all white and fuzzy ~

[Primmy]

I told that man a the age of 18 that I thought he could be a gun. Obviously spoke too soon way back then, but I just liked what he could do.

I liked that article. Mature man speaking.

and now we wait........this is kind of exciting isn't it...

[Dosser]

I'm wondering if Tippett's presence is the catalyst for all of this. I imagine that they spent a few evenings together when Tip first arrived and maybe it reignited Jesse's commitment. Either way, I want Jesse to star in the finals alongside Tippett just to hear the wailing from the Crows.

[Melbournehammer]

As someone who has always supported him and never given up on him I must again make the same post - don't overrate him and his work. He has been a solid contributor against some weak teams. That is all we should want and expect from him - that he contributes he never gives up and plays to the best of hs ability. dont build him up to be the next barry hall or kurt tippett. He will be fine if you dont overinflate your expectations of him. He can play solid ruck minutes, can take a mark on a lead, tackle and has learnt to bring the ball to ground on many occasions. If he does those things that is what LRT was lauded for last year and that is all we want from him.

[RogueSwan]

... and plays to the best of hs ability.

That's all most of us want. I just think he has more ability than he has shown, or more correctly, been given a chance to show.

[ned]

Was thinking today how effective Jesse and Kurt have been in combination this past month. Obviously Jesse hasn't matched Kurt's goal output, but I think key forwards should be judged as a combination much as we know Ted and Reg are better together than the sum of their individual parts. Strangely enough I couldn't find a "KPF combo goal kicking table for the last 4 weeks" (I know right? Champion data lift your game) so I made one.
1st. Hawks, 26 (Franklin /Roughead)
2nd. Swans, 24 (Tippett / White)
3rd. Roos, 23 (Petrie / Thomas)
4th.Eagles, 22 (Kennedy / Darling)
5th. Pies, 19 (Cloke / Reid)
6th. Cats, 14 (Hawkins / Podsiadly*)

*Podsiadly has missed one game in the past month.

This table obviously isn't complete, I've just picked the pair's I think of as being the dominant KPF duos, based on reputation as well as standings in the Coleman. I think at the start of the month if any of us had been offered White and Tippett having the same goal output as Hawkins and Podsiadly we wouldn't have hesitated, so as a pair I think they are doing well enough

[Cheer_Cheer]

Terrific post Ned.. Who would have thought they would be working so well together.. I hope we don't have to split them up..

[Triple B]

1st. Hawks, 26 (Franklin /Roughead)
2nd. Swans, 24 (Tippett / White)
3rd. Roos, 23 (Petrie / Thomas)
4th.Eagles, 22 (Kennedy / Darling)
5th. Pies, 19 (Cloke / Reid)
6th. Cats, 14 (Hawkins / Podsiadly*)

*Podsiadly has missed one game in the past month.

=2nd. GWS, 24 (Cameron/Giles)

[Ludwig]

Jesse confirmed again that his skill and athleticism is first class. He has all the tools to be a top level AFL player. He needs to work more on the defensive side of his game and stay involved for longer periods. I think he's finally come of age. I just hope it keeps it going through the finals. His big test is coming.

[ned]

I didn't put Cameron and Giles in because I don't really think of them as KPF duo, my bad. I'm surprised they're doing so well, although I suspect that Cameron has probably shouldered most of that load :P

[Triple B]

I didn't put Cameron and Giles in because I don't really think of them as KPF duo, my bad. I'm surprised they're doing so well, although I suspect that Cameron has probably shouldered most of that load :P

Cameron 18 / Giles 6

Since Brogan came back into the side in the last month, Giles has played mainly forward as the 2nd tall. In the overall scheme, they are not really a duo as such, but certainly have been a team in the past month.

[ernie koala]

I enjoyed Gerard Healy tonight...doing his bit for the Swannies....

Suggesting Jesse may be better off staying in the environment that got him here......Nice work Gerard, keep it up.

[DK_]

Today's SMH headline:

Injury-hit Swans turn to White knight

Who would have predicted that they'd be seeing that before the preliminary final at the start of the season? Even halfway through the season? And who would have thought that a lot of fans would be comfortable with Jesse being the focus of our attack?

I just love what Jesse's done this year and the role he's playing for the team. Even this week, Longmire has the option of playing him in a number of roles which will keep Lyons guessing and will give us flexibility in attack.

I think Jesse's rise comes down to maturity and hard work, probably in that order. Even after the last game against the Hawks, when he joined the long list of players to be done over by Hodge, he just said "he got the better of me, but I've reviewed the vision and learnt a lot from the experience" (Another Wu article I think). To me, that speaks of a maturity and attitude which will see him continuing to build on this season.

Longmire really talked him up after the Blues game, which he's been reluctant to do in the past. Putting him on Hodge also speaks of a lot of confidence from the coaching staff in Jesse's skills and work ethic, even if it didn't turn out too well. I'll be very surprised if he's not in our long-term planning now and hope that he doesn't go elsewhere.

I'm hoping for a huge game from him this weekend and am confident that he'll deliver!

[Matt80]

White has been superb in the second half of the year. Even more remarkable was that Tommy Walsh was preferred to Jesse as the reserve forward early in the year.

He has so many weapons at his disposal, huge leap, an ability to break the lines and the rare ability to kick 55 metre goals consistently, to go with traditional key position ability. I hope the Swans can keep on the list because next year could be massive for White!

[Ludwig]

White has been superb in the second half of the year. Even more remarkable was that Tommy Walsh was preferred to Jesse as the reserve forward early in the year.

He has so many weapons at his disposal, huge leap, an ability to break the lines and the rare ability to kick 55 metre goals consistently, to go with traditional key position ability. I hope the Swans can keep on the list because next year could be massive for White!

It's time to get it out in the open: Jesse 'BUDDY' White

[jono2707]

Jesse certainly has been pretty darn good this year, and we've all enjoyed seeing it. But I think the key is that he's been more of a utility than a key forward per se. I think he's done better with Tippet and a resting ruckman up forward as he doesn't then get the key defenders, and he can be a bit of a nightmare for other teams to match up on as a result.

I think Jesse is better off playing more of a loose role up forward and on a wing, without having any great structure in place. He has done some outstanding things for a big guy when the ball has been loose in open play this year as he's been able to use his athleticism. I don't think that Jesse is particularly smart in a footy sense (that's an observation more than a judgement), so I think he's better being given more freedom and less structure in his game.

I therefore think there is a place for Jesse next year and beyond, even with Reid and Tippett back. I just don't see him as a key forward, but more of a tall utility.