Michael Pyke

[BSA5]

I must admit thought his ruckwork was very good yesterday and his general positioning was at a much better level than in prevoius games.

Still, though Im not convinced as yet. Hope Im proved wrong.
He was up against probably the weakest opposition he will get and he was good , not superb , not poor though more than a pass on the day.

I don't think anybody is "convinced". He's very raw, and there's no guarantee he'll make it long-term. He has some glaring deficiencies, and some glaring talents. But at the moment, due to our poor ruck depth (mainly because Currie is injured), he's in our best 22, and while that isn't ideal, it at least gets him valuable experience. He's showing improvement every week. The question is when that improvement will start to level out, and we've seen nothing to suggest that will be early or late. All we can do is watch him improve for the time being, knowing that at the moment he is in our best 22 (but it wouldn't take much to nudge him out if we had any depth), and hope that he fulfills his athletic potential.

[ScottH]

Pyke warming up.
Concentrating really hard on his kicking style.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3807009073_148d2573aa_o.jpg

There are others in flickr of him rucking.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

@@@@ he's a big lad.

[2005]

Yesterday showed just how he still is away from AFL Level.
Against better opposition , he was smashed and had no influence at all.
We have to find a better back up for Jolls next year.

[shaun..]

Yesterday showed just how he still is away from AFL Level.
Against better opposition , he was smashed and had no influence at all.
We have to find a better back up for Jolls next year.

Daniel Currie.

[chalbilto]

Yesterday showed just how he still is away from AFL Level.
Against better opposition , he was smashed and had no influence at all.
We have to find a better back up for Jolls next year.

You are a very harsh taskmaster. The guy is green and still learning the trade. For the limited time he has had he has done exceptionally well. The game against the Pies was a learning experience. Did Kennelly set the game on fire when he started? Look how he turned out.

I have seen some very promising ruck work and taps to advantage from Pyke.
Give the fellow a break. I'm not writing him off. If he doesn't improve at the end of next season then give him the flick. Also hopefully, Currie can be another back-up to Jolly.

[Kirkari]

BTW did anyone notice that his drop punt was actually a round leg kick? Same action as a drop kick in Rugby only without the ball hitting the ground...always revert to type under intense pressure.

Maybe but did anyone notice the tackle he laid on on who knows who (sorry the opposition are just a blur to me mostly). Reverting to type can come in VERY handy. The unfortuantel Pies player clearly wasn't expecting it from such a big man. Beautiful.

[Lucky Knickers]

Something that really puzzles me about Pies is how we can go into a game with a superior ruck combination and we can never seem to dominate Fraser et al. I can't work out how we can shut down STK, hold the Cats and even close down the wonder boys at the Eagles way back but we can't get those Pies.
The last few weeks will have done wonders for Pyke. He's played against the best midfields/rucks in the game. We have been so lucky with Jolly being so incredibly durable. Has he missed a game? I like that there is a big unit who isn't afraid to have go to come in. We haven't had much luck with our younger rucks over the years.

[ScottH]

Something that really puzzles me about Pies is how we can go into a game with a superior ruck combination and we can never seem to dominate Fraser et al. I can't work out how we can shut down STK, hold the Cats and even close down the wonder boys at the Eagles way back but we can't get those Pies.
The last few weeks will have done wonders for Pyke. He's played against the best midfields/rucks in the game. We have been so lucky with Jolly being so incredibly durable. Has he missed a game? I like that there is a big unit who isn't afraid to have go to come in. We haven't had much luck with our younger rucks over the years.

Jolly has played 112 consecutive games. 4th on the current list.

AFL Tables - Consecutive Games

[dimelb]

Yesterday showed just how he still is away from AFL Level.
Against better opposition , he was smashed and had no influence at all. ...

The game stats say otherwise.
Hitouts: C'wood 26, Wood 17, Fraser 7
SS 40, Jolly 32, Pyke 7
Source: The Age with official AFL stats.
Mind you, as I said elsewhere, it annoys me no end that time after time our blokes got hands on the ball first at the bounce and the Pies came away with it. I think this is part of what LK is saying.

[Lucky Knickers]

Yes Di. The hitouts and clearances is one thing (and very bloody frustrating) but even just marking and contests - they seem to have the wood over Jolly (pardon half-pun).

[hammo]

Something that really puzzles me about Pies is how we can go into a game with a superior ruck combination and we can never seem to dominate Fraser et al. I can't work out how we can shut down STK, hold the Cats and even close down the wonder boys at the Eagles way back but we can't get those Pies.

Probably for the same reasons Fremantle struggles despite having Sandilands dominating ruck contests.

[hammo]

The game stats say otherwise.
Hitouts: C'wood 26, Wood 17, Fraser 7
SS 40, Jolly 32, Pyke 7
Source: The Age with official AFL stats.
Mind you, as I said elsewhere, it annoys me no end that time after time our blokes got hands on the ball first at the bounce and the Pies came away with it. I think this is part of what LK is saying.

You probably should include Wood's 13 possessions, 4 marks and goal and Fraser's 17 possessions, 2 marks and 2 goals.

[dimelb]

You probably should include Wood's 13 possessions, 4 marks and goal and Fraser's 17 possessions, 2 marks and 2 goals.

Sure, in general play they have it over Pyke, which is what we expect at this stage. He'll improve in that area, but he's already more than useful in the ruck.

[Nico]

The game stats say otherwise.
Hitouts: C'wood 26, Wood 17, Fraser 7
SS 40, Jolly 32, Pyke 7
Source: The Age with official AFL stats.
Mind you, as I said elsewhere, it annoys me no end that time after time our blokes got hands on the ball first at the bounce and the Pies came away with it. I think this is part of what LK is saying.

My hobby horse. All we need to do is for our players to go for the ball and win 50% of the centre clearances, instead of the holding and blocking tactics.
It really is a waste for Jolly to win so many contests only to see the ball whisked away by the opposition. He might as well stand there and not contest. I suggest Pyke would be better advised to use his leap and thump it 30 metres forward.

What really riled me yesterday was the Pies ruckman were clearing centre bounces by foot.