Sydney vs Richmond - Game Thread

[Nico]

Something that seems to have been missed is that O"Keefe played as genuine midfielder and seemed not to have a rest anywhere but on the bench for about 15 minutes for the whole game.

I am happy for that to happen if he plays like that every week, as it gives the opposition another top player to worry about manning up on. Also frees up another spot for a small on the forward line. It looks like a straight swap; O'Keefe for Buchanan in the midfield.

O'Keefe has more quality possessions and disposals, keeps his feet and finds space, Buchanan is kicking goals (3 from 8 possessions). Amazing what can happen to a side when 2 players redefine their skills and finishing.

[liz]

Something that seems to have been missed is that O"Keefe played as genuine midfielder and seemed not to have a rest anywhere but on the bench for about 15 minutes for the whole game.

Last week, against Port, he apparently had 100% game time, which is quite incredible for a guy who runs so much - and in a far more intense game than yesterday's too.

There was an interesting article on him in yesterday's Record - in case anyone has it stuffed at the bottom of their bag but hasn't flicked through it. It quotes his junior coach saying that he was far from the most talented bloke he coached by even at that stage was very driven to get the most out of himself and just wouldn't stop running.

[TheMase]

Something that seems to have been missed is that O"Keefe played as genuine midfielder and seemed not to have a rest anywhere but on the bench for about 15 minutes for the whole game.

I am happy for that to happen if he plays like that every week, as it gives the opposition another top player to worry about manning up on. Also frees up another spot for a small on the forward line. It looks like a straight swap; O'Keefe for Buchanan in the midfield.

O'Keefe has more quality possessions and disposals, keeps his feet and finds space, Buchanan is kicking goals (3 from 8 possessions). Amazing what can happen to a side when 2 players redefine their skills and finishing.

I have noticed this too, and he has been doing it in a few games this year.
Always thought O'Keefe was a genuine midfielder, and it seems finally he is being put there. Another attacking runner with a big motor!

[NMWBloods]

Something that seems to have been missed is that O"Keefe played as genuine midfielder and seemed not to have a rest anywhere but on the bench for about 15 minutes for the whole game.

I am happy for that to happen if he plays like that every week, as it gives the opposition another top player to worry about manning up on.

I noticed him running more as a traditional footballer yesterday - I like that. His disposal effectiveness is still a bit mixed though.

[voodooguru]

Nice piece of irony there cobber. Or was it sarcasm? Go easy on the Bevo knockers most of them are on the Bevo bandwagon. Hilarious use of the inane non-sequitor!

Irony. Did you read this post? BTW, I get well-corrected on the Cannonball faux pas later on in the thread.

YOUR player nickname favorites? - BigFooty

[satchmopugdog]

Irony. Did you read this post? BTW, I get well-corrected on the Cannonball faux pas later on in the thread.

YOUR player nickname favorites? - BigFooty

I read through that thread...it's holidays so I have got time to do things like that....and roared laughing at the nickname for one of the Tucks....SOB..son of a biscuit because his father was a Thin Captain.....I'm still chuckling.

[SimonH]

I have noticed this too, and he has been doing it in a few games this year.
Always thought O'Keefe was a genuine midfielder, and it seems finally he is being put there. Another attacking runner with a big motor!

I've said for some time: find me a guy with a bigger motor in the whole league. By that, I mean that there are blokes who can cane you for 5 or 10 minutes with their natural athleticism (Pavlich, Franklin, Goodes), but will need to take a rest eventually. And there are blokes who can keep plodding along all day at their own pace (Kirk, Peter Bell). But it's hard to think of anyone else who can just gut-bustingly run up and down the oval all bloody day long. One of the best at it is Kane Cornes, and I'd even back ROK against him. He works so hard it's unbelievable.

I have always said if they must play Bevo it should be up forward. Thats 2 weeks in row he has run onto the footy within 20 metres of goal. If he does that a couple of times a game and converts then I have no issue with him playing.

Like Buchanan who now only have 1 thing to think about, if Bevo can run onto the footy and play as a defensive forward then well and good. Less chance of stuffing up and turning the ball over.

Am I seeing things but has he picked up a yard in pace?

Even when Bevan was a (to put it mildly) controversial selection, I noticed that he was a very good overhead mark for his size. That's more of an asset up forward than it is in the back-lines.

I don't think Bevan would do a significantly different beep-test or time for the 100m than in 2007; in the same way that Kirk's running-speed changed little between 1999 and 2004, even though across that 5 years he was able to get to more contests, tackle more blokes, and get more footy. It's just about looking faster because you're confident in where you're going, and your role in the team, so you can go straight to the spot-- you're not constantly second-guessing and having to change tack.

Watching Buchanan this year has made me reflect that I (and many others) were wrong about keeping Schneider. He was that one 'burst' forward too many, in a side that relies on having a large number of blokes who are consistent performers all day. Buchanan can do the a-little-bit-of-midfielder, a-little-bit-of-Schneider thing nicely.

[reigning premier]

Watching Buchanan this year has made me reflect that I (and many others) were wrong about keeping Schneider. He was that one 'burst' forward too many, in a side that relies on having a large number of blokes who are consistent performers all day. Buchanan can do the a-little-bit-of-midfielder, a-little-bit-of-Schneider thing nicely.

Think it's time a whole lot of us here acknowledged that Roos was right in letting Schneider go. Me included....

[AnnieH]

Think it's time a whole lot of us here acknowledged that Roos was right in letting Schneider go. Me included....

I don't have to. Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
I said it was no great loss at the time (and got blasted for it, as usual)!!

[Lucky Knickers]

Bevan in the forward line would also bring his defensive skills to bear (gggrrr). IMO the games we've lost this year have been where we haven't applied enough defensive pressure in our F50 (Davis) and the ball has been bounced too easily out of defence. He would certainly lay some awesome tackles. I am really impressed with his season - he looks a much more confident player and his offensive play has been outstanding.

[giant]

I've said for some time: find me a guy with a bigger motor in the whole league. By that, I mean that there are blokes who can cane you for 5 or 10 minutes with their natural athleticism (Pavlich, Franklin, Goodes), but will need to take a rest eventually. And there are blokes who can keep plodding along all day at their own pace (Kirk, Peter Bell). But it's hard to think of anyone else who can just gut-bustingly run up and down the oval all bloody day long. One of the best at it is Kane Cornes, and I'd even back ROK against him. He works so hard it's unbelievable.

Ben Cousins*?

* mandatory career asterisk attached

[Zlatorog]

Ben Cousins*?

* mandatory career asterisk attached

Yeah, sure, it all depends what is he using as a fuel.