Murphy will be a gun

[Old Royboy]

Due to the early start, I only caught he second half of the ressies practice match against Belconnen. But as soon as I sat down I was reaching for the record to find out who the big bald guy #41 was. He's like a bigger version of Tadgh, that Irish instinct to run and take the defenders on is like a breath of fresh air. Kicking not bad either, a few helicopters when under pressure, but the vast majority found their mark. For a bloke playing only his second or third game he was fantastic. Forget about calling Barlow, the White Goodes, our new fridge comes with a shamrock stencilled on his melon.

Vesper was not as hard at it as previous posters have reported. Did he blow his boiler in the first half? Whatever, he has footballer written all over him and is a dead eye dick near goal - saw two lovely snap goals. Instinct took over straight away - without thinking I was yelling "go Scooter"

Also very encouraging to see DOK in good form, I'm looking to him to really shine this year. Braba was also impressive,

Intersting to note that the ressies only won this practice game by 8 or 9 points, and could have easily lost if Belconnen's kicking had been straighter. There were a lot of top-ups playing, but our blokes disposal by hand and foot and decsion making was sub standard.

Davo's second half contribution was three or four points, but it could be seen that he was working reasonably hard off the ball.

Anybody who else who saw the game have a comment?

[liz]

I too missed all but the last few minutes of the first half. Would be nice if they could properly tell us when the game was going to start, especially since I woke up at 6.30 this morning and could so easily have been there at 9am.

I thought the game was of much lower standard than most reserves games last year. But we've lost a whole chunk of the players who've dominated recently - either to promotion, injury or delisting. Hopefully things will improve once the injury list gets a bit shorter. But with games of that standard, it's going to be hard for the likes of White and DOK and O'Dwyer and Vezspremi to show they're ready for senior footy.

Vezspremi did look like he was struggling with fitness, and certainly wasn't going at the 110% U18 watchers say he normally plays at. Maybe he's being coached not to go all out all the time. But his class with his kicking shone out of the shambles.

What you describe of Murphy is the same I saw a couple of weeks ago. He's still raw, has to learn his limitations - ie not trying to take on too many tacklers. But I agree that he's looking damn exciting.

Wasn't too sure what to make of Brabazon. His running was superb - and a large reason the Swans snuck over Belconnen in the last term was that they were running harder - and he was the main one doing the hard yards. But his disposal was very very ordinary. I can only remember one disposal actually hitting a team mate.

O'Dwyer was good in patches but probably needed to get the ball more. DOK was certainly an improvement on last year, playing with far more intensity, but I think he's a way off senior football yet. Certainly behind Vezspremi, if Vez can get his fitness up a notch.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I may have no idea what I'm talking about when it comes to the reserves, but isn't it unusual for a rookie to be unfit? I'm talking about Vez, obviously.

[liz]

I may have no idea what I'm talking about when it comes to the reserves, but isn't it unusual for a rookie to be unfit? I'm talking about Vez, obviously.

A rookie who was injured for much of last season and didn't get much of a pre-season after shoulder surgery - certainly not unusual or particularly surprising if he's lacking a bit at the moment. I don't think there should be any concern at all over his fitness. He'll get there. It's just a bit of a shame for us, because it's the thing that's going to stop him playing senior footy for now.


One player I didn't mention in my earlier post, but who I continue to be impressed with is Smith. I thought he was possibly the Swans' best out there today.

[Old Royboy]

Also interesting that with our lack of tall timber it was "Columbo" Faulks who played ruck with Currie, not White. (he played fullback) Faulks has had something of a growth spurt, must be pushing 195 plus now, but does not seem to have lost any speed. Certainly worth perservering with this experiment.

[liz]

White moved into the ruck towards the end of the final quarter.

I wonder if they've decided to bite the bullet and groom him as a key defender. I realise we need key forwards as much as key defenders but I reckon he has all the attributes to make a sensational mobile FB - speed, great spoiling judgement, and rebound ability too.

[hammo]

White moved into the ruck towards the end of the final quarter.

I wonder if they've decided to bite the bullet and groom him as a key defender. I realise we need key forwards as much as key defenders but I reckon he has all the attributes to make a sensational mobile FB - speed, great spoiling judgement, and rebound ability too.

With Grundy also playing down back that begs the question who our next key forward actually is?

[desredandwhite]

*spam alert*

Can anyone identify the rookies in the first half of my gallery - losfp : photos : Swans v Port, 30/03/08- powered by SmugMug

I only caught the 4th quarter (normally I get there in time for the 2nd half, but as others found out today.. early start for whatever reason). so I don't really have many additional comments to make about the game.

[Old Royboy]

Gee Des, your work just keeps on getting better. Love that shot (#5) of the unknown ressie taking a speccie and that last one of LRT. Fantastic.

[liz]

First one I think is a top up.

2nd one (no 47) is Bruce and I think that's him in the 3rd one too.

4th one I think is Vez (though at a pinch it could be MattyO)

7th one is Beckmans

8th one is definitely Vez.

9th one is probably a top up but it could be Terlich

11th one is Davo, is it not?

Not sure who the high marker is, but if I had to guess at someone I'd say possibly White?

[shaun..]

Nice photos Des. I'm guessing no5 could be Davis, just doesn't look big enough to be White. I'm also basing it on the similar facial expression of Davis is pic no6.

EDIT: Definitely not Davis, doesn't have the leg strappings

[Triple B]

High flyer and photo 12 are the same player #50. Think he's name was Spiteri.

[BSA5]

Tunnelling, anyone?

[ScottH]

Should frame this one. A rare, but enjoyable sight -> losfp : photos : Swans v Port, 30/03/08- powered by SmugMug

[desredandwhite]

Haha yes, I made sure I got that one Scott!!! Was up in my stand seat though, so it's not brilliant - the best photos are from ground level, on the fence. It's not so much the distance, it's the angle.

# 6, 11 and 13 are Davo. The last one, I like to call "The Flying Crane"

I got a couple of J Dub, but mostly boring ruck contest ones so they're not in the gallery.

It's like taking photos of babies (been doing a lot of THAT lately too), you just never know what you're going to get, and you can't call for a retake.