Round 6: NT Thunder v Sydney Swans Reserves

[Big Al]

Morton took some good marks.
I'm sure he was there in the last 15 mins.

That's 2 good games in a row from Morton. Hopefuly he's turned the corner and we get to see the best of him.

The midfield who had worked hard all night with the chasing and pressure just ran out of legs. A pretty good effort I thought by the team tonight. Beaten by a classy side that are used to the conditions.

[ugg]

Next week Saturday Sydney Uni @ Blacktown 12pm

Seniors @ SCG same day 7.40pm

[Big Al]

Next week Saturday Sydney Uni @ Blacktown 12pm

Seniors @ SCG same day 7.40pm

Terrific scheduling that is.

[liz]

That's 2 good games in a row from Morton. Hopefuly he's turned the corner and we get to see the best of him.

The midfield who had worked hard all night with the chasing and pressure just ran out of legs. A pretty good effort I thought by the team tonight. Beaten by a classy side that are used to the conditions.

Sums it up for me too. Clearly fatigue took its toll in the end but there was some good stuff along the way.

Does anyone know what the age profile of the Thunder is? Did they have many underage players out there? I think Jed Anderson reaches draft age this year (and seems likely to be headed down to Sydney, though sadly a bit west of the SCG). Do they have any more young players? It was noticeable that our toppies became less prominant as the game wore on, and conditions must have been tough for them, particularly.

Also, is McLeod not playing with the Thunder this year, or is he just injured at the moment?

[ugg]

McLeod is an assistant coach for Norwood in the SANFL.

[blinddog]

Loved the live stream via You Tube, much better than the crap that was on display a few weeks ago from Canberra. So why can we not get a stream like that every week- or is there one that I am not aware of (including when they play in Sydney at the SCG)

[ugg]

Sydney Swans

Goal Kickers: M. MORTON 4, T. DENNIS-LANE 2, J. MOORE , A. Moody , S. BIGGS , N. GORDON , T. WALSH , J. LAMB
Best Players: C. HEATH, J. MOORE, A. Wynn, H. CUNNINGHAM, J. LYNCH

Morton not impressing the coaches?

[TopEndSwan]

Tonight was the first time I have seen the reserves play since I left Sydney a few years ago. I expected to be a bit more impressed with some of the "on the cusp" players. But for mine, none of those players are knocking the door down for a senior call-up. Some are lightly tapping on it though - TDL for one, Cunningham is another, and Gordon.

TDL mainly for his great radar, and his physical pressure, which has improved significantly. But the only player in the 22 I can see him replacing is Everitt, who the coaches like for his ability to play anywhere on the field.

Cunningham is fast and eager, constantly putting pressure on the opposition.

Gordon seems to still be a work in progress. He shows potential, enthusiasm and courage. The only thing lacking is polish.

The others who showed signs were Pyke (for his sheer size), Walsh (for his physical presence, although he still needs to improve his kicking efficiency), Moore (very classy skills) and Heath (who reminds me of Teddy jnr.).

Lamb did a few nice things in the second half, put his head over the ball at speed and showed a bit of courage. I hope that gets his confidence up.

Morton took a couple of good grabs, got his name on the scoreboard, but I could see what others have been saying about him. He doesn't chase hard, he dropped a big-time sitter, he lacks confidence and almost seems like a bit of an outsider amongst the group. He won't be playing seniors any time soon, me thinks.

Armstong has a sweet low-trajectory kick, a bit like Malceski, although it didn't always hit the intended target. I had expected him to be a bit faster, but he definitely isn't a speedster. I hope the speed of his footy brain makes up for that though.

Overall, a pretty disappointing second half from the Swans. Totally outclassed in the final stages of the game. Many of the top-ups were weak links during the second half, which was bad timing given the Thunder's players only really rumbled into action in the final two quarters.

Being at the ground, the temperature didn't actually feel that hot - although I'm from Darwin, so maybe I'm not the best judge. I think it was about 24 degrees - a relatively "cold" evening up here. So the talk of the conditions being the reason for our second-half fade-out don't really stack up to me. There's just not enough desperation and skill amongst the whole group in the reserves.

It was great to see the Swans up here though - even if they couldn't come away with a win.

Hopefully the seniors can outclass the Hawks tomorrow.

[liz]

Overall, a pretty disappointing second half from the Swans. Totally outclassed in the final stages of the game. Many of the top-ups were weak links during the second half, which was bad timing given the Thunder's players only really rumbled into action in the final two quarters.

Do you not think the two were connected - ie it was the pressure applied in the first half by the Swans that prevented the Thunder clicking into gear. But once that pressure decreased, there was far more space and the Thunder used it well. I thought most of the listed Swans chased quite well right to the end, but it isn't surprising that the 18 year old Academy players tired as the game went on and couldn't keep up the same level of intensity.

[unconfuseme]

Do you not think the two were connected - ie it was the pressure applied in the first half by the Swans that prevented the Thunder clicking into gear. But once that pressure decreased, there was far more space and the Thunder used it well. I thought most of the listed Swans chased quite well right to the end, but it isn't surprising that the 18 year old Academy players tired as the game went on and couldn't keep up the same level of intensity.

Similar to what happened down at Ainslie 2 weeks ago. Strong and slick early, but plenty of flat spots as the game grinds on and the kids get more game time. Any injuries to senior players are then magnified. Notable that they went right on with it last week with mostly mature age toppies (albeit against lesser opposition and at home). I expect it to be a pattern for a good part of the season. Again, the long term benefit that these talented kids gain will be worth the pain of dropping a few NEAFL games.

[Primmy]

Looks like stamina is an issue, especially amongst the toppies - and why am I not surprised!
I have said before that Mitch Morton isn't yet a "blood" and some of the comments above would appear to bear me out.
Ah well, Jolly used to bounce around the outer looking like he was waiting for permission to be 'accepted'. Maybe that's Morton's issue too. Someone out there give him a hug!!!

[Vonsteinman]

Do you not think the two were connected - ie it was the pressure applied in the first half by the Swans that prevented the Thunder clicking into gear. But once that pressure decreased, there was far more space and the Thunder used it well. I thought most of the listed Swans chased quite well right to the end, but it isn't surprising that the 18 year old Academy players tired as the game went on and couldn't keep up the same level of intensity.

There was an element of that Liz but you may be selling the Thunder a little short. They are a quality side and, despite losing a number of players at the end of last season, will go close again.

In saying that, I don't think the coaching staff will be happy with the team's final term at all though. They were smashed all over the ground and really should have lost by a lot more in the end.

Only a handful of the listed Swans impressed throughout, led by Gordon.

For me, it was the first time watching the ressies since they were linked to Port Melbourne and, while it was great to be cheering on the Bloods up here, overall I thought the endeavour of the group was pretty ordinary after quarter time (the game would have been over by the first break if they'd kicked straight).

TDL had a crack and Moore was useful and I enjoyed watching Harry, Biggs, Lamb and McNeil's efforts. I really hope Heath gets another go and Lynch (once we worked out it was him - I expected someone smaller) looks a likely one.

But Morton didn't look all that keen despite four goals - at least one of which he could have elected to shepherd through for a goal rather than mark on the line.

Armstrong looked.... well... unfit, to be honest.

By the first bounce, the temperature was 27 degrees and had dropped to around 23 by the end. Hardly an excuse for full-time paid professional athletes.

p.s I forgot to mention the effort of Meredith which was, to be honest, forgettable....

[Nico]

It is very hard for a side that has about 12 Swans players and 10 top ups. One group has a much more mature fitness base and as the game goes on the top ups/much younger players' game will drop off. To expect the group of 12 to drag the side over the line against some sides is a big ask. Most likely Morton wasn't sighted in the last 15 minutes because the pill wasn't going up his end. Can we have the quarter by quarter scores please.

[wolftone57]

There was an element of that Liz but you may be selling the Thunder a little short. They are a quality side and, despite losing a number of players at the end of last season, will go close again.

In saying that, I don't think the coaching staff will be happy with the team's final term at all though. They were smashed all over the ground and really should have lost by a lot more in the end.

Only a handful of the listed Swans impressed throughout, led by Gordon.

For me, it was the first time watching the ressies since they were linked to Port Melbourne and, while it was great to be cheering on the Bloods up here, overall I thought the endeavour of the group was pretty ordinary after quarter time (the game would have been over by the first break if they'd kicked straight).

TDL had a crack and Moore was useful and I enjoyed watching Harry, Biggs, Lamb and McNeil's efforts. I really hope Heath gets another go and Lynch (once we worked out it was him - I expected someone smaller) looks a likely one.

But Morton didn't look all that keen despite four goals - at least one of which he could have elected to shepherd through for a goal rather than mark on the line.

Armstrong looked.... well... unfit, to be honest.

By the first bounce, the temperature was 27 degrees and had dropped to around 23 by the end. Hardly an excuse for full-time paid professional athletes.

p.s I forgot to mention the effort of Meredith which was, to be honest, forgettable....

Armstrong played in the 'A's last week and did a pretty good job. Definitely not at peak fitness yet due to injury interruption but will only get better as the season progresses. Biggs has just played his second game back from injury and Pykie his third. I am also impressed with Lynch, I think he may develop. I still believe Lambchop is not fit yet and is a bit on the heavy side and I blame the weights & fitness people for that. Walsh played ok from what I saw on the stream! I don't know what you guys up there thought.

We were killed in the middle in the last quarter and that included our rucks. Their big blokes murdered us and gave them first use of the ball.

[liz]

There was an element of that Liz but you may be selling the Thunder a little short. They are a quality side and, despite losing a number of players at the end of last season, will go close again.

If I was selling them short, it wasn't intentional. I realise they are a very good side. I think the Swans did pretty well to match them in the first half and into the third quarter by applying the pressure they did. But they needed to keep that level of pressure up for the whole game and, for whatever reasons, they were not able to do so.