Pyke in the ruck

[The Big Cat]

I was near the back pocket under the video screen and saw Pyke blind turn through a scrimmage and deliver a perfect handball to Goodes who broke from the congestion. Our group was gobsmacked. This guy has played half a dozen aussie rules games IN TOTAL and has already exceeded the deeds of locally born and raised talent we have tried in Chambers and Mickeljohn. Jim Stynes spent a few seasons playing for Prahran in the old VFA just to learn the game and he was from a gaelic background. People forget that this bloke is not just big, he is quick and has a great spring. I say he's a great prospect.

[Young Blood]

Pyke's justified his place on the list - but Jesse White deserves selection as soon as he is fit.

[Jewels]

What happened to the days when a ruckman would thrash the ball 20-30 metres goal-side? It couldn't have been any worse then the Kitties grabbing everything dropped at (or near) their feet around the ball up.

I had that very same thought last night watching Freo V Blues.
Sandilands often belted the ball clear of the pack hanging at his feet and when he did, more often then not it was effective.

[robamiee]

whilst i think its great that he has potential etc..
i think he would be best in the 2's to get some refinement on his skills.

his taps were effective in that most were direct to the oppostion, he seem to have only have 1 direction in his tap.
He does have potential there is no doubt, however some games back in the 2's would be good if we ahve other fit guys who can ruck.

What happened to jesse White

[hammo]

Pyke has given the club some good PR and been servicable, but as a genuine rookie he can't be holding up the development of our other ruckmen.

Currie must be given some seniors time this year and White has impressed so far this season and surely cannot be kept out of the side. Both offer more versatility than the Canadian. Pyke still has a lot to learn and needs to do that in Canberra.

[johnno]

Case in point: Prior to Jolly and Ball, who was a great long-term ruckman for Sydney? Stafford had his moments, Doyle was always injured, Ironmonger moved back to Victoria, and you're left going back to Barry Round to find a stable, worthy ruckman in the Red and White.




None whatsoever.

What about Brad Tunbridge???? or Stephen Taubert???? quality personified.

[johnno]

I was near the back pocket under the video screen and saw Pyke blind turn through a scrimmage and deliver a perfect handball to Goodes who broke from the congestion. Our group was gobsmacked. This guy has played half a dozen aussie rules games IN TOTAL and has already exceeded the deeds of locally born and raised talent we have tried in Chambers and Mickeljohn. Jim Stynes spent a few seasons playing for Prahran in the old VFA just to learn the game and he was from a gaelic background. People forget that this bloke is not just big, he is quick and has a great spring. I say he's a great prospect.

I too was in the back pocket under the scoreboard(if you can call it a scoreboard out there) too. Not as good as last years seat I thought, last year I was with the cheersquad on the otherside of the ground.

[laughingnome]

What about Brad Tunbridge???? or Stephen Taubert???? quality personified.

Tunbridge had two good years in 91 and 92 but his back injuries killed his career.

Taubert we got later in his career and he also struggled before having one good year in 1984. I'll give that that was a really good year but Jolly and Round have given long-term service that the others haven't been able to deliver.

[The Big Cat]

I too was in the back pocket under the scoreboard(if you can call it a scoreboard out there) too. Not as good as last years seat I thought, last year I was with the cheersquad on the otherside of the ground.

You weren't the bloke in the "melee" with the Geelong supporter after the game were you? The security guard near me suddenly disappeared down the stairs but then again he would have battled to break up a couple of kids in a kindergarten disagreement.

[Primmy]

I have just seen Channel 10's vision of Mike Pyke training with the Swans, half naked. Now, I go to the footy for the game's sake.....she said. But, oh my, that has to be one of the most amazing sights in the Swans lineup. Work of art. Not often I wish I was much younger, but.......oh my.

[pinkemu]

I have just seen Channel 10's vision of Mike Pyke training with the Swans, half naked. Now, I go to the footy for the game's sake.....she said. But, oh my, that has to be one of the most amazing sights in the Swans lineup. Work of art. Not often I wish I was much younger, but.......oh my.

Careful, you'll bring the game into disrepute

[Bloody Hell]

This is a stupid thread.

We persisted for almost 100 games with someone who couldn't play in LRT - but after 2 games people want to write off Mike Pyke...ridiculous.

[The Lad]

Tunbridge had two good years in 91 and 92 but his back injuries killed his career.

Taubert we got later in his career and he also struggled before having one good year in 1984. I'll give that that was a really good year but Jolly and Round have given long-term service that the others haven't been able to deliver.

Tunbridge should have been better than he finished and granted late 91 he showed something ( I was still in school but watching avidly) But in 92 he not only caught the cancer that went through our club but became part of the problem. He trained lazily, had no intenistiy on match dayand by reports ate badly and smoked and drank way too much off the track, and was not playing the team game by the end of that year and was well right booted in 93, there was an injury to a knee from memory, not too bad, but he was going anyway.

[Darren Thomson]

IMHO this bloke is well worth persisting with, he's tall, athletic, strong and from what I've seen has made the most of his opportunity with his tap work. His other skills will come up to elite level when he plays at elite level, so persevere, like with LRT, who doesn't seem to be drawing the same criticism he was for some reason, maybe because he's played more games at senior level?????????/

[royboy42]

IMHO this bloke is well worth persisting with, he's tall, athletic, strong and from what I've seen has made the most of his opportunity with his tap work. His other skills will come up to elite level when he plays at elite level, so persevere, like with LRT, who doesn't seem to be drawing the same criticism he was for some reason, maybe because he's played more games at senior level?????????/

LRT isn't getting bagged as much because he is playing well!