Preliminary Final 2: Sydney Swans Reserves v NT Thunder

[Conor_Dillon]

T.Walsh will be offered a one year contract I think...hopefully he gives it one more crack before he heads back home.

[ShockOfHair]

Hope you're right and Walsh gets another chance. You have to feel for him. Just as he was showing some form he did his hamstring while meantime the club recruited Tippett and Franklin. Between he, Xav, Reid, AA and AJ we surely have some decent tall backs.

Zak is already creating his own legend. I love how got his jumper shredded in his first league game and that he was so ferocious in the warmups in the TAC(?) games that he was excused from the pregame stuff. Apparently Nathan is the softie in the family.

[wolftone57]

Just finished watching the stream & I thought Tommy Walsh mostly looked composed. Strong in marking contests & if he didn't hold them, brought them to ground. Short passed accurately by foot, good penetrating long kicks and hands looked clean. But that was just my impression. From what I saw, I still think he has something to offer.

I agree. I have been saying for quite a while now, including last year before he got injured, he is a backman. He is proving me right. I like his work back there. He played there a few times when the opposition had very tall forwards or resting rucks and did very well. That is why I thought he would do well if he stayed back. I hope we keep Tommy as that would mean having tommy, Aliir, Xav, Biggsie, Jonsie and AJ. Man that is some talented backs in the Twos. They will all make d?buts in the backline next year I'm sure. Speaking of Jonsie, there is one hard nut. I think he would crush Macadamia nuts shell & all in his bare hands. He got completely under the Thunder players skin and roughed them up. They replied by chasing swans players and returning the favour, only to give away heaps of frees. UI think in the end the Thunder players were just trying to injure a few of ours they were playing the man so often. Maybe hoping to give Aspley an easy go next week.

[ugg]

Looks like they've changed it.

[Meg]

The NEAFL website just updated with the details

NEAFL Grand Final
Aspley Hornets v Sydney Swans Reserves
Sunday 14th September 1.45pm
Graham Road, Aspley

Ugg, the NEAFL website now seems to say Saturday. Am I reading the right thing, please?

NEAFL Grand Final
Sydney Swans Reserves vs Aspley Hornets
Graham Road Oval, Aspley
Saturday September 13, 1:30pm

[Conor_Dillon]

From watching the national champs and reserves streams I rekon Heeney is a bit more explosive off the mark than Hanners or Lloyd. Not as quick as Dangerfield but a similar initial burst. Spot on about his left foot as well Matt, not afraid to use it and normally uses it well. Being a two sided player is a massive weapon these days - just look at Sammy Mitchell! Hewett from all reports is pretty competent on both feet as well.

[Doctor]

With an injury-free pre-season, Mitchell is a lock for our best XXII.

[ernie koala]

People outside the club don't realise just how much depth we have. (Maybe Mick Malthouse does, but not sure if he was just trolling).

Good pick up Lud. Not necessarily trolling, but I'd say a definite piece of 'information manipulation', in that, he is trying to lure Mitchell to Carlton.

So he wants to give him the impression that he's no lock for a spot in our 22 next year and beyond...But would be a walk up starter for the Blues.

[Ludwig]

After the game (see videocast) AJ, Allir and Perris were walking around with the troups. AJ looked really happy. I'm not sure if he had a slight limp or was just ambling along.

[Ludwig]

Heeney is not a jet. I would compare him to Hanners at this point. Good pace, can play inside or outside. Like Hanners, he seems a complete midfielder without any apparent weaknesses. Since he's only 18, it's hard to say how much taller he will be. Not quite built like Parker, but solid enough. My guess is the Hewett is the more likely to be a 'bull'.

As for playing next year....................join the queue. There are so many lining up for seniors games. People outside the club don't realise just how much depth we have. (Maybe Mick Malthouse does, but not sure if he was just trolling).

Naismith had some stong opposition in the ruck today, and was really good, not only in the ruck contests, but around the ground. He seems to have learnt a lot from his brief encounter with Ivan Maric. Nankervis looks to be another Tippo in development, but at only 20, is well ahead at this stage. He can really mark the ball and is a deadly kick for goal. I've got no worries about the Mike Pyke succession plan.

[wedge.maverick]

Isaac Heeney has just been named in the TAC Cup Team of the year. That's a fair effort considering the amount of games he played.

[Matt80]

Not sure about Mills being better than the trio of Lockyer, Marsh and Dick just yet, but have to consider that he's only 17. But definitely Heeney. He's a very well rounded footballer and seems at ease wherever he is on the ground, with or without the ball in hand. I had a similar feeling about Hewett, but Heeney seems a bit quicker. I'm sure both are headed for stardom.

I watched Heeney in one of the TAC cup games and he looked so composed with the ball in hand. At that level he always knew the best option. He also had a good left foot.

Is he Lloyd quick or is he Rohan quick?

He looks solid. Will he fill out to the size of Kennedy or Parker?

If he remains injury free, do you think he is a chance to play some senior football next year?

[mcs]

Not sure about Mills being better than the trio of Lockyer, Marsh and Dick just yet, but have to consider that he's only 17. But definitely Heeney. He's a very well rounded footballer and seems at ease wherever he is on the ground, with or without the ball in hand. I had a similar feeling about Hewett, but Heeney seems a bit quicker. I'm sure both are headed for stardom.

Heeney's impressive at his age in part to due to his very impressive physique as well. He certainly has the attributes to be able to compete quickly at the AFL level if everything goes well for him. He was very good today, and he looks to have that extra 'moment or two' that very good players have.

[Ludwig]

If all listed players were available and you could choose a top up player over a listed player would Heeney and Mills be in our best reserves team?

Not sure about Mills being better than the trio of Lockyer, Marsh and Dick just yet, but have to consider that he's only 17. But definitely Heeney. He's a very well rounded footballer and seems at ease wherever he is on the ground, with or without the ball in hand. I had a similar feeling about Hewett, but Heeney seems a bit quicker. I'm sure both are headed for stardom.

[Matt80]

Was pleased to see Richards playing so well on Ewing after being taken to the cleaners on their previous encounter.
Heeney showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated; besides the 2 nice passages of play in the 3rd there were several other good examples of what he can do on the inside, hitting targets and tackling. Looks to be heading for a seriously good career.
Towers is beginning to look like a senior player in the NEAFL. The stints at AFL level are evident.

If all listed players were available and you could choose a top up player over a listed player would Heeney and Mills be in our best reserves team?