Round 3: Sydney Swans Reserves v Gold Coast Suns Reserves

[Auntie.Gerald]

Thanks everyone for the game day info

how did Harry "Swampy" Marsh go ?

[Gezball]

Thanks to all for the insights. Much appreciated.

[ugg]

The win was set up by a scintillating first quarter performance by the Ressies, whose intensity via some ferocious tackling and great team pressure was in stark contrast to the languid attitude of the Suns who still looked like they were going through their warm ups. The Swans were so dominant that play rarely advanced into their half and the Suns could only scrape together 2 inside 50 entries for the entire quarter. The Suns improved in the subsequent three quarters but the 45 point margin probably flattered them when they had a late flourish dominating the midfield clearances due to Jesse White suffered a late injury and was rested in the forward line (see below).

• Tim MEMBREY - His accuracy from set shots has been previously noted and he continued to impress with another successful conversion from a tight spot in the right pocket in the first quarter. His marking continued to be very good despite the wet conditions as the Suns struggled to find a suitable matchup for him, shuffling through a few different options. He was much quieter in the second half when the Suns settled on Clay Cameron as his direct opponent. What I took out of today's performance is that Membrey is no slouch when the ball hits the deck, firing off a quick handpass to Morton for a quick snapped goal as well as managing to snap one of his own in the 3rd quarter.
• Tom MITCHELL - 'Subbed' in the 2nd half for Rampe. Started the half positioned across the half forward line to ease him into action but was soon running around as an onballer. His composure was a notable quality about his game, often using his left foot to deliver kicks to a teammate's advantage even when under pressure. The question marks about him are certainly not about his skills or effort, but will be about his injury and on how he pulls up from this game. He had a few games as the 2nd half 'sub' last year but will need many more consecutive full games to even come under consideration for a senior debut.
• Harry CUNNINGHAM - Part of the defensive shuffle due to Walsh, Armstrong and Rampe returning to the side who all sat in defensive posts, Cunningham played in the midfield including attending numerous centre square bounces. But unlike his tagging role last year, he was more attacking and carried the ball with pace. Kicked an absolute peach of a goal - which I'm sure will be on the Reserves SwansTV highlights this week - when he read White's clean tap from a boundary throw-in, hit it at speed, took a few steps and sent it flying through the big sticks on his non preferred left foot from just inside the forward 50 arc.
• Mitch MORTON - Surprised he wasn't named in the best players list as he was a solid contributor to the side both on the scoreboard and through his defensive work. Mainly played up the ground but with stints as an isolated full forward where his excellent one on one skills earnt him 2 of his 4 goals. The pick of his haul was when he cleverly paddled a bouncing ball forward to his advantage, used his strength and pace to separate away from his close marker before gathering and snapping truly. Wasn't so crash hot with the set shots, and noticeably has to run at an angle to kick them.
• Jed LAMB - The matchups changed quite a bit throughout the match but I believe for a large stretch he was up against Danny Stanley who was quite offensively minded and didn't pay Jed enough respect which allowed Lamb to get some clean takeaways from the ruck contests. Cleverly stayed down when Tom Nicholls flew (very) high for a mark and snapped an uncontested goal from the resulting spillage.
• Tommy WALSH - Mainly used on the resting ruckman in Gorringe/Nicholls; executed his defensive tasks relatively well, getting his fists to spoil numerous times and only being beaten once on a lead that I can recall. However, I'm not so bullish about his work offensively with the ball in hand. Often looked hesitant, reluctant to use the first available option and not quick or desperate enough to dispose of the ball when under pressure. Perhaps we'll have to cut him some slack as he has struggled with injury through preseason and playing with mostly new recruits down back.
• Jesse WHITE - An impressive outing as an undersized ruckman against two genuine giants in Nicholls and Gorringe was somewhat soured by an injury in the 4th quarter. He limped off after a heavy clash, but did come back onto the field to finish the game in the forward line leaving the rucking duties to topup Head. He still has prominent issues trying to take a mark on a lead, even after doing the hard work getting in the clear the ball will invariably bounce off his hands or off his chest. Very frustrating.
• Tony ARMSTRONG - I hate using the phrase 'tried too hard' because effort is what most coaches will ask of each player, but the more involved he was in the play, the number of mistakes started piling up. Very vocal in the backline, and quite demanding of the football, his kicking failed to hit the target most of the time and he sometimes sold himself into trouble trying to take on too many would-be tacklers. Also had a shot on half time when he marked 40m out in front but missed what was a relatively simple shot.
• Dean TOWERS - Played a few roles, sometimes started as the spare man or sweeper but also spotted him loitering deep in our forward 50 on a few occasions. Had a bit more run and carry in his game than in previous weeks but cruelly pinged for running more than 15m by a whistle-happy umpy without bouncing the ball when it didn't feel that he had (without the benefit of any replay).
• Jordan LOCKYER - One of the defenders freed up by the reshuffle, spent more time further up the ground and was involved in some inside 50 entries. A solid distributor.
• Daniel ROBINSON - After failing to note his presence last week, special attention was focused on Robinson's performance and I left feeling rather impressed by his inside work, good hands and a very solid tackler. His goal was a result of winning a holding the ball decision.
• Matthew DICK - With Walsh back, he didn't have to play on the talls and had a few different opponents throughout the day including Trent McKenzie.
• Harrison MARSH - Spent some time as a tagger on Danny Stanley, but mainly another runner through the midfield. Got caught out at one boundary throw in not standing goal side of his opponent Jeremy Taylor which enabled the young Sun to swoop onto a tap and bounce through a goal unimpeded.
• Brandon JACK - Loved his chasing, pressuring and especially his physical work including the ferocity of his tackling and bumps despite not carrying a lot of bulk in his teenage frame. Came off the ground for some treatment after a heavy hit in the 3rd quarter but came back on without any obvious lingering effects.
• Alex BROWN - He was utilised in a variety of roles again but his main position was as a third/fourth tall-medium forward. Uses his mobility to get up the ground and is usually a thoughtful user of the ball who looks to spot up targets rather than bombing the ball long.
• Xavier RICHARDS - Took the other tall forward that wasn't in Walsh's sight which was usually Josh Hall. Did very well on him, only lost one contested marking contest against him.
• Dane RAMPE - First half only. Mainly in defence but like the seniors, pushed high up the ground to lock the ball in when defending the opposition coming out of defence. A desperate lunge and late (but legal) contact in the 2nd quarter saved a certain GC goal while his one set shot on goal wasn't as impressive as he kicked it onto the man on the mark.
• Jake LLOYD - Matched up against the prolific ball winner Kyal Horsley and IMHO came up trumps in his match up. Spent a bit more time as a half forward than in previous weeks.
• Shane BIGGS - Liked his ball use, had a direct hand in 2 Morton goals with 2 well taken kicks that gave Morton an advantage over the Suns defence. Spreads well and is always keen to get the ball moving forward via a handball.
• Topups - Sertbas (#56) won a free and kicked a goal via the new sliding rule when a Sun slid into his legs. Head (#59) again reprised his role as a tall forward and relief ruckman, but with noticeably less time on the ground until the last quarter when he rucked to fill in for the injured White. Can't remember anything about Kiel (#57) or Weir (#60)

Swans 7.6 10.12 12.16 15.20 (110)
Suns 1.0 3.3 5.5 10.5 (65)

[Xie Shan]

Great write up once again ugg.

[dimelb]

Thanks ugg, much appreciated.

[Swansongster]

Thanks Ugg. Love your work.

[ShockOfHair]

Thanks Ugg. Interesting remarks about Membrey, Armstrong and Walsh.

[rojo]

Thanks Primmy, Liz and Ugg for your reports. We are really spoiled but very happy!

[magic.merkin]

cheers Ugg and co

[Doctor]

You guys rock. Love your work.

[Primmy]

Just a follow up.

I tweeted a congrats to the coach Jared Crouch. His reply is "thanks another good group Of players very easy to coach"

Augers well.

[ugg]

NEAFL TV - Round 3.

Highlights from our game from 1:10 - 2:03
NEAFL TV - Round 3 - YouTube

[jono2707]

Just to add on more thing - I'm really glad I made the effort to attend the Ressies on Saturday - apart from seeing the rest of our list play, it was a very high standard match. Well worth making the effort to see them play when we come up against GWS or the Suns again IMO.