It’s just like mother used to always say. “No matter who you are, everybody has got their own problems.” And it isn’t any different in the wonderful world of footy.
In the AFL, there is a spectrum of the various issues experienced in the game, with clubs dotted across the range from the trivial to the crippling.
At one end, there’s doggone organisations such as Essendon, a club who are up to their eyeballs in the controversial poop that comes with being caught out systematically puncturing your playing group like a sewing machine.
Or the Demons, who are cemented in the zone when it comes to simply producing good laughs, and even the unfortunate Brisbane Lions, who have recently hemorrhaged cred because of a board enjoying the sort of popularity reserved for varicose veins.
These are the footy workplaces that have tent villages of unwashed scribes occupying their front driveways 11 months of the year. They are in dire need of a dollar and a hug, or in the case of the Bombers, a magical erasing of the stubborn personality traits of Andrew Demetriou and/or a legal miracle.
Then as you journey to the other end of the scale, you’ll pass through rainbows, fairy floss and unicorns on your way to the places with your more light and breezy kinda troubles, and there you will find a squeaky clean joint like the Sydney Swans.
Their bugbears aren’t to do with off-site jabbing or novice management units, but with more pleasant, legal and non-wearing problems such as finding room for their burgeoning forest of tall timber.
John Longmire’s stocks of elite pine are overflowing like a bogan’s radiator, and someone of lofty repute will eventually miss out when the cracking whips of September come around.
Had you foretold this problem in the pre-season, you would’ve been forgiven for pointing the finger of blame in the direction of the decision to purchase Kurt Tippett.
However, while Sydney’s clandestine negotiating and parting with top cap dollars for the Adelaide power-forward seemed like the spoilt kid wanting a third Nintendo, he may not be the target for blame.
The man who has scrambled the rotation of lankies could very well be Jesse White.
After being the unwanted carrot dangled to the Crows in the off-season, he’s morphed from an easily criticised backfiller in to a powerful and industrious tall option, and in the process kick-started a red and white version of top heavy musical chairs.
White’s materialisation in to a highly serviceable AFL big man was not expected by all and surely not factored in to Longmire’s blueprint for the 2013 premiership defence, especially after only playing three games in 2012.
In the past, the big guy was talked-up as a future target-man for the Swans but never really grasped his opportunities, something considered a rather large sin amongst the cutthroat mentality of AFL’s community of supporters and analysts, as well as being worthy of being Longmire’s worm on the hook when it came time to ‘talk Tippo.’
But now is he not only doing an admirable job as a Mr Fix-it, he’s making it impossible to be ignored at selection time due to some sterling returns.
So where does that leave the rest of the big men?
Mike Pyke’s exponential progress, as well as his regular serves of humble pie to the Melbourne media, mean he is closed to being the top-ranked choice each week. Shane Mumford is the heartbeat of the ruck and one of the best going around the AFL when he’s up and about.
Tippett is still unfurling nine weeks of pent-up energy and frankly, he’s paid too much coin to be passed over.
And what about Sam Reid and Adam Goodes, both tracking to return just in time for finals?
Reid is the raw-boned project player who was finding form just before he was struck down with injury, and there is Goodes, who put simply, is just Goodes.
And imagine if Lewis Roberts-Thomson was to resurrect his 2013 with enough time to make a belated tilt for selection?
Even allowing for the unorthodox balance of four big men in the Swans 22, that means someone such as a club captain, a premiership player or a high-profile recruit will be left standing when the music stops, headed for the anti-climax of a post-season in the magoos.
It’s going to be an uncomfortable conversation for Longmire and his brains trust to endure, but compared to the predicament of clubs at the other end of the issues spectrum, I’m sure he won’t be complaining.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
I wouldn't trade any of them, but realistically if other clubs make him an offer the Swans can't the match and he genuinely wants to leave, then Sydney can make it work for them. If you had to choose a player to lose, I would pick White as Reid is younger and I believe he will be a better player in the long run. I would keep White and Mumford but you have to be realistic and anticipate poaching from other clubs in a cut-throat market.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
In regards to all this, an article has stated that Reid and Jetta look to be able to be available for selection against the Hawks.
Ian Savage
Guest
Your second paragraph Livvi is worthy of being framed and hanged up on the wall as it was sheer delight to read. If only some of them were a bit younger to keep them all going for a few more years yet. Good post.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Easy. LRT will move back to the backline.One gone. Goodes - Will get a game, could be midfield, with one of the current midfield benched or dropped, or otherwise will move one of the rucks to the bench and interchange them. Reid - Like Goodes will move one to the bench. I like him, but my assumption is that he won't get a game this year. All in all though, none of these players may get back...Another thing is that all these problems may be eased as of next year with retirements. But we will see. White is also on knife's edge of being traded...his form MUST stay. Also regardless, this is great for the Swans as they have players actually competing for spots and have replacements. Other teams would dream of that. Another indication for this is the Swan's reserves have finished on top in their grade with the Minor Premiership - Last year the same and got to, but lost the GF.
Buzza
Guest
Why would you trade White just as he starts to impose himself? White & Tippett are like Franklin & Roughhead & partnerships like that are very rare. As for Mumford, his contribution is very under-rated.
Buzza
Guest
Shane Mumford Jessie White are runners so both will play (& there is no way White will be traded with the form he has shown expect for a top 10 draft pick at least). So will Goodes when fit, automatic. Pyke is the interesting one as he seems to be ruck or forward, I rarely see him run like Mumford does. I still see him playing though. Jetta has speed but was out of form when he left the team so unsure if he will get back (handy sub in Spetember though). I think the Reid might replace Everitt as he just seems out of form recently - unsure. Goodes will replace Jed Lamb & Mitchell, McGlynn & Rohan might be battling for the one spot. (unless one of the ruckman make way or perhaps Jude Bolton - he's got guts and has been a warrior but not speed) May God forgive me for saying that about Jude. LRT reckons he can get back but I don't see it personally. Anyway, I have faith in the coaching team to make these decisions. The whole club is run so well. As for fitting them in, Mattner has retired, Morton will be also and Jude may as well. Tippett's money will drop after end of 2014 (big money was only a way to get him to the club & he missed 12 weeks of 2013). Armstong will also probably get delisted so there will be no problems there. Swans have some great trade bait for GWS's no.1 pick or maybe even Watts at Melbourne. Next year with them all fit (including forgotten man Alex Johnson), this team will have so many weapons and variety, it will be scary. I don't think any side wil have more depth than the Swans in 2014.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
I understand they managed to sign up a bunch of players on (relatively) low wages for multi-year contracts when they hadn't proved themselves. Besides, over the next couple of years, I'm guessing there will be a few more retirements - Goodes won't have much longer, and neither will Bolton, Shaw or O'Keefe.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Everitt might be under threat as they might think one of the more fancied players can fill his role but fitness first has to be the consideration. If you are not fit then forget it.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
I'm not sure why all the experts think Sam Reid is a walk up starter. His form this year has been patchy and with the form White is in, you'd be crazy to drop him. That being said long term, Reid is probably the better choice long term so if White decides to move to another club for more opportunity then so be it. In terms of the Rucks there is talk Mumford may also move on at season's end seeking a bigger pay packet. That would probably be a bigger loss but Pyke has taken his game game to another level this year and Tippett and LRT can pinch hit in the ruck. Losing Mumford and White would probably get the Swans some decent draft picks as well, so I think they can make it work for them.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I agree Goodesy is the only likely returnee but he would want to be damn fit. Big call for Longmire, whose only GF was a near run thing. And good on Jesse, always looked the part. Don't stop him now.
Geronimo
Guest
Lot of players on the cusp of retirement and they lost 6 first players at the end of last year. The crunch may come next year though unless a couple retire or are traded...
Livvi
Guest
What a difference a season makes. At the end of 2012 I'd have paid for White's ticket to anywhere out of my own purse and was no fan of Tippett who I saw as inconsistent, selfish and unreliable kicking for goal. Now Tippett looks like he has been there forever and if we were silly enough to trade White it would almost certainly be for a first round pick. Playing them all as forwards is not a viable option but LRT and Reid as two defensive talls occasionally moving forward, White as a high mobile CHF, Goodes in the middle with a licence to wander, Tippett in the 50m arc and Mumford and Pyke rotating between ruck and the deep forward post seems very sustainable. Add the plethora of mids rotating other teams to death and kicking goals to boot, Jetta and Rohan providing devastating outside run, Grundy, Richards, Rampe and Johnson doing their impression of the Great Wall of Sydney, Malceski, Shaw, McVeigh and Smith ruling the rebounding across half back and the League's best Coach and assistants orchestrating the whole game plan, I'm confident the blend of height, drive and speed, finished off by forwards queuing up for their turn to kick a goal, can not only be made to work but might provide the template of the other teams in seasons to follow. It's hard to be objective when you are as red and white eyed as I am but I've done my best to keep bias out of this assessment. I really think this structure can not only work but can dominate. I can't wait to watch it in action.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Winston - they actually tried Reid down back in one of the games this year before he got injured. At the time I think they were just trying something different as he wasn't doing much up forward, but he looked good in defence. Took one really good grab from memory. He could well turn out to be that young project defender you (rightly) talk about. That leaves Tippett in the goal square and White at centre-half forward. That setup looks like starting to blossom into something really impressive.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Reid & LRT are done. Reid might get the token chance in Round 23 to play but he won't play finals. Goodes & Jetta on the other hand will both be included with the opportunity. I do like the AFL vernacular used in this article. "Up & About", "Magoos" ...It's only missing "It is what it is"
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Christo, It is a drool-worthy list...how do they manage to able to afford it????
Steve J
Roar Guru
From earlier articles Freo are interested in White. Actually Freo are interested in any forward out of contract it would seem - either that or any forward out of contract just has to say "oh I got a call from Chris Bond at Freo the other day" and they get a couple of extra 100k tacked on to their contract. Not sure if they have that project defender, seeing as they need to find and start groomning a replacement for Luke McPharlin. BTW - Love the article!
Winston
Guest
I think Goodes would be the only one to come back this year. And to do that they must play him round 23. Even for someone of his stature, when he came back last year from injury he was horrible for a couple of games, so I can't see Longmire risking him in first week of finals. I prefer if White goes and instead they get a younger project key defender, idea being he will develop under tutelage of Richards, Grundy and LRT. Reid should stay forward with Tippett as the twin towers, and Mumford and Pyke can do what they do now. Goodes would just be Goodes and go wherever they need him (eg there are bound to be injuries during the year). Then come late in the game they can bring on a runner and sub off one of the talls to inject speed while keeping structure. As for Rohan and Jetta, they can both be in the mix. There are bound to be injuries to midfielders during the year, and with Bolton and O'Keefe getting on with age they may want to rest them in some games too, so it's always good to have more than enough midfielders/small forwards at any time.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Not going to be a problem this year as I can't see any of Reid, Goodes or LRT coming back in time for the finals. Next year might be interesting though. One school of thought has Reid being moved into the backline. Goodes can't have too much longer in his career, so maybe White can be his ready made replacement? Not in the same league as one of the all-time greats of course, but White does seem to be able to range around, is getting increasingly good at taking contested marks and is a great kick. That allows Tippet to occupy the focal point up front and Pyke and Mumford to share ruck duties. So that's the big men sorted. To balance that you have the flotilla of smalls, such as the Jack brothers, Hannebery, Mitchell, Jetta, etc etc to run off the talls. And for anyone impressed with Lewis Jetta's speed, wait until Gary Rohan regains full match fitness. Burns Jetta off the park and is well over 6 foot. It really is a drool-worthy list.