Round 14: Sydney Swans Reserves v Eastlake Demons

[Go Swannies]

When I spoke to Currie on Saturday night he said he'd had to ruck the whole game himself and was still feeling pretty sore - particularly his back. So maybe that may explain his lack of input around the ground? I didn't see the game so I'm merely reporting. Sore in the 2s doesn't sound like ready for the heavy-duty 1s - especially against the "anti-social" Hawks.

[Go Swannies]

Sumner shines in Reserves win - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club

Cheese hamstrung.

Would that be a load of crock, Monsieur?
(Thanks to Masterchef)

[ugg]

When I spoke to Currie on Saturday night he said he'd had to ruck the whole game himself and was still feeling pretty sore - particularly his back. So maybe that may explain his lack of input around the ground? I didn't see the game so I'm merely reporting. Sore in the 2s doesn't sound like ready for the heavy-duty 1s - especially against the "anti-social" Hawks.

He definitely got a real working out, the opposing ruckman wasn't afraid to use his bulk and Currie had to battle for position at the throw ins.

[707]

Thanks to all you guys that post ressies reports, being in Adelaide I really like reading your thoughts on the up and comers as a way to keep informed. Liking what I hear about a number of players. I was in Sydney pre season to watch an internal practice game and liked the natural footy instincts of Sumner. I left the game in no doubt he is going to be a very good player so good to hear he is now showing highly at ressies level.

[Nico]

The boys moved up the line and into seniors this year already are Rohan, Jetta, Smith, Pyke (yes will put him in this group), Meredith, Dennis-Lane,which is pretty formidable.

Smith was already there from 2009, Rohan has been OK, Jetta for mine has been overrated, Pyke I am far from convinced, Meredith had one fair game but has been rather disappointing/not getting to contests and TDL has struggled. As far as I am concerned only the first 2 rate as long term players.

[Primmy]

Nico, Smith was not a regular senior player in 2009 or at the start of 2010. Its only since he got his first game this year after I think it was Craig Bolton injured himself, that he got a regular gig. He has proven to be pretty reliable and will probably become very good, one of those who you hardly notice at first, the quiet achiever. Good enough to retain a spot, but whose?

My post was about the number of boys who have already been given a chance at seniors this year, and why the remainder are on the backburners at this stage.

[Go Swannies]

The boys moved up the line and into seniors this year already are Rohan, Jetta, Smith, Pyke (yes will put him in this group), Meredith, Dennis-Lane,which is pretty formidable.

Smith was already there from 2009, Rohan has been OK, Jetta for mine has been overrated, Pyke I am far from convinced, Meredith had one fair game but has been rather disappointing/not getting to contests and TDL has struggled. As far as I am concerned only the first 2 rate as long term players.

As Meredith has played four games this year and TDL just two games it might be a bit premature to write them off as not "long term players".

Surprisingly, Pyke, Mummy, MOD and Rohan are the only Swans that take more contested than uncontested possessions. Nick Smith is down on disposals against the AFL average but he's about average for the Swans at disposal efficiency (75.4%) - Ted is our most effective at 81.4%. Mal, Goodes and Kieren are by far our best for Inside 50s. (I had too much time to study the Record on Saturday.)

[jono2707]

I went out there early on Saturday to take in the reserves for the first time this year and I can add the following observations:
- Gordon and McNeil were both impressive ? hard working in-and-under types with a bit of mongrel in close. Both works in progress who will benefit from another off-season and a bit more of a run in the reserves but I can see one or both pressing for senior selection over the next 12 months.
- Sumner ? at first I thought he was too small and that a guy of his height and with his lack of bulk could never make it. Then from about the 2nd quarter onwards he exploded and busted open a number of packs with some telling runs. A bit of a Jetta clone and like Lewis, needs to spend a bit of time in the weights room. He definitely has the skills and the speed but not really in contention until next year.
- Vespa showed some real class and I think we need him back in the 1s as a goalsneak. His game is developing and in a few years he could make a decent midfielder, but at the moment he is more suited up forward. As he has shown at senior level in the past, he has a real goal sense and we could do with his attacking instincts over the next few weeks. In line for promotion this week.
- Currie dominated the ruck contests against some solid opposition but didn?t do much around the ground ? but that can be excused as he played the whole game in the ruck. Not sure about him but I guess he could play a role if another ruckman goes down before Seaby comes back.
- Reid is ready. He has good pace and size and seems to read the play well. I guess he?s bulked up through the year ? I was expecting to see a scrawny kid but he looks like he?ll have the build to mix it with the big boys real soon. He?s one guy that I think would benefit from being thrown in at the deep end as he seems like a smart footballer who would pick up the pace of top flight footy pretty quickly.
- Rohan looked short of a gallop but has undeniable class. Took one fantastic and gutsy mark in defence running back with the flight of the ball into a pack. Another guy who will benefit from more seniors games and will only get better.
- Heath seemed a bit off the pace and will need more time.
- Gilchrist showed some class in defence and seems to be a natural leader but will need more time.
- Johnston worked hard and had a good presence up forward - shame this guy isnt a few centimetres taller as he plays like a KPP but still needs a bit more size. Will benefit from some seniors games and is only a matter of time but I?m not sure if he?ll get the nod this year.
- TDL was a classy finisher and good mover and can slot back into the seniors if needed.
- Barlow looked ok in defence before succumbing to injury ? I don?t think he?ll be around next year.

All in all I was most impressed by McNeil and Gordon, I think Reid and Vespa are closest to senior promotion (closely followed by TDL) and Sumner was the surprise packet for me.

[ugg]

Good observations jono.

Johnston is listed as 193cm which would be passable for a key forward. How tall would you like him to be?
Sumner while he could do with more bulk I don't think is in the Lewis Jetta skinny category.

[jono2707]

Johnston is listed as 193cm which would be passable for a key forward. How tall would you like him to be?
Sumner while he could do with more bulk I don't think is in the Lewis Jetta skinny category.

I guess I'd like to see Johnston's footy smarts combined with Jesse White's size. Point taken though - 6'4" is plenty big enough for a key forward and I hope he keeps developing. I think Sumner has a frame which will enable him to bulk up a bit more than Jetta - he's certainly a lively fella but he looked pretty small out there...

[Bas]

Good observations jono.

Johnston is listed as 193cm which would be passable for a key forward. How tall would you like him to be?
Sumner while he could do with more bulk I don't think is in the Lewis Jetta skinny category.

I agree as well. Plugger was 191 cm tall. How tall does a FF have to be?

[Bas]

The boys moved up the line and into seniors this year already are Rohan, Jetta, Smith, Pyke (yes will put him in this group), Meredith, Dennis-Lane,which is pretty formidable.

Pyke I am far from convinced. As far as I am concerned only the first 2 rate as long term players.

Well the Club has just extended Pyke's contract for 2 years and Smith has been outstanding this year until his injury. We will have to wait and see.

[hammo]

Nico, Smith was not a regular senior player in 2009 or at the start of 2010. Its only since he got his first game this year after I think it was Craig Bolton injured himself, that he got a regular gig. He has proven to be pretty reliable and will probably become very good, one of those who you hardly notice at first, the quiet achiever. Good enough to retain a spot, but whose?

My post was about the number of boys who have already been given a chance at seniors this year, and why the remainder are on the backburners at this stage.

Smith played the last 11 games of last season so I think it's fair to say he was fairly established.

[Nico]

Nico, Smith was not a regular senior player in 2009 or at the start of 2010. Its only since he got his first game this year after I think it was Craig Bolton injured himself, that he got a regular gig. He has proven to be pretty reliable and will probably become very good, one of those who you hardly notice at first, the quiet achiever. Good enough to retain a spot, but whose?

My post was about the number of boys who have already been given a chance at seniors this year, and why the remainder are on the backburners at this stage.

Smith was a regular towards the end of 2009 and most people saw him as starting in Round 1 of 2010. IIRC he did have an injury in the pre seaon games that set him back a bit, but it was form that got him back in not just because Bolton was out. On his stats, they were only down because he was doing stirling jobs stopping top players. I have no doubt we are a much better team with him in, and hope he takes Kirk's role in 2011.

[Nico]

Well the Club has just extended Pyke's contract for 2 years and Smith has been outstanding this year until his injury. We will have to wait and see.

I meant the first 2 that I named, being Smith and Rohan.