Malceski - Real Rising Star

[Push The Limits]

We are now seeing the start of the next generation Young Bloods coming to the fore.

I watched Malceski closely since the beginning of the season and particularly against Melb and even in the last quarter, he was sprinting up the ground after giving off the ball, to get into position to create the offensive loose man.

His delivery is excellent, he is learning quickly how to play the offensive backman role and boy is he improving and in the best each week.

He is setting an example for the young brigade that if you keep improving even if you are playing in the Young Bloods for "years", opportunities come to you if you persist and have luck.

Young Jack is showing similar improvement every week playing amongst the rest of the Young Bloods and with his untapped and young talent, I hope he makes it and uses Malceski as his mentor.

Well done Malceski. Keep it up.

You give hope to the rest of the Young Bloods who over the years have all langushed in a competition which does not offer the right type of grounding to learn a man's game and a launching pad to the AFL level, even if you have talent.

[hammo]

You give hope to the rest of the Young Bloods who over the years have all langushed in a competition which does not offer the right type of grounding to learn a man's game and a launching pad to the AFL level, even if you have talent.

I think the jury is still out on that.

[Push The Limits]

Malceski Real Rising Star

I'm not sure what you mean by "the jury's still out"!!!!

Do you mean that the Canberra comp IS a great launching pad for the Young Bloods???

If you are, I would have to disagree strongly as I mentioned in my initial thread. It's a waste for our young talent and impacts on the development of the next generation of Young Bloods who are the lifeblood of the Swans.

[hammo]

I'm not sure what you mean by "the jury's still out"!!!!

Do you mean that the Canberra comp IS a great launching pad for the Young Bloods???

If you are, I would have to disagree strongly as I mentioned in my initial thread. It's a waste for our young talent and impacts on the development of the next generation of Young Bloods who are the lifeblood of the Swans.

You're running a contradictory argument. If the Canberra comp is as bad as you claim then how has Malceski adapted to the seniors so easily? The same could be said of others who have come in: Vogels, Grundy, LRT, Moore, Schmidt. They've hardly been found wanting despite the odd bad game.

You rightly point out Malceski's talents - and excellent work off the ball - wouldn't that indicate the Canberra comp is a decent launching pad for the "Young Bloods" as you call them?

As the coaching staff have pointed out, the advantage we have is our youngsters play to a set game plan, overseen by Swans coaches, and played in positions that develop them as players.

Of course it's not perfect to be winning every game by 100+ points, but neither is having someone like Jesse White for example played exclusively as a full forward for the Northern Bullants when the senior coaches want to develop him as a centre half back.

Or if a key player like Crouch is returning through the twos, do we want him flogged by playing on the ball for 100 minutes or ease him back with only 10 minute a quarter?

As countless threads of this topic have discussed, there is no easy solution.

[SimonH]

What you said, hammo. The downsides of playing in Canberra are obvious. I defy anyone to come up with an alternative solution, that doesn't have different disadvantages.

Design a 'perfect' solution from the ground up, and you'll require large wads of cash, and the consent of a large number of organisations-- which is itself a large disadvantage, as it makes it less likely that the plan will ever come to fruition.

[Push The Limits]

Reserves Comp

That is why the AFL is seriously investigating and looking to reinstate a Reserves Comp particularly for the Eastern States - all the Vic sides plus Swans and Lions.

It's not such a worry for Adelaide, Port, Eagles or Freo as their fringe players play in the next best comp after AFL each week.

That is why their pool of players are match hardened each week ready to go when they step up to the AFL team.

Our Young Bloods are behind the 8 ball as shown by last weeks game when they had no opposition and would not have gained much from the exercise.

That is my major issue with the Canberra Comp and our Young Bloods.

If as this week coming will show, Swans will have probably 4 out - Kennelly, Ablett, Buchanan and Goodes - which will mean the coaches will have to pick from the youngsters.

If they aren't hardened by match play, their chances of taking the next step when given the chance are 50/50. Probably talent will be the only saving grace.

That is why I am all for a re-instated AFL reserves comp as at least 8 teams will play every week with comparable lists of players which is when the cream will rise to the top.

We have lost good young talent over the years - not the obvious duds - who could have developed into real AFL calibre players if they had played against better opposition each week rather than playing for at least 2-3 years in an inferior competition.

I've enjoyed watching the Reserves for over 20 years and go to games even when they are away from home. When they played in the SFL, it was a joke. In the Canberra league, they can only have 15 listed players on the field at one time which again makes it hard to play to their full potential mainly because they are moved around from defense to attack and visa versa. Just to give the side balance.

I worry for Laidlaw, Brabazon, Thornton, Daniel O'Keefe, White, Faulks, Simpkin, Smith, Barlow, O'Dwyer, Rowe and Jack who will probably have to play the whole of this year in this comp. They are the future of the club and unless they show advancement, some will be cut without been given the right environment to progress.

That is all I'm saying.

[dread and might]

Jesse White for example played exclusively as a full forward for the Northern Bullants when the senior coaches want to develop him as a centre half back.

I thought he was from Southport??

[hammo]

I thought he was from Southport??

If you read the full sentence you'll realise it's a hypothetical example

[Nico]

Hammo you are spot on about minor clubs playing players out of the position their AFL club wants. We had the problem with Port Melbourne and North suffered the same fate. That's why the VFL is really now a Melbourne based AFL reserves.

I brought up the thread by question as to whether the Canberra comp was good for our lads, but I now wonder, based on your comments, if it is a problem, given they are constantly drilled the same game plan regardless of margin.

It's game plan, game plan, game plan - boy this really works - so the best of them step up to the same drill in the big time with little problem with transition once they get a taste and time on the ground - it's practice, practice, practice.

[swantastic]

That is why the AFL is seriously investigating and looking to reinstate a Reserves Comp particularly for the Eastern States - all the Vic sides plus Swans and Lions.

If the AFL bring back the Ressies Comp it will only enhance our your talent,and it wll be the best thing they have done for a while.

[Alibi Monday]

With Kennelly going down and the kid's great form, the opposition are going to set their lasers directly on Malceski from here on. He'll definitely be on the opposition's radar now. If he manages to shake these tests over the next couple of weeks, at 28 games experience, we could have a possible champion on the list. The first breed from recruiting since Adam Goodes IMO. Long, long way to go though - but the signs are encouraging.

Captaincy beckons post Hall, Kirk & Barry era.

[reigning premier]

With Kennelly going down and the kid's great form, the opposition are going to set their lasers directly on Malceski from here on. He'll definitely be on the opposition's radar now. If he manages to shake these tests over the next couple of weeks, at 28 games experience, we could have a possible champion on the list. The first breed from recruiting since Adam Goodes IMO. Long, long way to go though - but the signs are encouraging.

Captaincy beckons post Hall, Kirk & Barry era.

Concur.... With Kennelly out, he'll have to take a much stronger opponent. Leo usually gets number 1... Bolton number 2 and Kennelly number 3. And as we all know, there's a big difference between the number 3 & 4 forwards.

But nonetheless, I'm a happy convert to the Eski fan club at this moment....

[ScottH]

Concur.... With Kennelly out, he'll have to take a much stronger opponent. Leo usually gets number 1... Bolton number 2 and Kennelly number 3. And as we all know, there's a big difference between the number 3 & 4 forwards.

But nonetheless, I'm a happy convert to the Eski fan club at this moment....

Bolton has been getting the number 1, this year. J Brown, Richo,

[reigning premier]

Bolton has been getting the number 1, this year. J Brown, Richo,

hmph... small beer.... either way you cut it... our top 3 defenders are Bolton, Leaping and Tadgh... Order is almost irrelevant with them...

[ScottH]

hmph... small beer.... either way you cut it... our top 3 defenders are Bolton, Leaping and Tadhg... Order is almost irrelevant with them...

With Malceski chipping in nicely.