Mike Pyke

[Big Al]

*in a Mark Williams Voice*

"Brian Taylor, you were wrong"

Pykey is an extraordinary story that doesn't seem to get a lot attention by the media. To come from International Rugby Union to play a completely different game in another country and to do it successfully is just an amazing effort.

Well done Pykey!!

[Auntie.Gerald]

i mentioned in another post we tend to recruit players that can flourish in a patient environment.................that is in part because we have limited choices..................but it is fair to say we have become a club that players like Jetta, Kennedy, Spangher, Everitt, McGlynn, Shaw, Hall, etc saw as genuine opportunities to seperate themself from cities and clubs that expect so much and fly under all the crazy AFL radars.

But the patient environment brings out the best in culture I feel.........our players and coaches go to the next level of character by having to be patient when other clubs and fans are not.

Hence the recruitment of Mike Pyke was brilliant and he is paying back in spades.

He has so much upside and by 28 to 30 yrs of age he could be a serious weapon !!

[Auntie.Gerald]

go MIKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RogueSwan]

He belongs.

Wonder how Seabs is feeling atm? I think Mike brings a more physical game but it has been so long since I saw Seabs play I could be wrong.

[swansrule100]

He belongs.

Wonder how Seabs is feeling atm? I think Mike brings a more physical game but it has been so long since I saw Seabs play I could be wrong.

i feel for seaby he was going so well til injury last year and now is stuck behind other ruckmen, pretty much where he was at west coast.

[Auntie.Gerald]

also it is the job of forward pressure................Mike seems a little more agile and we know he one of our top sprinters..............his tenacity to tackle means he has less downside in defence........in the ruck and as leads up front not much splits Seabs and Mike I think now

[dimelb]

i mentioned in another post we tend to recruit players that can flourish in a patient environment.................that is in part because we have limited choices..................but it is fair to say we have become a club that players like Jetta, Kennedy, Spangher, Everitt, McGlynn, Shaw, Hall, etc saw as genuine opportunities to seperate themself from cities and clubs that expect so much and fly under all the crazy AFL radars.

But the patient environment brings out the best in culture I feel.........our players and coaches go to the next level of character by having to be patient when other clubs and fans are not.

Hence the recruitment of Mike Pyke was brilliant and he is paying back in spades.

He has so much upside and by 28 to 30 yrs of age he could be a serious weapon !!

He certainly was yesterday!

[neilfws]

I'm looking forward to the day when we stop talking about Pyke as "the Canadian experiment", "the ex-union player" or "surprisingly good for (insert X here)" and just appreciate him as a good AFL player. It will be sooner than many think!

What I like about him is that he obviously knows exactly what's required and is willing to do the work to get there.

[liz]

I'm looking forward to the day when we stop talking about Pyke as "the Canadian experiment", "the ex-union player" or "surprisingly good for (insert X here)" and just appreciate him as a good AFL player. It will be sooner than many think!

What I like about him is that he obviously knows exactly what's required and is willing to do the work to get there.

Leigh Colbert said something during the commentary about how when Pyke is mentioned, it is rarely favourable. I think it was just after he kicked his soccer goal. I was a little disappointed that Roos didn't pull him up on the comment and point out that it is only egotistical dimwits like Brian Taylor who insist on clinging to their belief that Pyke is not of AFL standard. I guess Roos needs to balance his pro-Swans comments a bit, so I'll let him off this time.

[ShockOfHair]

Roos did make a pointed remark about how what a success Pyke was but that he received a fraction of the publicity of Hunt & Folau.

[Doctor]

Roos did make a pointed remark about how what a success Pyke was but that he received a fraction of the publicity of Hunt & Folau.

Indeed he did. He noted that Pyke was paid a tenth of what those two get and how well he has adapted. He clearly has the engine for it and is very skilful. If he keeps improving at this rate Brian Taylor and company will have no choice but to eat their words.

I asked Pykey at a function last season if he gave the ball off all the time because he was under coach's instruction not to kick it and he said he was. He also told me (very politely and respectfully - I'm not trying to get him into trouble here!) that he reckoned he was a better kick that they did and that he wanted to kick it more. I think he has proven himself now!

[swansrule100]

i do enjoy the canadian rendition of the song as the camera pans around, unrelated to that did anyone see longmire singing the song while pouring over some print outs. Looked like the dad mucking round with the kids while he tried to work.

The thing i like about pyke the last 2 weeks is he is willing to take the game on and take risks, i think he is very confident in his abilities.

[S120]

I love that BT the other week on AFL Teams thought he was doing the courageous thing by sticking up for Karmichael Hunt (he was right to do so I might add) while completely forgetting the @@@@ he gave Pyke all last year and 2009 while constantly refusing to acknowledge his mistaken attitude. Tool. Good play-by-play commentator but ask him his opinion on anything in the footy world and he's just another Footy Show "bloke" wanker.

[Xie Shan]

I wonder if Hunt/Folau saw Pyke's set shot for goal. He looked very assured, and he put it straight through the middle! It's a testament to his work ethic as much as anything. I'm not sure if the NRL players will have the same desire to succeed given they are already making plenty of $$$ and are already stars in their native sport. It is tough mentally to have to start all over again. I think Hunt is more likely to make it than Folau, but it wouldn't surprise me if both went back to NRL. And it deprives league of two of their superstars as well, it's a massive gamble.

But, this thread is for Pykey! Canada's most underrated export.

[Auntie.Gerald]

If Folau cant play a Sam Reid role within a year or two I would be amazed - run straight and hard and make the leads.................he can do it ! but in a team of young midfielders it may be too much to ask ?