Mike Pyke

[Nolie]

Was at the Subiaco end behind the goals (opposite end to the cheer squad) so only saw that half of the play which included Pyke's goal but in the last quarter he also took a good contested mark against one of the Eagles' favourite sons (and captain) Darren Glass. Sweet. Played a great game - must have because I can remember shouting quite a few times "Go the Canadian". Great game.

[bandwagon]

Excellent thread. I confess I was lukewarm about Mike earlier in the year, but he has answered all the questions hasn't he.
He and Mumford have beaten Cox & NicNat in Perth, and kicked a goal and provides a contest against the AA fullback whilst resting forward. We couldn't have asked for more. Maybe that idiot BT will acknowledge that Myke is certainly an AFL player now.

[Swansinger]

The ruck duo is now set in stone. There should be no discussion about him not playing in the same side as Mummy. They both offer a heck of a lot both on the ball and forward.

But , would we consider giving Mark Seaby a game before the end of the season , just to keep him fresh at this level ?
Or , do we hope to have at least one of Pyke or Mummy fit and let LRT "pinch hit" ?
Probably the latter , but it'd fun to know Horse's thinking.

[barry]

I think the Seaby experiment has failed. I would imagine he would only get a game now if 2 of Pyke, Mummy and LRT were unavaliable.

My only concern with Pyke is now that he is on the radar, opposition coaches will be analysing his game looking for weak points, of which I'm sure their are some.

[Red]

... in the last quarter he also took a good contested mark against one of the Eagles' favourite sons (and captain) Darren Glass.

In the past month he did the same to Matthew Scarlett and Chad Cornes, and kicked a goal every game. His deft kick for goal at full-speed was sublime, as was the dribble-kick forward that led to Birdy's goal.

He's got good physique, pace and skills -- a true triple-threat. Probably still doesn't factor in opposition analysis as much as he should.

[Auntie.Gerald]

his leads high and wide are certainly dragging key defenders into areas they dont want to be and letting our other forwards and midfield flood thru to goal !!!

Im loving it !!!!



go mike go !!

[Beerman]

Ok folks. Warm up your singing voices. I want to hear this ringing out across the SCG after each of Pykie's goals next game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwDvF0NtgdU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[GongSwan]

Ok folks. Warm up your singing voices. I want to hear this ringing out across the SCG after each of Pykie's goals next game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwDvF...e_gdata_player

We'd need the words up on the scoreboard, no one can remember the words to our own anthem, too much Pink Floyd in my head

[ugg]

I think Pykey's excited!

[longmile]

Always had a massive soft spot for the man. Can now openly admit it after his efforts in the last month. I love you Myke!

[Nico]

In that shot he is as big as Jacko, and that is big. His agility and strength are great assets which helps him at the centre bounces, and he has second efforts. Gee if we can keep that sort of centre clearance work going up to GF day, then we are in for some exciting plays.

[barry]

Just to keep it real, if LRT played the same game he wouldnt get as much credit.

Pyke was good for his stage of development, but still no world beater

[Melbourne_Blood]

^ disagree. Convert or not, Pyke played a good game. Hard to split him and Mummy yesterday , maybe slight edge to Mummy with his work in close. Pyke got more super coach points however. Kicked a goal any player on our list would be proud of, nearly kicked another, took a strong grab against the best ( apart from Ted) full bak in the league. Did some very nice taps, ( at least one led to directly to a swans goal) and helped to nullify the most dangerous ruck duo in the comp. if LRT did all that he would be praised equally, if not more.

[Kirkari]

But , would we consider giving Mark Seaby a game before the end of the season , just to keep him fresh at this level ?
Or , do we hope to have at least one of Pyke or Mummy fit and let LRT "pinch hit" ?
Probably the latter , but it'd fun to know Horse's thinking.

Crazy suggestion. Poor Seabs. It's hardly time to play around with the ruck combo when it's working so well, just to have our 3rd or probably even 4th choice ruckman "fresh", when the thing Pykey needs most is game time, and Mummy's just getting back to fitness. Seaby's had a couple of senior games this season and did OK, but not great, and then apart from anything else, he's injured.

[BSA5]

Just to keep it real, if LRT played the same game he wouldnt get as much credit.

Pyke was good for his stage of development, but still no world beater

Not sure about that. Pyke has had statistically better games, but the real feature was the quality of his hitouts, and the defensive job he, along with Mummy, did on Cox and NicNat. That's where most of the credit is coming from, and I daresay if LRT had been in Pyke's place, he'd be getting a pretty big rap as well.