Observations from NSO game (warning - very very long)

[Bron]

Photos have been sent to Des, however, I just stood up and took them on a couple of occasions, no skill, just when I remembered! But I did take a few!

[Bron]

I've missed the footie.

[swansrock4eva]

ur not the only one bron! I came home and went "ow my throat hurts" then was like "YESSSSS!!!!! footy's back!!!! "

[swan_song]

Lizz
Thought your analysis spot on. Very impressed with BBBH's and Stevens's games. McVeigh is a prospect for further down the track, 2004/5...he's a bit too skinny for the As this year. I thought the first half side was running away with it when BBBH lost his cool with that niggling from the Bombers (was it Wellman?). Those two 50m penalties and resulting goal seemed to make the boys lose concentration for 10 or so minutes and let SNDON back in the match.
I was impressed with the youngsters on both sides in the 2nd half. The Bombers for regaining the lead, and our boys for putting their foot down again.
I said to my wife that Frosty would kick that goal no worries as (she's tired of me saying it) "he's one of the better kicks in the team". But even I had a grin on my face after that one bounced through. A good first-up effort, and encouraging for when we get the likes of Saddo, Magic, Ball, Davis, Seymour, etc back.
And boy do I love beating Essendon...almost as much as the Kangas...

[Jimmy C]

Sounds like a fun practice game. It might not be such a woeful season after all. Glad the aerial ping-pong is back. Great to see the kids getting such a long run.

CARNA BLOODS!

[swan_song]

Another point worth mentioning is the dilemma facing us at full back. Shauble was caught behind a number of times by Lloyd, though he did do a couple of nice spoils...In the second half, with Schauble rested, Lt Warfe spent some time on Lloyd, who immediately took two or three marks and kicked one or two goals. Warfe is not the answer at FB, and neither is AS really up to taking on the No 1 attacker week in week out. It's a worry for the season proper. AS will probably be given the job, especially on teams without recognised full forwards, but he's not quite up to it, IMO, on top leading FFs such as Lloyd, and although he has good upper body strength, he may struggle against the bullocking/wrestling FFs such as Neitz...
Where are ya Dunks?

[SWANSBEST]

I have just read obsevations from some people who were at the match. I think that the reports are generally negative while I came away from the game feeling far more positive. I think Roos gave some very inexperienced young players some good game time particularly in the second half . Of the new players
I was very impressed with Thewlis and Meiklejohn, Powell (complete with 70s hair style) and Craig Bolton. Dempster, from limited opportunities also looked OK .
In regard to Meiklejohn I was pleasantly surprised with his form. He is only 18 years and I thought that he was very mobile for someone so big. I believe that he is far more talented than Ricky Mott and a far better prospect. I also think he will do very well in the long term.The only player that I was really disappointed with was McVeigh. He looks undernourished and was very tentative. Maybe I was expecting a lot more from a No1 draft choice. A few people unfairly bagged Tadhg but he spent a lot of time off the paddock.
Overall I think the team put in a good effort and battled hard to win after Essendon got in front with only minutes left on the clock

[Steve]

There are a few relevant (not many) photos up at Essendon's website - they go over onto page 2 as well.

McVeigh still doesn't turn 18 until April, and by the sounds of it maybe shouldn't have played today. Hopefully they take their time with him and not bow to the pressure from supporters to play an early draft pick too early.

That's strange about Stevens' set shots - maybe the conditions - it has been one of his strengths at Port over the past couple of years.

A bit disappointing about Ablett - he should be given the next couple of games to really show something or not.

Essendon were very very keen on Powell before he was drafted - if he can beef up he should be quite promising. Maybe put him on Ricky Mott's individual program next summer.

[liz]

Originally posted by SWANSBEST
I have just read obsevations from some people who were at the match. I think that the reports are generally negative while I came away from the game feeling far more positive.

Not meant to be negative - just a realistic assessment of each player's performance. I thought overall the team did well and there were promising signs

The only player that I was really disappointed with was McVeigh. He looks undernourished and was very tentative. Maybe I was expecting a lot more from a No1 draft choice.

Actually don't think we had any right to expect anything of the newbies like McVeigh. Those that did perform well were a bonus, but McVeigh was selected for the long term, not today

A few people unfairly bagged Tadhg but he spent a lot of time off the paddock.

Not sure anyone did bag Kennelly. Just stated that he didn't do a huge amount, which is true

Overall I think the team put in a good effort and battled hard to win after Essendon got in front with only minutes left on the clock

Absolutely agree

[penga]

a few things i got out of the game:

-first of all i think Thewliss is a gun, what number did we pick him up at again? a much better no. 38 than last year (i know different positions but he will be a lot more effective) he looked physically mature and what a shot on goal! im 99% sure that was him just before the end of the game. he, imo, looks like he could get quite a bit of game time this year...

-warfe is useless, he shoulda been delisted last season or traded... with saddo to come back and james in the wings with powell as a long term prospect and c bolton as a new import i dont think warfe will be needed... i was SO disappointed with his effort when there was a heap of hard work across half back and he got the outlet handball, took a run up the middle and kicked it straight to an essendon player! how very typical... it was the worst kick of the game by a swans player and he had noone around him!!!

-j bolton really impressed me, he did all his good work right in front of me, his kicking skills have improved 20 fold as with his decision making, he convinced me that he was going for goal when he kicked that long one. j bolton will be a good player this year!

[floppinab]

What I *really* want to know is.....



Who were the two loonies who downed the togs and did the dash sans apparel after the game??
penga, Steve, SS come guys own up.

Got any photos of THAT one Lizz.

[penga]

Originally posted by floppinab
What I *really* want to know is.....



Who were the two loonies who downed the togs and did the dash sans apparel after the game??
penga, Steve, SS come guys own up.

Got any photos of THAT one Lizz.

i missed that

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by penga
a few things i got out of the game:

-first of all i think Thewliss is a gun, what number did we pick him up at again? a much better no. 38 than last year (i know different positions but he will be a lot more effective) he looked physically mature and what a shot on goal! im 99% sure that was him just before the end of the game. he, imo, looks like he could get quite a bit of game time this year...

-j bolton really impressed me, he did all his good work right in front of me, his kicking skills have improved 20 fold as with his decision making, he convinced me that he was going for goal when he kicked that long one. j bolton will be a good player this year!

This would be a huge boost for us if our much younger players stood up this year. I think if Bolton became a good player this year, it would be a major plus. Wouldn't it be nice to see him finally gain some maturity on field this year.

[robbieando]

Look from what I've heard I'm happy to see Stevens, Bolton and Menklejohn perform. These 3 players could be very important for us in the years to come. Thewlis seems a good player as does Powell if we can get a few rookies to push though during the year we are well placed for the future, just have to improve our fitness and find the right FB.

[Rizzo]

Thanks for all the comments guys. This the first NSO match I've missed

The AFL website has Thewlis goaling with his first kick so I'd say it was him rather than Warfe.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=73643

Sounds like Stevens had quite a fews shots for his 4 goals.

Roos says he was pleased with Schauble even though Lloyd got past him a few times. Our backline was also missing Saddo and Leo.

So, what this word on injuries? I didn't realise these two were out.

Ball is still coming back from last years injury I assume?

Davis is recovering from a post season op...?

Whats up with Micky O?