The damning numbers behind Sydney stars Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack’s decline
OUT-OF-FORM Swans’ leaders Kieren Jack and Dan Hannebery have kept their place in the Sydney line-up, but Neil Cordy reveals the damning numbers that show John Longmire’s blind faith.
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SWANS coach John Longmire will be looking for Kieren Jack and Dan Hannebery to repay his faith in them — starting with tomorrow night’s crucial clash against Geelong at the SCG.
The pair have been leaders during an era of Swans success and have a lot of credit in the bank with Longmire, that’s why they’re both still in the senior team.
Jack’s role has changed and both have injuries to deal with, but the numbers don’t lie. The pair’s stats have been going south for a couple of years now.
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Jack’s disposals have dropped more than 30 per cent (22.6 to 15.7 per game) in the last two seasons and his signature defensive pressure has faded. The 31-year-old’s tackle count has dropped by almost 40 per cent (9.9 to 6.2), his pressure points by 20 per cent (50.0 to 39.6) and his contested possession by 38 per cent.
Hannebery’s decline has been even steeper.
His 19.1 possessions per game is 38 per cent down on what it was in 2016. His contested ball is down a whopping 47 per cent (13.2 to 7.0), pressure points 30 per cent (44.2 to 31.4) and tackles 49 per cent (4.9 to 2.5).
Hannebery, 27, hasn’t kicked a solitary goal in his 10 games this year.
Former Swan turned Triple M commentator Troy Luff said Sydney don’t have the squad depth to force Hannebery and Jack out.
“The Swans’ list isn’t deep enough to replace those players,” Luff said.
“You can’t replace them with the same sort of player; they simply aren’t there. There are a lot of inexperienced young players and they aren’t going to give you the same sort of leadership Hannebery and Jack give.
“There simply isn’t a reserves player who can fill that void. Also if you put those younger players into the team prematurely the expectations and pressure they put on themselves in probably too great for them to handle.”
Ben Ronke and Tom McCartin have both played less than 10 games, while Aliir Aliir, Ollie Florent and Will Hayward have played only 70 games between them.
“Both Kieren and Hanners are good leaders,” Luff said.
“If they were to go out you would be replacing them with inferior players and younger — meaning less experience on the field. If you take Kieren and Dan out it’s a very young side.”
Hannebery and Jack’s falling figures are no state secret and teammates are like Dane Rampe are fully aware of the challenges the pair are facing to turn around their performances.
“Dan has been struggling a little bit compared to his normal elite standards,” Rampe said this week of Hannebery’s battle.
“While his numbers may be down a bit the stuff he brings to the club off the field and out there really counts. Walking down the race with Dan Hannebery I know a lot of younger blokes and the senior players as well walk a lot taller and feel a lot stronger running out next to him.”
Hannebery’s cause hasn’t been helped by the large slice of pre-season he missed through injury and the hip-flexor strain he suffered in round five.
Originally published as The damning numbers behind Sydney stars Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack’s decline
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