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I was at the Crows game and got a good look at Pikey. He was one of the substitutes tonight (along with Matt O'Dwyer). Just after half time he handed the orange top to Jolly and spent much of the 2nd half getting game time.
He's raw, but as a tall, he's certainly athletic. I think he probably got first hand on the ball more often than not, but just needs refinement in palming it down more directly to a team-mate (or in their path). Jumps well well and times his jumps well to get his hand to it. Didn't have much body-on-body work to do as far as I could tell (but you'd hope at 104kg he'd hold his own).
In the goal-kicking warm up, he handballed all bar once. He won himself a few free "kicks"; but every time, he handballed to a nearby team-mate who disposed of it by foot. I would imagine it's a confidence thing. Unfortunately, that habit will also become predictable to the opposition.
He seems to have a good engine. Runs a lot. When he went to the bench, seemed to not break too much of a sweat. But doesn't read the play too well... yet. Runs up and down the ground chasing the ball rather than anticipating where he should be to win the ball. Most obvious at kick-ins where he was some 80-100m away, rather than contesting the kick-in. I expect this will come with experience as he's played, what 3-4 trial games?
Jason Ball (Swans Board Member) might be handy to give him hints on play reading as he was always good at it. Handy ruck coach too I'd have thought.
Pikey also seemed to bump players rather than laying a tackle. I imagine that if his big frame tackled, the opposition would stay tackled.
At 25 (in a week and a bit) I hope he comes along quickly with Ressies gametime because I reckon physically he's right to go. Certainly enthusiastic too. Pitty we didn't sign him when he was 17 or 18 and give him a few years to get used to the game. Still, if he's ready for senior football by the end of next season, we might get several servicable years out of him.
I hope no R&WOers aren't too harsh on him as, like LRT and Tadhg were, he's a work in progress (we just started a little later). He's also quite pleasant
Best of luck this season Mike! And Happy Birthday for March 24th
He's raw, but as a tall, he's certainly athletic. I think he probably got first hand on the ball more often than not, but just needs refinement in palming it down more directly to a team-mate (or in their path). Jumps well well and times his jumps well to get his hand to it. Didn't have much body-on-body work to do as far as I could tell (but you'd hope at 104kg he'd hold his own).
In the goal-kicking warm up, he handballed all bar once. He won himself a few free "kicks"; but every time, he handballed to a nearby team-mate who disposed of it by foot. I would imagine it's a confidence thing. Unfortunately, that habit will also become predictable to the opposition.
He seems to have a good engine. Runs a lot. When he went to the bench, seemed to not break too much of a sweat. But doesn't read the play too well... yet. Runs up and down the ground chasing the ball rather than anticipating where he should be to win the ball. Most obvious at kick-ins where he was some 80-100m away, rather than contesting the kick-in. I expect this will come with experience as he's played, what 3-4 trial games?
Jason Ball (Swans Board Member) might be handy to give him hints on play reading as he was always good at it. Handy ruck coach too I'd have thought.
Pikey also seemed to bump players rather than laying a tackle. I imagine that if his big frame tackled, the opposition would stay tackled.
At 25 (in a week and a bit) I hope he comes along quickly with Ressies gametime because I reckon physically he's right to go. Certainly enthusiastic too. Pitty we didn't sign him when he was 17 or 18 and give him a few years to get used to the game. Still, if he's ready for senior football by the end of next season, we might get several servicable years out of him.
I hope no R&WOers aren't too harsh on him as, like LRT and Tadhg were, he's a work in progress (we just started a little later). He's also quite pleasant
Best of luck this season Mike! And Happy Birthday for March 24th
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