Round 2: UWS Giants v Sydney Swans Reserves

[Matt80]

For those interested in seeing a replay of the game on the YouTube the URL is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYliTt1ETg&list=UUT944Kign04l1Pkc23LDxHQ

It was the sort of game where it was hard to for anyone to shine. There were lots of poor disposal and turnovers on both sides. There weren't too many good clean passages of play.

A few comments:

I'll start with my only negative comment. I thought Allir had a sloppy mistake-ridden game. He fumbled the ball, dropped marks and made poor decisions.

It was difficult game for the forwards, as the ball rarely came in cleanly. Membrey looks slimmer than last year and moves quite well. He did a few good things. Towers didn't get much of the ball and was a bit unlucky with a few decisions, but also did a few nice things.

Dick and Lockyer both had solid games.

Biggs is very composed and looks good enough to come into the senior side, as he did last year, and play decent footy. He's a good kick of the ball.

Jake Lloyd is the other one that seems ready for senior footy. I though he was BOG for us. He's a leader on the field, has great vision and makes good decisions.

Of the new guys:

I was very impressed with Paddy Mitchell. He's quick and very athletic, and competes well in the ruck. If he can learn the game, he looks to have the physical attributes to succeed.

George Hewitt looks a star in the making. He played a great game for such a young player. I'm looking forward to his development this season.

Zak Jones made a few mistakes, but overall is quick and aggressive. He plays 100% on instinct. But once he thinks through situations a bit better, he should be a very good player.

Ludwig and Ugg, make a prediction for me. What players in the reserves will see senior football this year apart from Tower's, BJ and Biggs?

I'm not hoping for injuries to members of the senior team, just interested in your predictions about who you think is ready for senior football, of those who are currently playing in the reserves.

[Ludwig]

We've got a large number of good players on the rookie list atm. We'll have to make some decisions at year end about them. 3rd year rookie Biggs should be given another go before we decide what to do with him.

I think we should elevate Jake Lloyd and give him a couple of upcoming games against Melbourne and Brisbane. Some players know where the game is going; he's one of them. He always seems to be on top of the situation. I'd put Robinson just a tad behind, but also good.

Perris and Hewitt also show very good signs for the future, but unlikely for this year.

[dimelb]

Thanks ugg, Ludwig and other comments. Appreciated.

[CJK]

SwansTV: Pat Mitchell's first ever goal in footy - sydneyswans.com.au

[ugg]

NEAFL TV highlights if you can't watch the whole game. From about 6:10 in

[ScottH]

SwansTV: Pat Mitchell's first ever goal in footy - sydneyswans.com.au

Looks like he is wearing Little Benny's spare shorts.

[Flying South]

I think we should elevate Jake Lloyd and give him a couple of upcoming games against Melbourne and Brisbane. Some players know where the game is going; he's one of them. He always seems to be on top of the situation. I'd put Robinson just a tad behind, but also good.

I have suggested previously that we need to develop a quality tagger as I am not sure we quite have that player that can limit the dangerous players like pendlebury. He had the same number of disposals against geelong but had no influence on the game. Buckley commented that the difference was Guthrie's tagging role. Do you think either of these 2 could step up to that type of role and learn from the best whilst doing it? What sort of midfield roles do they normally play? They strike me as both inside types.

[Ludwig]

Lloyd and Robinson are the 2 dynamos in the ressies midfield, so they are not really taggers per se. But they do play good defensive footy as well, especially Lloyd, who always seems to be on top of things and adjusts very well to transitions. When we turn the ball over, you tend to find Lloyd down back helping with coverage and rebound out of defense. I previously said that Lloyd reminds me a lot of McVeigh in the way that he plays. He's mentally a very mature footballer. Lloyd is a good tackler, but is still a bit slight to take on some of the more mature AFL bodies.

I get the feeling that Marsh could be that tagger, but he still has a way to go with his footy development, and despite all the reported improvement this year, there's still much do. But he is quick and a good size.

I noticed that Lockyer played more in the midfield this week, and is another possibility for a tagging midfield player. He's got size and good pace.

Zak Jones would be another Ryan Crowley if you let him loose. He's a real terrier. Will be a defender, but not sure in what part of the ground.

All that said, I guess Bird is still our main tagger, and not a bad one at that. McGlynn did a good job on Dangerfield on Saturday and is an excellent tagger. I remember a game when Benny was still with the Hawks and he took Alan Didak to the cleaners, when Didak was at the top of his game. He looks the perfect match for the dangerous Boomer.

[dimelb]

I have suggested previously that we need to develop a quality tagger as I am not sure we quite have that player that can limit the dangerous players like pendlebury. He had the same number of disposals against geelong but had no influence on the game. Buckley commented that the difference was Guthrie's tagging role. Do you think either of these 2 could step up to that type of role and learn from the best whilst doing it? What sort of midfield roles do they normally play? They strike me as both inside types.

Ressies should be able to do that - their coach was one of the best I've seen in my limited footy-watching career.

[Scottee]

Some random thoughts after having watched the replay:

Conditions were difficult, blustery wind and some moisture to contend with.

The sheer physical size of the GWS players was noticeable against our smaller team.

Thought we were a bit stiff to lose given our blown chances at goals in the last quarter.

I was impressed by Hewett in particular but he will need a bit of time to literally grow into the role.A real keeper!

As far as senior debuts I think Lockyer is showing something and has potential for the HBF or even midfield (not big enough for KPP). Dick was a strong defender and is still young, has significant improvement. BJ still has not learnt to lower the eyes. Dean Towers seemed to be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory for most of the match until the end (could not believe him taking a shot from outside the behind post when he took the mark at the goal post), but I think he is on the verge of "clicking". He was on of the better players when the match was up for grabs.

Jones needs to put on some beef and won't be ready until next year. Also showed a bit of immaturity which needs to be addressed by the coaches.

I was impressed by some the toppies, especially Hiscox. Haddin not bad either.

Time to give Lloyd and Robinson a go in the seniors this year. Biggs will earn another try without doubt.

Thought that Aliir Aliir was alright despite the criticism and will improve a lot. We may very well need him in the seniors if we get injuries.

[Ludwig]

Good to see George Hewitt making an impact already. I was so happy when we called his name out with out second pick. He looked impressive on the video, but didn't realise his numbers were so good for just 70 minutes of footy. Here's the club writeup:

George Hewett

We were able to get more game time into George this week, which saw him play 70 minutes. As soon as he came on the ground in the second quarter, he made an impact by getting his hands on the ball on numerous occasions and moving it forward. He also showed, on several occasions, that he has time and space and terrific awareness in traffic.

Key Stats: 22 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight clearances one goal.

Maybe with Hewitt now playing as an inside mid, Lloyd can move to wing or HBF. I'd like to see him play the Macca-type defensive role, because he's very good at finding the open man and can wriggle out of difficult situations. An inside mid group of Robinson, Hewitt, Marsh and Lockyer would give us some good size in close.

No mention of X Richards in the ressie report, so hopefully his injury wasn't serious.

[giant]

Didn't realise Zak was Nathan's kid brother until a recent article - that's some good pedigree when it comes to tough as nails footy.

[lwjoyner]

why no best on NEAFL site (usually 6 5 etc) Nothing also on swans sit. Is someone prepared to give the six best. Thanks

[ugg]

Stats

http://neafl.com.au/fileadmin/user_upload/_temp_/Round_2_-_CDS_-_Giants_vs_Swans.pdf