Marty Matt - Early Season Assessment

[NMWBloods]

Yeah - I thought adding a comment about our extra options - not just Jack, but Moore and Schmidt also like to kick goals, and McVeigh has found space to do so as well.

I'd still prefer Barlow in a key position.

[mcs]

I like what Ive seen from our defence this year. Brennan defended well on Saturday night but his disposal especially his kicking is just pathetic at the best of times. If he can remember how to kick to another player/kick straight then he has a future. Surely when everyone is back fit you'd look at something like
Bolts at FB/LRT At CHB or other way round (Depending on who we are playing)
Leaping Leo in one of the pockets and then some sort of combination of Mattner/Kennelly/Malceski for the other pocket/HB flanks.
And then continue to use Teddy like he has been so far- as a man to get back and help out when need be but also at times look to get forward. I still cant believe some people would put Leo in front of Craig bolton at FB Or CHB. Bolton is by far our best defender and is up there in the top 5 imo in the league in terms of defensive abilities. Having him in the back pocket would be an ultimate waste of a quality player.

[dimelb]

Don't forget Teddy Richards.

He has really looked great this year. We could actually have games where LRT and Richards can take the 2 tallest forwards releasing Barry, Bolton and the rest to dash forward out of the backline.

I thought Brennan was quite good. Most of his errors were mental, even many that looked like poor kicking. I think it was rather that he wasn't quite sure of what his team mates were doing than poor execution. It looked like he was kicking to where he anticipated a team mate to be, but lack of senior playing experience contributed to the mistake. Hopefully this will be rectified with more playing time.

It is conceivable to have all three, Richards, Brennan and Lrt in the same backline. This would release both Mattner and Malceski to play in the midfield and on the wing and along with Goodes, could set up a very potent run and attack through the midfield. I think Kennelly will remain back, as he is such a good outlet from the back line with his pinpoint kicking and unstoppable bursts of speed.

The Swans depth is looking particularly good at the moment.

Also saw that Schmidt was likely to play in the ressies this week.

The other thing this post highlights is our amazing versatility. At a time when the interchange bench is running hot and people are going on into a highly fluid situation, sometimes unsure who they are supposed to be on, it almost doesn't matter who goes where as they are likely to be able to slot in just about anywhere. Mattner has performed well in this situation IMO. And so has Roos - great positioning to be on the bench, I expect others to start copying.

[Plugger46]

I reckon he's been excellent, when you consider that he's had to adjust to having new teammates and a new game plan. He'll be even better when Malceski returns. I agree with a few others in this thread, that I think his best spot is on the wing.

We effectively traded Schneider and Demspter for him (as we got the 2nd rounder back). Only time will tell, but I suspect that we'll be the big winners.

As for Teddy - '06 GF aside, he's playing the best footy of his career. Really looks at home for the first time.

There's a lot to like about us at the moment.

[AnnieH]

Mattner was a fabulous pick-up. I have nothing but praise for him at this stage. All good so far.

He seems to have slotted in perfectly ... just like B2.

[TheHood]

The big challenge that looms is how to turn one or more of these players into imposing key forwards over the next year or two for when Hall and O'Loughlin have moved on.

Liz is absolutely right and the problem started at 1/4 time on Saturday night. Roosy had Baz off for most of the night before the wrist practicing forward set ups etc.

I didn't like what I saw either. If it wasnt for Macca Cheese & the other mids, then Mick was playing a lone hand (Pebbles a bit but kicking is wayward). Roosy seemed to throw LRT up there and he doesnt know how to lead.

It's a shame the Cheese has such a massive motor because it would be ideal to bulk him and teach him to menace, strut and bust packs in front of goal.

[bloodboy]

The other thing this post highlights is our amazing versatility. At a time when the interchange bench is running hot and people are going on into a highly fluid situation, sometimes unsure who they are supposed to be on, it almost doesn't matter who goes where as they are likely to be able to slot in just about anywhere. Mattner has performed well in this situation IMO. And so has Roos - great positioning to be on the bench, I expect others to start copying.

You reckon this maybe highlights Roosy's next master stroke in his coaching career?? TOTAL FOOTBALL (Aussie Rules Style)!!! Not a bad idea really...although it never did win the Dutch a World Cup, so maybe not so good...

[NMWBloods]

It's a shame the Cheese has such a massive motor because it would be ideal to bulk him and teach him to menace, strut and bust packs in front of goal.

This is one reason why I think he could make a superb CHF. He could lead up and back all day long and wear out his defender, and still be back inside 50 to take shots at goal. Riewoldt does that to a certain degree.

[TheHood]

This is one reason why I think he could make a superb CHF. He could lead up and back all day long and wear out his defender, and still be back inside 50 to take shots at goal. Riewoldt does that to a certain degree.

I suppose Rooey is superb in the air but dubious at the set shot whereas Cheese isn't exactly an aerialist though a terrific kick.

Wait till we see Cheese in 2009 with a haircut you can set your watch by and guns to rival Paul Kelly's circa 1997.

[hammo]

I suppose Rooey is superb in the air but dubious at the set shot whereas Cheese isn't exactly an aerialist though a terrific kick.

Wait till we see Cheese in 2009 with a haircut you can set your watch by and guns to rival Paul Kelly's circa 1997.

Cheese doesn't need to be an aerialist though. NMWBloods was alluding to him using his motor to lead up the ground much like Hall does at the moment where most of his marks could be on the chest. The Swans probably bomb it long into the forward 50 the least of any team, so the need for a great aerialist is minimal.

[liz]

Barlow seems to lack a bit of mongrel for a CHF. I don't necessarily mean mongrel Hall - style (certainly not at its extremes!) or Dermie style. The likes of Pavlich and Riewoldt don't appear to have much of that. But what they do have is that they seem to relish physical contest. I am not suggesting that Barlow is "soft" in any way, but he doesn't seem to instinctively react to packs by imposing himself.

He might learn it, particularly as he gets bigger. Goodes didn't have it when he started but he's learned it to some extent.

White has a bit of it but could probably do with some more. And even at such an early stage, it looks like Murphy has it in spades.

[reigning premier]

Barlow seems to lack a bit of mongrel for a CHF. I don't necessarily mean mongrel Hall - style (certainly not at its extremes!) or Dermie style. The likes of Pavlich and Riewoldt don't appear to have much of that. But what they do have is that they seem to relish physical contest. I am not suggesting that Barlow is "soft" in any way, but he doesn't seem to instinctively react to packs by imposing himself.

He might learn it, particularly as he gets bigger. Goodes didn't have it when he started but he's learned it to some extent.

White has a bit of it but could probably do with some more. And even at such an early stage, it looks like Murphy has it in spades.

Speaking of a "bit of mongrel" in them, I do love the way Moore plays. Gets right up in their face and isn't afraid to exert himself on the play/player either. Far to many of our players have been a bit soft in this department IMHO.

[573v30]

Mattner's been a great addition to the backline/wing so far. Very surprised that the Crows got rid of him in the first place.

[Triple B]

Mattner's been a great addition to the backline/wing so far. Very surprised that the Crows got rid of him in the first place.

The Crows didn't exactly 'get rid of him'.

Sydney persued him and the Crows decided that he would be a fringe player at best with them so released him (I think he still had a year to run on contract, but it's irrelevant). If Sydney didn't come knocking on the door, he would still be a Crow.

[swantastic]

Mattner was a fabulous pick-up. I have nothing but praise for him at this stage. All good so far.

He seems to have slotted in perfectly ... just like B2.

Spot on as always Annie .

BTW.....Teddy on saturday nite was swantastic