Surprise packet of 2014 - @mcglynn_21

[ScottH]

I'd have to say that Benny has been the biggest surprise packet for me this year.
I thought he'd be over run by the younger light footed brigade this year and struggle to find a place in the team, but his pre season efforts seem to be reaping rewards for him on the field.

He hasn't been our best each week, but he has been well up there.
He and Ted almost single-handedly kept us in the contest during the 1st qtr against Freo.

Well done Benny.

Who has surprised you this year??

[aguy]

I agree. Benny has been outstanding. Not the best but consistently in the top few and one of the few who have looked at full pressure afl standard every week.

The other player I've been pleased with is Cunningham. I think he had a quiet game last week but he showed plenty in the first 4 games

[Melbourne_Blood]

Rampe. Not that I didn't already rate him but he's improved heaps again and is going to be a star for us. I'd live to see him get a run in the guts one day.

[bloodsbigot]

McGylnn surprised me quite a bit because I didn't really rate him at all. I thought his career was just about over last year, due to his physically small size, and as has been said, young up and comers pushing him out of the team.

Well done Ben.

[Ludwig]

McGlynn really has been a very pleasant surprise. Even though the preseason reports were very positive, you think it's just the usual hype. It's not often you see a player take his game to another level at age 28, but Benny has.

Rampe has also taken his game up a couple of notches. He looks very confident and is becoming a damaging player coming out of the back half. Last year he was very focused on the defensive side of his game. He's looking like a real weapon for us.

Although I expected Parker to continue to improve, it's always good to see it happen. He is bordering on elite. He seems to move a lot quicker this year. He's got a little burst off the mark now and it's made a difference. His kicking, especially for goal has been Nick Davisesque.

Harry C is another one that has come on, as aguy has said. He played a tagging role on Stephen Hill and did pretty well. Hill got a bit of the ball, bug wasn't very effective. After 5 games, looks like he belongs in the side.

[bloodsbigot]

Oh yeah... Parker's the other one. ^^^^

[ScottH]

Rampe. Not that I didn't already rate him but he's improved heaps again and is going to be a star for us. I'd live to see him get a run in the guts one day.

He seems much more composed this year, not that he seemed to get too flustered last year, but certainly a stand out in the back line.
Gives us the drive out of defence the AJ used to.

Oh yeah... Parker's the other one. ^^^^

Certainly raised his game a notch too.

[707]

Agree with all of those. We heard the preseason stories about McGlynn being added to the midfield group and "training the house down" but his efforts and form so far are above all previous years, a real impact player now.

I liked Rampe last year but he has gone up two notches at least this year, fearless, reads the play well, has dash and seems to improved his disposal. Remember he is only a econd year player and will be a star for us going forward.

Parker has continued on from last year and improved too. His overhead marking for his size is excellent, will end up elite IMO.

Cunningham is playing his role, looks like he belongs now and seems a very good midfield run with/shut down player, no star but a keeper.

[Swansinger]

BMG's performances have not surprised me. He is naturally hungry for a good contest , but additionally , he is still motivated by missing the 2012 GF.

[RogueSwan]

... he is still motivated by missing the 2012 GF.

I don't want to come across as a smart arse but where does this come from? Has Ben said this himself or someone else at the Swans?

[magic.merkin]

I don't want to come across as a smart arse but where does this come from? Has Ben said this himself or someone else at the Swans?

i remember it from some time probably early last year. He's showed it since, and i thought he had a solid year last year. On the back of preseason reports I'm really not surprised at all on his form. Very pleased though.

Rampe for mine just nuudging out parker. Rampe is just a beauty. I Thought we got lucky with AJ at his pick. But Rampe has been the lotto. Thanks to the Dogs and his determination! If we can get the two of them on the park at once....

[Dosser]

I have been thinking over the last few weeks that Benny's workrate and propensity to throw himself at contests without considering the consequences reminds me a lot of Jude. I think that Benny is beginning to take that mantle.

[DamY]

He has tempered his anger and knowing how far he can push things without going too far. An important part of the team.

[Primmy]

I have been thinking over the last few weeks that Benny's workrate and propensity to throw himself at contests without considering the consequences reminds me a lot of Jude. I think that Benny is beginning to take that mantle.

Yep, reading you loud and clear. Thought that myself. I think Benny has decided he wasn't going to die wondering. Bless the man.

Dane Rampe has not exactly surprised me, but he is playing with such maturing that its at times breathtaking. His decision making is decidedly more and more self assured.

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I don't want to come across as a smart arse but where does this come from? Has Ben said this himself or someone else at the Swans?

He was heartbroken when he injured himself. The look on his face after that game, and while on the ground after the Granny was despair. Last year wasn't fantastic for him, but he is not getting any younger and opportunities are rare, so he is just throwing himself into the game - and he doesn't have to explain anything to anyone. I think we forget that he is actually 29 years old. He looks much younger.

[Auntie.Gerald]

great post scotty

for me I love seeing players reinvent themselves make a success from these efforts

Richards, grundy, ROK, Goodes, AJ, Reid and now Mcglynn are just some of the current swans who have reinvented their contribution to the team by changing roles on the field

we choose as Plan A..... to be a team that hunts the ball in numbers and the hard tackling hard win contested football team.......then u must have the players in the midfield who can do this week in week out

Mcglynn appears to be your man to have in the trenches and he has delivered, energised and lead in spades

back in jan I wrote a post on players that I though were under pressure to feature predominantly in the top 22 and Ben for me was pushing against some emerging talent to hold onto the forward pocket scrapping possie

Obviously Longmire saw not only the youth of BJ, Harry etc coming thru and being equal to the task of speed that was needed to compliment the faster football the AFL have been commanding with all rules changes ...............................But equally the coaching dept saw that our midfield needed more speed and lastly Ben MCglynn gave himself every chance to be that player that was required in the midfield

as I write this I may well be selling short Bens presence and effort at training, team vibe and game day delivery.......I have always loved playing football soccer touch etc with guys like Ben.......they come with 150% intensity every week and this sets the bench mark for everyone else to lift......each and every week