Intra-Club Clash

[liz]

Who were the standout players and did anyone get injured

It was a pretty scrappy affair and I'm not sure anyone really stood out.

The seasoned players - ROK, JPK, Macca, Jack etc - went about things methodically and professionally without suggesting it was much more than a training exercise for them.

Nick Smith was commanding across a backline but he didn't really seem to have an opponent. That's one of the by-products of being part of a squad that really has no small forwards to match up on. Laidler was similar. He looked solid.

Shaw and Rohan looked like two kids who been on a year long sugar-free diet suddenly let loose in a sweet shop. They both buzzed around with a lot of energy, not always effectively but certainly enthusiastically.

The rucks all looked pretty average in the first half but the competitiveness amongst them heated up as the game went on. All of them took nice marks in front of goal and I think only Naismith failed to convert at least one. Nankervis looked slow and lumbering early but he had a purple patch in the third quarter and landed up kicking at least three goals, I think. It's easy to forget how big these blokes are when you watch them try to bend down to pick up a greasy ball from the surface but on a lead and in a contested marking situation he looked pretty decent. Pyke kicked a couple of routine goals too. His set shot approach looks even more basic than last year but it got the job done.

Perris looked completely at home in this company. He didn't get a huge amount of the ball but used it intelligently.

The likes of Harry and Brandon livened up in the second half. The game did open up a bit and became less scrappy so there was more room for them to use their pace in space. They both contributed on the scoreboard - Jack one, I think. Harry might have snared a couple.

Franklin showed a bit without really ever breaking out of a trot. Some of his field kicking was exceptional - picking out a player 50m away off one step - but his kicking at goal was atrocious. He would have had half a dozen shots or so (some that he should have been looked to pass off) and maybe scrapped in for 3 or so behinds.

One of the highlights was KJack nailing Franklin in a text book perfect tackle. It was amusing seeing him wrapped around Franklin's waist trying to bring him to ground, but as a HTB tackle it was spot on.

Reid meandered around, looking physically superb, taking the odd good mark and muffing others. He did convert two nice shots on goal, one from 40m or so out on a decent angle, and the other on the run from 50m out.

Jetta and Jones were interjected into the game at some point after half time. I'm not sure whether Jetta even touched the ball but he looked happy to be out there. Jones tried to take on KJack with an aggressive tackle - fun to watch but he landed up giving away a free for high contact.

None of the second and third year players yet to debut really stood out as players likely to force their way into the senior side early in the year, but they may have more of a chance to make an impact once the games against other clubs get going. It's hard to gauge that much from an interclub game.

Oh - and no injuries that I saw.

[bodgie]

As above aside from a few clangers Allir did look pretty slick and Nankervis a big bloke looked handy. Everyone seemed to get involved at some point although I didn't notice Hanners do much. I haven't been to an intra match before so its weird to see Jack standing the mark on McVeigh. Jack laid an impressive tackle on Franklin who looked like he was gonna throttle him for a moment. With a lot of top ups and position and team swaps no-one really stood out. Cunningham ran hard but hobbled off late. There was a little bloke in number 55 with the largest pair of shorts seen for many a year. He seemed handy enough and confident enough to be running around telling people what to do. Kicked a lovely long range point. It Franklin did one of his trademark long range lefties from the flank. Missed. Missed a few. There's a lot of talent and skill out there.

[liz]

There was a little bloke in number 55 with the largest pair of shorts seen for many a year. He seemed handy enough and confident enough to be running around telling people what to do. Kicked a lovely long range point.

Can't recall the guernsey numbers, but you talking about the slightly chubby bloke in the huge dark shorts?!! He looked like he could play the game a bit (but might need to work on his fitness...)

[giant]

It's occurred to me that with Tippett, Franklin and Reid in the forward line we could end up with scorelines like 3.27 this year - maybe we oughta get this this fat kid #55 in the line-up.

[Mike_B]

There was a little bloke in number 55 with the largest pair of shorts seen for many a year. He seemed handy enough and confident enough to be running around telling people what to do. Kicked a lovely long range point. It Franklin did one of his trademark long range lefties from the flank. Missed. Missed a few. There's a lot of talent and skill out there.

Can't recall the guernsey numbers, but you talking about the slightly chubby bloke in the huge dark shorts?!! He looked like he could play the game a bit (but might need to work on his fitness...)

Still looked fitter than the last time I saw him on a footy field! Can still kick a ball beautifully too.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Can't recall the guernsey numbers, but you talking about the slightly chubby bloke in the huge dark shorts?!! He looked like he could play the game a bit (but might need to work on his fitness...)

there was a guy i thought in "52" who they called Johnno - very quick off HBF Wing mainly running down the left from the city end - he made some sharp breaks but could kick straight or properly

[ShockOfHair]

Buddy having a laugh over the KJ tackle: "McVeigh set me up!"
SwansTV: Franklin press conference - sydneyswans.com.au

Thanks for the reports people.

[ugg]

I recall smith playing some time on #55. Maybe this is what Liz meant when she said he didn't seem to have an opponent

[Primmy]

I lasted about 3.5 quarters and it was a bit of fun; the boys were not up to scratch in first quarter, the balance of teams was all wrong, they made some changes at half time and the scoring evened up. Also in the first quarter it was gulls around a chip scenario. Everyone and I mean EVERYone was one end of the ground or the other. Kid stuff. That got cured.

. X Richards has been eating whole cows and pasta and has put on a lot of muscle, and a bit of height. Still has that non existent waist though (I could kill him). Played on Buddy in the first half and appeared to be doing ok.
. Skin folds all round were probably Zero.
. Haircuts were pretty ordinary, and for pete's sake LRT, WHAT were you thinking!!! He looks nothing like our viking warrior, more like a bank teller, its all wrong.
. Chanda (Allir Allir) is a find. We are going to have a high spoiling backman, and its going to be fun. No fear, right at home.
. Keiran Jack's tackle on Franklin was A) Brilliant. B) fun. C) Right in front of me and the sound it made had the crowd go ooof. They both ended up with big grins on their faces. I think there was a bet in there somewhere.
. Big ups for 13 Toby Nankervis and 19 Tom Derickx. Both of them out to impress the judges (and me) marking and placement and goals.
. Benny McGlynne kept popping up all over the place, he is very good at not being somewhere and then taking off.
. Liked what Harry C did a few times. Smart .
. IMHO Mike Pyke has gone up a notch. Goal kicking spot on.
. Wouldn't be suprised to see Zac Jones knocking on a few doors later in the year.
. Would expect to see BJ make more than a few games too. My lordy me, he is quick between the ears. Really smart decision maker.
. Has Naismith grown?
. AJ was running controlled laps with a blond I didn't recognise and I think the American Patrick Mitchel (hmmm.....chicken......) was with him, if not then......oh my.
. Tim Membry will be ok; he has second and third efforts

Sausage sizzle, lots and lots of people, kids, no dogs that I could see, acadamy kids down one end all pouncing up to catch an incoming goal, which kept them entertained, kids people catching up with seat buddies, it was fun.

the future looks pretty bright. I haven't mentioned the usual suspects because they were doing exactly what we expect them to do. Reg & Ted defending but letting Chanda take on a lot of it, the midfield doing what they normally do, not so happy with ALL of the ruck work, but Nankervis and Derrickx showed a bit, Buddy is a presence and his place kick around the field was rather terrific, but not so good at goal kicking, that fell to the usual suspects and LRT.

Got some good photos with my little Panasonic (who knew!!) so will attempt to post them when I work out how to.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Buddy having a laugh over the KJ tackle: "McVeigh set me up!"
SwansTV: Franklin press conference - sydneyswans.com.au

Thanks for the reports people.

Buddy seemed really happy in that interview. It was quite heartening, I don't think I've seen him like that. I think I'm starting to take a shine to him. He seems genuinely stoked to be a swan.

[ugg]

The unknown blonde was Biggs Primmy

[jono2707]

It was a fun way to spend an arvo. A few of my thoughts in no particular order:
* Laidler looks at home in our backline and if he continues as he showed today, he'll find himself a spot.
* Aliir Aliir is a very solid backman. He must have a decent wingspan as he spoils particularly well. He needs to work on his tank though to be able to run out games.
* Nankervis and Derickx were both solid and should be decent backups.
* Gazza looks ready to step it up another level this year.
* It was great seeing LRT and Rhys out and both seemed in pretty decent nick and were in good touch.
* Harry Cunningham is looking assured and I reckon he'll play plenty this year.
* Most of the senior players looked pretty fit and in good touch. That Buddy fella went ok too. Goal kicking (still) needs a bit of work.

[Cosmic Wizard]

Was very impress with all the players!!
Toby Nankervis was very impressive, and love seeing Reid really running around and having a go
#27 Daniel Robinson did some good things, and Laidler look a brilliant pick up; big, strong and confident.
All in all, looking really good for 2014: we just need to get some kicking practise into Buddy!

[Primmy]

There was a little bloke in number 55 with the largest pair of shorts seen for many a year. He seemed handy enough and confident enough to be running around telling people what to do. Kicked a lovely long range point.

Just in case people are wondering number 55 was our very own Davo. I didn't pick it, he was fingered on Twitter....

[dimelb]

Thank you all for the impressions and comments. Sounds like an enjoyable afternoon.
And encouraging to hear of youngsters striving to force a way into the starting 22. Apparently even Horse was surprised by the turnout.
Well done all.