Round 17: Sydney Swans Reserves v Belconnen Magpies

[AnnieH]

For those heading up to Metricon to watch the double header, @NEAFL_Eastern just tweeted that the ressies match starting time has been brought forward to 3pm instead of the previously published 3.30pm

Thanks for that.
Where are they playing Ugg?
My tickets say that the gates at Metricon open at 5.30!!

[ugg]

Metricon Annie

[ugg]

• Tom Mitchell -It's heartening to see he received another full game as an inside midfielder, so hopefully the knee issues are becoming less of a worry. Incredibly clean hands and very solid tackler, but his kicking could do with a spot of improvement. Wouldn't expect a senior debut this year unless a raft of injuries were to fall on the senior team.
• Brett Meredith - Played in the midfield in the first half where he was overshadowed by the likes of Mitchell, Parker and Moore. Second half saw a switch to half back but as the Magpies struggled to get the ball into their forward 50 he didn't have much to do. A solid but unspectacular outing in which he didn't do anything particularly wrong but also didn't do anything of note to push his name forward for senior selection. Given it is his 5th year in the AFL system it is more than a little disappointing that he isn't in the selectors' thoughts.
• Trent Dennis-Lane - In imperious form at the moment, and despite playing more midfield than he has in previous years it has done nothing to diminish his finishing skills in front of goal. His ability to run forward into the right spots combined with his strong hands and springy leap makes it very hard for NEAFL teams to assign the right opponent on him. Hopefully he will get an extended opportunity soon so that he can test his abilities against better opposition rather than beating up on the poor NEAFL defenders week after week.
• Mitch Morton - From my vantage point, played significantly less time inside the forward 50 and hence didn't have as much scoreboard impact as usual. I'll give him points for his effort but he didn't look as good in this role as he usually does as a forward. Much more effective when he has the time and space when only faced with one opponent rather than the groups that he will encounter pushing up the ground.
• Jed Lamb - Played the full game after only half a game 2 weeks ago and picked up where he left off with a impressive display particularly in the first quarter. He's playing with more intensity and seems to have rediscovered his hunger and competitive streak. His first goal came as a result of a good mark on the lead, showing strong hands to hang onto it and finishing it off with a well taken long set shot.
• Tommy Walsh - Injured very early on, landing his left shoulder going for a pack mark around the edge of the center square. Stayed down for a bit before being helped off by a trainer in obvious discomfort.
• Jesse White - 6 goals is a good return for White who played more time in the ruck that as a key forward, but this included 2 quite generous fifty metre penalties and a curious case of role reversal when Jesse hit the falling ball front and square and crumbed a contested mark attempt that Trent dropped. Definitely deserves praise for his ruckwork, his leap gave him the advantage over the experienced Matt Porter and had greater athleticism to cover areas all over the ground. He can be wasteful with his delivery into the forward 50, tending to prefer the long kicks rather than lowering his eyes and trying to spot a free teammate. I suspect he will come under some consideration if Mumford is declared unfit to play the Suns, especially if the match committee prefers to retain height in the side.
• Tony Armstrong - Was very involved early on, ran hard, always on the move and looking for the handball receive to spark something from defence. Reminiscent of the role that Malceski had in the reserves against UWS a few weeks ago which ultimately won Mal a recall to the seniors. Played further up the ground on the wing rather than in defence. Didn't notice him as much in the second half.
• Luke Parker - Played in the guts which was pleasing to see, and did a lot of the gruntwork along side Moore, Mitchell and McNeil. Would have won a lot of the ball with his ability to stand in the tackle and feed out handballs to players on the defensive side. With 2 reserves games completed, he should be ready fitness-wise for a return to the seniors but the conundrum to be solved is who to omit for him and will he get a run a substitute when he does?
• Matt Spangher - Didn't play the first quarter and I suspect he was earmarked to come on for the second half as has been the case with some reserves players returning from injury. But with Walsh injured, he warmed up during the quarter time break and was inserted into the lineup from the second quarter onwards. He's played closer to goals earlier this year but his role today was as a high half forward, pushing up to the wings contest the ball. Only managed to take one strong grab inside 50 but didn't manage to conver the resultant set shot.
• Dylan McNeil - I quite liked his game, seemed quite at home next to the other more high profile onballers, always competing hard for the loose ball and winning his fair share of clearances.
• Jarred Moore - Very collected in pressure situations, always sums up the situation well and uses the ball well including some well weighted kicks on his left foot. His leadership out there is no doubt very important to the structure of the team.
• Campbell Heath - Very dependable pillar in the defence, performs his defensive duties with maximum effectiveness and a minimum of fuss. I'd like to see him being tried in some different roles, perhaps as a winger or even a half forward but due to a lack of defensive cover it's probably unlikely to happen. He's also needed down back to provide guidance to the many topups who find themselves in defence playing in a back pocket.
• Alex Brown - A good kick of the football, played a variety of roles including being the spare man for some time during the 2nd half.
• Jack Lynch - Finally got another run in the forward line for the last quarter, and was an effective leading target in the forward fifty. Would like to see more of him up forward in order to work out whether he's better as an attacker or as a defender.
• Harry Cunningham - This kid has such a big boot on him I'd back him more often than not to kick set shots from beyond 50m. Covers the ground extremely well due to his pace and doesn't miss many tackles - but what will be his best position if and when he plays in the seniors?
• Nathan Gordon - A quieter than usual game from Nipper, perhaps the suspension had a sobering effect on his output today.
• Jackson Potter - The Swans have been very clever with their usage of Potter. I believe he trains with the rest of the list, and in previous years he might have earnt a spot on the rookie list, but by holding him back and not listing him, the club have been allowed to play him (and he has played every reserves game this year) and not take up one of the 18 listed players spots that they are limited to. Usually plays off a halfback flank or as an onballer but today he played an important role, when he was moved onto the dangerous small forward Shane Harris who was causing issues against his topup opponent (see below) given the whole forward 50 area to work with.
• Dylan Roos - Played around the half-forward flank and when the ball was in dispute wasn't afraid to attack it. First involvement in the action was to be pinged for holding the ball while fighting for it in one of these contests. His goal came when he was awarded a fifty metre penalty when he was crunched while going for a mark after a clever Moore kick. I question whether it should have been a fifty because he hadn't marked it, Roos should have just received a free kick for his troubles. Kicked truly from 30m on a slight angle. He had another shot when he took a mark wide in the right forward flank but sliced the kick. It's hard and can be harsh to pass judgment on a player after only one viewing but on this performance alone I very much doubt the Swans make his a rookie list selection from the Academy. After all, the Swans didn't select Kane Murphy despite his great season last year as a topup (won selection in the NEAFL team of the year).
• Jack McKinlay - A first look at the red headed kid and either the Swans had a lot of faith in his abilities or they didn't do their homework for they assigned the youngster to task of marking Harris who has been one of the recruits of the year in the NEAFL. Felt sorry for McKinlay as he was clearly outclassed by the former SANFL player.
• Lewis Broome - Electric, exciting, fantastic reader of the play. And despite his short frame he isn't afraid to fly for the big marks either. He reads the ball off the hands incredibly well and for the second time in two games kicked a goal crumbing the ball front and square. While he loves to kick a goal, he isn't a selfish player either and will do the shepherds and also hand the ball off to a teammate if he thinks they are in a better position.
• David Lycakis - Lycakis had impressed in previous outings and with those games under his belt he was one of the better topups with confident, assured play.
• Jordan Weir - Played mostly at fullback and had a vocal cheersquad of family and friends near where I was sitting.
• Sam Naismith - Kicked the first goal of the game when the Magpie defender panicked a little and prevented the big ruckman going for a mark by holding onto him in the goalsquare. Tapwork is good but the criticisms are that he isn't as committed in going after the loose ball and while he can run in a straight line, he has issues stopping and pivoting to either side of his body. The momentum created by such a big body can be hard to arrest.

[satchmopugdog]

Thank you Ugg..your reports are gems

[111431]

love your reviews Ugg - thks from Melb

[Primmy]

Thanks ugg....I pretty much agree with all you reported. but there is always a but.

If the reported height of Naismith is 208cm, his below the knees efforts are going to be like bungy jumping of an NZ bridge. Would be surprised if he did do much ground work. I love watching him and Tauber nattering away during the breaks. Steve is no midget, but he has to tip his head back while Naismith tips his forward.

[magic.merkin]

Cheers Ugg

[wolftone57]

I actually thought Nipper did some very nice things Ugg and his delivery was better this week. Delivery is Dylan McNeil's problem I think if he gets this right the kid will be ok but we have a lot of his size player and he is way back in the line. I like Naismith as I think agility training can be very rewarding for guys as big as him and extra in that direction may alter his mobility. I love the way he taps down though and gives they mids first use. Tom Mitchell & Lukie were easily able to read him and took full advantage.

TDL is about 10 classes above this level and some of the moves he made were sensational. At one stage he was in a race for a loose ball going toward the points with two opposition players, he got control of the ball sidestepped and left them both on the ground kicking a goal. He took some very good marks just by manouvring his body and avoiding body contact and getting a fly!

[undy]

Ruck no stretch for Sam - AFL - Sport - North Shore Times

"I didn't know who he (Luff) was until we went into the sheds before the game," he said with a laugh.

Good grief.

[Primmy]

"I didn't know who he (Luff) was until we went into the sheds before the game," he said with a laugh.

Good grief.

Yeah. It puts the R&W TLM into perspective doesn't it!

[wolftone57]

Yeah. It puts the R&W TLM into perspective doesn't it!

It certainly makes one become aware of the generation gap or is that chasm

[wolftone57]

Speaking of Naismith as some here have done and I have too. I just want to say that sometimes young talls take a little more time to develop, hence the extra time given to Jesse. I think this young bloke will develop because he has very good balance and is essentially sound in his body shape. The flexibility will come and eventually he could become very like a Sandilands, although I think he is just as mobile as Aaron now, probably more mobile. If hew is as effective in 5 years time than Sandilands then he will be a very good ruckman. But with big guys it is all about time!!! Development, development, development!!!

[Melbourne_Blood]

Speaking of Naismith as some here have done and I have too. I just want to say that sometimes young talls take a little more time to develop, hence the extra time given to Jesse. I think this young bloke will develop because he has very good balance and is essentially sound in his body shape. The flexibility will come and eventually he could become very like a Sandilands, although I think he is just as mobile as Aaron now, probably more mobile. If hew is as effective in 5 years time than Sandilands then he will be a very good ruckman. But with big guys it is all about time!!! Development, development, development!!!

How tall is this guy? The comparison with Sandilands has me wondering.

[penga]

I see there is no mention of Tom Mitchell's injury? After the seniors game he went past me on crutches and a massive moonboot on his left peg.

[ugg]

According to the injury report he did it in the last minutes of the game.