Reserves

[stellation]

We beat Queenbeyan, I believe it was around 169 to 38.

Schmidt looked good, as did Spriggs who was actually hitting (red and white) targets! I'm starting the David Spriggs for a seniors birth bandwagon.

Moore is definitely going to make it at AFL level (well derrrr). One thing he did today that I loved was go out of his way to run across the line that a big Queenbeyan guy had to clean up one of the young Swans who had his head over the ball and had just paddled it out of bounds... a small thing, and Moore and the Tiger didn't even make contact with each other in the end, but he definitely was watching out for the other guy. Good stuff.

[swannieserin]

I agree, it was a great game to watch (not just because we were winning!)

The Queanbeyen player with the headband thing on had major anger management issues.

The reserves played better as a team than the seniors.

[satchmopugdog]

You've done well Stellation to write such a coherent reprt after a youngsters birthday party yesterday.

The big question is ..how did any ruckmen play? Were there any likely types in the crowd who could help Jolly out?

[satchmopugdog]

If Schmidt and Moore stand on each others shoulders would they be allowed to play ruck?

[stellation]

No donkey sightings, just string beans. The string beans are actually getting very good, it is cute to see them develop. Lade/Brogan would, of course, snap them in two at the first centre bounce.

[Jeffers1984]

Simon Phillips. Remember that name.

[stellation]

Phillips kicked 6.

[Nico]

Moore and Schmidt should come straight into the side. There were a number of similar sized senior players today who need a very, very, very kick up the backside.

We as a club now have to start putting the pressure on some of the lackadazical midfielders or mid sized senior players, otherwise we will go down very quickly as have many Premiers over the years.
You have to keep finding new players and giving them real game time to stay at the top.

[liz]

Have to confess that I didn't see Schmidt's game quite the same way? I missed the first quarter though - did he carve it up?

My overriding impression was how well drilled the team was. They always seemed to know what to do, even the gangly, unco ones. Unless the club falls into a heap, injury-wise, I can see another unbeaten season coming up.

In terms of specific players, this is how I saw it:

The Excellent

Nick Malceski

This wasn?t the absolute best I?ve seen Malceski play at ACTAFL level, but it was pretty darned good. He simply looked a class above anyone else out there, and played with a confidence that I?ve not seen from another yet-to-be-established-senior-player since the cameos that Schneider provided in his first, injury-interrupted year.

He never looked as if he were working particularly hard but was everywhere. He took a large proportion of kick-ins, but then acted as the link man through the middle, before popping up to take a mark in the forward line. He let himself down only with a couple of lazy shots on goal, something he can afford when his team is 100pts up but which could be costly at senior level.

The Very Good

David Spriggs

Yes, I know, Spriggs. But he was very good today ? lively through the middle, clever with his hands, and his kicking wasn?t too bad either. If I?d never seen any of them play before and was looking for a couple to slot into the senior line-up next week, he?d probably be my next pick based on today.

Josh Willoughby

One of the best games I?ve seen from Josh, and if he keeps this up he may see senior football this year. He was lively through the middle, used his pace well, and was mostly constructive with his disposal. He tried to be a bit too clever at times, something that he?ll need to watch if he wants to progress.

Jarred Moore

With the three above, he created the drive through the midfield. Popped up and kicked three goals too. Doesn?t look too far away from forcing himself into the senior team.

Simon Phillips

Didn?t seem to get a huge amount of the ball, but you can?t knock a guy who finishes with six goals. He looks to have excellent goal sense, can crumb or mark-and-kick, and laid off at least one that any self-respecting goal sneak should have kept for himself.

The At Least Good

Heath Grundy and Adam Prior

Both marked very well, but let themselves down with some of their set shots. Grundy played with a swagger that I quite enjoyed.

Kristen Thornton

Didn?t get a huge amount of the ball, but when he had it he used it very intelligently. One moment stuck out, in the second ? or was it third? - quarter when he marked in space on the half-forward flank, ignored the many free options in the pocket or to his side, waited until a lead presented and then pinpointed the pass onto the chest of a player in traffic, right in the middle of the forward 50.

Matthew Laidlaw

Lots of dash, good penetrating kick. Maybe not this year but looks like he could be a player.

Stefan Garruba

Last year he stood out with his pace but it was the penetration of his disposal that caught my eye today.

Sam Rowe

Didn?t do much round the ground but dominated in the centre.

The Rest

Tim Schmidt

Used the ball well enough when he had it, but doesn?t look to have anywhere near the fitness of Malceski, Willoughby or Moore. For someone who was my pre-season pick to be the next Swans debutant, I was hoping he?d have done a bit more. (Apologies to Tim if he carved up the first quarter ? I didn?t see it.)

Luke Vogels

Probably not his fault, because he was confined to the graveyard of key position backman, never a good role for a Swans reserves player looking to impress. But he never really got into the game, and didn?t really provide any of the rebound he?ll be needing if he?s to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bolton and Barry.

Ed Barlow ? made a few mistakes and got out-positioned a few times but I like this kid. He looks a bit unco-ordinated but there?s some grunt and dash about him. He?ll play better this year.

Shaw ? don?t think he got much game time but looked good in the middle when he did. Kicked a goal.

Ryan Brabazon ? quietish but kicked a couple of goals

Matty Davis ? Pretty ordinary afternoon, but I?ll reserve judgement because I don?t think playing as a marking target up forward is his go. I think he?s a half-back flanker or tall wingman but probably isn?t fit enough at the moment. Still, he needs to work on his goal kicking just in case.

Jonathan Simpkin

Only noticed him a couple of times, once being late in the game when he burst through the middle encouragingly enough but then decided to get in on the score-board party and missed, earning a serve from his captain for ignoring the unmarked Moore.

Keiran Jack

Didn?t notice him until the final quarter, but it was a good last half hour. Dashed from defence a few times and isn?t scared to brush off a tackle or two.

James Wall

Very gangly and a bit unco, but disciplined enough to know what to do when he got the ball.

[Nico]

Well Liz I hope Shaw comes on very quickly.

I think that may be his very first run for the season.

[satchmopugdog]

Thanks Liz for that report. I don't know how you managed to do that as according to some peole on Bigfooty women know nothing about footy. I'm still fuming.

[Xie Shan]

Very good: Spriggs?

Looks like that Spriggs bandwagon is gathering momentum.
Sanecow was on to something!

Bit disappointed to hear Vogels was quiet. He seemed to be doing pretty well in defence pre-season.

[ScottH]

Spriggs >> Chambers

[liz]

Originally posted by sydfan83


Bit disappointed to hear Vogels was quiet. He seemed to be doing pretty well in defence pre-season.

The problem is that it is hard to be anything other than quiet when you play defence for the reserves team.

I still reckon Grundy stands more chance of making it at AFL level in defence than as a forward, but it's pretty difficult to develop him there.

[Foreign Legion]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Simon Phillips. Remember that name.

Kicked a lazy 6 including 3 in last qtr - very good at roving a loose ball.