Swans Backline (Rampe, Rohan, McVeigh)

Vulpes · January 11, 2015, 01:46:23 PM

There has been a little bit of talk about who will take the rebounding role left vacant by Malceski, and I have seen a few planner teams involving Rampe or Rohan. I'd like to discuss the structure of the new Swans backline.

At the end of last year we saw Rohan experimented with at half-back, which at the time I assumed was succession planning for Shaw. I think there's a very real possibility that Shaw won't play a heap of football this year even without Malceski, either through age, injuries, or form.

I expect the Rohan experiment to continue. He sprays the ball a lot, but adds line-breaking run and is impressive as a third man up.

Rampe has so far taken third talls, and has been very successful running off at times. I think we really need him in his current role until Johnson overcomes injury. I can also see him as an agile key-defender once Ted or Grundy retires.

McVeigh was very impressive running through the HBF in 2013, and if Shaw misses any games I think his experience will be required there again. Does this leave midfield minutes for Mitchell? Probably, but that would leave a pretty slow midfield with JPK and Parker.

Smith has looked composed kicking out of the backline, but is too slow and suffers the same problem I see with Rampe (nobody can fill his role).

Other options are Laidler being used as a band-aid fix for this season, and Zak Jones or another young player being given a role on the half back line.

I'm keen to hear your thoughts on who you think will take the vacant HBF position? Does Shaw have enough in the tank to hold onto the other HBF? Am I missing something with the possibility of Rampe moving to an attacking role? Whoever plays off the half-back flank for Sydney could be one of the best mid pricers for 2015.

swans15 · January 11, 2015, 03:15:10 PM

I agree with what will happen with Shaw and think he will be phased out of the side kind of like O'Keefe was last year. Drafted a lot of defenders this year and you would think someone like Xavier Richards who signed a two year deal will start to get more games this year which could free up a defender. Also Nic Newman elite left foot kick could fill the void but he is sidelined until late Jan cos of minor knee surgery and will be interesting to see if he is a suprise selection round 1 like Rampe was a couple of years back.

Mailman the 2nd · January 11, 2015, 04:09:49 PM

The two back flankers will likely be McVeigh and Shaw. Rohan probably will be starting 22 on the bench as a back rotation, with Laidler as an emergency for when Shaw inevitably misses games. My bet is Tom Mitchell will start as a half forward flank/bench.

Heeney and Mitchell coming in as more midfielders makes more plausible that McVeigh would start in the backline.

Xavier Richards won't get more than 5 games unless one of the main 2 goes down. Zak Jones would have to do well to get a spot in the back six but I don't think either would score very well to justify picking.

swans15 · January 11, 2015, 05:30:45 PM

Yeh I can't see Richards playing the whole year but should be given some games during the year as there isn't much back up experience for when Richards and Grundy retire

Mat0369 · January 11, 2015, 06:44:36 PM

I still think McVeigh to HB and a mid in is the winner. Laids taking the 3rd tall would free up Rampe since he can play on guys with height but gets exploited at times by the smaller crumbing players.

Dayze · January 11, 2015, 07:49:28 PM

Agree with mat.
Makes so much sense moving mcveigh to half back.
Can clearly play the role and they've obviously promised Mitchell more minutes.
Good write up mate.

Nige · January 12, 2015, 04:02:59 PM

Quote from: Mailman the 2nd on January 11, 2015, 04:09:49 PM
The two back flankers will likely be McVeigh and Shaw. Rohan probably will be starting 22 on the bench as a back rotation, with Laidler as an emergency for when Shaw inevitably misses games. My bet is Tom Mitchell will start as a half forward flank/bench.

Heeney and Mitchell coming in as more midfielders makes more plausible that McVeigh would start in the backline.

Xavier Richards won't get more than 5 games unless one of the main 2 goes down. Zak Jones would have to do well to get a spot in the back six but I don't think either would score very well to justify picking.

I can't help but notice Rampe wasn't even mentioned in this response despite being in OP's thread title.

That said, D.Rampe 3 votes. 8)

Capper · January 12, 2015, 06:00:09 PM

I need to think about this. XR got upgraded so he might get a game soon also

honza · January 12, 2015, 06:39:37 PM

Quote from: tabs on January 12, 2015, 06:00:09 PM
I need to think about this. XR got upgraded so he might get a game soon also

Remember - a rookie at Sydney and Collingwood is not a rookie at GWS. Sydney and Collingwood usually target the minimum primary list size of 38 and max out the rookie list - for salary cap and other reasons (competitive tension etc). On the other hand GWS has special rules which basically treat the primary and rookie lists as an almost all primary list (I think only one player is technically a rookie?).

What it boils down to: Sydney and Collingwood rookie list players who will play, other clubs are more likely to have muppets, 7 year project players and Wade Skipper.

SydneyRox · January 12, 2015, 06:43:41 PM

Rampe was always my pick to get more ball once Eski left, i actually traded hard for him in a couple of XV's last year after watching him play, knowing Shaw was close to retiring and Eski only had a couple left.
He has a beautiful left foot and reads the game well. McVeigh is going to be there to help out when required, but I think he will play on the wings.
Rohan's job might fluctuate as well, I would think its a bit dangerous giving him too much ball, despite his speed and skill, he can make poor choices when running flat out.
Fully expect XR to get more game time as well this year.

Mailman the 2nd · January 12, 2015, 08:21:41 PM

Quote from: Nige on January 12, 2015, 04:02:59 PM
Quote from: Mailman the 2nd on January 11, 2015, 04:09:49 PM
The two back flankers will likely be McVeigh and Shaw. Rohan probably will be starting 22 on the bench as a back rotation, with Laidler as an emergency for when Shaw inevitably misses games. My bet is Tom Mitchell will start as a half forward flank/bench.

Heeney and Mitchell coming in as more midfielders makes more plausible that McVeigh would start in the backline.

Xavier Richards won't get more than 5 games unless one of the main 2 goes down. Zak Jones would have to do well to get a spot in the back six but I don't think either would score very well to justify picking.
I can't help but notice Rampe wasn't even mentioned in this response despite being in OP's thread title.

That said, D.Rampe 3 votes. 8)

Because all that needed to be said about Rampe already was, his role won't change much apart from getting more ball. I wouldn't pick him though

Capper · January 14, 2015, 12:35:11 PM

Quote from: honza on January 12, 2015, 06:39:37 PM
Quote from: tabs on January 12, 2015, 06:00:09 PM
I need to think about this. XR got upgraded so he might get a game soon also
Remember - a rookie at Sydney and Collingwood is not a rookie at GWS. Sydney and Collingwood usually target the minimum primary list size of 38 and max out the rookie list - for salary cap and other reasons (competitive tension etc). On the other hand GWS has special rules which basically treat the primary and rookie lists as an almost all primary list (I think only one player is technically a rookie?).

What it boils down to: Sydney and Collingwood rookie list players who will play, other clubs are more likely to have muppets, 7 year project players and Wade Skipper.

XR couold come in to the team to take the 3rd tall as he is a similar build to his brother. This could free up Rampe to take a smaller fwd and also be a rebounding HB.

The back line could look like
Smith, T.Richards, X.Richards
Rohan, Grundy, Rampe

Shaw is 34 this year so might be his last year

SydneyRox · January 14, 2015, 12:39:52 PM

This is no doubt Shaw last year, and if Horse was prepared to bench ROK for a year, then damn straight he will do the same to Shaw if it doesnt fit the plans.

Vulpes · January 14, 2015, 03:32:40 PM

Last year Shaw had some pretty horrible matches. I really wouldn't be surprised if he gets the ROK treatment if any youngster makes a good fist of it.

Two trends seem to be shifting McVeigh to HBF and giving Mitchell/Heeney games, or shifting Rampe to HBF and filling third tall with Laidler or XRichards. If I were coach I know i'd pick Mitchell/Heeney by a mile. You would need a very convincing structural argument to account for the lower individual player quality.

I am also worried that XRichards looks very fumbly to playing as a third tall. A lot of mid sized forwards would be licking their lips. Very keen on him swapping out Grundy or his older brother against some of the weaker teams, for both succession planning and resting the older bodies. If Grundy or Ted got a serious injury our premiership chances would go down the drain.

fasttrack13 · January 14, 2015, 03:55:32 PM

Thinking Rampe... Don't forget Alex Johnson to come back from injury probably taking that 3rd tall.