Swans set to regain Franklin, Hannebery

Gene that may be true, but I wouldn't know. As I said in another article, I don't actually rate Kennedy as much as I do Jack, McVeigh, Hannebery or Malceski. If he wins the Brownlow, I'll be stoked because he's a brilliant player, but there are others who I think are better than Fyfe and Kennedy.

" But he’s not the God you Freo supporters think he is." I'd say the same thing about Swans supporters and Kennedy.

You don't have to say it...but you can't be serious. O'Meara and Fyfe at Freo in a few years. Million dollar Magic! Our own Tippett/Buddy investment. Parker could come too and replace Spurr in a back pocket.

His wife is from Perth and he wants a three year deal which the club seem hesitant to offer him, most likely because of his age. I think they should seriously do whatever they can to keep him a Swan but at the end of the day I wouldn't blame the Swans or Malceski if he left. Who I would blame would be the club who offered him money. None of the clubs I've heard that are interested have any need for a running half back. It truly is beyond me and I don't want to see a champion like Malceski be involved in what would probably end up a recruiting disaster. He deserves better.

Did I say there was any kind of "league"? I said that they all have similar qualities in that they're ferocious at the ball and highly skilled so you forget how young they are. And for what it's worth, I would put Fyfe in the same league as them. He's a great contested mark and strong for a midfielder, and his clearance work is outstanding. But he's not the God you Freo supporters think he is.

You can't be serious putting Parker in the same league as Fyfe and O'Meara. He's a Macrae, Prestia, Tyson, Gibbs, Libba class...not up there in the the heavens with the other two.

I cant believe that Malceski would ever want to leave the Swans. He's in a top team with genuine premiership chances over the next 2-3 years at least. And the club stuck by him through 3 knee reconstructions. A very loyal club for I'm sure a very grateful player.

Give Reid 22 games in a row. He is still only 22 same age is Jake Carlisle who, despite a few good games, will take time to develop like Reid. Usually players blossom in their third to 4th year but Reid's has been so interrupted by injury it will take him a bit longer. Tall men down back and forward usually take a while longer than the average midfielder anyway.

Possible with Buddy but they probably preferred the extra week break with Hannebery anyway. They need to look after Buddy anyway, smart management of a player prone to injury.

Reid will get there. He had a pretty terrible year with injury last year, and is being asked a hell of a lot this year in terms of different roles. Most definitely has a role in our Top 22, and I think a lot of people don't realise a lot of the work he does which isn't necessarily easy to see on telly. Membrey looks good, but to suggest throwing Reid on the scrapheap on the basis of 1 game from Membrey is a big call. Membrey looks the obvious successor to Goodes as the 3rd tall forward. I expect given time he may turn into a fine backman, and his ruck work has improved significantly this year (Although from a low base). Remember, Sam is still only 22 (turns 23 in December). Not everyone that is a big lump like him becomes a superstar early on. I'm happy with the contribution he is making to the team, and he is easily in my best 22

I've always felt the swing role is basically for someone who can't nail a particular role. I'd rather Membrey be dangerous all the time in the forward line than Reid who just does his role and nothing more.

Reid is playing ruck, midfield, a swing man down back and a fourth forward. I would say he is doing exactly as asked.

No way would the Swans have rested Buddy against the Bombers - he would have guaranteed the win were he playing. As for Hannebery, he missed matches against West Coast and the Hawks, and we all know those teams are Hanneberys bitches.

Good points Olivia. The thing with Malceski is he's 30. Looking at the clubs that are supposedly interested in him, it doesn't make any sense that anybody is interested in him. Melbourne, who have a complete lack of goal-scoring power, so a running half back just makes no sense. Fremantle, who also have a lack of goal-scoring power, and have a great few half backs of their own in Johnson and Duffield. And then there is West Coast, who have a clear problem with midfielders but are interested in a half back. What's concerning is that any one of these deals would be bad for everyone involved. Malceski holds a vital place in our team, and only has a few more years at his best, and who knows, he could be important to our flag chances in the coming years. It's a conundrum: do you allow a veteran in career-best form to move on with the chance of only a few more great years and then help a youngster like Biggs in his development? Or do you do ensure the veteran stays at the risk of only short-term brilliance and instant flags? If Malceski wants to leave because of family, money etc, I would respect him and wish him well as an all-time great Swan. But Sydney should throw the kitchen sink at him to ensure he stays. On Membrey, I think he looks a better option than Reid. I've given up on Reid. I know he's had constant injury problems that have interrupted his form, but it doesn't change the fact that we aren't seeing his best. He pops up with a bag once in a while, and takes a great mark every now and then. But what else? He seems to lack any strength, meaning he's pretty much a wet cloth everywhere except in a marking contest. I'd be content for him to go elsewhere and allow Membrey to blossom into the player everybody wants Reid to be.

Jason, Hannebery is genuinely injured and don't be surprised if the club chooses not to risk him by rushing him back to face the Power. With Franklin's knee issues I don't think we'll ever again see him play a full season. I don't think 'rested' is the right term but his condition is certainly monitored and managed. That said, if last week had been a final I have personally no doubt he would have played. Resting players in a season where it seems anyone on their day can beat anyone else would be more than arrogance; it would approach idiocy.

Well said Michael. Towers has shown just enough to be worth persevering with but Membery looks a real talent and I'd like him to get a few solid games under his belt leading into the finals. He reminds me a little of Luke Breust in type and could well grow into a fine replacement for O'Keefe. Speaking of ROK, whatever he chooses at the season's end, he goes with my greatest respect and thanks as a true Bloods star. Bird resigning is great news and I agree with the comments about Hannebery - I think he still has a huge amount of upside. He and Fyfe and Rockcliff and Breust will be high on the list of midfield stars for the next decade. If we must lose Malceski I'd be negotiating right now with Carlton and try to get Tom Bell for him. He isn't fashionable nor all that highly rated (yet) but he is the type who moves to the Swans and absolutely blossoms. If we had to sweeten the deal Shane Biggs might fancy his chances elsewhere and could be attractive to a rebuilding team. I'd welcome your thoughts.

Highly doubt it, with interstate teams involved being top 2 is more important than usual, and its still anyones for the grabbing.

I wonder aloud if Buddy and Hannebery are really injured or just being rested? It will be interesting to see how aggressive the top 3 are over the next four weeks. Maybe a coach or two will think it's better to lose a few games than to lose a few key players to injury or fatigue.

Glad to see Bird's sticking around, with our midfield now pretty much set. Next on the agenda: give the entire rent allowance mumbo jumbo to Malceski to ensure he stays! Happy that Hannebery *should* return right on schedule. Sydney are the kings of down-playing the extent of their injuries and then end up with players missing months of footy. I'd love to see Hannebery get through a full season of brilliant footy. He's like Fyfe, Parker, O'Meara etc in that you watch him and forget how young he is because he's just so good. But last year, he wavered in form, probably because he was still young. Next year I think he's going to have a blinder. Happy with the Swans line-up for now, though I'd replace Towers with Membrey, just to see Membrey play more up the ground and allow Buddy, Tippett and Goodes to work in the forward half as a unit. I'm also intrigued about the All Australian team. Think Sydney are going to have a stack in the 40-man squad, and a handful in the final team. Based on my AA list thus far, I've got Sydney and Freo with the most players making it, though I may be a little bias..