Pyke Number One

[0918330512]

I have a crazy prediction for later in the year. Pyke at full forward, Tippet and Mumford in the Ruck

Crazy facts: Pyke - 1st Canadian to play AFL football; 1st Canadian Premiership player.

Crazier predictions: 1st Canadian All Australian; next year ... 1st Canadian Coleman medalist (if plays a season at full forward)

[nicko18]

I'm afraid to say that Monday night ended in a rather bad hangover after playing BT Bingo.

FFS his name is not BIG BOY

[Bloody Hell]

Pyke is playing well, but what are his hitouts-to-advantage. We always seem to get killed in centre clearances.

Hard marker - Aren't the Swans leading the comp in clearances?

[31 hard at it]

Just over 50 senior games !

Amazing all round effort to get where he is today.

No. 1 Ruckman in the side of the reigning Premiers

[jono2707]

I don't think it's all that amazing. Yes he's done particularly well, but he was an internationally experienced footballer blessed with great height and excellent speed for such a big fella. And he seems to be a pretty smart cookie.

Pleasing? Yes. But surprising? Not necessarily - just shows you don't have to sleep with a Sherrin under the pillow for the first 18 years of your life to make it in this game if you have the tools, the smarts, and some great coaches who can show you the way.

[sharp9]

Hard marker - Aren't the Swans leading the comp in clearances?

Not centre clearances...pretty sure we are last

[alt_mattr]

Four more contested marks last night, can he finish the round number one again? Maybe even put some space between himself and Riewoldt? Imagine the odds you would have been able to get at the start of the year on this stat?

[alt_mattr]

At the end of the round Pyke is clear at the top for contested marks, 3 ahead of Riewoldt and 4 ahead of Cloke.

I am going to watch this stat all year.

[liz]

He earned himself a couple of frees in marking contests last night too, for being impeded. So he's getting his opponents worried. The next step in his development is presenting more often as an option, especially when he's just got one opponent close to him. That comes with learning when and where to run, something he is still getting the hang of.

[Cheer_Cheer]

I wonder how much we have to thank Brian Taylor for his improvement.. Surely he helped light or at least fuel the fire in Pyke to succeed.. Every week I just watch in awe of how great he has become.. People on here have suggested that he will get the boot once Tippett is on the scene.. I very much doubt that.. I would put him in the top half a dozen most valuable players at the moment..

[aardvark]

I wonder how much we have to thank Brian Taylor for his improvement.. Surely he helped light or at least fuel the fire in Pyke to succeed.. Every week I just watch in awe of how great he has become.. People on here have suggested that he will get the boot once Tippett is on the scene.. I very much doubt that.. I would put him in the top half a dozen most valuable players at the moment..

Agree. He's a fair way ahead of Mummy at the moment.

[liz]

I wonder how much we have to thank Brian Taylor for his improvement.. Surely he helped light or at least fuel the fire in Pyke to succeed.. Every week I just watch in awe of how great he has become.. People on here have suggested that he will get the boot once Tippett is on the scene.. I very much doubt that.. I would put him in the top half a dozen most valuable players at the moment..

Pyke packed up his bags, moved to the other side of the world and took up a strange sport. He must have been very motivated to even consider doing that. He's succeeding because he works very hard, is a great student and has the self-belief. I can't imagine BT's comments had any effect on him.

[magic.merkin]

BT who? he'd be saying. Water off a ducks back.