Laidlaw's learning curve

[liz]

http://sydneyswans.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=274888

This article is better than most in that it provides some detail to back up the fluff. I've been pretty impressed by what I've seen of Laidlaw this year, especially the rate at which he's improved, and this article backs up that observed improvement. He wasn't far behind Moore, Vogels, Schmidt and Bevan in terms of his impact on the last game the reserves played (against Eastlake in Canberra).

If the team suffers some injuries I don't think its beyond the realm of possibilities that he could crack a senior game this year.

[SimonH]

My favourite line: "I am a backman". Like many, I wept when it was reported that in 2005 Sydney drafted 3 midfielders.

Well, actually Laidlaw was principally a midfielder when drafted, but good that we're turning him into something more suitable for our needs.

[liz]

Originally posted by SimonH
My favourite line: "I am a backman". Like many, I wept when it was reported that in 2005 Sydney drafted 3 midfielders.

Well, actually Laidlaw was principally a midfielder when drafted, but good that we're turning him into something more suitable for our needs.

I suspect they're hoping he'll become a Lindsay Gilbee-type player. He is speedy and has a long, penetrating kick. His "draft notes" also indicated he is a great mark for his height, though I haven't particularly noticed this (nor noticed the opposite). He also hasn't been scared to push forward and kick goals.

[giant]

I thought he was the most impressive of the newbies in the pre-seaason games. Hope we get a look at him in the seniors some time.

[satchmopugdog]

Go you love child of Satch

[Danzar]

I'm going to haul ars* to the reserves game on Saturday. Haven't seen once since Syd vs WCE at the SCG last year.

Any spots in the seniors will be hot competition and it would be helpful to freshen up my view first-hand rather than relying on blasted stats all the time.

[chammond]

Originally posted by giant
I thought he was the most impressive of the newbies in the pre-seaason games. Hope we get a look at him in the seniors some time.

Yes, in the pre-season he certainly looked the closest to 'ready-made' of all the youngsters . . . he looked like he belonged with the senior players.

The couple of times I saw him charge out of half back and kick long down the centre, he reminded me of Kennelly in his second or third season.

[satchmopugdog]

ditto...in fact he looks more like Kennelley than Kennelley did at the same stage.

[chammond]

Definitely the Kennellyest!

[Pommie Swannie]

... a team with 2 kennellys ...