Reserves Talent.

[dimelb]

Thanks AG - illuminating.

[Auntie.Gerald]

its rare Di, that I get a little carried away

[mcs]

White hasn't been a failure by any means. He was picked up at pick 79, and has made a fairly formidable career coming from that deep and has played a role in a lot of vital games for us. Horse, for some reason doesn't favour Whitey and even with LRT going out of the side, still not getting a game says something about how much he rates him. Walsh is still coming along and I think he can still play a role as a backman. Definitely don't see him having the smarts for a permanent forward position.

Agreed on the others, but in Jimmy's opinion, draft choices can be hit and miss as we've seen in so many of them. How did hanners slip to pick 30? Baffling really.

I'd say White may not have been a failure, but at very least has been a great disappointment. Could be such a player, but just doesn't have the mongrel in him.

[Reggi]

From what I have seen we have a pretty mediocre group. Realistically most of the guys who make it, not all, are pushing for selection in their first and second years.

Other than Mitchell & Rohan, of the ones I have seen, only B Jack, maybe Membrey, maybe Towers, have talents that would give them a chance at AFL. The rest I expect to not make it

[swanspant12]

From what I have seen we have a pretty mediocre group. Realistically most of the guys who make it, not all, are pushing for selection in their first and second years.

Other than Mitchell & Rohan, of the ones I have seen, only B Jack, maybe Membrey, maybe Towers, have talents that would give them a chance at AFL. The rest I expect to not make it

Towers will definetly make it. Love the look of him. Quick, smart, good skills and good size. Has the pace to play tall and small.

[royboy42]

I'm a Lamb believer..he seems to have responded well to Crouch's coaching..gained a pretty good tank..knows where the goals are.

Mitchell a walk up when properly match fit, and once he sneaks in, will be a fixture for a long time.

Rampe has a terrific chance to make his mark this season.

Seeing Walker go down at the weekend may have both the Crows and Jesse rue the decision to pass on him preseason..he'd be prettymuch automatic for their firsts next weekend, esp with his rucking development this and late last year.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i wonder if LJ will now fold into the 22 at the Crows ???

Lewis !!!!!!!

[wolftone57]

Mitchell, Rampe, Marsh, Cunningham, Towers, Brandon, Xavier, Brown, Dick, Membrey, Lloyd off the top of my head could all be serious change of the guard players that could go beyond fringe to important players in the 22.............like Bird did the last few seasons ie play a role and play it well for a few seasons and then who knows as anything can happen

Tippett on the field very soon......and Rohan and AJ to come back

Everitt, Morton, White, Armstrong great depth to fill in and possibly one or two of them may feature more in the future

Aunty you forgot Lambie

[wolftone57]

From what I have seen we have a pretty mediocre group. Realistically most of the guys who make it, not all, are pushing for selection in their first and second years.

Other than Mitchell & Rohan, of the ones I have seen, only B Jack, maybe Membrey, maybe Towers, have talents that would give them a chance at AFL. The rest I expect to not make it

How many Twos games have you seen Reggi? I think this group is a lot better than last years model and definitely better than Vesper or that mob. The difference is in the skill level and the mongrel. All of our young blokes have a bit of it including 'The Kid' Lloyd. I go to all the Twos that are before the main game and I watch replays if they are available or just highlights. It is not that they win that counts, although it is the preferred option even for the Twos, it is how they go about their footy. This Twos side is a 'TEAM' everything comes down to helping each other, knowing each others strengths, weaknesses and playing together. This will help them if they ever play Seniors and I think plenty of these boys will unlike in past years because we only had a few possies before. In the near future we will have quite a few as players retire.

[wolftone57]

i wonder if LJ will now fold into the 22 at the Crows ???

Lewis !!!!!!!

Probably not, Shaun McKernan kicked 6 goals for Glenelg last week. He has been quite close to a Crows start but South, who he played for up until two weeks ago, insisted on playing him in the back line. He applied for a transfer to Glenelg which was approved within a week and promptly kicks 6.

[Ludwig]

How many Twos games have you seen Reggi? I think this group is a lot better than last years model and definitely better than Vesper or that mob. The difference is in the skill level and the mongrel. All of our young blokes have a bit of it including 'The Kid' Lloyd. I go to all the Twos that are before the main game and I watch replays if they are available or just highlights. It is not that they win that counts, although it is the preferred option even for the Twos, it is how they go about their footy. This Twos side is a 'TEAM' everything comes down to helping each other, knowing each others strengths, weaknesses and playing together. This will help them if they ever play Seniors and I think plenty of these boys will unlike in past years because we only had a few possies before. In the near future we will have quite a few as players retire.

Uplifting post. Reading the reports from the ressies watchers, like yourself, does give the fans a lot to be optimistic about. But the 'reality check' from Liz's post is a good counterbalance, and for various reasons, as she rightfully points out, so many of these hopefuls don't make it.

I certainly hope you are right. Do you really think that this group is well and truly a cut above the one's in the past? And have they shown you something special that makes you think they are more than just good NEAFL players, but have true senior level qualitiies.

[ShockOfHair]

I am very wary about making calls too soon. I remember coming back from a pre-season reserves practice game at Lakeside (Bus Loop) Oval a few years back and declaring I had seen the future of the side, after watching Vez dominate in his first outing with the club, and seeing some very promising signs in the first competitive game of the sport ever played by Brendan Murphy. DOH!

.

I remember that!.

At least you didn't announce Barlow as the next Adam Goodes!

And the Doggies and Emma Q sill think Vesz is a prospect.

[wolftone57]

Uplifting post. Reading the reports from the ressies watchers, like yourself, does give the fans a lot to be optimistic about. But the 'reality check' from Liz's post is a good counterbalance, and for various reasons, as she rightfully points out, so many of these hopefuls don't make it.

I certainly hope you are right. Do you really think that this group is well and truly a cut above the one's in the past? And have they shown you something special that makes you think they are more than just good NEAFL players, but have true senior level qualitiies.

Lloyd: Young yet but oozes talent. Clever, smart, a very good mark and disposer. Can also kick goals and didn't look out of place in the preseason games. I am excited about this kid.

Lamb: Reminds me of Joey at times. Wonderful skills. Can play outside or in and under. Really good leader on the field. Needs to work on his bread & butter goal kicking but his freakish goal kicking is super. Good tackle, they stay tackled.

Brandon Jack: Very good tackler. Developing good skills, reads the ball well. Is quite fast but also physical. Reasonable kick for goal and field kicking is good but needs to work on in close handball and some decision making.

Robinson: i am really impressed with Daniel. He is a really good kick at goal. He tackles really well and is tall enough to take the odd contested mark. Which he is quite good at by the way. Can play forward or mid and moves pretty well. He has been a nice surprise.

Richards: Been solid in the backline. He is a very good spoil and takes a good mark. Like Teddy, he seems to know which to go for and when. He is also a good linkman in attacking moves but is very careful to go back and pick his man up. Has had to take responsibility for the backline in his first year, which is a bit harsh on the young fella, due to toppies playing mainly in the back half.

Biggs: Not sure about Shane. He looks so good at the moment. His kick outs are very good, his field kicking is generally good and he is setting play up beautifully. But somehow he can still seem quiet. Maybe a quiet achiever. I like his skills. I am not sure he is hard enough for AFL though. but they said that of Mal a few years ago and he plays the same sort of role.

Naismith: Haven't seen young Sam much this year due to injury. But I think he will be ok. Big guys develop slower and they will develop him over time. Has wonderful agility for a 203cm bloke. a bit like Smith for Gold Coast but not as developed, as he can also run the ball and baulk and turn.

Membrey: Tim didn't play the last game. I liked what I was seeing at ANZ and if he keeps developing that way he will be the third 'tall' forward in our Seniors forwardline in time. But didn't play last game. Definitely need to see more to make a judgement. Has kicked 9 in 3, third only to Mitch & Tommy.

Mitchell: If he can stay on the park he will be a star one day. He has it all. Great disposal, work ethic, good mark for his size (just like Lukie). Need to see more but if he lives up to the potential he showed in a couple of games last year he will play Seniors this year.

Cunningham: Harry has played as a half back but moved further up the ground a couple of times. He is a wonderful long kick. His decision making can be a bit of a problem. He throws himself in and gets the ball easily. He is also very fast. Needs more time.

Towers: I think this lad is just starting to show a bit and the bit he is showing I like. He can shrug a tackle by using a shimmer. He is a really good disposer and can mark very confidently. He runs the ball well and almost always makes good decisions.

Lockyer: Seems to be a little lost at the moment. I am not sure about him. Need to see a lot more of him. He spent most of last season injured so it may just be a slow comeback. The other thing is he was getting caught out in the Twos and was a bit slow in the games I have seen. Needs to do something about that.

Dick: Matty hasn't stood out at all and if I remember rightly he hasn't played all the games. Need to see much more of him to make a judgement.

Marsh: He has impressed and is a good shot at goal. Played in various roles and has equipped himself well at this stage. Need to see more but certainly a good start.

brown: Very controlled and comfortable. Very good disposal skills. A really good mark and spoil. Very good decision maker. I like this bloke and I think he is on the brink of a senior game. Possibly just about 4th or 5th in line. goes about his task quietly and gets the job done. No frills but then that is what the Swans are aren't they?

That is it. There are probably some arguments as to who will make it and who not but I think the proof of that pudding is always how they equip themselves once they get a chance. They will either take it like a storm or just fizz out. Sometimes a player plays a really dog of a first game due to nerves and the second time he gets a chance never looks back. Some the Swans will see as not equitting themselves well enough at NEAFL level to keep on the list.

The players playing for their footy lives this year are; Lockyer, Brown, Dick (for main listing), Biggs, Walsh, White, Cunningham & Everitt. Each of those except Dick have been here for at least 2 seasons and need to perform now or be either dropped to the rookie list or delisted. I say Dick at this stage because he out of all the last 2 years recruits has been the quietest for mine.

[Ludwig]

Thanks Wolf. Excellent rundown of the current situation. Hopefully the success percentages fall our way to make up for all the hopefuls of the past that turned out to be duds.

[dimelb]

Thanks for all that detail Wolfy.