How Many Will Leave?

[REDV6]

Schmidt also has two years left on his contract. He had a tough year missing preseason with injury and then the knee injury at the end of the year. I think he will stay!

[gossipcom]

Smith captained the 2's to a GF win, I doubt he'll be going.

I can never remember but wasn't Spriggs Captain in the 2006 season? He won the medal and still was delisted, that's my only concern for Smith that he may follow the same path.

I'm hoping they retain Brennan and Fossie, I've coped flack in the past for saying it, but imo Brennan would be a person they could nurture into taking over from Leo in the FB position. Fossie for his experience, speed and endurance. Though if Fossie does get delisted, I hope he nominates the PSD.

[ScottH]

Spriggs was 25/26 and failed to play a game in 2006.
Smith is 20 and played 2 games in 2008 (his debut season)

[gossipcom]

Spriggs was 25/26 and failed to play a game in 2006.
Smith is 20 and played 2 games in 2008 (his debut season)

I know that part, I was just asking if Spriggs was captain?

[ScottH]

I know that part, I was just asking if Spriggs was captain?

Not sure about that.

[Plugger46]

Schmidt also has two years left on his contract. He had a tough year missing preseason with injury and then the knee injury at the end of the year. I think he will stay!

I really hope you're right. Huge fan.

[REDV6]

Spoke to Schmidty at the dinner and he said he is still under contract so fingers crossed here also

[chalbilto]

I can never remember but wasn't Spriggs Captain in the 2006 season? He won the medal and still was delisted, that's my only concern for Smith that he may follow the same path.

I'm hoping they retain Brennan and Fossie, I've coped flack in the past for saying it, but imo Brennan would be a person they could nurture into taking over from Leo in the FB position. Fossie for his experience, speed and endurance. Though if Fossie does get delisted, I hope he nominates the PSD.

I have read a lot of posts in which Brennan is mercilessly bagged from post to pillar and I can't fully comprehend why. Yes he has some deficiencies, but on the occasions I have seen him play, he shows that he is brave, takes a strong mark, has pace and had been nominated as an emergency on numerous occasions last season. He reminds me a lot of Campbell brown in the manner he attacks the football. I think that he would be an ideal replacement to take over from Leo.
The other interesting one to take over from Leo is Peter Faulks. As I don't get to watch the reserves I can only make a judgement from the reports (and I add most outstanding) by Liz, Old Royboy and others posted together with the awarding of best players in the match reports. It would appear that he has progressed leaps and bounds. Maybe an appraisal could be offered by Liz, Old Royboy and others. I would appreciate their views.

[Primmy]

Right Chalbrito, I am not Liz etc, but I don't miss Ressies when they play at home. Faulks is no Leo. He is slightly built, along the lines of a young Saddington, but not as big or as colt like when Saddo started out. However he has improved markedly, and has pretty good co-ordination, but I wouldn't expect a great deal from him for about two years.

I love Brennan, solid, great hands etc, but I think he plays like a bit player, not convinced he is a senior. No Campbell Brown however. Big difference. But you gotta love him don't you.

If Jesse White can settle his brain into focussing on footy, he would make a great player. He looks a lot older than he is, has a solid body, and could be tops, but....he has a way to go.

I wait on Cheese. He doesn't lack confidence, ability, speed or flair. But he can get rattled by senior games. He is a much better Ressies player. Work in progress.

Looking forward to the emergence of Curry (big unit) and Orreal, very tall, who wants to make it in a game he has very little experience with. Noticed his tap rucking improved out of sight from beginning to end of year. B oth of the boys became pretty deft at wrist work - Spida was a great asset to this Club.

Brendan Murphy could be the smokey. Irishman who put on shoulders over the season. Kind of a bull at a gate approach, but no fear, at all, nup. Would be good in defence as I doubt he could be moved off his line. However, he can also move very quickly. Major problem would be the boys working out what he was yelling with his strong accent and a mouthguard. That and his propensity to go through the player in front of him, instead of around. Would make a great League player. He reminds me of a great big dozer.

Its late, I'm going to bed. Its only October. We got months to go yet.

[dimelb]

Thanks Primmy - always good to hear more on the twos, whichever watcher it comes from. We never see them.

[chalbilto]

Thanks for your insight Primmy. From your comments I see that we have some very promising young players. Lets hope that they continue to develop and step up to the seniors. I will look forward to seeing them in the pre-season games.

[Old Royboy]

Chalbilto, thanks for your kind words. I guess it?s time I weighed in with some opinions on who of the ressies/ fringe players will stay or get the axe..

On Brennan, what you said about him is correct, the problem is he cannot and seemingly never will be able to hit the back of a bus from 10 metres. Years ago, we could accommodate Dunks who had the same problem, but the game has moved on and Brenno is not quite as good as Dunks either. It hurts, because Brenno is one of those players who spills his guts every time he takes the field. But in today?s game I don?t think we can afford to carry somebody with disposal as poor as his.

Peter (Columbo) Faulks, I may be wrong, I think he is taller than Leo but still very skinny. He has all the tools required of a good defender ? good anticipation, safe hands, reliable disposal and speed. Bit of the old David Dench dash about him too. Others have doubts, but he is one I definitely expect to debut next year,

Jesse ?Mocca? White: Big, fast, good motor and an accurate kick. Biggest shortcoming ATM is those Barry Hall style brittle hands. At CHF he plays very much like Richo. I have very good mail that the club is expecting big things fro him, so am I too. But he does need to work very hard on his marking skills.

Reg Grundy: I see him as in the same position that Luke Vogels found himself in. Good, but not quite good enough. The Swans already have Playfair as a fringe forward ? without Henry, Reg would have a much better chance of surviving. A club can only afford to carry a limited number of fringe players and I?m afraid Reg?s number may come up.

Cheese Barlow: I think he had a big and very bad case of second year syndrome this year. I saw him play in Lonnie in the NAB cup, he thought he was King Kong but played like Goldilocks. The theme continued for the whole year. Injury did not help, but right through the season he did not work hard enough off the ball and his tackling was abysmal. I am unsure of his contract situation, if he is out of contract he?s on very thin ice.

Nick Smith: Heir apparent to Jude, very similar in that he works like a demon at the base of packs but has dodgy disposal. The fact that they made him captain of the two?s says that the club sees a future for him. Elevation likely.

Ryan Brabazon: I thought he was very lucky to stay on the list this year. I see significance in that Nick Smith was preferred to Braba as the two?s captain. He is not good in the tough stuff at the bottom of the packs but neither is his speed or disposal good enough for hi to be an elite outside midfieder. I think gawn, but I did last year as well.

Matty O?Dwyer: We want speed, this kid has buckets of it. Disposal not great, but not terrible either, I want to see him elevated.

Dan ?Crusher? Currie and Jake ?Caravan? Orreal: The fact that the club flagged post season that they were NOT in the market for a ruckman says it all. Dan is ready to go and the ?Van?s improvement over the season was simply amazing. He played a wonderful game in the ressies Grand Final.
Nathan Gordon: I was not aware that he his now at drafting age (thanks Liz) Great contested mark, good kick, buckets of potential. If he is not picked up with the last draft pick this year, I reckon it will only be for list management purposes. He has a big future.

Mat ?Butcher? Beckmans: Kicking was a big problem early in the year, but improved as the season progressed. A terrific contested mark, and has that innate ability of knowing when and where to lead. A footballer!! He really stood up when it counted in the Grannie, and that will help his cause. I hope he gets another rookie year,

Brendan ?Skull? Murphy: Primmy?s assessment was spot on. Definitely another rookie year, with elevation during the season a distinct chance. Off season, he needs to work on his kicking whilst running at speed, this year almost every time it was a shank or a helicopter. Big, strong, fast, fearless and so enthusiastic.

There must be questions asked about our teams talented but injury prone kids ? Laidlaw and DOK. Laidlaw showed last year just how good he is, and personally I would be most unhappy if he was cut and Grundy was retained. DOK, we just do not know ? both his years have been train wrecks. I take it as a good omen that both DOK and Thornton were there and very much a part of the ressies team when they won this year, (see Sophie?s pic) In DOK?s case, much will depend on how the club has viewed his reaction and attitude to the two horrible years he has had ? or will they consider him just another Donkey Doyle and cut their losses? Who knows?

[mcs]

all I hear about Murphy is Positives. The couple of reserves games I went too he looked a bit unco and not quite with it, but the athletic ability was absolutely obvious. Did some very good things as well. Another season prying his trade in the ressies (He has a 2 year rookie listing does he not) and some more time to bulk up and get use to the game and I reckon he will be an absolute gun of a player. I also noticed the going straight over players instead of around em- very impressive indeed!

[mcs]

Must say I like the thought of our ruck department in a couple of years. maybe Jolly might drift forward in his latter years and play in the forward line while the two youngsters take over.

[shaun..]

Peter (Columbo) Faulks, I may be wrong, I think he is taller than Leo but still very skinny.

A good 10cm taller! Mayb Bevo can be our next FB (184cm, same as Leo - short, I know!!) or will that ruin our quarterbacking abilities?!