Round 14: Sydney Swans Reserves v UWS Giants

[caj23]

Don't like seeing NicMal in twos, and he is a cut above, but .... would he have been better in seniors than another player last night?

Personally I don't think Armstrong is in our best 22 (yet)

[BillyRayCypress]

Thought that Nipper Gordon has discovered the mongrel in him. He was aggressive at the ball and mostly pretty darned good. However, he must temper this with an awareness that giving away frees is not smart.

That mongrel got him reported in the last quarter with running into the back of a GWS player. I didn't read anyone else mention it here.

How funny was the two indigenous guys standing next to Tommy Walsh. They both came up to his chest. They played well though.

[edit] That was Broome. He left West Coast because of home sickness and ended up in Sydney? At least he can find the goals.

[DamY]

What's happened to Mitch Morton?

[Gezball]

TDL, was TDL. seems to have hit a plateau. My opinion only.

Hey Primmy, just curious, can you elaborate on your thoughts re TDL? Do you think he's plateau'd as in not being good enough to cement a place in the seniors?

[wolftone57]

Hey Primmy, just curious, can you elaborate on your thoughts re TDL? Do you think he's plateau'd as in not being good enough to cement a place in the seniors?

I don't know what Primmy is talking about I thought TDL was pretty good and due to his pressure we were able to get several turnovers. So don't know Prim, maybe you just don't like TDL? doggy was slow and it was obvious you didn't say anything about that Prim! Doggy will never play another AFL game, he will finish as Captain of the Two's. Meredith seems to have talent and is probably the most frustrating other than Jesse. I don't think he will make it.
Nobody mentioned Biggs. He was really good and can play outside or in and under. Brown was composed and Mitchell sometimes too good as the other players are not quite reading hi quick hands yet. Nipper was good and that hit in the back is going to get him a week or two.

[liz]

I thought TDL was pretty good yesterday. I had him as my "best on".

Spangher was my slight disappointment, not because he was terrible but because he's a bit of a favourite of mine and didn't do enough to advance his case for a senior call up. His hands, both in the air and off the ground, weren't great. And he missed a few relatively straight-forward shots for goal - unusual for him because he is normally a pretty straight kick.

I decided to watch the 3rd and 4th quarters from the behind the goals at the ends the Swans were kicking towards. It is a very different vantage point to that I am used to, but gave a great view of the close in work in front of goal. It did mean that I couldn't always tell who was doing what in defence. There was some very direct and quick movement out of defence, right through the corridor. I suspect most of it was Malceski, but Meredith was also quite lively playing off half-back for much of the first half, so could have been him too.

I liked Harry's first half a lot. (He was subbed off at half-time.) He certainly didn't dominate but he just looks like an AFL player in the making, with his combination of hard running and quick running. Physically he seems to look more like Paul Kelly each time I see him. It must be something about those slightly hunched shoulders.

I also think Jesse's game deserves a mention. He played the ruck role pretty much single-handedly until halfway through the final quarter when he left the ground with cramp, and then came back on but was stationed in the forward line. He wasn't brilliant, by any means, but the Swans got a lot of very clean centre-bounce clearances, and he worked really hard all around the ground. His skills / decision making are still a mixed bag, but I reckon he has significantly improved his endurance since this time last year. His contributions around the ground - and area where, as a relatively mobile ruck he should be able to contribute a lot - have definitely improved. I suspect most of us reckon he is just playing out this season and expect him to get chopped at the end of the year. But if Seaby retires or is delisted when his contract also expires this year, I don't think it is beyond the realms of possibility that Jesse could be kept on as a back-up ruck. We'll be pretty thin in the ruck with just Mumford and Pyke on the list, notwithstanding the coaches' belief that LRT is also a ruckman.

[wolftone57]

Tommy played really well in the first half and got plenty in the second. His delivery was off in the second half and he gave the ball up on too many occasions but he wasn't the only one. At one stage in the third the whole team seemed to have gone to sleep and were stuffing around with the ball.

Young Broome should be either drafted or put on the Rookie List next year.

I know Brett Meredith and Dylan McNeil were in the best but gee some of the lack of awareness shown by both these players would be exposed at AFL level very fast. I think they are really good at this level but would have to step up a very big step to make it at AFL level.

Mal was there because his delivery has let him down at AFL level and it wasn't that fabulous in the first half last week but yesterday he went up another level. He was fantastic yesterday and his kicking was the old Mal!

I thought Spang had a pretty off day dropped quite a few marks and seemed to be a bit fumbly. Not his usual self.

Brown was very good and so composed. What else can I say he is a ready made footballer.

I look at Campbell Heath and he is reminding me of Teddy more every time I see him play. He is a really good footballer. He is also very composed. I will take a guess as to who his mentor is? Teddy maybe? He did some really very good things against very good and much taller opposition. I like this guy more every time I see him

The intensity was there all match except part of the third quarter. We have a very good group and the toppies are also very good. I am impressed that no matter who comes into the team as a toppy they know what is expected and play to that expectation. The list and rookie players play with the intensity naturally now and I think it just rubs off on the others.

[Primmy]

That mongrel got him reported in the last quarter with running into the back of a GWS player. I didn't read anyone else mention it here.

How funny was the two indigenous guys standing next to Tommy Walsh. They both came up to his chest. They played well though.

[edit] That was Broome. He left West Coast because of home sickness and ended up in Sydney? At least he can find the goals.

I rather thought it would get him in trouble Billy. He had been walking a thin line before that. Maybe he just didn't like the bloke he was on.

And yes, I noted the two indig guys standing next to Tommy. Gosh they are low to the ground, aren't they, but damaging.

I haven't worked out if Broome left WC to go back to Sydney, or was in Sydney at the moment but was from WC? Anyone know for sure? Hang on, I'll ask Crouch and get back to you.

And yes, my opinion is that I didn't think TDL was crash hot yesterday; he is at times a senior player and as such should have stood out like dogs balls against UWS. He was good. But if he wants to be a first call 21 he is going to have to be great whilst playing in the ressies.

I looked for MM, but didn't see him out there. So he was either extremely quiet, or not in the team.

[royboy42]

Any thoughts on Jackson Potter..he is on some 'we're still looking at you' list AFAIK.
Seems to do a pretty honest job as far as I can tell..but I mostly only see the last 45 mins or so of the dewkickers.

[Gezball]

Lewis Broome. According to the following article he left WCE at the end of last year to return home to a remote northern WA community:

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/west-coast-rookie-forward-lewis-broome-quits-eagles/story-e6frg1xu-1226176570518

But according to this article he's now playing for St George in the local league: http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/n...3/default.aspx
The mystery continues!

[ugg]

• 6. Tom Mitchell - Came on in the second half, played a variety of roles but none of them as an inside mid. I don't sit near the interchange bench at ANZ like I usually do at the SCG so I couldn't tell how much time he spent on ground in that half but he looked like he was out of breath by the end of the game.
• 7. Brett Meredith - They've flirted with Meredith in defence a few games back but only for part of the game, this time he lined up on the half back flank for the opening bounce and continued for the rest of the game. The freedom of playing behind the ball instead of the congestion of the midfield allowed Meredith to use his strengths - which are his kicking and decision making. When UWS went taller in the second half, the switch in matchups ended up in Meredith marking Folau as the other options were topups. He looked concerned when Heath told him to move on to Izzy but to his credit was not beaten and took the opportunity of exposing Folau's inexperience by running off him often. Will the Swans persist with Meredith in this new role, particularly against more dangerous forward lines?
• 8. Trent Dennis-Lane - Fantastic game by TDL, he was particularly hot in the second and third quarters. The defensive aspects have been firmly drilled into his football psyche now, he is a focused hunter when the opposition has the ball adding to the offensive talents that we're all too familiar with. His second goal was a highlight for me: he closed down on his opponent Buntine who unwisely chose to take TDL on in the tackle, and subsequently lost possession, White and Spangher mopped up the spillage before the ball eventually found it's way back to Trent who had by this stage picked himself up and presented himself ready for the handball receive. A quick snap from 40m out was a just reward for his defensive work. Also used his pace effectively to get to the ball first or sprint around his man. UWS placed an extra man back in defence late in the third, not particularly for TDL, but it quietened him down.
• 9. Nick Malceski - Ran with the ball out of defence as much as he could but the delivery into the forward wasn't as accurate as he would have liked. Sometimes this was due to miscommunication with the forwards; one instance Gordon led to Mal's left which forced Malceski to kick with his much weaker right foot instead of the open spaces on the other side. As I'm unsure whether the coaches wanted Mal to work on his kicking or his running game, I'm undecided as to whether this performance would allow Malceski to stake his claim for a recall to the senior side.
• 17. Tommy Walsh - Worked hard as a lead up forward and occasional ruckman, you can't fault his work ethic but I still see some flaws in his game. He is too indecisive when he does complete the mark and doesn't seem to have a natural understanding of which parts of the forward 50 to kick into to give his teammates the advantage.
• 18. Jesse White - Rucked really well against the two 200cm+ giants in Phillips and Downie, and often got first hands to the ball thanks to his big leaps. He wasn't so impressive after the taps were completed, not having a natural affinity in the clearance department.
• 27. Matthew Spangher - Spang did have an off day, failing to complete a few marks he would have usually gobbled up and missing 2 very gettable set shots. Some credit must go to his opponent Hombsch who was athletic enough to keep up with Spangher and had good closing speed to get a fist in at the last moment.
• 28. Dylan McNeil - Restored to his natural position as the clearance-seeking inside midfielder and while he did well in this aspect, he also ran and spread well - an area of his game that had been identified as requiring improvement. Naturally it helps that in these games against other AFL reserves side there are no restrictions on listed player numbers which allows players like McNeil to have more continuity in their game rather than rotating on and off the bench.
• 33. Jarred Moore - Moore continues to do what he's been doing for the past year and a half. Wins clearances out of the middle but perhaps more importantly is like a playing coach out there directing the younger players on who to mark or where to be positioned during ruck contests.
• 35. Campbell Heath - Comfortably dealt with Folau for most of the day, only getting caught out of position once when Folau held him off to mark and somewhat luckily played on without looking around before running to the goalsquare and finishing. Deceptively strong for his size, he could easily hold his position against the bigger ruckmen but preferred not to get into the wrestling contest in the first place. I am also a big fan of his kicking and distribution.
• 36. Alex Brown - Didn't see much of him and I suspect he must have had limited game time. But in the few instances that I did, he was very poised and competitive.
• 42. Jack Lynch - Was careful not to get himself into a show of strength contests against his bigger opponents, usually the resting ruckman Downie/Phillips.
• 43. Eugene Kruger - Is the defensive experiment over? Saw more of the ball across the half-forward line and used his pace well although his kicking on the run still lets him down.
• 44. Harry Cunningham - First half only before being withdrawn as the emergency cover for the seniors. He was assigned the run with role on the Giants' best midfielder in Stephen Clifton and he did a solid job while also contributing offensively as well.
• 45. Nathan Gordon - It was a typically effervescent effort from Nippa, but his enthusiasm can get the better of him and in this case he was reported for a clash with Mark Whiley. To his credit didn't drop his head after that incident and made a great intercept from a sloppy kick by the Giants in their defensive 50.
• 46. Shane Biggs - Assuming more important roles in this side, started a few more center bounces in the midfield. His first half was better than his second, where he pinpointed passes to his forwards who unfortunately couldn't convert their set shots.
• 47. Jackson Potter - The unofficial man on the Swans list, has played every reserves game this year and most of last year's so he's very familiar with the team and style of play. He racked up more than a few possessions in the first half playing in the midfield rather than his usual spot off the half back flank. When Harry 'subbed out' for the second half, he took over the tagging role on Clifton.
• 50. Andrew Moody - A more than handy topup to have, seems to popup with a goal in every game he plays
• 51. Mitch Crawford - Looked off the pace to me
• 52. Lewis Broome - Started on the bench and looked tentative with his first few touches. Once the goals started coming he kept improving as the game progressed and the game finished with Broome as the main target in a sparse looking forward line. (maybe not completely by design as Spangher and White were off the ground). A short man (not the shortest on the day though, that title belongs to Moody) with good pace which allowed him to run and slide onto a few marks, he also displayed a good leap and solid hands when he completed a flying mark for his fourth goal. However that wasn't his best effort of the day. A ballup in the forward 50 had neither ruckman get an effective tap but as the ball fell towards the ground Broome was onto it quick as a flash had the ball flying between the big sticks, all completed in a matter of a couple of seconds. Another good sign was that he was not completely selfish and passed off the ball on multiple ocassions. Hope he gets a run next week against significantly better opposition in the Lions Reserves. It's a little strange though that the Swans are having a look at a small, crumbing forward given we haven't had one since Simon Phillips (who in his senior games didn't really play as one). In addition, since the introduction of the sub rule and the possible expansion to 2 subs next year, Longmire has been at pains to point out that players in the team will require the ability to play in multiple positions. Just look at the process of turning TDL from a medium sized forward who doesn't venture far from the forward 50 arc to one who now has the aerobic capacity and tackling skills to play further up the ground.
• 53. Lachlan Kilpatrick - An okay game but not as good as his previous reserves appearance
• 54. Bradley Plug - First look at Plug for me, another to add to the small midfield running types that the Academy produces.

A big thumbs up to ANZ Stadium who put up the team lists at half time. If only the SCG could take note and follow suit for the remainder of the season.

[Primmy]

Great precise ugg. Thanks.

[DamY]

Thanks for the detailed update ugg. Who do you think will be elevated at the end of the season?

[ShockOfHair]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Good to hear Malceski is getting his radar back.
Meredith's problem is usually he doesn't get enough ball, so defence could be the best place for him though time is surely running out.

Agree with LIz - we need one of Seaby or White as backup. If it were up to me to choose I would go for Seaby, who can ruck better than White plays forward. Plus Walsh is supposed to be our next big forward.

[Sidney V]

Thanks Ugg - for the detailed summary and all the tweeting. Great info every week - paints a picture as to where crew are at. Thanks Sid