RWO Midseason report

[liz]

Here's the second installment, covering the rest of the senior regulars plus those who've been given a wee taste.

http://redandwhiteonline.com/content.php?id=1027_0_3_0_C

The final installment - covering those yet to debut - isn't far behind.

[stellation]

Liz wrote Kirk's summary so you have to blame her for that. . I think I mentioned in Scott's stats thread that each FK against is counted as a clanger and Kirk having 22 against has inflated his clanger count.

Just on this- maybe I am thinking of a different stat? Maybe his kick efficiency? Wasn't there an article in the last month or so showing we had a large number of guys with a rubbish rate of hitting targets (I think Kirk, JBolton, Buchanan and Fosdike were named in it?)?

[ugg]

Just on this- maybe I am thinking of a different stat? Maybe his kick efficiency? Wasn't there an article in the last month or so showing we had a large number of guys with a rubbish rate of hitting targets (I think Kirk, JBolton, Buchanan and Fosdike were named in it?)?

All stats here - http://redandwhiteonline.com/content...php&sby=number

As you can see a lot of our midfielders aren't very kick efficient and Kirk's about average among that lot. Its probably because he doesn't kick long very often compared to someone like Dempster who has a shocking 61%.

[stellation]

All stats here - http://redandwhiteonline.com/content...php&sby=number

As you can see a lot of our midfielders aren't very kick efficient and Kirk's about average among that lot. Its probably because he doesn't kick long very often compared to someone like Dempster who has a shocking 61%.

I think it was maybe efficiency, that number looks to maybe be total disposal efficiency so Kirk's numbers would be brought up by his handball efficiency? If only I wasn't so lazy I'd find the article bemoaning our dodgy kickers!

[liz]

Just on this- maybe I am thinking of a different stat? Maybe his kick efficiency? Wasn't there an article in the last month or so showing we had a large number of guys with a rubbish rate of hitting targets (I think Kirk, JBolton, Buchanan and Fosdike were named in it?)?

There was an article a few weeks ago in which Roos commented on the uselessness of some of those effectiveness stats, pointing out that they take no account of the amount of pressure the player is under nor what happens when the ball arrives (eg a dropped mark is counted as ineffective disposal for the player who kicked it).

I occasionally looks at stats but don't place a huge amount of store in them. They can support a view on something, or cause you to go back and have another look at something you thought happened, but I generally put more faith in views drawn watching games (usually more than once). No-one is ever going to claim Kirk is a beautiful kick and he certainly turns the ball over at times. But on the whole I think he has a pretty good knowledge of what he can and cannot do and rarely tries to do things that are beyond him. He has a knack of offloading little floating, dinky kicks that perfectly pick out a player.

[ugg]

I think it was maybe efficiency, that number looks to maybe be total disposal efficiency so Kirk's numbers would be brought up by his handball efficiency? If only I wasn't so lazy I'd find the article bemoaning our dodgy kickers!

The article bring up nothing new. We were the worse in KE last year and by a fair margin too. Its probably related to the close-in style of game we play and how many of their kicks are made in tight situations. That's not to say that some of them couldn't do with some kicking practice.

[liz]

And episode three brings the midseason report to a close.

http://redandwhiteonline.com/content.php?id=1028_0_3_0_C

[swans song]

well done Liz good reports on entire team
Look out Caroline!!

[liz]

well done Liz good reports on entire team

Thanks - but not all my work by any means. Ugg did about half of it, and there are also some comments from Old Royboy incorporated on some of the younger players.

[NMWBloods]

I'm really looking forward to some of Thornton, Laidlaw, Simpkin and Brabazon getting a run.

Interesting comments on Simpkin about the teamwork aspect. I think a team like the Swans could benefit from a couple of 'creative' players.

I find it a little bit strange that some of the best players in the reserves are midfiielder types, yet can't get a game in an era when midfielders dominate and the Swans' midfield is not exactly the best in the competition.

[liz]

I find it a little bit strange that some of the best players in the reserves are midfiielder types, yet can't get a game in an era when midfielders dominate and the Swans' midfield is not exactly the best in the competition.

None of these guys, though, are Joel Selwoods, Adam Cooneys or Bryce Gibbs. All were late (and therefore fairly speculative) picks and most are only part way through their second year on the list. Laidlaw had played very little TAC cup footy, playing mostly for his school, while the likes of Thornton and Brabazon were very skinny last year. Simpkin has some exciting attributes but also has an awful lot to learn, and both he and Moore have the problem that their attributes are very similar to those of Schneider and Buchanan. There's a limit to how many of that size and type of player a team needs, and I don't think any of this group could do better than the two currently in the team. Laidlaw and Thornton are different kinds of players but both look more like flankers - at this stage anyway - than true midfielders.

A few of them look promising but I doubt any are going to come in and make an impact straight away.

[AnnieH]

bravo liz, ugg and old royboy.
brilliant piece of work ... i don't think i can disagree with any of it.

[Old Royboy]

Don't thank me, my contribution was negligibe, been away on bloody business most of the last two weeks.

Simpkin is an interesting character - one of the most gifted athletes when it comes to ball running I have seen in a while. Dare I say it, I have the impression that he would be ideally suited to one of those other oval ball codes, sells an immaculate dummy. If he gets the negatives out of his game he could be anyhting.

I'm really looking forward to young O'Dwyer's progress; each week he shows a little more and is one I would definitely keep on the list at this stage.

Young Columbo is another interesting one; on a couple of rare occasions he has shown David Dench style dash and anticipation out of defence. In fact at a huddle at Manuka, the coaches were heard urging him to back himself a bit more. He's a full list kid, so he has another season and a half to show what he can do.

[Lucky Knickers]

Simpkin sounds like Leo Mk II!

Excellent read.

[liz]

Simpkin sounds like Leo Mk II!

Don't really see the similarities myself.

He's been compared to Buchanan and while a lot of that was due to the fact they're both from Colac, it is probably the best comparison within the Swans' list. He's possibly a little quicker than Monty but not quite as rugged and his decision making's not up to Monty's normal standard (based on prior years, more than 2007 to date)