular on the weekend is that he was busting a gut, but things just aren’t going his way at the moment.

As an aside, when asked about the Bloods Culture, Jude said that was led by Stuey Maxfield.

Oh, and he said LRT shoulda won the Norm Smith!

I don't feel like Florent & Hayward have an attitude problem and never have. Hayward especially always has a crack and puts his body on the line far beyond what his actual body seems built for, whilst Florent's experienced things in life that no guy his age should have to and by all accounts has handled it with extreme strength, courage and resilience.

I think they both have an ability problem. I don't think either of them are that talented at all and I'm over being gaslit into believing that they are.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I'd be bringing Cleary straight in after the bye. Either for Hanily or Warner Jnr. I'd lean towards Hanily, but I don't really mind either way.

In terms of the others that will come in over the next month or so - McInerney for the other of Corey/Hanily, Melican for Rampe, Mills for Sheldrick, Florent to sub. Cunningham for McLean/Ladhams to be our second ruck because they're the obvious in and out leftover.

FB: Cunningham - Melican - Hamling
HB: Blakey - McCartin - Roberts
C: McInerney - Heeney - Lloyd
HF: Hayward - McLean/Ladhams - Campbell
FF: Cleary - Amartey - Papley
Foll: Grundy - Rowbottom - Warner
I/C: Mills - Bice - Wicks - Jordon - Florent

Mills plays midfield, pushing Heeney and Warner forward more often. Bice or Blakey to spend time on the wing, or Roberts can spend time in the midfield. I'd really like this back set-up and Cox to consider having a look at which of the aforementioned players can offer versatility and do contribute in other positions (we already know Heeney can forward). Having more versatility is how we can develop a plan b, c, d, etc, and the lack thereof has been our biggest issue for years.

Haven't even considered how McDonald might fit in. Guess that becomes easier to navigate if Cox elects to persist with 3 tall forwards, but I think we look better with 2 - we just need one of them to be someone that can ruck so Amartey can stay forward. Maybe McDonald can do that, or maybe he and Amartey can at least share the responsibility.

Ladhams to replace Grundy if he's not 100%. Please. It's pivotal in the short, medium and long term that Grundy stays fit.

All of that being said, we're due another handful of injuries before that can manifest anyway.

Quite like the thinking behind this.
Wicks and Cunningham both in the team is fine as teams tend towards more smalls.
McCartin can intercept while Melican and Hamling lock down.
I prefer McLean over Ladhams as he's better at playing in a structure. McCartin can swing forward when McLean rucks.
I'd keep Warner over Cleary at the moment, he's earned it.
Run either Bice or Florent as an attacking sub.
As you say, fitting Logan back in becomes pretty interesting. At present I'd have him replace Hayward.

 

[bedford]

Quite like the thinking behind this.
Wicks and Cunningham both in the team is fine as teams tend towards more smalls.
McCartin can intercept while Melican and Hamling lock down.
I prefer McLean over Ladhams as he's better at playing in a structure. McCartin can swing forward when McLean rucks.
I'd keep Warner over Cleary at the moment, he's earned it.
Run either Bice or Florent as an attacking sub.
As you say, fitting Logan back in becomes pretty interesting. At present I'd have him replace Hayward.

Bice is NOT a sub

 

[The King!]

Bice is NOT a sub

Except for the 50% of his career he has been one

 

[bedford]

Except for the 50% of his career he has been one

I really want to

 

[Jewelsbon]

I prefer McLean over Ladhams as he's better at playing in a structure. McCartin can swing forward when McLean rucks.

Just cannot agree with this. McCartin is so much better back than forward and, especially whilst Lewie is out, we desperately need him there all game.
You are very obviously (from this and previous posts) a McLean fan which tempers your thoughts and I am very much a Pistol Pete fan, which tempers mine, and i gotta say I'm very happy that old didn't let me down this weekend.
I thought Pete did more for the structure of the team than McLean on Sunday and is just as versatile, whilst being a better ruck and more mobile, so personally I'd prefer Pete hold his spot over McLean.

Except for the 50% of his career he has been one

Can't see that ever happening again.

 

[bedford]

Just cannot agree with this. McCartin is so much better back than forward and, especially whilst Lewie is out, we desperately need him there all game.
You are very obviously (from this and previous posts) a McLean fan which tempers your thoughts and I am very much a Pistol Pete fan, which tempers mine, and i gotta say I'm very happy that old didn't let me down this weekend.
I thought Pete did more for the structure of the team than McLean on Sunday and is just as versatile, whilst being a better ruck and more mobile, so personally I'd prefer Pete hold his spot over McLean.


Can't see that ever happening again.

McLean's tackling at crucial times and 2 goals were a big part of our win
With this stuff there is no need to go to the post mortem thread

 

[The King!]

Just cannot agree with this. McCartin is so much better back than forward and, especially whilst Lewie is out, we desperately need him there all game.
You are very obviously (from this and previous posts) a McLean fan which tempers your thoughts and I am very much a Pistol Pete fan, which tempers mine, and i gotta say I'm very happy that old didn't let me down this weekend.
I thought Pete did more for the structure of the team than McLean on Sunday and is just as versatile, whilst being a better ruck and more mobile, so personally I'd prefer Pete hold his spot over McLean.


Can't see that ever happening again.

Just cannot agree with this. McCartin is so much better back than forward and, especially whilst Lewie is out, we desperately need him there all game.
You are very obviously (from this and previous posts) a McLean fan which tempers your thoughts and I am very much a Pistol Pete fan, which tempers mine, and i gotta say I'm very happy that old didn't let me down this weekend.
I thought Pete did more for the structure of the team than McLean on Sunday and is just as versatile, whilst being a better ruck and more mobile, so personally I'd prefer Pete hold his spot over McLean.


Can't see that ever happening again.

I wouldn't make him sub but he may end up there as people come back

 

[bedford]

I wouldn't make him sub but he may end up there as people come back

Did both 3KZ's post at the same time

 

[The King!]

Did both 3KZ's post at the same time

Seriously just take a pause before you click post and think am I adding anything.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Bice is NOT a sub

I really like what he's doing too but hopefully when everyone is fit again (if ever) there will be a good player as sub and others in the magoos.
Other candidates (out of my version of that team) are Wicks, Corey, Cunningham, Campbell and Florent. Hanily in the 2s. Hard decisions.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Just cannot agree with this. McCartin is so much better back than forward and, especially whilst Lewie is out, we desperately need him there all game.
You are very obviously (from this and previous posts) a McLean fan which tempers your thoughts and I am very much a Pistol Pete fan, which tempers mine, and i gotta say I'm very happy that old didn't let me down this weekend.
I thought Pete did more for the structure of the team than McLean on Sunday and is just as versatile, whilst being a better ruck and more mobile, so personally I'd prefer Pete hold his spot over McLean.


Can't see that ever happening again.

Hard to argue about structure as it's pretty subjective (to us if not the coaches). I prefer McLean as a full time forward and Ladhams as a full time ruck. The split role is much trickier.
Here's a few facts from Sunday:
Ladhams McLean
68%. 78%. ToG
56. 59. AF
1. 2. Goals
12. 9. Disposals
2. 5. Tackles
Pete spent almost half his ToG in the ruck, which I think was premeditated.
Interesting choice for the coaches to make unless they leave things as they are.

 

[Neverwas]

I can see a win coming up for the Ressies.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[caesar88]

Just think... if Mills didn't get injured, Jordon would've been out on a flank, still tagging the opposition's best half backs.

Talk about blessings in disguise. We've potentially found a Mills-adjacent player, just three years younger and possibly more durable.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Just think... if Mills didn't get injured, Jordon would've been out on a flank, still tagging the opposition's best half backs.

Talk about blessings in disguise. We've potentially found a Mills-adjacent player, just three years younger and possibly more durable.

Injuries can open the door for players to break out of the boxes they have been pidgeon holed in. Heeney last year is the obvious one. This year its Jordan and Wicks. If Jordan continues this sort if form on ball, do we actually weaken the team putting him back as a HF / Wing / tagger?
Likewise, with Wicks excelling, we will have to replace one of our rebounding backs with Harry if he is to have a spot in the best 22. Then do we lose too much? If we get all our guys back with minimal further injuries, the selections are going to be very interesting.

 

[caesar88]

Injuries can open the door for players to break out of the boxes they have been pidgeon holed in. Heeney last year is the obvious one. This year its Jordan and Wicks. If Jordan continues this sort if form on ball, do we actually weaken the team putting him back as a HF / Wing / tagger?
Likewise, with Wicks excelling, we will have to replace one of our rebounding backs with Harry if he is to have a spot in the best 22. Then do we lose too much? If we get all our guys back with minimal further injuries, the selections are going to be very interesting.

I don't think we would mess with a good thing, particularly since both of Jordon & Wicks are much younger versions of the guys they've essentially replaced. It's allowed us to potentially rebuild in two positions on the fly.

Mills will (hopefully) be returning soon, but with Jordon going well in there, I'd hope they just keep backing Jordon in. We can play Mills anywhere really, and there's no shortage of players down on form who can be axed to fit Mills in.

 

[bedford]

I don't think we would mess with a good thing, particularly since both of Jordon & Wicks are much younger versions of the guys they've essentially replaced. It's allowed us to potentially rebuild in two positions on the fly.

Mills will (hopefully) be returning soon, but with Jordon going well in there, I'd hope they just keep backing Jordon in. We can play Mills anywhere really, and there's no shortage of players down on form who can be axed to fit Mills in.

Hello

 

[wolftone57]

Riley Bice should NEVER be sub. Too effing good and calm under pressure. I think some other players like Rowie, Rampe, Lloyd,Roberts could learn from him. Bice and Hamling are calm and make good decisions. Same with Tommy. I do not want to see another dump kick out of defence for the rest of the season.

On Infinix X6525 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[The King!]

Riley Bice should NEVER be sub. Too effing good and calm under pressure. I think some other players like Rowie, Rampe, Lloyd,Roberts could learn from him. Bice and Hamling are calm and make good decisions. Same with Tommy. I do not want to see another dump kick out of defence for the rest of the season.

On Infinix X6525 using BigFooty.com mobile app

I've loved Bices two games but you like to go very early mate .

Cox had changed the world after the suns pre season game, Amartey will kick the ton after the gws practice game etc