Reserves v Tuggeranong

[ugg]

Goals: Laidlaw 8 DOK 4 Orreal 3 Thornton 2 Crichton Atkinson Gordon RBN Malceski
Behinds: Laidlaw 3 Wicken 2 Malceski Brabazon

This quarter
Goals: Laidlaw 2 Orreal 2?@
Behinds:

swans 22.7 139
Hawks 19.14 128?@

I know Vesz is a very good player but I wouldn't think he makes such a difference. To be fair to Tuggers they were obviously pumped for a good showing in the second half and their pressure increased considerably. As a consequence the swans turnover count went up at an alarming rate

laidlaw kicked beautifully from his set shots
eski and dok were underwhelming

[satchmopugdog]

Well done Laidlaw

[10Totti10]

How was Vesz's game. Was he good? Laidlaw looks like a very good CHF prospect, or along the flanks?

[ugg]

Topups

7. T.Armitage
10. D.Stroud
23. J.Brazill
32. S.Wicken
35. A.Chrisfield
41. S.Crichton (the pick of the litter IMHO)
49. J.Dwyer
50. D.Brian
51. H.Wells
52. M.Atkinson
53. J.Keogh
54. M.Thompson
55. M.Hutton

[stellation]

Taken out behind play in the magoos, will the Nicky D likenesses ever stop for Patty?

[ugg]

BTW, does anyone know why Troy Pannell was umpiring this game, for the last quarter anyway when I noticed it was him. Either that or he has an evil twin brother.

[liz]

Strange old game. Swans looked like a million dollars in the first half, and were woeful in the second. Though when they started getting overrun after half-time, I bothered to count how many listed Swans there were out there and realised it was only around 8.

Was Vez off injured in the second half or was he rested as a senior emergency? He wasn't named as an emergency originally, but with Bevan out for Crouch, maybe he was a late addition?? Or maybe he was just uninjured. They didn't pulll either of the other two emergencies off for the second half.

Laidlaw was very impressive as a forward today. He is an exceptionally good overhead mark, but most of his chances today came from strong, straight fast leads. And in the first half he was getting the ball delivered to him on a plate. Last time I saw him play he was marking well but kicking horribly. Today he took some of whatever Jesse took a month or so ago because his kicking was close to immaculate. I think he missed a couple but it was a very impressive exhibition of kicking for goal. There is definitely a spot for him in the forward line next year if he can keep his body in one piece. He and Jesse leading quickly and smartly could be an exciting combo.

I thought Mal looked very good early but by the middle of the second quarter he looked completely exhausted. He still worked his butt off for the rest of the game but wasn't as dominant as normal at this level. I guess he is just struggling for fitness at the moment- understandable.

Thornton was also very good in the first half but seemed to go out of it in the second - maybe one of the reasons for the dramatic turnaround in fortunes.

Vez was class, class, class while he was there, playing off half-back and setting up many thrusts forward. He was guilty of demanding the ball when not in a great position to receive it, and some of his kicks were a little over-adventurous, but I thought he was clearly the best out there in the first half.

Jake was sent forward in the final quarter when it looked like we were going to get overrun and that was a coaching masterstroke from Allison. He took two good marks because he was just too tall for anyone out there. And whatever the other limitations are in his game, he is a very reliable set shot and goal, and didn't disappoint. His two goals were probably the settlers that the team needed and knocked the hope out of the Hawks.

Wasn't too much to like about the other listed Swans out there. Gilchrist had a horror 3rd quarter, when everything he tried to do went horribly wrong. His second half of the season hasn't been nearly as impressive as his early games. I hope he's done enough to convince the club he deserves a second year as a rookie though, because he has played some excellent footy at times.

DOK kicked 4 goals but otherwise didn't do much of note. Brabazon was very ordinary - as with two weeks ago, even his handballs were missing their targets.

Of the two scholarship lads, RBN and Gordon, Gordon was OK but I've seen him play much better. RBN looks to be finally getting a bit of confidence and was pretty decent today. Is a good mark and reasonably mobile. I've read elsewhere that he's not expecting to be offered a rookie spot, but depending on how many they delist and how deep (or otherwise) the draft is perceived to be, he may not be such a silly idea to give a year to. He has bulked up considerably from the gangly colt of last year, and while not the ruckman he was touted as when originally scholarshipped, he is definitely of KPP height and build.

Whoever handed out the jumpers to the top-ups today did their utmost to make things confusing. Must have been the same bloke who gave Jack no 15 and Mattner 29. I swear they lined them up and picked out the one who looked the most like Buchanan and gave him 32, and the one who looked most like Murphy and gave him 41. There was a group sitting behind me who spent the first quarter shouting out encouragement for Monty and Murph (and Curre and Meredith, whose jumper bearers bore no physical resemblance at all to their real owners). I moved for the second quarter so I have no idea how long it took them to twig!

No 41 didn't get much of the ball but was a big, strong and very quick lad, not dissimilar to White in his build and the way he moved. He kicked one very nice goal and set up one of the sealers in the final term. I also liked the game of no 53, who was able to give Orreal some rest from rucking all game (and also allowed him to go forward in the final quarter). He was a big, strong hulk of a lad who competed well at centre bounces.

[dimelb]

Thanks Liz, really value these reports.

[Primmy]

The second half had mostly toppies and only a scattering of Swans, and just (as I think quickly) Mal, Laidlaw, Thornton who have played seniors. Don't remember Ves in the second half. I think that is why the Tuggers nearly toppled them. But you have to give huge credit to the coaching. They got them sorted out and the spirit was very much evident.

And I thought 41 was Murph too, he did some good stuff. As for number 53, I was fascinated by him. He is a monster.

Botts had a bit to do, and I was almost crying in sympathy for Mal, its just not happening for him.

Was very pleased to see Jake Oreal gathering from his ankles, taking good quality marks, and his goal kicking is spot on. For a bloke of his height and background, that is some accomplishment. He has made great strides this year. For a moment I was wondering who was mentoring/coaching him and realised its probably the same bloke who is coaching Mike Pyke....

PS: I felt I had to move my seat. I like that seat. I mind three to one side and two to the other side as usual. However I was growling and muttering on my own but into the ear of a couple in front. I didn't feel comfortable muttering imprecations to the gods with an audience of two in a sea of blue seats. the things you do.

[Reggi]

Given there age seems Brabazon, Thornton and Schmidt will be lucky to survive

Laidlaw will be an interesting one. Seems he would be a chance for next week.

I presume Orreal's slow improvement means he is likely to stay, a shame Meredith and Vespremi have not had more senior opportunity

[Reggi]

Was very pleased to see Jake Oreal gathering from his ankles, taking good quality marks, and his goal kicking is spot on. For a bloke of his height and background, that is some accomplishment. He has made great strides this year. For a moment I was wondering who was mentoring/coaching him and realised its probably the same bloke who is coaching Mike Pyke....

IIRC correctly Steve Taubert, the ruck coach ran a surprising high finish in the Brownlow around 83? maybe 4th?

[Donners]

IIRC correctly Steve Taubert, the ruck coach ran a surprising high finish in the Brownlow around 83? maybe 4th?

It wasn't that surprising. He was absolutely dominant in some games (some of which I was lucky enough to see first-hand), and only got votes in about six of them, since several were BOG.

[ugg]

Yes just a handful of Swans in the second half, but mind you this was only one down from the first half where they were so dominant. Hence my earlier pondering about whether Vesz makes such a difference. On reflection, I think the toppies really struggled when the pressure was applied, which was almost non-existant in the first half.

[satchmopugdog]

IIRC correctly Steve Taubert, the ruck coach ran a surprising high finish in the Brownlow around 83? maybe 4th?

Gerard Healy was waxing lyrical about Steve Taubert last week..not just about his own ruck work but his instructional intelligence, that innate ability to teach someone else.

[Primmy]

Given there age seems Brabazon, Thornton and Schmidt will be lucky to survive

Laidlaw will be an interesting one. Seems he would be a chance for next week.

I presume Orreal's slow improvement means he is likely to stay, a shame Meredith and Vespremi have not had more senior opportunity

Jake came from basketball, was recruited without playing a single game. So I think he is amazing.
Merry has a broken arm - he is a gem though.
Ves is a bit a fire cracker - you just don't know when he is going to go off; needs time to mature his aerobic ability and I have complete faith in him.