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That's an interesting analysis B. I shall have a look at that specifically the next time I get to Watch a ressies game.....sometime, one day, who knows when.
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If you've never jumped from one couch to the other to save yourself from lava then you didn't have a childhood -
Calling the match, I read it as a very scrappy start from both teams as all players struggled badly to come to terms with the strong breeze that was blowing across the ground into the scoreboard pocket, with the first half being played almost exclusively on the outer side of the ground with countless boundary throw-ins and out on the fulls.
Every now and again, the Swans showed the gulf of experience and class (I think I counted 214 AFL games worth) with fast breaks down the middle of ground, and when they finally came to terms with the wind, the floodgates opened, with five of the six second quarter goals coming in the last 10 minutes.
The Giants missed some opportunities through the middle two quarters, but realistically, most of them were tough shots under constant pressure and they never really looked like scoring a goal from Flagg's contested mark in the opening minute to Cameron's snap from a pack four minutes into the last quarter.
Our experts' judgements of Folau were correct, and I can only recall three kicks for the day, while Clifton, who was their best player against the Suns too weeks ago, was virtually unsighted as Sumner and McNeil, among others, hunted him intently and wrapped him up as soon as he laid hands on the ball.
By contrast, there were plenty of good players all over the ground for Sydney.
Defence: Johnston was the pick of the defenders for me with plenty of strong marks and well directed penetrating kicks from the back half, while I was very impressed with my first look at McKaigue, who looked assured with and without the ball. As mentioned Lynch and Spangher also had their moments.
Midfield: Heath was the captain and lined up on the wing for most of the game, moving into defence to provide support for the back line whenever it was needed. He led from the front and showed no effects from his knee operation. There has been plenty of support for Sumner's game, and I agree with all of it. He was excellent all day on his wing, running hard, tackling hard, dodging, weaving, hitting targets by hand and foot. He has a future. He was in my best three, along with Currie, who was outstanding despite some obvious challenges that so far haven't been mentioned here and will be before I sign off. Gordon is the other one I really liked. Young Nipper was brilliant in my eyes and I can't recall any mistakes. He created drive from all part of the ground and some of his deliveries into the forward line were magnificent, while his finishing - three goals - can also not be faulted.
Forwards: White started slowly and got better as the match went on, but is not ready for a return, while TDL was well below his best, probably as a result of his illness during the week. I really like him as a player though and think he has a big future in the seniors. Apart from a couple of dropped marks and missed shots already documented that suggest he's just below the next level, Everitt was outstanding as a leading forward and probably ended up with a dozen marks in that fashion. He also had quite a few score assists and showed he learns from his mistakes - both his dropped chest marks were quickly followed by multiple successful grabs on the hands. Otten was another who really impressed me, especially in the first half when the match was on the line.
It's actually hard to restrict the number of best players I can name, because there were quite a few.
Finally, the little issue I mentioned when talking about Currie also applies to White to a lesser extent. It seems both our ruckmen are extremely undisciplined in ruck contests, as Giants' big man Jono Giles, who was probably their best player received by my count at least 15 free kicks from boundary line ruck infringements to none against him, and I can't recall the entire Swans' team earning that many. You can decide if I'm being sarcastic or not.
My best: Gordon, Sumner, Currie, Everitt, Johnston, Heath, McNeil, McKaigue, Otten.
Remember, this Friday, 6.30pm, Main Event Channel 518 for the replay before AFL Friday Night Footy."It's up to the rest of the players in the room to make a new batch of premiership players next year," Adam Goodes, triple Bob Skilton Medallist, October 7, 2011.
YOU BETCHA!!!!!!Comment
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I confess I didn't notice any double grabbing from Currie. Not disputing whether he did or not, it just didn't stand out to me.
My favorite moment involving LJ came in the fourth quarter when Currie was lining up for a shot on goal, close to the boundary line. LJ had meandered down the ground and was nonchalantly lurking just outside the 50, a few metres to Currie's left. Any Giants close by were oblivious to what was going to happen but it was pretty obvious what was coming. After a few seconds of both players pretending to ignore each other, the predictable handball shot out from Currie, Lewis took one step, and bang, launched the shot at goal. Only the swirly wind, which caught hold of the ball late, prevented the goal.Comment
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Not sure if you're serious about the ruck free kicks BMR
Not that the umpires were much better in the rest of the match. Byron takes one step too many and goes over the mark after the GWS player has kicked it, 50m penalty. Later on, Mitch Thompson gets a blatant push in the back after he's marked it. It's so obviously a 50m penalty that Mitch gets up and starts jogging the 50m only to discover that he hasn't been paid one.Comment
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I was sitting near a one eyed Giants fan who spent most of the game getting apoplectic every time he thought the Giants had been hard done by by an umpiring decision. (A couple of times he got worked up with it not being fair how tall Currie was.) But even he couldn't believe Thompson didn't get a 50m penalty for that.Not sure if you're serious about the ruck free kicks BMR
Not that the umpires were much better in the rest of the match. Byron takes one step too many and goes over the mark after the GWS player has kicked it, 50m penalty. Later on, Mitch Thompson gets a blatant push in the back after he's marked it. It's so obviously a 50m penalty that Mitch gets up and starts jogging the 50m only to discover that he hasn't been paid one.Comment
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On these reports I think we must bring Parker in given the lacking of something in the senior midfield. I thought his game against North was OK.
Who you leave out is another thing. We need to bridge the gap between us and the top 4 as the current seniors team lacks that something at the moment to take us there. As harsh as it might seem it could be Malceski who is to go. He was moved forward today and looked decidedly like it was too tough for him. That mark he dropped in the second quarter today was unforgiveable and the group of about a dozen I was with today thought the same. We were standing right near the spot and he appeared to take his eyes off the footy as 2 Carlton players closed. His form is now tapering off like it did last time he had the Lars tretament. My opinion only but it appears Johnson has now taken his spot.
Why not bring Currie in and play him up forward. If we are not going to play Seaby and Mumford together and most people reckon LRT must go back to his rightful position., then he can be our second ruck.Comment
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how did Jed Lamb go ?? our no 20 pick last season !"be tough, only when it gets tough"
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Young Rooster Boy is such a character.
As all the ressies were coming into the race after the game, Garry was walking with them and AnnieH yelled out something like 'great game Garry" and he looked up with this big smile and waved as if it was "I know". It was very funny.
The other thing was that some kids asked Jesse for his autograph and he stayed back on his own until he signed them all.In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.Comment
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Thanks ugg. I am in awe once again at your prodigious talent and memory.
My only comment is that once Daniel Currie has had a couple of years of BOG or close to it week after week in the Reserves, he will be unflappable, well developed and highly skilled. Let's not push him into a situation again where he loses confidence or is overfaced. He is a seriously good long term prospect and should not be used as a bandaid for the current problems in the Seniors.Comment
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Let's plonk Byron down in front of tapes of Daniel Kerr (clearance work rather than nut punches...)Comment
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