Michael Pyke

[ugg]

How good was his tapwork today, eh?

The tapdown to Goodes to goal from the centre bounce was just sensational, reminiscent to another tap he effected in his debut against Richmond. He also got clean hands to a lot more too, only to have it sharked by the Essendon midfield. I know it was against two part-time ruckmen, but it's still exciting to think he has improved this much in just 7 or so months of training and playing.

The coaching staff must fast-track his development by playing him as much as possible as the 2nd ruckman. White should be played as a full time forward leaving the rucking duties to Pyke. It will beneficial to have Pyke learning the ropes in these last 8 games, rather than have part timers LRT/Richards doing their bit. The big problem is it upsets the balance of the side to have that many talls in the side. One tall may have to come out, and I'm not sure who it will be.

PS. Just don't mention the kick into the man on the mark.

[satchmopugdog]

On Friday night Will Minson Kicked into the man on the mark.

[Bas]

He did make up for it with the kick to set up shot at goal at Randwick end though.

I was very impressed with him as well and promotion to Seniors should happen at years end.

[Primmy]

Happy to have the man on board. For a first official senior gamer he showed about zilch sign of nerves. Was very impressed with his work, except for you know what into you know who, but not one to hang his head. Hope we get to hear a bit of positive feedback about his debut.

I think the last time we had a field change due to warm up issues was with Johnny Stevens way back when, wasn't it?

[10Totti10]

Yeah, I changed my opinion about him abit. Did win a heap of hit outs which I was very impressed with. I think he does struggle to tap to advantage and if he can learn to do that he will become a very good ruckman. He will have this year and next to work on his skills but either way Im very happy. Him and Currie is our future ruck combo.

[pinkemu]

He did make up for it with the kick to set up shot at goal at Randwick end though.

I was very impressed with him as well and promotion to Seniors should happen at years end.

That kick was as good as they come.

[Primmy]

He did make up for it with the kick to set up shot at goal at Randwick end though.

I was very impressed with him as well and promotion to Seniors should happen at years end.

Bas, do you mean off the rookie list?? I doubt he can play seniors if he is not officially listed. Can't remember now (old age and wine is taking its toll) but I am sure as an international recruit he is officially on the list. With him, Cuz and Jake our rucking stocks backing up Jolls should be well buttressed.

[ScottH]

PS. Just don't mention the kick into the man on the mark.

Ok I won't. But at least he got in there to try and win it back.

[erica]

Very good signs with Pyke and I'm pleased he has taken to the game so quickly. Pyke was watching a couple of quarters of the twos, and he constantly had a football in his hands, punching it from hand to hand. I'll look forward to watching his development.

[Nico]

I don't think he is anywhere near ready. From the 2's report Orreal has come on rapidly. Why not give him a try now.

I won't be getting any Pyke bandwagon tickets for a while yet.

[liz]

I don't think he is anywhere near ready. From the 2's report Orreal has come on rapidly. Why not give him a try now.

I won't be getting any Pyke bandwagon tickets for a while yet.

Pyke is way way ahead of Orreal at the moment.

[Nico]

Pyke is way way ahead of Orreal at the moment.

Not much hope for Orreal then.

[liz]

Not much hope for Orreal then.

On the contrary, there is a fair amount of hope for Orreal. The biggest difference between them is that Pyke is 25 and built like the proverbial brick lavatory, while Orreal is 20 and built like a stick. Both show promise in their ruckwork, both have decent skills for their size and the miniscule amount of time they've been playing the game and both have a lot to learn about where to run when they're not contesting centre bounces.

I have no idea what your expectations of Pyke are. He has already given us far more than Chambers did.

And if we want White to be given a chance of playing as a key forward and don't want to run Jolly completely into the ground, then while Currie is injured (ie the rest of this season, at least) Pyke has to be it.

[goswannies]

Pyke is 25 and built like the proverbial brick lavatory.

The man is HUUUUUUUUUUGE! His arms are bigger than most peoples legs. Just need to spend some time at training (and ressies match days) forcing him to kick and handball under pressure to give him more confidence. And get him to tackle more. We know he can do it. Imagine him laying a (legal) tackle on Roughhead or J.Brown... They'd feel the aftershock in Perth! And run at the contest (if rumours about his pace are true) he wouldn't just split packs, he'd blow them apart just getting to them at full pace.

I have no idea what your expectations of Pyke are. He has already given us far more than Chambers did.

And Mott. I wouldn't be surprised if he gives us more than Spider did by the end of next year. Problem is when he is an emergcency and travels with the team but doesn't play (eg when he went to Adelaide), missing valuable game time in the twos (or do they travel back on the Saturday and he plays in Canberra on a Sunday?).

And if we want White to be given a chance of playing as a key forward...

ala Paul Salmon of his early Essendon days. He could be the next big thing up forward. Even if he spills it, Vespa/Monty?/Moore/Jack/Bird/McV are there to mop up.

and don't want to run Jolly completely into the ground...

I thought he looked tired yesterday

On dry days, could we play White, Jolly and Pyke? With White as a forward (FF/CHF)

[Emerald Hill]

Pyke was possibly the only positive to come out of yesterday's game. Definitely worth persevering with!