Round 18: Sydney Swans Reserves v Brisbane Lions Reserves

[rojo]

Thanks Ressie reporters. It would be good to know how you rate Matthew Dick. He seems to have been in the best players most weeks and has racked up points on the Best Players' table but rarely gets mentioned here as a stand out player. Is he going to be a keeper or is he a bit like Jordan Lockyer, good but not good enough?

[Xie Shan]

Sorry folks but I am having withdrawal. I have waited all day for Ugg to post the Ressies preview. I am not going to attempt to do an Ugg preview, it would be impossible. Thank you Ugg you are marvellous. But I wanted to get the Ressies going ASAP as we play in a few hours.

Ugg is currently enjoying a well-deserved break holidaying in Europe and will be back before the finals.

Thanks for the reports everyone, I just couldn't get away from work in time to catch the reserves yesterday.

A couple of people on BigFooty were wondering about Mitchell too after he came off at half time, I guess it's not that surprising that he only played a half coming off a few injuries.

[Ludwig]

Thanks Ressie reporters. It would be good to know how you rate Matthew Dick. He seems to have been in the best players most weeks and has racked up points on the Best Players' table but rarely gets mentioned here as a stand out player. Is he going to be a keeper or is he a bit like Jordan Lockyer, good but not good enough?

It's a good enquiry into these 2. They fall into the category of player in terms of size and pace, like Rampe and Rohan, that make for the kind of footballer that can potentially play any part of the ground. They are both still very young at 19 and 21. The thing that I like about both is that they have made good improvement over last year. Lockyer has been getting an education by playing in defence, on the wing and has gone into the middle as well this year.

It's hard to find big key position backmen that can match forwards like Tippett and Hawkins for size, because they like to turn them into forwards. But there has been a fair amount of success of shorter 'key' defenders, like Steven May (190 cm), doing a good job on big forwards.

We are a bit lean on KPDs, so I would certainly persist with both and hopefully they can continue their improvement into next season. I think it's possible to have dynamic backline with just one true tall. Like in our case, there could be a future in a backline featuring Reid, Rohan, Rampe, Lockyer and Dick. All quick and athletic, although slightly on the short side from a traditional viewpoint. If you have a good midfield, which we do, that can keep clean ball coming into the forward line too often, this sort of arrangement might be a goer.

[rojo]

Thanks Ludwig. So with AJ, Jones and Aliir also in the wings we don't really need to stress about replacing our backline oldies. What about training Derickx up for the back line!!!

[liz]

Lockyer is a "see ya later" for me. He's shown none of the ability of a Bolton (Craig), Barry, or even a Campbell Heath, to defend above his size. He is pretty much playing on the wing now and receiving (rather than winning) a decent amount of ball. But his disposal is "just OK", and his marking as a taller mid isn't a particular strength. He has an annoying habit of dishing of handballs to team mates standing less than five metres away that land on their toes or bounce off their knee caps. He's coming to the end of his third year on the list and isn't close to getting a senior call up.

I am agnostic about Dick. He is improving, but it is a very slow and steady improvement. He does have genuine pace and I think he's a decent defender against players his height, but I've not seen him regularly beat taller guys in the air. He does have genuine pace and seems to have slightly more of an idea how to use it than, say, Marsh. He could slot in and play a Malceski type role, but by this stage of his career, Malceski was absolutely carving up the reserves, despite having missed his first year with a knee reco. Dick might earn himself another year but it's probably touch and go. Indeed, I think maybe he and Marsh might be competing for one last throw of the dice. They both show something but I don't think it has clicked with either, yet, how much more running they need to do, even if much of it is unrewarded in terms of gaining possession.

Robinson is another we might lose at the end of this year. I think he probably is just about good enough to play senior footy but not sure if he'll get the chance at the Swans. None of our current midfield incumbents is close to the end of their career - McVeigh is the oldest but I think he's got several years left yet if he wants them. Robinson is behind Hanners, Mitchell, Jones and Hewett of those currently not in our senior team, and though they are different players, almost certainly BJ too. Lloyd has grabbed his opportunity with both hands, clearly edging ahead of Robinson as a result. With Perris still lurking (and guaranteed a spot next year) and, outrageous bidding conditions permitting, Heeney shortly to arrive, it's hard to see where Robinson is going to get a game. If Bird gets lured away by bigger dollars, he might keep a spot but otherwise I think he might need to look elsewhere. There is a limit to how many of the current rookie listed players can be retained, and I'd be sticking with X and Naismith ahead of Robinson, not because they are better or more developed players, but because they project to filling roles where our need is far greater.

[ShockOfHair]

THanks Liz.

What 's the outlook for Hewett? Is he a midfielder which means he'll be competing against Heeney, Lloyd and Mitchell, or is he being groomed for some other role?

[liz]

Hewett is a midfielder, though he's been playing a little at half forward too. Most of our mids are expected to be competent in the forward line and Hewett is no different.

McVeigh is probably the closest match currently on our list to Hewett. He isn't a bull-at-a-gate type like Parker (or Heeney - though Heeney didn't really show that in the U18s this year). He's not a see-ball, get ball, burrowing type like Mitchell. He's not a bullocking beast like Kennedy. He doesn't have the pace or agility of Jack, nor (at this stage) the gut running ability of Hanners. Mind you, McVeigh did have that at the same age. Endurance was a major strength from the start. So in that respect he's not quite where McVeigh was. Where they are similar is their ability to weave through traffic while always keeping an eye on what is happening ahead of them, and in making smart disposal decisions.

In other words, he's a good complement to our existing midfield mix. Indeed, I think what makes our midfield good is not so much the individuals within it, though most of them are fine players but any measure, but their differences and the way they complement each other so nicely.

[Primmy]

We havent brought up X Richards. He did some great things, and crap ones too. However, his brother took a long while to shine, and the kid is always alert, always. Like Peb was when he first started. I believe he has an enormous amount of up side.

I wasn't too sure if 49 was JK or not. He has a better developed backside than his father, and I was on the lookout for a non existent one, but I agree with liz, he is tiny. Then again so is Benny. Wait and see game. He was born at end 1996, so he is about 17 now. Still growing?

Anyone know if we have seen Mitch Wright play before? Wide shoulders, skinny waist, good arse (core strength for running), and short. Quick and short. Better build than Bulldog, and faster, alert, but you get the picture.

[Ludwig]

Lockyer is a "see ya later" for me.

I think your assessment is fair, but a bit harsh, particularly on Lockyer. He's only 21. Where was Rampe at that age? When you see players coming through like Lee Spurr and Hibbert, getting drafted late and making it big time, I would prefer to be more patient with young players, so long as they are showing reasonable improvement.

I think the chances of Lockyer and Dick making it to AFL level is far greater than the 5th round or rookie pick that would take their place on our list.

It's unfair to make comparisons to Malceski, who is and out and out star, and as you say, it was obvious from the start; only derailed by those awful knee injuries. What I am looking at is whether someone like Lockyer can potentially play at a level like a Laidler, nothing flash, but a decent solid player. I would give him another year.

Our deep midfield will be a challenge for Robinson to crack into, as well as a host of others, and the possibility of trading out to make some space has been discussed at length. I don't see the harm in keeping Robinson for a third year on the rookie list and reassess at the end of next year. Again, I don't see the point of filling the list with some unknown quantity when we already have someone who is doing pretty well.

I suppose we will see how things pan out with retirements and trades before determining who stays and who should go.

[Ludwig]

What about training Derickx up for the back line!!!

Only if the backline extends out to the parking lot.

[rojo]

You don't think Derickx could be the Buddy of the backline? His bash, crash style could bring that something different. We already have the markers, spoilers, interceptors and rebounders - so predictable!

[Ludwig]

You don't think Derickx could be the Buddy of the backline? His bash, crash style could bring that something different. We already have the markers, spoilers, interceptors and rebounders - so predictable!

If Chelsea thinks it's safe to position big Tom between the goalposts, then it's okay by me.
397033-chelsea-roffey.jpg

[troyjones2525]

Hewett is a midfielder, though he's been playing a little at half forward too. Most of our mids are expected to be competent in the forward line and Hewett is no different.

McVeigh is probably the closest match currently on our list to Hewett. He isn't a bull-at-a-gate type like Parker (or Heeney - though Heeney didn't really show that in the U18s this year). He's not a see-ball, get ball, burrowing type like Mitchell. He's not a bullocking beast like Kennedy. He doesn't have the pace or agility of Jack, nor (at this stage) the gut running ability of Hanners. Mind you, McVeigh did have that at the same age. Endurance was a major strength from the start. So in that respect he's not quite where McVeigh was. Where they are similar is their ability to weave through traffic while always keeping an eye on what is happening ahead of them, and in making smart disposal decisions.

In other words, he's a good complement to our existing midfield mix. Indeed, I think what makes our midfield good is not so much the individuals within it, though most of them are fine players but any measure, but their differences and the way they complement each other so nicely.

Sounds to me from what I've read about Hewitt and also the limited footage I've seen of him is that he has some of what a lot of our midfield brigade lacks, outside class! We have plenty of grunt and some talented players in there but I do believe we lack in the classdepartment of some of top liners like pendlebury, o'meara and even what heppell has shown so far. We need some of that polish and finishing skills to compliment our grunt and I really hope he can bring that in the future like the players I've mentioned above! Does any of the the ressies watchers think he has what it takes and agree???

[Ludwig]

Sounds to me from what I've read about Hewitt and also the limited footage I've seen of him is that he has some of what a lot of our midfield brigade lacks, outside class! We have plenty of grunt and some talented players in there but I do believe we lack in the classdepartment of some of top liners like pendlebury, o'meara and even what heppell has shown so far. We need some of that polish and finishing skills to compliment our grunt and I really hope he can bring that in the future like the players I've mentioned above! Does any of the the ressies watchers think he has what it takes and agree???

I couldn't believe how lucky we were when he was still available at pick 32. Has a 29 Dec Birthday, still only 18, and almost certainly would be a 1st round pick this year. I've been on the bandwagon from day 1. As Liz says, there's not one thing that stands out, but will develop into a big bodied midfielder, who is hard at the contest and is really good in tight quarters. He can weave his way through traffic and seems to be able to kick equally well on both sides, a la Sam Mitchell. Should be a permanent member of our midfield in 2 years. How do we fit them all in? I don't know.

[troyjones2525]

I couldn't believe how lucky we were when he was still available at pick 32. Has a 29 Dec Birthday, still only 18, and almost certainly would be a 1st round pick this year. I've been on the bandwagon from day 1. As Liz says, there's not one thing that stands out, but will develop into a big bodied midfielder, who is hard at the contest and is really good in tight quarters. He can weave his way through traffic and seems to be able to kick equally well on both sides, a la Sam Mitchell. Should be a permanent member of our midfield in 2 years. How do we fit them all in? I don't know.

Can't wait to see him in action, and it's a nice problem to have! :-D