I have enjoyed the discussion about the possible forward structure, now i suspect that we should look at the backline (later to be followed by, the Centreline, onballers, and interchange).

Here is mine for what it is worth:

Backline: Gillies, Frawley, Garland

Half-Backline: Dunn, T. McDonald, Watts

Now I realise that I have left out the smalls such as Jetta and Nicholson however i expect that at least one of them to be on the interchange and or used depending on the team we line up on on the day.

I have enjoyed the discussion about the possible forward structure, now i suspect that we should look at the backline (later to be followed by, the Centreline, onballers, and interchange).

Here is mine for what it is worth:

Backline: Gillies, Frawley, Garland

Half-Backline: Dunn, T. McDonald, Watts

Now I realise that I have left out the smalls such as Jetta and Nicholson however i expect that at least one of them to be on the interchange and or used depending on the team we line up on on the day.

Such a big point you make there when noting who we will be playing against. I imagine our backline will be completely different when playing someone like Carlton with there small forwards Betts, Garlett, Walker and probably Menzel this year roaming in comparison to the Eagles with Darling, Kennedy and a resting Nicnat/Cox.

I think Gillies is really just backup for Frawley and won't see much action. He will be competing with Sellar for the third tall gig.

For the exercise:

Jetta Frawley Garland

Watts McDonald Tapscott

Nicholson and Jetta will compete for that BP spot and Col retains his spot as he is very flexible.

I like Tappy and would rather him in the team then Dunn. Dunn has had his time IMO.

If we needed another tall then Sellar comes in and Watts to the wing (ala Richo 2008)

I have enjoyed the discussion about the possible forward structure, now i suspect that we should look at the backline (later to be followed by, the Centreline, onballers, and interchange).

Here is mine for what it is worth:

Backline: Gillies, Frawley, Garland

Half-Backline: Dunn, T. McDonald, Watts

Now I realise that I have left out the smalls such as Jetta and Nicholson however i expect that at least one of them to be on the interchange and or used depending on the team we line up on on the day.

That line up looks far too top heavy tbh. We do need at the very least one of the smaller blokes, my preference being Nicholson.

HB: Jetta, Frawley, Watts

FB: Garland, McDonald, Gillies,

Rotations: MacDonald/Bail (wouldn't have both), Dunn, Strauss

Gillies is the same height as Chip and slightly heavier, would love to see Chip up the ground more using his speed and brushing off tackles like he used to.

Disagree - we need a settled back 6 or 7 (if we play a 7 man backline) that's flexible enough to combat any opposition structure - it's more important to work together effectively. Frawley, Garland and Watts should all be capable of playing tall or small.

And interchange is for midfield rotations not the backline.

I've posted elsewhere that we have 15 players in our defensive group at training so it's difficult to settle on 6 or 7. Frawley and Garland are in the leadership group and Tom McDonald finished 3rd in last years B&F, that's 3. I'm hoping Watts is in there too but he'll have to earn his place. The other 2 or 3 slots are up really for grabs.

And interchange is for midfield rotations not the backline.

Have you watched any footy in the last 5 years?

Jetta Frawley Garland

Watts. McDonald Nicholson

Four talls and two Small crumbing/runners/taggers

Dunn as the bench back up.

HB: Dunn T.McD J.Mac

B: Strauss Frawley Garland

With development I'd like to see Tapscott become a hard, rebounding flanker but last years form didn't warrant his inclusion in this. Macdonald is a contentious one with many on this site, but I really rate him and thinks he does good things. Conceded only 17 goals on him last year.

Have you watched any footy in the last 5 years?

Yeah - most recently I went to last year's Grand Final. The winners played a stable back 6 of Richards (97% TOG), Grundy (98% TOG), Shaw (83% TOG), Mattner (83% TOG), Johnson (87% TOG) and Smith (93% TOG). They played this set-up in all 3 finals against 3 different oppositions except against Adelaide when Grundy wasn't available and LRT had to go back.

Rhyce Shaw said after the GF:

"How have you viewed the form of the backline this year?

"We’ve done pretty well. Our back six or seven including Nick (Malceski) is really a tight unit and we play together and probably complement each other a lot in a lot of different areas which is fantastic and is just a great support for each other and it was a great end to the year. The guys really stood up in the Granny and it was fantastic."

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2012-11-06/rhyces-season-wrap-the-best-moment-of-my-life

The Swans had the lowest points against in 2012.

How about you?

Yeah - most recently I went to last year's Grand Final. The winners played a stable back 6 of Richards (97% TOG), Grundy (98% TOG), Shaw (83% TOG), Mattner (83% TOG), Johnson (87% TOG) and Smith (93% TOG). They played this set-up in all 3 finals against 3 different oppositions except against Adelaide when Grundy wasn't available and LRT had to go back. How about you?

good stats 55. very interesting

they were lucky that they were so happy with the form of their top back 6

but given you have a stable 6 backs it shows you can keep them all on the ground with minimal rotations

For something a bit different:

Watts Frawley Garland

Strauss McDonald Terlich

At this stage

Jetta Frawley Garland

Watts McDonald Dunn

Next 6

Nicholson Sellar Davies

Straus Gillies Mcdonald

Yeah - most recently I went to last year's Grand Final. The winners played a stable back 6 of Richards (97% TOG), Grundy (98% TOG), Shaw (83% TOG), Mattner (83% TOG), Johnson (87% TOG) and Smith (93% TOG). They played this set-up in all 3 finals against 3 different oppositions except against Adelaide when Grundy wasn't available and LRT had to go back.

Rhyce Shaw said after the GF:

"How have you viewed the form of the backline this year?

"We’ve done pretty well. Our back six or seven including Nick (Malceski) is really a tight unit and we play together and probably complement each other a lot in a lot of different areas which is fantastic and is just a great support for each other and it was a great end to the year. The guys really stood up in the Granny and it was fantastic."

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2012-11-06/rhyces-season-wrap-the-best-moment-of-my-life

The Swans had the lowest points against in 2012.

How about you?

Good post, well researched and thought out.

Although I notice NONE of those backline players are at 100% which must mean they were ALL ROTATED at some point.... Hmmmm.....

Good post, 55.

Bear in mind that 81% TOG is the value you'd expect for each player if they all spent an equal amount of time on the bench. Shaw, Mattner, and to a lesser extent Johnson are rotating off a reasonable amount, which you'd expect for the rebounders who cover a lot of ground. Shaw in particular covers plenty of the park from the back half.

Still, it shows that your three key backs pretty much have to stay on the paddock almost the whole time, so that the burst players can recuperate on the bench.

Yeah - most recently I went to last year's Grand Final. The winners played a stable back 6 of Richards (97% TOG), Grundy (98% TOG), Shaw (83% TOG), Mattner (83% TOG), Johnson (87% TOG) and Smith (93% TOG). They played this set-up in all 3 finals against 3 different oppositions except against Adelaide when Grundy wasn't available and LRT had to go back.

Rhyce Shaw said after the GF:

"How have you viewed the form of the backline this year?

"We’ve done pretty well. Our back six or seven including Nick (Malceski) is really a tight unit and we play together and probably complement each other a lot in a lot of different areas which is fantastic and is just a great support for each other and it was a great end to the year. The guys really stood up in the Granny and it was fantastic."

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2012-11-06/rhyces-season-wrap-the-best-moment-of-my-life

The Swans had the lowest points against in 2012.

How about you?

Best response of 2013. Close the book now.

B: Strauss Frawley Jetta

HB: Dunn McDonald Watts

5 of these are set I reckon - Strauss, Frawley, McDonald and Watts.

Jetta is burning it up at training and has spent most time during preseason with the backline. I see him so much like Matty Whelan and not just because he is indigenous but because he has some quick movements, can kick OK, and has a nasry streak when he tackles. He could become a very good small backman. Joel Mac and Nicho will be pushing for Jetta's spot, and pushing really hard.

Dunn's position is the difficult one. I had him pencilled last year as a de-list but his last 8 - 10 games were good in a poor side, with little midfield defensive support. But I reckon he is wrestling with Garland, Gillies and Sellar for his spot and it just might be they choose who plays in this position according to the opposition on any given day.

who knows.

Only Frawley, McDonald and Garland are locks for me.

Have no trust in the others but I would give first crack to

Jetta Frawley Garland

Watts McDonald Strauss

Good post, 55.

Bear in mind that 81% TOG is the value you'd expect for each player if they all spent an equal amount of time on the bench. Shaw, Mattner, and to a lesser extent Johnson are rotating off a reasonable amount, which you'd expect for the rebounders who cover a lot of ground. Shaw in particular covers plenty of the park from the back half.

Still, it shows that your three key backs pretty much have to stay on the paddock almost the whole time, so that the burst players can recuperate on the bench.

Like Rhyce said Nick Malceski spent time back there too getting 10 rebound 50s - in between kicking two goals including the winner.

The bottom line is we need to get a settled, versatile back 6 or 7 - horses for courses is bullsh1t

i would like to see jetta and nicho up on the wings providing the spread so my back 6;

tynan frawley macdonald

strauss mcdonald watts

i would be happy to see maconald swapped out for dunn or garland or potentially terlich though i am going on his training reports only.

HB: Dunn T.McD J.Mac

B: Strauss Frawley Garland

With development I'd like to see Tapscott become a hard, rebounding flanker but last years form didn't warrant his inclusion in this. Macdonald is a contentious one with many on this site, but I really rate him and thinks he does good things. Conceded only 17 goals on him last year.

I don't disagree with you on Mac however I feel Watts must be a permanent member of the backline as he is on a par with McDonald and Frawley as a valued player. More important than Strauss (who could be the interchange)

Not much love for nicholson on here.

B. Dunn Frawley Garland

HB. watts mcdonald nicholson

very dependant on opponent but i imagine players like toumpas and grimes might rotate through half back quite abit.

B: Strauss Frawley Jetta

HB: Dunn McDonald Watts

5 of these are set I reckon - Strauss, Frawley, McDonald and Watts.

Jetta is burning it up at training and has spent most time during preseason with the backline. I see him so much like Matty Whelan and not just because he is indigenous but because he has some quick movements, can kick OK, and has a nasry streak when he tackles. He could become a very good small backman. Joel Mac and Nicho will be pushing for Jetta's spot, and pushing really hard.

Dunn's position is the difficult one. I had him pencilled last year as a de-list but his last 8 - 10 games were good in a poor side, with little midfield defensive support. But I reckon he is wrestling with Garland, Gillies and Sellar for his spot and it just might be they choose who plays in this position according to the opposition on any given day.

I might be going against the grain here on DL but I'm expecting Dunn to play all 22 games and cement himself as a genuine contributor in a team that becomes "hard to play against" for the first time in years and years. He is ready, has found his spot, can use pace and kicking skills to good effect and play a tough guy on the oppositions fourth or fifth best forward, even pinch hit as a tall.

I expect we will see how much self belief, confidence and experience can do for a player.

Alongside a confident Watts I expect them to help Frawley back to his best......lookout opponents.

Couldn't agree more on Dunn. He's turned his body into a killing machine, found a spot on the park that suits his skillset, plays big and small opponents well, and is a vocal and supportive teammate for those around him. I want to see 22 games out of him this year.

FB Seller Frawely Garland

HF Jetta TMc Watts

I'm actually struggleing to pick with this one.

Jetta ,Chip,Garland

Watts, Tom Mc,

Couldn't agree more on Dunn. He's turned his body into a killing machine, found a spot on the park that suits his skillset, plays big and small opponents well, and is a vocal and supportive teammate for those around him. I want to see 22 games out of him this year.

There were threads devoted to getting rid of Dunn.

Now he has fans.

I want to see him get a regular game and hold his spot first.