AFL Canberra Round 6
Belconnen Magpies v Sydney Swans Reserves
Saturday 22nd May 2pm
Manuka Oval
Pre-match rant: This game is being played in Canberra and is NOT the curtain raiser for the Swans-Freo game. I can forgive the fact that this match is being played in Canberra, but I think it's inexcusable that they scheduled this match at the same date and time as the seniors. This means that one or two emergencies will be left behind in Sydney as cover, possibly resulting in no football for 2 straight weeks. I hope the Swans did kick up a stink and requested a swap with the Eastlake game that is also happening at Manuka on the Sunday.
Ladder
1st. Swans 4W 1L 16Pts 115.5%
3rd Belconnen 3W 2L 12Pts 104.6%
Last Round
Tuggeranong 22.12 (144) def. Swans 13.13 (91)
Belconnen 15.7 (97) def. Eastlake 11.12 (78)
The depleted Swans lineup faded badly in the last after going into the match a few men short and suffering in-game injuries against cellar dwellars Tuggeranong. Belconnen jumped away to a solid start against Eastlake and comfortably held on for a big victory.
History
2010
R1 Reserves 20.8 128 Belconnen 9.12 66
2009
R1 Belconnen 16.14 110 Reserves 10.5 65
R6 Belconnen 26.18 174 Reserves 12.12 84
R11 Belconnen 24.13 157 Reserves 6.12 48
R16 Reserves 10.15 75 Belconnen 12.19 91
The Reserves were impressive in thrashing the defending premiers in Round 1. That victory halted a shocking record of 8 losses in 9 games against the Magpies. Sam Reid kicked 5, while Campbell Heath, Nick Smith and Matthew O'Dwyer were amongst the best Swans players that day.
Team List
In: Meredith (back from injury), Barlow (senior demotion) White (senior demotion), Sumner (back from ?), Thornton (back from injury), O'Dwyer (non-playing senior emergency)
Out: Playfair (senior promotion) Heath (senior promotion) Bevan (senior promotion)
6 ins and 3 outs will mean a much stronger team, although it's still a possibility that either MOD or Vespa will join Richards in Sydney as an emergency. Byron Sumner will make his Reserves debut after an unexplained absence from the team, although he did play in the NAB Cup. Meredith makes his 2nd injury comeback while Thornton makes his first after a long injury.
Scholarship Players
Out: Jay Lewis
Topups
Belconnen
Still the side to beat in this comp, and their record at Manuka is terrific. Key forward Andrew Ainger is leading their goalkicking with 14 and will need to be closely watched. Star midfielder Josh Jennings is in hot form.
Talking Points
Any Canberra fans going? I doubt it since it's on at the same time as the seniors. We may be forced to rely on the dreary official match report
Belconnen Magpies v Sydney Swans Reserves
Saturday 22nd May 2pm
Manuka Oval
Pre-match rant: This game is being played in Canberra and is NOT the curtain raiser for the Swans-Freo game. I can forgive the fact that this match is being played in Canberra, but I think it's inexcusable that they scheduled this match at the same date and time as the seniors. This means that one or two emergencies will be left behind in Sydney as cover, possibly resulting in no football for 2 straight weeks. I hope the Swans did kick up a stink and requested a swap with the Eastlake game that is also happening at Manuka on the Sunday.
Ladder
1st. Swans 4W 1L 16Pts 115.5%
3rd Belconnen 3W 2L 12Pts 104.6%
Last Round
Tuggeranong 22.12 (144) def. Swans 13.13 (91)
Belconnen 15.7 (97) def. Eastlake 11.12 (78)
The depleted Swans lineup faded badly in the last after going into the match a few men short and suffering in-game injuries against cellar dwellars Tuggeranong. Belconnen jumped away to a solid start against Eastlake and comfortably held on for a big victory.
History
2010
R1 Reserves 20.8 128 Belconnen 9.12 66
2009
R1 Belconnen 16.14 110 Reserves 10.5 65
R6 Belconnen 26.18 174 Reserves 12.12 84
R11 Belconnen 24.13 157 Reserves 6.12 48
R16 Reserves 10.15 75 Belconnen 12.19 91
The Reserves were impressive in thrashing the defending premiers in Round 1. That victory halted a shocking record of 8 losses in 9 games against the Magpies. Sam Reid kicked 5, while Campbell Heath, Nick Smith and Matthew O'Dwyer were amongst the best Swans players that day.
Team List
- 7. Brett Meredith
- 8. Trent Dennis-Lane
- 10. Daniel Currie
- 11. Ed Barlow
- 13. Pat Veszpremi (senior emergency)
- 18. Jesse White
- 20. Sam Reid
- 22. Byron Sumner
- 23. Lewis Johnston
- 27. Kristin Thornton
- 28. Dylan McNeil
- 36. Chris McKaigue
- 43. Matt O'Dwyer (senior emergency)
- 45. Nathan Gordon
- 46. Taylor Gilchrist
In: Meredith (back from injury), Barlow (senior demotion) White (senior demotion), Sumner (back from ?), Thornton (back from injury), O'Dwyer (non-playing senior emergency)
Out: Playfair (senior promotion) Heath (senior promotion) Bevan (senior promotion)
6 ins and 3 outs will mean a much stronger team, although it's still a possibility that either MOD or Vespa will join Richards in Sydney as an emergency. Byron Sumner will make his Reserves debut after an unexplained absence from the team, although he did play in the NAB Cup. Meredith makes his 2nd injury comeback while Thornton makes his first after a long injury.
Scholarship Players
- Jackson Potter
- Mitch May
Out: Jay Lewis
Topups
- Ben Andreatta
- Mark Brook
- Kieran Emery
- Luke Gilbert
- Stuart Gray
- Kirk Mahon
- Kane Morris
Belconnen
Still the side to beat in this comp, and their record at Manuka is terrific. Key forward Andrew Ainger is leading their goalkicking with 14 and will need to be closely watched. Star midfielder Josh Jennings is in hot form.
Talking Points
- The last time Mocca White was dropped to the reserves, he responded with a haul of 19 goals in 2 games. A similar return would be most welcome
. It may depend on whether he plays in the ruck, a position he doesn't usually occupy in the reserves but may do so with Pyke and Orreal missing.
- Form, fitness or off-field reasons, whatever the reasons, can Patty the Vespa overcome these issues to reclaim a senior place?
- How will Cheese Barlow respond after his unceremonious dumping due to an inept performance in the seniors?
- Will serial injury victims Mez Meredith and Krisso Thornton last through the match!?
- Will the Lewis Johnston the backman experiment continue this week?
Any Canberra fans going? I doubt it since it's on at the same time as the seniors. We may be forced to rely on the dreary official match report

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