AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Of all posters here, I expected you'd be the one toSwans list analysis but it's behind a paywall.
Swans list analysis but it's behind a paywall.
What an amazing club Sydney is.
The Swans again defied the predictions of most analysts in 2021 – and I’m happy to put my hand up here.
Even though they lost their first final against cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney, the Swans’ performance was courageous to come back after a very costly lapse in the second quarter.
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They had their chances to win the game and some misses in front of goal under the pressure of a final were costly.
I had felt Sydney was in need of a rebuild but with smart recruiting and list management they added Tom Hickey, who has been a great pick-up in an area they needed immediate help in.
They have a wonderful development program at the Swans and this must be the template for
developing clubs.
Tom Hickey was a revelation in the ruck for the Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard
The Swans managed players like Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker very well and added some exciting youngsters that have shown great signs in 2021.
Their reward was to play finals again – quicker than most expected.
The last two years have been very hard on all clubs due to the Covid disruptions but Sydney has been well managed during this period.
The Swans have handled the changing circumstances well compared to a club like West Coast, which, on paper, has far more talent at the top end on their list, yet failed to adapt in 2020 and 2021.
The Swans’ list could do with some more top-end talent in A and B-ranked players but the great sign is the 10 future AB players coming through.
Players like Nick Blakey, Tom McCartin, Errol Gulden, Braeden Campbell, Logan McDonald, Justin McInerney, Will Gould, Chad Warner, Dylan Stephens and James Rowbottom all look as though they will develop into A and B-grade talent in time, which will help those numbers at the top end as players retire.
Lance Franklin regained some vintage form in 2021. Picture: Michael Klein
LIST NEEDS
Sydney has set the standard for the other northern clubs to follow with its academy set-up and development of young talent. This is paying handsome dividends for the club, along with the excellence in list management and recruiting for many years under Kinnear Beatson.
The Swans have 15 A and B-graders plus a number of very good C-graders which gives them good depth to cover injuries.
I really like the fact they have 10 future AB players and only five players in the “need more time” development category. Not many clubs have more of the top development rating and this is a great sign for the future and also a reflection of their recruiting excellence over many years, so credit must go to Kinnear and his team at the Swans.
Their list is well balanced but if there was an opportunity to bring in a free agent or out of contract player that adds to the club’s needs, I am sure they will look at doing that.
Sydney fans should know their list management and recruiting is in very good hands – and has been for a long time.
TRADE TARGETS
The Swans are very clever and plan their strategies very well during this period. I am sure they will have a plan to suit their list – whether it is adding a free agent or an out of contract player. Like all clubs, I am not expecting huge changes on their list.
Chad Warner took a big step in his second year at the Swans. Picture: Getty Images
UNTOUCHABLES
All the A, B and developing players with some selective C-grade players that provide great depth such as Robbie Fox, Hayden McLean, Colin O’Riordan, Harry Cunningham, Kaiden Brand, Ryan Clarke, Sam Naismith (inj), James Bell, Ben Ronke and Matthew Ling that can come in and all play a role for the team.
TRADE BAIT
I doubt the Swans will be looking to trade out any players without requests, but you never say never. Defender Jordan Dawson has requested a trade home to South Australia while midfielder George Hewett has found a new home at Carlton. Dawson is a big loss with his beautiful kicking skills but he should net them a top-20 selection.
Jordan Dawson wants out of the Harbour City. Picture: Getty Images
WHAT THE RATINGS MEAN
List management is one of the most important jobs at an AFL club.
Poor decisions can be catastrophic — and Collingwood proved that last year.
Far too many clubs can often hold an overly-optimistic view when ranking their own lists and this can lead to years of mediocrity and has Carlton done this recently?
When clubs are rating their lists, they should rank players as: A+, A, B+, B, C+, C and Development.
In this list analysis, I have just done A, B, C and two tiers of development (“future AB players” and “need more time”) because with the younger players it is important to see who is coming through and those that need more time.
The important area for clubs to look at is how many A and B ranked players they have as well as future consistent AB players.
These rankings are my opinions, but they should give supporters a reasonable snapshot as to where their playing list sits now — and how they might look in a few years’ time.
Players 22 and over
A-grade: Elite players on any AFL list
B-grade: Top 10-18 player on most lists
C-grade: An 19-30 player on a list
Developing: Aged 21 or under
Future AB players: These are players that will hopefully develop into an A or B ranked player once they turn 22. They might be playing to this level now, but it takes sustained years.
Need more time: These players would be a player recently drafted that is still developing and therefore will need more time to see if he is likely to develop into an A or B grade player.
Only injury could stop young gun Braeden Campbell. Picture: Michael Klein
RATING THE LIST
A-grade: Isaac Heeney, Tom Papley, Josh Kennedy, Lance Franklin, Dane Rampe, Luke Parker.
B-grade: Will Hayward, Oliver Florent, Callum Mills, Callum Sinclair, Sam Reid, Tom Hickey, Jordan Dawson, Jake Lloyd.
C-grade: Kaiden Brand, Ryan Clarke, Harry Cunningham, Sam Naismith, Sam Gray, Matt Ling, Ben Ronke, Lewis Taylor, James Bell, Barry O’Connor, Colin O’Riordan, Hayden McLean, Robbie Fox, Lewis Melican.
DEVELOPING
Future AB players: Chad Warner, Dylan Stephens, Logan McDonald, James Rowbottom, Braeden Campbell, Will Gould, Errol Gulden, Nick Blakey, Justin McInerney, Tom McCartin.
Need more time: Marc Sheather, Joel Amartey, Malachy Carruthers, Sam Wicks, Lachlan McAndrew.
Free agency: George Hewett (to Carlton for end-of-second round compensation)
SYDNEY’S LIST BREAKDOWN
A-grade: 6
B-grade: 8
C-grade: 14
DEVELOPING
Future AB players: 10
Need more time: 5
Errol Gulden was one of the Swans’ best players in 2021, despite his youth. Picture: Getty Images
CRYSTAL BALL
I have so much respect for the Sydney Swans and how they have established such a strong club and culture – a far cry from the ugly duckling days that I was caught up in.
They have a terrific group of people who work together on and off the field to support the players and this provides them with the tools to blossom under a great development program and coaching team.
Having said that, I am sure the club would have liked to have added some more silverware to the cabinet over the past few decades. They have been thereabouts quite a few times in this period, only to fall short.
I predicted 2021 was going to be a bit harder for them to make the top-eight but I learnt never to write this club off, as their fighting spirit and culture carries them a long way.
The Swans will be around the mark again in 2022 but are they good enough to win a flag? I wouldn’t bet against it but I do feel their list just lacks the top-end talent of other clubs and keeping their best players on the park is the key.
The list has some ageing players but the good news for Sydney fans is the strong number of future AB players on the list that are likely to develop into top-ranked stars and this is why the list is in good shape
I do, but it's on my desktop at homenot my mobile phone or work computer.
The lowest social group in the Indian caste system are the Dalits, or "untouchables". Ling might find himself reincarnated in the VFL.
Shock horror we always deserved some form of windfall. The original COLA was too much but we deserve something
There are well established formulas to work out cost of living adjustments. Big companies use consultants to do it all the time when they move people around.
Did the AFL not bring COLA in . I'm sure our ex mod Robbie will know more than me on this. Whatever i blame 5 chins
The AFL brought it in for Sydney and Brisbane which made it obvious that it was a retention allowance as Brisbane didnt have a cost of living issue. This made it easy for Fatly Mcgiggles to rail against the unfairness of it and get it axed.
Wait till the ex boss comes on. Brissy were in it as no one wanted to go there .
See I still don't like this idea. Going by this, Melbourne based clubs would all receive an allowance (Adelaide and Brisbane both cheaper places to live). Yet no Melbourne club struggles to retain players for to the cost of living. Melbourne clubs often have players from interstate lining up to join them. Bobby hill anyone? As if they need more incentive to attract players.
Easiest way is to work it through the cap, not individual contracts. Use Vic as the base as it has the most clubs and the most players. Example figures not real for true COL:
Thank you
