Starting Midfield

[fugazi]

With Kent and Hannebery coming on board we are looking better, a good mix of inside and outside. Kent frees up Billings and Long will free up Gresham for midfield duties.

The starting midfield

Steele/ Ross , Hannebery, Steven
Billings/ Gresham, Acres and Pierce/ Longer

[skeptic]

Hannebery for Armitage

Hoping that Kent could come in as a steal for Freeman (the new great hope)

Not clear who the first ruck is... hope that Pierce can get better and Richo can sort out the forwards to fit Marshall in

Seems to me that we almost look the same

[mad saint guy]

From our list right now this is what I'd pick:

B: Webster, Austin, Geary
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Roberton
C: Ross, Steele, Acres
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Long, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Longer, Steven, Hannebery
Int: Clark, Sinclair, Kent, Battle

Steele the inside bulldozer, Steven, Hannebery, Ross and Acres full time inside/outside mids with Gresham, Clark and Sinclair supporting and Billings occasionally rotating on a wing.

[chico2001]

That is not a bad side, would really need Logan Austin to come on and recruit another good onballer and the new coaches to improve the basic skills and may win 8 games. The backline is a bit weak to win any more than that.

[fugazi]

Billings on a wing most of the time would be good ....the new rule changes will bring wingers into it a bit more and his delivery into forwards important.

[spert]

Step one is to get the existing midfielders to just play a whole lot better- they coasted for most of the season, and just didn't play with urgency. Hopefully Hanners will push them a bit harder.

[dragit]

With Kent and Hannebery coming on board we are looking better, a good mix of inside and outside. Kent frees up Billings and Long will free up Gresham for midfield duties.

The starting midfield

Steele/ Ross , Hannebery, Steven
Billings/ Gresham, Acres and Pierce/ Longer

It's not bad, while I like them all - Acres, Gresham & Billings still have a lot work to do in order to become gun mids.

Unfortunately, I think even the side on the bottom is probably building a better young midfield group.

Cripps, Dow, Walsh, O'Brien, Fisher, Setterfield to go with Murphy & Curnow

We now have rubbish ruck stocks too.

[Drew21]

Hoping our Phillips can come on like his brother at Collingwood did this year
Apparently he is as good a runner

[st.byron]

I reckon it’s super optimistic to be including Kent as a mid. He’s a fringe small forward at Melbourne. Never averaged more than 15 possessions. Have a look at his career stats. Very long bow to say he adds to our midfield.

https://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=2373

[saynta]

Hoping our Phillips can come on like his brother at Collingwood did this year
Apparently he is as good a runner

Better actually.

[older saint]

Better from a very low base. Hannebery will help but a rotation player mid/forward

Steven - finds ball break away speed, average disposal
Ross - finds ball , covers ground, poor defensively
Steele - best 2 way mid
Hannebery - Best disposal of all, can his body stand up?
Gresham - talent not issue but still building the tank for the mid field
Billings - pinch hitter at best - see Gresham re tank
Acres- unique to group with size , but will AR let him play there?
Dunstan - smart footy brain finds ball, but butchers it
Armitage - finds ball, hard at it but slow. Good end of qtrs when others have slowed.
Not putting the fear of god in too many good teams.

to get better need new guys to be given chance and step up
- Phillip, Paton Coffield, Clark, - issue there is none have developed the tank and/or body yet to consistently play mid field

[Zed]

Haven’t seen much discussion around Coff on this thread. I liked what I saw and to me looks like he could go past clark as a better mid once he gets a bit stronger and can run out a season.

Nothing wrong with Clark’s skills and endeavour but looked a little one paced to me . I actually see him developing more into the Lenny Hayes style mid, and Coff looks more like a Pendlebury.

My only concern with Clark is he looks more mature than Coff and as such may not have as much upside as Coff. Really hope I’m wrong and doesn’t turn into another Dunstan who really hasn’t progressed after a solid first year.

[DJ Higgins]

That is not a bad side, would really need Logan Austin to come on and recruit another good onballer and the new coaches to improve the basic skills and may win 8 games. The backline is a bit weak to win any more than that.

I agree but I still prefer brown to Austin. i know he is getting on but he and Logan need to share the role this year and Logan take it on going forward. Logan needs more time to get better IMO

[Spinner]

From our list right now this is what I'd pick:

B: Webster, Austin, Geary
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Roberton
C: Ross, Steele, Acres
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Long, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Longer, Steven, Hannebery
Int: Clark, Sinclair, Kent, Battle

Steele the inside bulldozer, Steven, Hannebery, Ross and Acres full time inside/outside mids with Gresham, Clark and Sinclair supporting and Billings occasionally rotating on a wing.

I like it. Might swap McCartin for Bruce. Maybe get McKenzie in there.

Young team but players will need to grow to the next level.

No Savage Newnes and Weller.

[mad saint guy]

From our list right now this is what I'd pick:

B: Webster, Austin, Geary
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Roberton
C: Ross, Steele, Acres
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Long, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Longer, Steven, Hannebery
Int: Clark, Sinclair, Kent, Battle

Steele the inside bulldozer, Steven, Hannebery, Ross and Acres full time inside/outside mids with Gresham, Clark and Sinclair supporting and Billings occasionally rotating on a wing.

I like it. Might swap McCartin for Bruce. Maybe get McKenzie in there.

Young team but players will need to grow to the next level.

No Savage Newnes and Weller.

I actually forgot about McKenzie. Agree that after his late season form he gets a crack in the starting team. Would love to replace Geary with him but more likely that it's Battle or Kent. I really like the idea of Battle playing as a roaming wingman/forward in the late career Richardson/Riewoldt mould though. Sure he's going to give away a bit of pace to other midfielders but he'll beat anyone in the air as a link up player, would lay some brutal tackles, be a very handy intercept player across half back and can push forward to be a target.

Agree that we need to move on from Savage, Newnes, Weller and IMO Dunstan and Lonie too. I'd be thrilled if McCartin pushed him way into the side but on form he's the last picked of our key forwards.

[supersaints2]

Better from a very low base. Hannebery will help but a rotation player mid/forward

Steven - finds ball break away speed, average disposal
Ross - finds ball , covers ground, poor defensively
Steele - best 2 way mid
Hannebery - Best disposal of all, can his body stand up?
Gresham - talent not issue but still building the tank for the mid field
Billings - pinch hitter at best - see Gresham re tank
Acres- unique to group with size , but will AR let him play there?
Dunstan - smart footy brain finds ball, but butchers it
Armitage - finds ball, hard at it but slow. Good end of qtrs when others have slowed.
Not putting the fear of god in too many good teams.

to get better need new guys to be given chance and step up
- Phillip, Paton Coffield, Clark, - issue there is none have developed the tank and/or body yet to consistently play mid field

Don't know where you get the Idea Hannebery has the best disposal??? It's worse than all but three players you have listed The knock on him on the Swans forum is that he has poor disposal

Anyway just had a look.....
Here's the stats for clanger averages per game 2018 from least to most clangers average per game 2018

Billings 2.3
Gresham 2.6
Steele 2.8
Armo 2.9
Acres 2.9
HANNEBERY 3.1
Dunstan 3.5
Steven 3.9
Seb Ross 4.0

its the type of crash and bash game he plays similar to Dunstan ... So if Dustan "butchers it" your going to be way off the mark about Hanners

[Cairnsman]

Armo could be the real benefactor of DH coming into the side. I hope his body is right and has a strong pre season. He's right in the mix to be part of a better midfield in 2019. More love for Armo please.

[supersaints2]

Armo could be the real benefactor of DH coming into the side. I hope his body is right and has a strong pre season. He's right in the mix to be part of a better midfield in 2019. More love for Armo please.

He's got my love... it's getting near the end though ...

[Cairnsman]

Armo could be the real benefactor of DH coming into the side. I hope his body is right and has a strong pre season. He's right in the mix to be part of a better midfield in 2019. More love for Armo please.

He's got my love... it's getting near the end though ...

There's one more chapter for the Mackay boy though one get's the sense.

[ss1986]

From our list right now this is what I'd pick:

B: Webster, Austin, Geary
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Roberton
C: Ross, Steele, Acres
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Long, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Longer, Steven, Hannebery
Int: Clark, Sinclair, Kent, Battle

Steele the inside bulldozer, Steven, Hannebery, Ross and Acres full time inside/outside mids with Gresham, Clark and Sinclair supporting and Billings occasionally rotating on a wing.

I agree with this side....

But am I the only one that thinks it stinks?

[freely]

Better from a very low base. Hannebery will help but a rotation player mid/forward

Steven - finds ball break away speed, average disposal
Ross - finds ball , covers ground, poor defensively
Steele - best 2 way mid
Hannebery - Best disposal of all, can his body stand up?
Gresham - talent not issue but still building the tank for the mid field
Billings - pinch hitter at best - see Gresham re tank
Acres- unique to group with size , but will AR let him play there?
Dunstan - smart footy brain finds ball, but butchers it
Armitage - finds ball, hard at it but slow. Good end of qtrs when others have slowed.
Not putting the fear of god in too many good teams.

to get better need new guys to be given chance and step up
- Phillip, Paton Coffield, Clark, - issue there is none have developed the tank and/or body yet to consistently play mid field

Don't know where you get the Idea Hannebery has the best disposal??? It's worse than all but three players you have listed The knock on him on the Swans forum is that he has poor disposal

Anyway just had a look.....
Here's the stats for clanger averages per game 2018 from least to most clangers average per game 2018

Billings 2.3
Gresham 2.6
Steele 2.8
Armo 2.9
Acres 2.9
HANNEBERY 3.1
Dunstan 3.5
Steven 3.9
Seb Ross 4.0

its the type of crash and bash game he plays similar to Dunstan ... So if Dustan "butchers it" your going to be way off the mark about Hanners

gotta factor clangers against total disposals

[Cairnsman]

From our list right now this is what I'd pick:

B: Webster, Austin, Geary
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Roberton
C: Ross, Steele, Acres
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Long, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Longer, Steven, Hannebery
Int: Clark, Sinclair, Kent, Battle

Steele the inside bulldozer, Steven, Hannebery, Ross and Acres full time inside/outside mids with Gresham, Clark and Sinclair supporting and Billings occasionally rotating on a wing.

I agree with this side....

But am I the only one that thinks it stinks?

Nah there would be other like you.

[ss1986]

From our list right now this is what I'd pick:

B: Webster, Austin, Geary
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Roberton
C: Ross, Steele, Acres
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Long, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Longer, Steven, Hannebery
Int: Clark, Sinclair, Kent, Battle

Steele the inside bulldozer, Steven, Hannebery, Ross and Acres full time inside/outside mids with Gresham, Clark and Sinclair supporting and Billings occasionally rotating on a wing.

I agree with this side....

But am I the only one that thinks it stinks?

Nah there would be other like you.

It’s an honest assessment. I just dont see that side winning more than 5-6 games; fixture dependent.

Carlton, hopefully twice
Gold Cost, hopefully twice
Fremantle if we play them here

Steal another one or two on a good day. The rest... just cant see us beating anyone of note.

[supersaints2]

Better from a very low base. Hannebery will help but a rotation player mid/forward

Steven - finds ball break away speed, average disposal
Ross - finds ball , covers ground, poor defensively
Steele - best 2 way mid
Hannebery - Best disposal of all, can his body stand up?
Gresham - talent not issue but still building the tank for the mid field
Billings - pinch hitter at best - see Gresham re tank
Acres- unique to group with size , but will AR let him play there?
Dunstan - smart footy brain finds ball, but butchers it
Armitage - finds ball, hard at it but slow. Good end of qtrs when others have slowed.
Not putting the fear of god in too many good teams.

to get better need new guys to be given chance and step up
- Phillip, Paton Coffield, Clark, - issue there is none have developed the tank and/or body yet to consistently play mid field

Don't know where you get the Idea Hannebery has the best disposal??? It's worse than all but three players you have listed The knock on him on the Swans forum is that he has poor disposal

Anyway just had a look.....
Here's the stats for clanger averages per game 2018 from least to most clangers average per game 2018

Billings 2.3
Gresham 2.6
Steele 2.8
Armo 2.9
Acres 2.9
HANNEBERY 3.1
Dunstan 3.5
Steven 3.9
Seb Ross 4.0

its the type of crash and bash game he plays similar to Dunstan ... So if Dustan "butchers it" your going to be way off the mark about Hanners

gotta factor clangers against total disposals

That's exactly my point Hanners averaged less disposals than EVERY ONE but Gresh... and Gresh spent the majority forward pocket
If you want to you can convert percentages ratio to disposal's .. but you won't be happy with the Maths... for example he has more clangers than players with 50% more disposals..... but don't let facts stand in the way of your arguments... FYI

Disposals in 2018 from high to low
Ross 30.1
Steven 26.9
Steele 23.4
Billings 21.8
Dunstan 21.75
Acres 21.5
Armo 19.9
HANNERS 18.7
Gresh 17.6

I'm not knocking Hanners , I like him just hope his form can return something like it was four years ago...

[groupie1]

From our list right now this is what I'd pick:

B: Webster, Austin, Geary
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Roberton
C: Ross, Steele, Acres
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Long, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Longer, Steven, Hannebery
Int: Clark, Sinclair, Kent, Battle

Steele the inside bulldozer, Steven, Hannebery, Ross and Acres full time inside/outside mids with Gresham, Clark and Sinclair supporting and Billings occasionally rotating on a wing.

I like this.

I think Roberton, Battle, Long, Hanners, Bruce and Kent (most of whom didn't or barely played last year) make us better. Add pick 4. And lose Geary. Replace Longer with Pierce and I'm happy).

I would also hope Sinclair plays well enough this year to earn his spot; he didn't have a good year.