Seaby vs Pyke

[BSA5]

Could Mike the Pyke be the Swans Podsiadly? A late to the game mature bloomer ? It would be a fairy tale storey and Teddy could write his biography.Give him something to do ! Wouldn't that be sensational? Am I only dreaming....?

Pods has been playing his whole life. He was drafted at a normal age by Essendon (I think), never got a game and was delisted. He's a late comer to senior AFL football, not the game itself.

[swansrule100]

Spot on! admittedly he was starting from a low base line but we can see dramatic and continual improvement in a player whose personal size and ability is potentially awesome. This is not amazing ,this is normal sport lovers response to anybody who takes on a tough task in sport and begins to succeed.What surprises me is how you can NOT be impressed by this?

im impressed i just think he still is well behind most of the squad and find it weird to develop a player from that low a base in the premier competition in the country thats all.

[Bas]

Pods has been playing his whole life. He was drafted at a normal age by Essendon (I think), never got a game and was delisted. He's a late comer to senior AFL football, not the game itself.

I'm not sure if he was with the bombers but he was with the mugpies rookie list and played in Pluggers comeback game in the pre-season.

Mike is very fortunate with 2 new teams entering the AFL, he will be on the list and I wouldn't be surprised if it's through the national draft. The Swans will have to draft 3 players and I'm sure they won't all be unknowns. having said that, he is developing and developing players NEVER get cut.

The problem with many Mexicans (Swans fans excluded naturally) is that they say you have to play Aussie Rules all your life to be able to play the game at an elite level. That is rubbish. Today, technology allows you to teach players where to go and what to do. If you have the physical ability PLUS the determination to succeed then you more than half way to your goal.

[Bloody Hell]

Another good performance.

With it looking like Seaby may be gone for the season, Mike may have more time than 5 weeks and some finals experience ahead of him.

[neilfws]

All I'd add is that Pyke is a featured player in the TV commercial for the Cats "blockbuster" - and he's billed above Mumford!

[aardvark]

He's really starting to look like a confident footballer. His tapwork was very good again and he just keeps getting better around the ground.

[Foreign Legion]

If someone had've suggested to me that Pyke would become a semi-important part of our side after 2 years I would've laughed.

I think his progress is amazing - he is still a problem at times but by gee, he is getting better.

If I was coaching him in the off season I would ask him to do a drill - stand 90M away from another player - run 20M then kick it to him - then turn around and take the kick from him - running obviously - repeat. I reckon this would help him immensely.

P.S. some quick handball drills wouldn't hurt either.

[ScottH]

Pyke set the tone early with some strong tackles in forward line.
And got better as the game went on.
He is fast becoming a strong reliable mark.

[dimelb]

Pyke set the tone early with some strong tackles in forward line.
And got better as the game went on.
He is fast becoming a strong reliable mark.

He's been a fine mark for some time. The height, the strength, the jump, the hands - very good indeed. And he knows more and more about where to be. I suspect that in the forward line he benefits more than others from Moore's direction.

[swansrule100]

pyke should kick a lot more than he handballs he is a lot better kick than he seems to realise

[MushroomRocket]

Pyke by today's performance, Mumford/Pyke has much more chemistry during gameday than Seaby/Mumford. Pyke is also showing enough promise to rotate through the wing when someone other than mummy is pinch hitting, which is a valuable asset in the modern game. seaby pretty much plonks in the forward line which is old school, especially since rotations are becoming more important in our game style.

[dimelb]

Pyke by today's performance, Mumford/Pyke has much more chemistry during gameday than Seaby/Mumford. Pyke is also showing enough promise to rotate through the wing when someone other than mummy is pinch hitting, which is a valuable asset in the modern game. seaby pretty much plonks in the forward line which is old school, especially since rotations are becoming more important in our game style.

I noticed that he, at different times, played as ruck cum midfield, tall forward, tall defender - he really seems to gain a dimension with each game. And is at the very least useful in any position. I imagine just about any defence would be nervous to have to cover him, Goodes, White, McGlynn and now Shaw. Our spare parts forward line is looking unexpectedly strong.

[mcs]

His progress every week is fantastic. He still isn't involved as much as we would like, but he is beginning to pop up at key times- like that excellent defensive grab he took today. Also beginning to kick a lot better and you can see the confidence growing in him. His ruckwork is excellent, and given another 12 months hopefully of experience he could make a quite fine ruckmen indeed. Really glad for him, for by all reports he is a really top guy as well.

Going to be interesting to see what happens when Seaby gets back. I think Seaby probably is still in front of him at the moment, but with every game the gap between the two is rapidly closing, such is the improvement Pyke is showing.

[agro]

One thing that is good about watching the progress of Pyke is a steady improvement in his consistency. Every week is better than his last. He will get a fade in form sooner or later as all players do, but Pyke is like a sub plot within the Swans' overall story. Even when the swans loose he is interesting to watch.

Where do you think he'll end up in the best and fairest? Obviously not first but certainly not last. Can anyone see him one day getting a few Brownlow votes?

[Doctor]

pyke should kick a lot more than he handballs he is a lot better kick than he seems to realise

Agreed, but it's not that he doesn't realise he's a better kick, he is actually playing to instruction by giving it off.