2025 VFL Games.

[liz]

Whodda thunk it? They actually can play. Was it a fitness superiority that counted in the end, especially with so many listed AFL players in the centre square in the second half. Florent going in there certainly made a difference.

The sun’s appearance was a big help too. Southport were able to handle the first half wet ball as though it were dry. Our players weren’t. But they were much cleaner when things dried out.

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one confused by some of the umpiring. HTB, in particular, seemed to have two different applications, though the Sharks were far better in general with their tackling, especially in the first half.

[rojo]

Whodda thunk it? They actually can play. Was it a fitness superiority that counted in the end, especially with so many listed AFL players in the centre square in the second half. Florent going in there certainly made a difference.

The sun’s appearance was a big help too. Southport were able to handle the first half wet ball as though it were dry. Our players weren’t. But they were much cleaner when things dried out.

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one confused by some of the umpiring. HTB, in particular, seemed to have two different applications, though the Sharks were far better in general with their tackling, especially in the first half.

The last quarter made for enjoyable watching, it was good to see them moving the ball and connecting as a team and actually winning the game.

Looking to the future Cleary and Dattoli stood out for me. I only saw the last half so didn't see much of King, apart from the missed goal! Did Riak have much game time? The few touches I saw him get looked positive, very mobile and not afraid to enter the contest. Not sure where Kirk is at, or where his strengths are, it would seem that Corey and maybe Sheldrick, Hanily, Mitchell have been tried out in The Team but he is yet to have an opportunity to show what he can do (as far as I can remember!)

[liz]

I actually thought Kirk had a decent game while the team was playing poorly. He found a bit of space and linked up well with Florent and Lloyd.

But not decent in the sense of pushing for a senior debut.

[BRS328]

Whodda thunk it? They actually can play. Was it a fitness superiority that counted in the end, especially with so many listed AFL players in the centre square in the second half. Florent going in there certainly made a difference.

The sun’s appearance was a big help too. Southport were able to handle the first half wet ball as though it were dry. Our players weren’t. But they were much cleaner when things dried out.

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one confused by some of the umpiring. HTB, in particular, seemed to have two different applications, though the Sharks were far better in general with their tackling, especially in the first half.

Or was it that you had a group of players within the Swans that had never played together until today. You could almost see the confidence rising as the game progressed.. The experienced players really made a difference particularly when the game tightened up in the end

[lwjoyner]

looks like goal kicking bad for the whole club with the seniors kicking for goal POOR

[crackedactor 01]

Jake Lloyd with 39 disposals has earned his lace back in the senior side.Caiden Cleary with 31 disposals was also very good and loved some of his handballs. Bueller was also good but his kicking is an ongoing issues. Dattoli was also good and he is very good kick. Max King took some nice marks and moves pretty well for a big guy, his kicking let him down (maybe nerves). Riak Andrew was quite but did some nice things in defence.

[liz]

Jake Lloyd with 39 disposals has earned his lace back in the senior side.Caiden Cleary with 31 disposals was also very good and loved some of his handballs. Bueller was also good but his kicking is an ongoing issues. Dattoli was also good and he is very good kick. Max King took some nice marks and moves pretty well for a big guy, his kicking let him down (maybe nerves). Riak Andrew was quite but did some nice things in defence.

Lloyd’s attitude (as shown by his output) to his demotion was admirable. At no point did he seem to be sulking or, more common for players with status demoted, try to do eye catching things that went outside the team method.

Does that mean he deserves his senior spot back? I’m not so sure, especially after watching the senior team execute a more dynamic style of football than we’ve seen from them at any time this season. Finding the footy hasn’t been a problem for Lloyd in the senior team this year. It’s been what he does with the footy when he has it, and the way he continually slowed down play. I’m not convinced that one week in the VFL doing exactly what we know he can do changes much. Which of the 22 (or even 23) of the players who played against Port would you remove to get Lloyd back into the senior team?

I actually think Florent’s performance presented a stronger case for recall. Despite getting good possession numbers, I thought his first two VFL games were mediocre. But yesterday he was the main driving force in the second half rejuvenation after being moved into centre bounces. He got plenty of first possessions at clearance and moved the ball with purpose and skill. There’s still the issue of who you’d leave out to get him back into the senior team. But I thought it was a good sign that he might have turned a corner in whatever’s been ailing him this season.

[Nico]

I was talking today to Ludwig who watches all the Reserves games, and he said Dattoli was very good and expects him to be a very good AFL player.

[Dow]

I was talking today to Ludwig who watches all the Reserves games, and he said Dattoli was very good and expects him to be a very good AFL player.

I have enjoyed watching him since his recovery form his preseason injury, I am super excited but trying to keep a lid on it lol

[MattW]

I was talking today to Ludwig who watches all the Reserves games, and he said Dattoli was very good and expects him to be a very good AFL player.

Thanks for passing that on, Nico. Good to hear from Ludwig, who I hope is well.

[dejavoodoo44]

Coaches votes from the Southport game.

9 Jake Lloyd (SYD)
7 Brayden Crossley (SOU)
6 Caiden Cleary (SYD)
3 Jacob Heron (SOU)
2 Jack Buller (SYD)
2 Jacob Dawson (SOU)
1 Keegan Gray (SOU)

I suppose it's understandable that Lloyd got the most votes, after getting 38 possessions, but I probably would have given 5 votes to Cleary. And it seems that one of the coaches agrees, as the only possible distribution that I can see, is him getting a 5-1 split.

[crackedactor 01]

I have enjoyed watching him since his recovery form his preseason injury, I am super excited but trying to keep a lid on it lol

Not 100% sure he will make AFL standard but he is a beautiful kick - second to only Errol.

[Dow]

Not 100% sure he will make AFL standard but he is a beautiful kick - second to only Errol.

Wow that’s a big compliment, only tine will tell if he makes it

[dejavoodoo44]

Team for tomorrow's match against Footscray, which is at Tramway, at the slightly odd time of 2.05pm.

B: P. Snell (41), W. Green (45), R. Andrew (20)
HB: R. Bice (26), C. Mitchell (35), B. Leidler (32)
C: N. Shipley (52), B. Edwards (50), I. Kirk (31)
HF: C. Warner (37), N. Bowman (23), J. Dattoli (18)
F: J. Buller (39), J. Hamling (29), T. Hanily (40)
R: C. Cleary (33), P. Ladhams (19), J. Tidemann (64)
INT: J. Hose (66), J. Kluske (47), A. Hanrahan (53), M. Lloyd (51), M. Geddes (61)
23rd Player: J. Hose (66)
EMG: O. Davis (63), P. Roseby (54), J. Endemann (57)

IN: R. Bice, T. Hanily, J. Hose, N. Shipley
OUT: O. Florent, J. Lloyd (AFL), B. Paton (concussion), M. King (Allies)
NEW: James Hose, 19, 180cm, St Joseph’s

[ugg]

No Buller or Cleary in the final team. Buller sitting out as emergency for the seniors, but Cleary wasn't named as one, so I wonder what happend with him.