Round 21: Sydney Swans Reserves v Brisbane Lions Reserves

[rojo]

Wow! Forty-nine shots on goal to nine! Great win - but whoever kicked all those points? It wasn't TDL, Merry and Nipper I hope. Not a good look on the resume if you are pushing for a place in the seniors at the moment.

[Bloody Hell]

Meredith, TDL and Gordon....let's hope the seniors step up.

[dimelb]

Thanks again Al, great work with updates and quick comments.
Pleased to see that Henry has them bloodsthirsty.

[liz]

It is not often that a team loses by 150 points and yet is flattered by the scoreboard. Swans put on a masterclass of footy this afternoon, and their field kicking was absolutely sensational. Sadly, they let themselves down somewhat in front of goal. That many behinds can sometimes indicate lots of speculative potshots or rushed behinds. But this afternoon, the Swans must have missed at least a dozen, maybe more set shots from eminently kickable positions, TDL uncharacteristically being the worst culprit.

Goal conversion aside, it was hard to find a Swan who didn't have a pretty good day at the office, including all the toppies. Moore, Bevan and Kennelly looked a class above at this level. Cambo, Otten and McCaigue would have got a bit chiily at times down back, with not much to do, but they mopped up calmly when they needed to. Campbell got a run in the midfield late in the game, which was good to see. Meredith was everywhere, with several of his goals gimmes as he ran into goal but this just indicates how hard he was running. TDL's reading of the ball in the air was sensational and his hands very secure, especially in the second half.

Lamb played on the wing and around half-forward. He's not particularly quick but has a wonderful footy brain and his field kicking was superb. Gordon's marking was almost up their with TDL's until he started trying a few trick slips type catches that didn't come off but were fun to watch. He has certainly made huge strides this season and must be a monty for an elevation to the senior list at the end of the season.

Seaby and Pyke shared the ruck duties and were up against the big big body of Broc McCauley. They didn't have it all their own way but gave good enough service to their midfielders. But it was really just the hardwork, tackling, intensity and composure of the smaller players that explains how lopsided the game was. Both rucks played forward at times and showed something. Pyke looks like he still has some cobwebs to shake out of the system but got better as the game went on.

Murphy was the pick of the toppies with three excellent snaps that resulted in goals. But Robinson, Potter and Lynch also had their moments to shine, and the rest all did their bit too.

Good to see a handful of senior players out their supporting the reserves. Mumford, Reid, Everitt, and Parker were all in attendance, plus another I couldn't identify.

[Sandridge]

Thanks Big Al and Liz for the updates and analysis. Glad Meredith did well - thought he was stiff to be dropped! Hope the Seniors can emulate the ressies tomorrow! Go Bloods!

[dimelb]

Thanks Liz, your comments much appreciated.
I particularly liked:

Good to see a handful of senior players out their supporting the reserves. Mumford, Reid, Everitt, and Parker were all in attendance, plus another I couldn't identify.

I value such signs of solidarity.

[Big Al]

A good day out for the reserves today with every player contributing in some way.

Bulldog - Best on ground for mine. Was in everything and his disposal was excellent.
Bevan - Typically dogged performance. Hard at the contest all day
Lamb - Disposal was excellent and everthing he did oozed class.
Nipper - Hard for me to be objective with this bloke. (I just love watching him play) Aggressive at the contest with 2nd and 3rd efforts. Had some poor misses at goal which is the only blemish
Meredith - Worked hard and kicked a bagful goals. Too classy for this level of footy
Seaby - Presented up forward as well as I've seen and was typically good around the ground.
Pyke - The Canadian team were only cheering for 1 man. He was rusty early but got into the game and did some nice things.
Potter - Best I've seen from him. Got a lot of it and used it well.
Kruger - Ditto. His first half was outstanding.
Moody - Typically terrier like performance. Even his disposal was okay.
Murphy - Best of the Toppies by far. Some terrific snaps and great work around the ground. Sorry to Primmy, I couldn't pass on that kiss.
TDL - Smart footballer, played Half forward in the first half and set up a lot of play. Had an unusually off day with the boot (6.6 or there abouts) and some of them sodas by his standard. As Liz said his body position when going for marks is a pleasure to watch.
Kennelly - Terrific 2nd half. Must of laid 5-6 tackles and was effective with his disposal. Nearly kicked the goal of the day while running through the centre, a good gather and let fly from 60 which was touched on the line. An encouraging day for Tadhg.
McNeal - Another good day for Dylan coming off last weeks near BOG effort. His stoppage work was excellent.
Heath - Cambo worked hard as he always does and got it a bit if it when moved to the midfiled.
McKaigue and Otten - Didn't need to do a lot as the score suggests but what they did do was assured and without error.
Kenny and Lynch - Didn't notice them a lot but what they did was quite good

All in all a very pleasing effort from the boys. They worked hard for the entire game and didn't relent with their pressure. The coaches I'm sure would be ramming home the fact that relaxing at this level of football does not equate to AFL standard.

[aardvark]

Nice work guys. Hope the seniors follow suit.

[ScottH]

Considering they almost got on top of us a month or so ago, that is a huge win.

Thanks for the updates people.

[Primmy]

No worries Al,I'll give him a snog later. Tks for reports everyone, much appreciated.

[unconfuseme]

Robinson was a late withdrawal, replaced by Kenny. Brain and Lynch both copped injuries and missed most of the game.
The Brisbane side had a lot of very young kids, they have a long injury list.
They are sitting last of 10 in the Northern Conference with 4 wins this year, so really, with the side we had out there, yes it was a good win, but anything less would have been a "fail". It was a bit too easy at times, I'm sure I saw a few of our toppies with taggers on them!!!
I personally liked what Pyke did, and Moore continues to play consistently above this level. If they want to reward effort, surely Nipper has to get another promotion soon!

[liz]

Robinson was a late withdrawal, replaced by Kenny

Who was wearing 52? (or was it 57?) Tallish, played mostly in the backline / off HBF. I had thought it was Robinson, but obviously not if he withdrew. I thought Kenny was about the same size and build as Potter and Guthrie but this guy was a little taller, though not as tall as Lynch.

I don't recall seeing Brain at all (I had assumed he wasn't playing) but Lynch was on the ground for a decent amount of time - certainly enough to notice him.

[Big Al]

Sorry Liz I thought 57 was Robinson. It's what he wore the previous week and i just assumed.

Brain warmed up with the team but I guess got an injury before the game started.

[BSA5]

Who was wearing 52? (or was it 57?) Tallish, played mostly in the backline / off HBF. I had thought it was Robinson, but obviously not if he withdrew. I thought Kenny was about the same size and build as Potter and Guthrie but this guy was a little taller, though not as tall as Lynch.

I don't recall seeing Brain at all (I had assumed he wasn't playing) but Lynch was on the ground for a decent amount of time - certainly enough to notice him.

That sounds like Wray to me. Kenny looks a bit like a Marc Murphy facially, has lightish brown hair and is stocky. Wray is tall-ish, a really good size, probably 188-190cm (whereas Lynch would be 190-192), and has shaved dark brown hair and Dumbo ears.

[Dosser]

That sounds like Wray to me. Kenny looks a bit like a Marc Murphy facially, has lightish brown hair and is stocky. Wray is tall-ish, a really good size, probably 188-190cm (whereas Lynch would be 190-192), and has shaved dark brown hair and Dumbo ears.

Where is Wray from? I used to play against a bunch of Wray brothers who played for North Shore (and were pretty good) in the '80s.