FB: Garland, Frawley, Strauss

HB: Watts, T. McDonald, Toumpas

As far as Strauss and Toumpas are concerned, I name them with no confidence. I expect Nicholson, Jetta and Terlich to all be pushing hard and competing for those spots, and let's also not forget Dunn and Joel MacDonald. Sellar and Gillies also provide good depth back there leaving poor old Troy Davis well down the pecking order. He may have more shot of getting a game up forward!

FB Jetta Gillies Frawley

HB Strauss McDonald Watts

I think Nicholson will be given the chance to cement a spot early in the season but can see him being overtaken by Strauss. Would rather Frawley play on the 3rd forward and leave Gillies/Sellar to play on the gorilla. Should free him up a bit so he can give us more drive out of defence.

I think most are underrating Dunn as a few posters have alluded to. He was one of our best in the latter half of the year once he went down back. Four other positins are pretty settled, being frawley, garland, McDonald and watts. Leaving one positon left which will go to either Nicholson or jetta. I think jetta may have the edge on him at this stage, but could see him being moved into the midfield rotation.

Strauss is an interesting one, hes been always considered a back, but im not sure he's a defender. Lets throw him on a wing and let him hit our forwards with his great kicking. That's where he played well enough to get drafted.

Anyways, the back 6:

B: Garland, Frawley, Dunn

HB: Watts, McDonald, Jetta

Nicho very unlucky, as I like his pace, but think he'd still get a run on the bench through rotations, with jetta running through the middle a little.

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?

Ohhh snaap!!

Alright if it's a plan "A" backline we need a mixture of aggression, speed and exquisite skills. I call on-

Strauss Frawley Garland

Watts T.Mcdonald Dunn/Tapscott

I feel with Strauss and Watts you have the classy disposal covered, TMac and Frawley you have the main stoppers, the versatile man in Garland (defend tall or short) and the "tough man" in Dunn or Tapscott (honestly can't decide)

This is obviously in a perfect world- where each player plays to their strength. But I agree with "55" there are many pushing for positions and only a few "locks"- it seems it is truly one of the most contested areas of our set up now. Not bad.

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.

Jetta ,Chip,Garland

Watts, Tom Mc,

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.

I would like this line up:

J. Beckwith, P.Marquis, T. Johnson

D.Williams, N. McMahen, K. Carroll

Oops! I think I may be living in the past a bit. No doubt influenced by the MFC questionnaire with a chance of winning a framed print of 'THE GREATEST MELBOURNE SIDE OF ALL' That wonderful 1956 team.

Just think from what we saw last year, Tapscott will end up up forward.

As per the above, locks for the backs would surely be Garland, Frawley, McDonald, and Watts. Then, probably Dunn, then ... Jetta or Nicho, though one of those could have a defensive role through the middle, and I'd probably go for Jetta based on training reports. Strauss, Terlich and Gillies lurking if any of those falter.

Gonna be some sh*tfighting for places, that's for sure.

Nicholson Frawley Gillies

Dunn McDonald Macdonald

I think our boy Joel has been the forgotten man in this exercise. I really think he personifies the program that Neeld has tried to impress upon the training group - and therefore will get rewarded with games.

Tapscott will play forward.

Jetta needs to get consistency at Casey - but could easily spot into the HBF early on in the season.

And as for Watts - lets just say if there was 5 minutes left in the Granny, scores drawn, and the ball was kicked to a one-on-one contest on our half back flank, I'd prefer all of Nicholson, Gillies, Jetta or Macdonald to be in that contest over Watts. Playing as a loose Backman and collecting cheap disposals does not stand up in finals - and I refuse to judge Watts by any other yardstick than ability to perform under the ultimate of ultimates of pressure.

I would like to think we can have some solidity down there but good defences usually do and we have allowed 106 points a game (which is only one point more than 2011).

McDonald, Nicholson, Frawley, Garland and Dunn I would say are certain starters down there (I am not a fan of Dunn but I see the advantages of a smart-ish player with decent skills behind the ball).

And to Watts - he should be doing what they think Dunn can do but that is up to him. I expect him to be in the starting back 7.

And this leads to the last player - Sellar, Jetta, Terlich, MacDonald, Gillies, and Toumpas will be in the mix.

I would like to see Frawley take the 1st tall, McDonald the 2nd tall, Gillies and Garland take the medium talls and Watts, Dunn, and Terlich rounding out the 7. With Toumpas/Jetta coming from the midfield rotations if needed.

If we happen to play teams with a ruckman sitting in the square then let Sellar deal with that - but I don't think he can handle dynamic FFs as well as Frawley. I can see MacDonald playing but we have to move past him if we are to improve as a team. That doesn't mean he won't earn his spot.

Playing as a loose Backman and collecting cheap disposals does not stand up in finals

They're not cheap.

And as for that not standing up in grand finals:

"The Jack Oatey Medal went to Norwood defender Dean Terlich who had 31 disposals in his rebound role off half back."

They're not cheap.

And as for that not standing up in grand finals:

"The Jack Oatey Medal went to Norwood defender Dean Terlich who had 31 disposals in his rebound role off half back."

They can be valuable but they are easier to get than touches in the midfield and forward.

Nicholson Frawley Gillies

Dunn McDonald Macdonald

I think our boy Joel has been the forgotten man in this exercise. I really think he personifies the program that Neeld has tried to impress upon the training group - and therefore will get rewarded with games.

Tapscott will play forward.

Jetta needs to get consistency at Casey - but could easily spot into the HBF early on in the season.

And as for Watts - lets just say if there was 5 minutes left in the Granny, scores drawn, and the ball was kicked to a one-on-one contest on our half back flank, I'd prefer all of Nicholson, Gillies, Jetta or Macdonald to be in that contest over Watts. Playing as a loose Backman and collecting cheap disposals does not stand up in finals - and I refuse to judge Watts by any other yardstick than ability to perform under the ultimate of ultimates of pressure.

I really like your user name because what you said about Watts is a complete load of it,

Cheap dispoals?

Why does everybody else have him in the backline, do you see something that others including the Footy Dept don't, if so what is it......

Are you alluding that he is soft?

So you would have him playing exclusively at Casey next season would you?

Playing as a loose Backman and collecting cheap disposals does not stand up in finals - and I refuse to judge Watts by any other yardstick than ability to perform under the ultimate of ultimates of pressure.

Lucky he doesn't play as a loose man and actually has an opponent in every game then. Source: Mark Neeld.

Ohhh snaap!!

I know you want to try hard at having a go at me, good for you. But if you can read, and that's a big if, you would see I told 55 how good a post that was, although arguing that there's no rotation in the backline and then quoting time on ground stats between about 80-90% actually disproves the point rather than proves it. But don't let the facts get in the way of another trademark 'Land attack.

I know you want to try hard at having a go at me, good for you. But if you can read, and that's a big if, you would see I told 55 how good a post that was, although arguing that there's no rotation in the backline and then quoting time on ground stats between about 80-90% actually disproves the point rather than proves it. But don't let the facts get in the way of another trademark 'Land attack.

Stuie - there is only 59% of one player left to rotate through the back 6 for the swans in the figures Old gave.

Really doesn't lend itself to mass rotations.

Stuie - there is only 59% of one player left to rotate through the back 6 for the swans in the figures Old gave.

Really doesn't lend itself to mass rotations.

No one said anything about "mass rotations", just talking about how rotations are part of the game these days.

I know you want to try hard at having a go at me, good for you. But if you can read, and that's a big if, you would see I told 55 how good a post that was, although arguing that there's no rotation in the backline and then quoting time on ground stats between about 80-90% actually disproves the point rather than proves it. But don't let the facts get in the way of another trademark 'Land attack.

No it doesn't - I said there were 6 or 7 backs - the total time OFF ground of the small-mid backs is 54% - filled by the 7th back/mid Nick Malceski as confirmed by Rhyce Shaw. Malceski plays through the midfield (kicked 2 goals) and goes back as required (10 R50s). The points I made are that you want a stable back 6 or 7 (not changing by the week or in matches based on match-ups) and that interchange places are not for extra backs they're for midfield rotation - and both those points still hold.

... another trademark 'Land attack

Have you watched any footy in the last 5 years?

No one said anything about "mass rotations", just talking about how rotations are part of the game these days.

Yes, but not so much defences.They will have a 7th player and rotate through but they don't come close to the rotations through the midfield/forward line.

There is no real issue, it's just that stability is important and rotations affect that - so defences are more settled.

Yes, but not so much defences.They will have a 7th player and rotate through but they don't come close to the rotations through the midfield/forward line.

There is no real issue, it's just that stability is important and rotations affect that - so defences are more settled.

Yeah, fair call. Obviously the backline generally rotates less, but rotations are a part of footy.

No it doesn't - I said there were 6 or 7 backs - the total time OFF ground of the small-mid backs is 54% - filled by the 7th back/mid Nick Malceski as confirmed by Rhyce Shaw. Malceski plays through the midfield (kicked 2 goals) and goes back as required (10 R50s). The points I made are that you want a stable back 6 or 7 (not changing by the week or in matches based on match-ups) and that interchange places are not for extra backs they're for midfield rotation - and both those points still hold.

So you're saying a midfielder ROTATES through the backline, but you don't think there's any backline rotations?......

I agree somewhat with your point about a stable back 6 or 7 though, must make a difference in working together effectively when they understand each other better, although I do think there are times when you need to adjust your defence in a match up sense, just like we would pick our best forward setup and an opposition would have to match up on it, ie: can't imagine Dawes, Pedo, and Clark going against a standard 1 HB and 1 FB setup.

It looks like the majority are going for the same old back line of last year.

Maybe with 1 change.

Last year our back half was atrocious.

So why would we only change one.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Tynan, Terlich, Strauss, Nicholson get some serious game time.

Frawley, Garland T.McD are locks.

Dunn, Watts, Joel Mac. will be fighting for positions.

I have seen them train a bit but I would prefer to see how they go playing against real opposition, than their sisters.

I am surprised how many people think Garland is a lock. His form from last year when back wont get him a spot. Most line ups shown seem to have ignored the need for some run and carry from the back half. Expect one of Strauss/Terlich/Toumpas to play that role.

Jetta Frawley Dunn

Strauss TMac Watts

FB: Jetta Frawley Garland

HB: Watts McDonald Dunn

With a Toumpas/Tapscott/Strauss floating around half back/wing to help Watts set things up.

I am surprised how many people think Garland is a lock. His form from last year when back wont get him a spot. Most line ups shown seem to have ignored the need for some run and carry from the back half. Expect one of Strauss/Terlich/Toumpas to play that role.

Jetta Frawley Dunn

Strauss TMac Watts

I think that he is a lock because he is part on the leadership team for a reason. Already Trengove is touch and go for Round 1 so I expect that they will try to play our leadership team each week otherwise it tends to defeat the purpose of appointing them, albeit that Humphrey is not the most vocal of the group.

Full back line

Dunn- Kicking and ability to play tall are huge assets!

Frawley- Number one defender, at his best All Australian standard

Nicholson- Huge endurance base, quick and showed great signs last year

Half Back line

Terlich- it's probably just me but this guy seems to have abit of heath shaw about him, good skills and rebounding

McDonald - Probably the most exciting prospect on our list in my opinion! potential to be one of the comps best defenders for the next decade

Watts- Expecting big strides from him this year, good skills and may have finally found his position