Ask The Coach: Longmire

[Ricochet]

#AskTheCoach allows AFL Coaches to take over the @AFL twitter account and answer questions from the public


Some of the relevant answers:

[In Reply To: Jeremy Laidler looked good last night, is he in best 22?]
AFL ‏@AFL  50m
.@ONBeebe we've given him every opportunity the last few weeks, and he has been improving. With Alex Johnson still out he may be a chance


[In Reply To: What is your preferred ruck set up for 2014? Pyke/Tippett or Pyke/Derickx? Is Nankervis in the mix?]
AFL ‏@AFL  49m
.@FantasyFreako it'll change based on who's available for us and depending on what the opposition does. We'll use a number of options in '14


[In Reply To: Brandon Jack has out grown the vest, yes?]
AFL ‏@AFL  49m
.@antfrax as he can provide real speed, I imagine he'll still be used at times in that role, but he's certainly had a good pre-season


[In Reply To: Hi John, I reckon Joey is looking really fit this pre-season & I think he's in for a big season ! What's your thoughts ?]
AFL ‏@AFL  48m
.@ARobertson36 in his 4 years at the club he's been top-3 in our B&F, his consistency is incredible. He does look fit at the moment


[In Reply To: is tippo 100% for round 2? How's his knee tracking?]
AFL ‏@AFL  47m
.@AnActofCod he started running again yesterday and felt good. We won't know until we get closer #askthecoach


[In Reply To: who will be playing the role that Mcveigh played last year? ]
AFL ‏@AFL  46m
.@madcolson McVeigh's a big chance to be playing that role again! However, hopefully Rhyce Shaw can give us some drive as well #askthecoach


[In Reply To: Can we expect Harry Cunningham and Brandon Jack to play a valuable role this year?]
AFL ‏@AFL  46m
.@MarkBruty both are young players with excellent speed. Harry can play forward, but is also playing mid. Hopefully Brandon will be similar.


[In Reply To: How are the Ballarat boys Dean Towers and Jake Lloyd going? ]
AFL ‏@AFL  44m
.@MarkBruty they're both getting good game-time the last two weeks. They've both improved and hopefully that continues #askthecoach


[In Reply To: Who do you think the young players to watch this year will be? Expectations for Gary Rohan after a long stint out?]
AFL ‏@AFL  43m
.@_RobbieS_ we see Gary as an important player in a number of roles this year. He was good last night and will get better #askthecoach


[In Reply To: Hi John. How severe is Parker's injury, and do you expect him to be fit for Round 1? Thank you]
AFL ‏@AFL  41m
.@Kennlett we'll have an update on Luke on our club website a little bit later in the morning #askthecoach


[In Reply To: Will Lance Franklin be predominantly used in the forward line or be given the licence to roam around the ground]
AFL ‏@AFL  40m
.@Convo_23 as a proven goalkicker, we''ll expect him to play predominantly as a forward #askthecoach


[In Reply To: Will Sam Reid spend more time down one particular end this year? ]
AFL ‏@AFL  40m
.@patkennedy17 we expect Sam to play mostly forward, however at times he will also be used in defence #askthecoach


[In Reply To:  who are you expecting to make the step up into the elite bracket this year?]
AFL ‏@AFL  37m
.@_RobbieS_ hopefully Rohan, Reid and Jetta who all didn't play much last year, along with Parker and Mitchell can push towards that status


[In Reply To:  How is Micky O going as the Swans Academy coach? And do you have much to do with it.]
AFL ‏@AFL  35m
.@EricTheBeige Mick's been fantastic, the kids love him and he's a real asset to the QBE Sydney Swans Academy and the club #askthecoach


[In Reply To:  how do you plan on using Tom Mitchell this year? Will he be rested at times to get him through the year?]
AFL ‏@AFL  34m
.@MitchellTurner8 he didn't play last night due to a sore calf. As he plays a really contested style, we have to be mindful of his workload


[In Reply To:  G'day John what is the best piece of advice you can give an aspiring coach?]
AFL ‏@AFL  32m
.@herbie0809 learn of others, but be yourself #askthecoach

[Adamant]

Really hoping Laidler is named round one, it's between him and Griffiths for D6.

[pommyadam]

as for Parker: likely to miss next week, but a strong chance to return rd1

damn C&P, linky here
http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2014-02-28/parker-likely-to-miss-lions

[Artax]

Laidler looked really handy last night. Hope he is named with AJ not ready