Round 18: Belconnen Magpies v Sydney Swans Reserves

[ScottH]

From FB

FINAL SCORE: RESSIES 11.7.73 BELCONNEN: 15.15.105 BELCONNEN! SOME GAME DAY STATS: BRADSHAW PLAYED 67 MINUTES KICKED 1.1 & HAD 8 KICKS, 1 HANDBALL & 6 MARKS! MATT O'DWYER WITH 37 DISPOSALS NATHAN GORDON WITH 34 DISPOSALS & CAMPBELL HEATH WITH 3 GOALS & 33 DISPOSALS! WE ALSO HOLD TOP SPOT ON THE LADDER AFTER AINSLIE LOST THIS AFTERNOON TO EASTLAKES BY 5 POINTS! RESSIES WIN THE MINOR PREMIERSHIP!

[ugg]

Belconnen 15.15 105
Sydney 11.7 73

SYDNEY SWANS
Goal Kickers: C. HEATH 3, B. SUMNER 2, M. GORMAN , D. CURRIE , M. O''DWYER , T. GILCRHIST , D. BRADSHAW , D. MCNEIL
Best Players: C. HEATH, D. MCNEIL, M. O''DWYER, J. FARRELL, D. CURRIE

[Primmy]

Well it wasn't a disasterous result. You have to admit, it was a team of toppies backed up by a few Swans. Good on Frosty for being able to get the best out of them.

Nice one Cambo.

[unconfuseme]

Well it wasn't a disasterous result. You have to admit, it was a team of toppies backed up by a few Swans. Good on Frosty for being able to get the best out of them.

Nice one Cambo.

Plenty of mitigating circumstances, but they will need to be overcome very quickly, because I don't think a lot will be changing in the short term!


Here is NOT a match report, I will leave those to the experts, just some observations;

It was a glorious afternoon basking in the sun at Manuka yesterday, and Belco were revved up for a do or die effort. They started strongly and had the Swans defending desperately. The Swans seemed to be able to get the ball consistently at ground level and work it back, but seemed to consistently run into brick walls! Skill and decision errors let them down and with that last kick or handball being turned over, they were failing to get inside 50 with any consistence. The constant turnovers gave Belco the platform to move it forward, and a lot of their scoring seemed to come from marks and set shots from 40m+. When the Swans did get it inside 50, Bradshaw showed some touches of class (he also slipped over a couple of times and looked like anyone else too!). Lack of scoreboard pressure allowed Belco to grow in confidence, and by ? time, the 7 goal deficit was looking likely to blow out. Then a 10 minute burst in the final quarter saw all of the Swans skills return, along with their intensity, and all of a sudden we had a 4 goal game, and enough time for a fairy tale result! In spite of the effort and field position, the elusive next goal just would not come, and Belco were good enough to add a couple of their own, resulting in a score line that reflected their dominance. Unfortunately for them, other results meant it was the end of the season for Belco, and we now see a semi final series that is wide open, with teams 1&2 both coming off losses, and the minor premiers boasting the worst record of any team in the comp over the past 6 weeks!

It is fair to say that the team that went around yesterday, consisting of 9 and a half listed players, and a lot of kids, bears little resemblance to the roster of players responsible for their ladder position ? many of those players are either now playing 1?s and on fire, or injured. Add 3 or 4 of; Pyke, Rohan, TDL, Bevan, White, Barlow, Meredith, Richards, Playfair, Vez, ? you have more skill, more confidence, more experience, and also the opposition take a totally different attitude into the game.

So far as performances yesterday, I will leave the listed players to the coaches ? they know what they are looking for from them, but it is fair to say, if you are not being mentioned amongst the best, and behind top ups, chances are Frostie is not impressed! And call me a cynic, but I just wonder what we should be expecting from Ainslie and Eastlake top ups on the eve of finals? The 2 Balmain boys worked hard all day in defense (they had plenty to do!). Farrell in particular earned his mention amongst the best with one particular block he put on. The big fella got absolutely pole axed, quickly got back to his feet, got off the field, got his head bandaged and got back on begging for more! The 3 Scholarship boys all put in good efforts, Guthrie showed confidence with the ball in hand and pleasing desperation in defence, Kenny had his best game, getting some possessions on the wing, and showed some pace and enterprise, whilst May would have learned a few tricks from Braddy up forward, even if it was just how to ice your knee to the greatest effect.

A big challenge ahead for the boys, and it would help if some of those players mentioned above somehow become available, but our destiny probably depends on the caliber of top ups we can muster over the coming weeks. No idea about how those top up players qualify, nor their availability with their own finals on, for that matter???

[Primmy]

That is what I call a very good report uncon! Impressions of the game is what we want. Many thanks.

Glad to hear about the Balmain boys, considering their "mentors", Saddington and Davis! as well as coach Fosdyke.
Have been keeping an eye on Guthrie, and your report confirms my impressions that he is improving as the year has progressed (nothing worse than staying the same), along with Kenny and I have been a bit ambivalent about May, given he has grown out of his socks this year and that can slow you down a bit. Good on them.

You didn't mention Dill or Gordon in particular. They usually work their butts off, so wonder if that is the issue, they are very young in footie terms, so perhaps are wearing down at this end of the year.

Anyway, thanks a lot for you Report.

[ugg]

Heath shines as reserves go down - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club

After trailing Belconnen by 42 points at three quarter time, the Swans looked a chance towards the end of the quarter. Heath goaled on the run four minutes into the quarter after cleverly marking a kick from Lewis Johnston and Sumner eluded seven players to goal on the run from outside 50 metres a few minutes later.

I'd like to see that!

[dimelb]

Thanks, unconfuseme - just the kind of impressions I like to read, and gives a picture of what it was like. I thought it would be big year for the ressies, but that doesn't look likely now, for the reasons you mention. Still, it's good to know that there are some hard workers in the team.

[wearebloods]

Here is NOT a match report, I will leave those to the experts, just some observations;

Cheers for the feedback on the topups/scholarship players!

A couple of points to ponder for next season:

1/
For all the negatives posted about playing in the #ACTAFL, if the Swans can't field enough listed players with the current restrictions now, how will we compete in a more professional Northern League - especially if access to #ACTAFL topups is reduced/cancelled?...What's the plan?

2/
Who will play Mother Hen next year?

I wonder if the Ressies might have won or @ least been more competitive in the 2nd half of the season, if there was a stable, senior influence onfield to protect, marshall & encourage the troops.

[SimonH]

A couple of points to ponder for next season:

1/
For all the negatives posted about playing in the #ACTAFL, if the Swans can't field enough listed players with the current restrictions now, how will we compete in a more professional Northern League - especially if access to #ACTAFL topups is reduced/cancelled?...What's the plan?

2/
Who will play Mother Hen next year?

I wonder if the Ressies might have won or @ least been more competitive in the 2nd half of the season, if there was a stable, senior influence onfield to protect, marshall & encourage the troops.

The first point is very well made, although I think that in the professional northern league we would hopefully go flat out playing as many players, and scholarship holders as we could, for as long as we could. Whereas our current selections and on-field rotations are all centred around the number 13, which has an effect on how everything works at that level. Given an average run with injuries, we should be able to manage 15 or 16 Swans-contracted players are on the park each week. And one thing that Canberra over the last 2 years has taught us, is that you see an exponential improvement in team performance for each Swans player you add beyond the usual 'worst case' figure of 10.

The second question involves speculation about which mid-career player (or players) will be overtaken in the pecking order next year, and so play out most of the year in the 2s before probable delisting. One of the iron rules of Swans list management over the last decade (which has in fact served us very well) is that once you're a mid-career player, if you're not getting a regular game in the best 22, you're gone. That's even more of an iron rule than, 'don't use early draft picks on talls and rucks-- get 'em in the junk picks or trade them in'. Modern lists are way too small to keep on some 26 year old who's not pushing for a spot, specifically so he can pass his wisdom on to the kids in Canberra (and protect them from the thugs). Based on 2010 selections, Richards and Bevan would have to be most likely candidates, but really, who knows? The modern game can seemingly pass by (ex-)champions in the blink of an eye, so could potentially be anyone. I'd probably bet against Goodes, though.

[unconfuseme]

That is what I call a very good report uncon! Impressions of the game is what we want. Many thanks.

Glad to hear about the Balmain boys, considering 1.their "mentors", Saddington and Davis! as well as coach Fosdyke.
Have been keeping an eye on Guthrie, and your report confirms my impressions that he is improving as the year has progressed (nothing worse than staying the same), along with Kenny and I have been a bit ambivalent about May, given he has grown out of his socks this year and that can slow you down a bit. 2.Good on them.

You 3.didn't mention Dill or Gordon in particular. They usually work their butts off, so wonder if that is the issue, they are very young in footie terms, so perhaps are wearing down at this end of the year.

Anyway, thanks a lot for you Report.

1. no mention of their other mentor ? Chad?
2. yes, most of the scholarship players who have played this year have stepped up from u/18's last year to senior footy this year, and still have another year to prove themselves. Next year all depends on where we play (as mentioned by SimonH) - we will have another 4 available, but if we are still in the ACT comp, can we play them when in Canberra? ... and if not, why should we be expected to blood ACT kids who are now zoned to GWS? Could be some big changes in the off season
3. no question a number of the Swans did work their butts off (the usual suspects), and it was a funny game in that there were a lot of periods where it seemed that the Swans were really dominant, some slick ball movement and individual brilliance (like Byrons GOTY), but, when you get to that last delivery to a contest, and there's no Sam Reid or Gary Rohan or Jesse White on the end of it, it does make a big difference! Don't know that I subscribe to the "wearing down at the end of the year" theory, more the lack of quality around them. In saying that, Nipper needs to improve his decision making, which will come now that he is a ball magnet, and sadly, LJ seems to have lost some confidence. I excuse him for any shortcomings this season, seeing that he missed last year, and he did enough for me during the early part to say that he WILL be a star.

Regardless of what the next few weeks brings (lets say 2 flags!), I have to take my hat off to the coaches ... the deeds of the players who have been through the ressies list this year and are now carrying us into the AFL Finals series, is testament to the processes within the organisation. Helped by astute trades and drafting, I know, but at the start of the season, who'd have thought it possible ....?

[Primmy]

Thanks for that uncon.
I sometimes wonder if the promotion of ressies into seniors can flatten the spirits of their mates, i.e., Reid and Rohan and TDL for instance. I guess it will galvanize some and disappoint others. In point I am looking at Cambo's elevanted efforts and LJ's 'loss of confidence'.
Am planning to go to training at the SCG on Wed, so will have a look at how the kids are travelling. I'll be back on the thread to report if I think any of them are carrying a niggle.
However, as pointed out, not having a spearhead left at the pointy end is a major issue. Or hasn't Frosty got his best toppies available, i.e., Kruger or Emery - they have done a good job in the past.

[beameup]

Roos has another swipe at some of our youngsters. I wonder who he's on about?



AFL draftees have passion problem: Roos

Lewis Johnston looking very shaky

[ugg]

Ease up on Lewis, he's been playing with a hip complaint to help out his teammates. He was close to getting selected for the Hawthorn game.

[Jesse Richards]

Thanks for the report, unconfuseme. The only point I would like to emphasise was the startling difference in the last quarter - then there was the intensity one expects.

I suspect that part of the loss was that we didn't need to win that game to play finals - Minor Premiers regardless.

I was also surprised to realise that I don't want us to lose Daniel Currie. Prior to last weekend I had assumed that he just wasn't going to make it and would be moved on. Once again he was listed in our bests. Currie may be one of those players who need a lot of games under the belt before they shine. Playing week after week in the Reserves, confidence increases. When he's ready for the seniors it won't be from a dramatic increase in skill (already there), it will be because he has come to know his job inside out and can trust himself to hold his own regardless of the standard of competition. I saw something in him on Saturday that I hadn't quite grasped before - his potential to become an ultra reliable, very competent player with a long career ahead in the seniors.

[satchmopugdog]

Very interedting observation JR...as my interpretation of Currie has been based on confidence rather than skill. The only time I saw him he was overawed,in complete contrast to Reid on Saturday. He has got most of what it takes, just between the ears to work on. You are right confidence comes from knowing your job inside out for some people so hopefully he is now on track to fixing his confidence. Thanks for your post.