Reserves

[satchmopugdog]

How did they go today?

I could see them playing on the SCG website but not the scoreboard.

Laidlaw in particular.

[hammo]

They will be slightly disappointed. Only won by about 190 points.

[ugg]

You think 92 points is a thrashing? THIS is a thrashing.

Swans 5.8 13.13 20.21 32.24 (216)
Wagga 0.2 0.6 2.8 4.10 (34)

Goals: Grundy 7 Phillips 6 Simpkin 4 Spriggs 3 Schmidt 3 Wall 2 Vogels 2 Shaw 2 Rowe Thornton Conway

I'll post my thoughts later.

[Big Al]

The biggest "roar" came when Wagga kicked their first goal half way through the third Qtr.

[cruiser]

I was feeling very sorry for the Wagga Tigers.

[Mike_B]

There was a time in the last quarter where the Swans could have had all their goals removed from the score and still been in front

[ugg]

This was a complete mismatch from start to finish and Wagga were never in it. It all stemmed from the middle where their ruckman barely came up to Shaw's shoulders. The midfield ran riot and almost unchallenged and I wouldn't be surprised if Spriggs and Schmidt totalled 100 possessions between them. The Swans were very disciplined throughout and did what they had to do against inferior opposition. I thought they ran hard, especially coming off half back and didn't give the opposition any room to manouvre.

When one team is significantly better than the other, you have to adjust your appraisal of the players performances. Here are my reviews:
Spriggs - Ran and ran and ran which allowed him to fall into opportunities to kick a few goals. He looks in excellent nick and will be a valuable backup for the midfield in case any one goes down (touch wood). His experience would probably give him the nod over Schmidt IMO.
Ericksen - Tapwork good, must impose himself around the ground more.
Laidlaw - Played in defence and contributed well. Along with Jack, Garrubba and Barlow their transferance of play from the back half was a highlight of the game.
Thornton - Due to the absence of Willoughby (see below) he spent more time in the centre.
Simpkin - Finally got to see what all the fuss is about. Played on the wing and half forward and was very creative in kicking 4 goals. He has definitely improved as the season has progerssed and I think would warrant another year on the rookie list.
Wall - Played fullback before moving up forward in the last quarter. Snapped 2 amazing goals from long distance. Needs to bulk up significantly to have any chance of playing in the seniors.
Schmidt - Another high possession game from the ball magnet. He also dished off a few creative handballs which I thought were very inventive. Also took a very good mark where he slipped and was falling over but managed to extend his hands to grab the ball as he was falling.
Vogels - A surprsingly quiet day, didn't really present that well and his kicking for goal let him down. Grundy would currently be ahead of him in the pecking order based on today's performances.
Grundy - Too big, too strong, too mobile for his opponent. Holds off his opponent with his strength and completes the mark with ease. Sporting a new blonde hair colour!
Currie - Solid at centre halfback, not sure what his future holds.
Barlow - There's something about "Cheese" that I like but can't put my finger on. He appears to have
Bevan - I'm somewhat baffled to what his role was. He seemed have been given free rein to wander around the ground a la Goodes, but all this seem to do was have him chase the ball around the ground. A pretty average effort from one of the more senior players in the team.
Garrubba - Showed plenty of speed coming out of defence.
Shaw - Too tall for his opposing ruckman but what really stood out for me were a couple of impressive grabs in the goalsquare.
Rowe - Played well in a different role in the forward line. Presents well and has strong hands.
Phillips - He was having potshots at goal all day, he added 5 behinds to go with his 6 goals. What was noticeable was how well he reads the flight of the ball and seems to be in the right place when the ball goes to ground. He also has very strong hands for a player of his size.
Jack - Someone commented last week that Jack reminds him of Bevan. I think this is somewhat misguided as Jack is quicker and probably a better kick than Bevo. His one-on-one contests and second efforts were excellent today.
Prior - He didn't have much to do playing in defence. I think this is where his future lies, if any exists, rather than in attack.
Bird - Looks to me the Swans are very keen on him. They might have learnt from the Addison situation last year and may nab him in the national draft rather than the rookie draft.

Best: Spriggs Grundy Phillips Schmidt Shaw Simpkin

No Chambers for the 2nd week in a row. Not on the injury list too which makes me ponder to his whereabouts. No Willoughby either - I wonder if he was suspended from an incident in the previous week. Other absentees were Brabazon and Smokey Davis.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by ugg
No Chambers for the 2nd week in a row. Not on the injury list too which makes me ponder to his whereabouts.

Too valuable to risk in the reserves.

[hammo]

Thanks Ugg, great report.

Spriggs is an interesting one. His ability to run all day would be a valuable tool at Subiaco. However I am not sure if there'll be any changes.

Spriigs will definitely make the trip as the 23rd player IMO.

[liz]

Originally posted by ugg
Grundy - Too big, too strong, too mobile for his opponent. Holds off his opponent with his strength and completes the mark with ease. Sporting a new blonde hair colour!

Must think his senior chances are over for the year. He was sporting the blonde highlights until he got his senior call-up, at which point they disappeared!

Barlow - There's something about "Cheese" that I like but can't put my finger on.

Didn't see today's game but I'm with you there. Really hope he gets a second year but will be fighting it out with Phillips (cert, you'd think), Simpkin, Rowe and Jack at least.

Bird - Looks to me the Swans are very keen on him. They might have learnt from the Addison situation last year and may nab him in the national draft rather than the rookie draft.

They're going to have to take him in the main draft if they want him. He's too young to be rookied this year.

[Bas]

Originally posted by hammo
Thanks Ugg, great report.

Great report.

[barry]

Looks like our back up players for the finals will be:
Schmidt, Grundy and Phillips

With other less likely options in:
Chambers and Spriggs (hasnt played all years, so recall unlikely in finals)

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by liz
Must think his senior chances are over for the year. He was sporting the blonde highlights until he got his senior call-up, at which point they disappeared!

guess what Liz? They're back. We thought he may have been a smokey to play today as we could spot him, until we realised there was a #39 running around. At a closer look it was him with Blonde tips - message to Reg - go dark! Much better.

Also, Wagga was once a reasonable team, never really had this sort of flogging. Hope it's good sign for our ressies and not the demise of the Wagga team.

[stellation]

The game was pretty boring. I thought Philips looked to be turning a little stats paddingly selfish at times.

[ugg]

Originally posted by BAM_BAM
Also, Wagga was once a reasonable team, never really had this sort of flogging. Hope it's good sign for our ressies and not the demise of the Wagga team.

Unfortunately it is the latter and not the former. They've been on the end of some hidings from the other teams as well this season. There's been reports that they might quit the Canberra league next year.