Round 5: Sydney Swans Reserves v Tuggeranong Hawks

[Melbourne_Blood]

Good to hear

[Lucky Knickers]

Thought Morton was much improved. Walsh looking super confident and commanding on the fwd line today. TDL is such a clever player. Leads are so well timed and strong hands.

[ugg]

All that forward firepower. Could have been useful in the seniors today

[GongSwan]

The seniors aren't playing Tuggeranong

[ugg]

Sydney Swans

Goal Kickers: M. MORTON 7, T. WALSH 5, T. DENNIS-LANE 5, N. GORDON 3, J. LAMB 2, J. MOORE 2, B. MEREDITH 2, M. PYKE , E. KRUGER , J. LYNCH , H. CUNNINGHAM , T. Barrett , J. POTTER
Best Players: T. DENNIS-LANE, M. MORTON, J. MOORE, B. MEREDITH, T. Wales, C. HEATH

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/133766/default.aspx

[DLBIA14]

Do you think those stints they had in the backline helped Ugg?

[ugg]

Who are you referring to?

[DLBIA14]

Maybe I should amend that; particularly asking about Walsh. He has played in the back line for the ressies hasn't he? Ignore me if I'm being an idiot.

[ugg]

By all reports, he played the majority of last year in the VFL as a backman so it's not like it's a foreign position to him.

[mcs]

I saw 2 1/2 quarters of the reserves today, and was much more impressed by Walsh and Morton this week than I was last week against Ainslie. However, Tuggeranong are pretty ordinary, so not much to take out of today's game in terms of who is ready for seniors I don't think. I'd like us to find TDL a place in the top 22 though - he is far too good a player imo to be running around in the NEAFL.

[ugg]

Disappointing to see that Tuggeranong have regressed back to their cellar-dwelling positions of 3-4 years ago when they had shown steady improvement in the past 2 years, just missing out on a finals spot last year. They have been a bogey team for the Swans, upsetting us a few times in Canberra despite being on the wrong end of a few thrashings by the other Canberra teams. Today they showed little resistance in what amounted to a virtual training drill for the midfielders and forwards. The Reserves consistently found avenues to goal and it was not surprising that the top 3 targets finished with 17 goals between them.

• Meredith - A pleasantly surprising game from Meredith today full of energy and vigour - not just his best game for the season so far but one of his best games ever. He moved with a freedom that I thought had long escaped him, I'm not sure whether it was a physical or mental ailment that had been restricting him but it was a different player out there today. He attacked the ball with purpose, ran hard to both ends of the ground and proved effective with his disposal. He was quieter in the 3rd quarter but bounced back with a strong last term. A spark perhaps that might re-ignite a career that seemed to be slowly fading away.
• Dennis-Lane - Started in the midfield but quickly moved to the forward line and finished with 5 goals all from set shots. He has impressive hands for his size and when combined with a prodigous leap makes him a very effective marking target up forward. In his midfield stint he was average at best, even looking a bit lost at times.
• Morton - Easily his best game as a Swan but the quality of the opposition will have to be taken into account and he'll be required to back it up in the coming weeks. He started off with a creative first quarter across half forward setting up goals for TDL and Gordon and his confidence grew as the match progressed and his 4 goal last quarter was highlighted by easily shrugging off some tired tacklers from the Hawks.
• Lamb - Not much improvement from Jed this week and I'm starting to question whether he has the capabilities to play as a midfidler. Flitted between a forward pocket and the midfield all day, his best work was done as a forward where he worked more effectively in wider, open spaces. In close, he possesses neither the strength nor the elusiveness to dominate and to be honest can be a little slow.
• Walsh - Started in defence again but once Crouch and co. realised he wasn't going to be seeing much action as a backman, transitioned into the forward/2nd ruck. The first thing anyone notices about Walsh is his size but he will surprise many who classifiy him as just a brute. In addition to his powerful kicking (booted 2 goals from beyond 50m today), he has nice skills off the deck (kicked another with a clean pickup in traffic) and chases well (earnt a HTB decision and goal too). The one negative is that he can sloppy with his disposal, especially when he tries those short, dainty kicks that fall way short of its intended target. It's too cute and he needs to cut that out of his game.
• McNeil - Combines well with Moore in the midfield and with Pyke at the ball ups and throw ins. Just like his famous relative, his strength is his handball which he can be incredibly creative and while he has been working hard at his running and spread, seems very much a one trick pony at this point and will struggle to break into the strong, young Swans midfield.
• Moore - He's just too good at this level, if he spends the majority of the year playing in this comp will probably end up with a 3rd Mulrooney Medal to his name. In an encouraging sign he played almost the whole match in the midfield and backed that up with 2 cleverly snapped goals.
• Heath - I'm not sure if Moore or Heath is the official captain of the side (gates don't open early enough for us to see the coin toss!) but Heath is always very vocal, telling the topups where to stand or who to mark and encouraging them in general. Played the first 3 quarter as a key defender then released to play on the wing in the last quarter. He's a beautifully balanced left footer who sets up play deep in defence but who also reads the play well and is versatile in playing on talls or smalls.
• Pyke - Pyke had a day out with the Tuggeranong ruckmen often not bothering to jump against him in the ruck contests. Most of his taps found their intended target, combining splendidly with Moore and McNeil in particular. Resting as a forward he claimed two contested marks inside 50, managing to convert one of his two attempts.
• Lynch - Started forward with Walsh back as noted above, and he kicked the first goal of the game when he was the quickest to react and get to the ball when a long kick into the forward 50 flew over the marking pack. Swapped positions with Walsh and spent the rest of the game in defence.
• Kruger - He was stationed deep in defence for most of the day, with the Swans looking to use his run to carry the ball out of defence. He looked better for the run but still needs work on his kicking, especially when he is at full pace as he rushes the kick when he needs to steady and consider his options.
• Cunningham - Harry only played the first half as he was withdrawn for the second half as the standby emergency for the seniors. He started a lot of the centre square bounces alongside Moore/Meredith/McNeil. Took a nice grab and converted accurately in the first quarter for his only goal while a brave smother soon after led to Moore kicking his first major of the afternoon. The other highlight was running onto Pyke's tap at full speed and dishing off to Jackson Potter who goaled as a result. His speed is a real asset and it wouldn't be surprising if he emerged as the winner in a impromptu foot race between Rohan (), Jetta and himself.
• Gordon - Another high energy game from the Nipster today, playing mainly as a forward who had licence to roam up the ground. His enthusiasm can never be questioned but perhaps he needs to tone that down a smidgen in order to cut down on the number of errors in his game.
• Biggs - Began the game as a halfback flanker, then moved up to the wing and had a run in the forwards in the last quarter. He fumbled a few balls and wasn't as clean with his kicking as he would have liked. They're still trying to figure out where his best position in the team lies.
• Topups - Potter (#47), Moody (#50) and Wales (#53) were the familiar faces and they both played well. Potter as a midfielder, Moody as a mid/forward and Wales operated mainly in defence. Not sure what Potter's and Wales' status is as an Academy player but he is more than a handy addition to the side. Judging by the list of goalscorers #56 was Barrett and #52 was Davis (who looked familiar anyway), and we had a small group cheering nearby for #58 calling him Nick, so he must have been Nick Roberts. He was a little bulkier than the other skinny topups and he played a solid role in defence. The rest of them I have no idea as the scoreboard doesn't bother to put up the list of goalscorers anymore let alone the names of the sides.
• Miscellany - Crouch, George Stone and Maxfield took one group each during the quarter time and 3 quarter time huddles with Alex Brown the whiteboard holder and Jordan Lockyer hanging around the group as well.

Swans 9.5 16.13 24.18 33.21 (219)
Hawks 1.1 3.1 6.4 6.5 (41)

Goals: Morton 7 Dennis-Lane 5 Walsh 5 Gordon 3 Lamb 2 Meredith 2 Moore 2 Barrett Cunningham Davis Kruger Lynch Potter Pyke

Next week the Ressies travel to Darwin to play the NT Thunder! How excitement!

[longmile]

Argh I'm so frustrated. I just wanna see TDL in the seniors! Maybe with Gary Rohan's unfortunate injury TDL can rise to the challenge and take his spot in the team?

[ScottH]

Argh I'm so frustrated. I just wanna see TDL in the seniors! Maybe with Gary Rohan's unfortunate injury TDL can rise to the challenge and take his spot in the team?

A negative always has a positive.
If Goodes wasn't suspended, Armstrong would probably be named in the best above, rather than getting a run in the seniors.
If Rohan wasn't injured, Armstrong would have had much less game time.
Now with Rohan out, Armstrong and others may get their chance to shine!!

[Gezball]

Ugg, thanks for the write-up. It's always my favourite Monday reading.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Meredith I agree with ugg regarding Meredith, there's never been any doubt about his disposal, just a question about his footspeed and "involvement." He was very involved today (although the Tuggers were horrible).

TDL I thought TDL's around the ground efforts were perhaps a touch down from previously, however just as I thought he might be sliding there was one memorable tackle up forward that won him a free and a goal.

Morton Presumably when Crouch told him he would be starting up forward today Morton decided not to spend the entire day sulking.Which was good. However as ugg says "he'll be required to back it up in the coming weeks" before he converts me.

Lamb Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear: Sorry ScottH but the menu might have to be changed. He isn't a patch on the promising player we saw mesmerising opponents with his elusiveness in the midfield early last year.

Walsh LMFO! Thanks Tommy, you almost made me wet myself when I saw Flash Gordon take a centre bounce. It might have been better if you had shown up for the centre bounce yourself but it was a great "craic" so ta. Actually I'm starting to warm to this guy, we was making contests rather than getting stranded between them this week and one tap to flash for a goal was sublime!

Kruger I thought he was faster than that? has he lost pace?

Biggs I thought he was pretty good, actually, his fumbles were backed up with good second efforts and his disposal seemed good.

Topups Mrs R'n'R has decided to adopt #56 (Barrett?), she likes his football smarts and skills but thinks he needs a few good feeds if he's to make it.