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Yep he was there as was Andrew Ireland
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Just back from Canberra, I can tell you the trip back up the highway flies past much quicker when you're celebrating a win rather than a loss. I'll post a more detailed report soon but I just wanted to say the match was built upon the solid work of the back six. At the beginning of the year with the two previous key defenders in Campbell Heath and Jack Lynch having left the club, the defence at times looked shaky and disjointed. But as season has progressed, spending more time playing together has resulted in a major improvement up to the point where today their excellent one on one work was complemented by great support play by their fellow defenders. Belconnen really struggled to get many clear chances at goal, save for some incredible goals by Shane Harris. Even then, his direct opponent Stephen Wray played well again on him, reprising the same role he did on Harris 2 weeks ago at Blacktown.
Armstrong was clearly the best on ground for mine, his work in congestion early on was inspirational and vital to steady the expected physical onslaught from Belconnen, and his kicking was unerringly accurate both coming out of defence and delivering some sizzling passes on a platter for his forwards to run onto. Also clearly his best game of the year and a great time to put together such a performance but he's unlikely to get back into the seniors due to the good performance by Biggs on Saturday. Lamb was also terrific early on, his powerful surging runs in traffic were a real highlight and although he wasn't as prominent later on, he really set up the win with his leadership against a tough opposition midfield. Naismith was surprisingly agile for a guy his size, and his sometimes fanciful and exuberant taps in the first quarter were toned down after being instructed to by Crouch at quarter time. I would definitely like to see him get another season, preferably an injury free one, to see how his game could develop under the tutelage of the coaches, Taubert in particular.
As for the injury returnees:
LRT - Started deep, kicked the first goal, was involved in plenty of play in and around the forward 50 area. I thought he moved very well and at times did drift back to help in defence. In the second half, he started on that slightly forward of centre wing position that Jesse has made his own in the seniors. His 2 goals were 2 tough set shots from tight angles and he also laid off a few score assists. One of his last plays was in the fourth quarter with a double one-two with Lloyd Perris (who btw will be a very, very good player for us) on the wing and although he had space he couldn't run any more and fed it back to Perris. Taken off and mothballed soon after that. Would that performance be enough for a run around Subi? Hard to say, but if he was asked to park his butt down in the goalsquare against the resting ruckman I guess it could work.
Rohan - also played forward, didn't see a lot of the ball, had a handful of almost-maybe marks that didn't quite come off and a brilliant checkside goal from some distance out. Had one of his calves iced at three quarter time and I don't think he played any of the last quarter.Comment
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BTW, it looks as though the number of listed players allowed in a finals match has been increased from 12 last year to 14 this year. All 25 warmed up, took the team photo and stood for the national anthem but then when the game started 3 topups in Hadden, Codd-Miller and Stratford were the ones cut.Comment
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The Cross-Conference Title has been set for Saturday at Aspley in Queensland. It looks like we will be fielding a weakened team due to some of today's team replacing injured players and possibly Teddy. Perhaps the coaches can drag Mitch Morton out for one last run out in the red and white.Comment
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NEAFL title special for Rohan and LRT
Having recovered from an horrific broken leg, Gary Rohan didn?t care his first ever premiership was in the NEAFL eastern conference and not the AFL as he now plays like ??every game?s my last??.
And his Sydney Swans teammate Lewis Roberts-Thomson rated his NEAFL flag alongside his two AFL ones and declared his knee was fully recovered and he was ready to return for the AFL preliminary final against Fremantle in Perth next week.
Read more: NEAFL title special for Rohan and LRTComment
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I thought that LRT did really well yesterday - for a guy that has not played any football for most of the season, he really did do a decent job. If he pulls up ok, I'd have no problem seeing him back in the seniors if Tippett is out.
And thanks Ugg for your wonderful reserves reporting - I must make myself more proactive and ensure I get to more ressies games next year!"You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."Comment
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Sorry I meant that Mitch is clearly identifiable with his glasses, not that I saw a man with those glasses yesterday.Comment
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