NAB Challenge v Lions

[i'm-uninformed2]

Oh god. What a collective moan.

It's the first hit out of the season. It's basically an extended training session. We never bother with these games.

Yet we're ruined. Sack Horse. Get rid of our recruiters. Grand final repeated.

Hysterical.

[wolftone57]

that was pathetic. Our early form normally is. The experienced players really let the young blokes down tonight. Their disposal was shocking. Some of our kick outs could go in the 'worst kick outs ever' reel. That is going to be a problem this year if they can't get their @@@@ together. The players who kicked in terribly were Laidler, Reg and Shaw but mainly Laidler.

Some of the young blokes acquitted themselves quite well; Heeney, Hiscox (disposal needs to improve), Towers (first half), Naismith (second half). Not that impressed with BJ tonight he has had plenty of AFL game time and his disposal was substandard. Xav Richards didn't let his opponent get too much in a team who's forwards were definitely on top (McStay 9-2G/Xav 6). But Toby needs more time. The small backs were killed tonight, even Smithy who fumbled almost everything. come to think of it all the senior players fumbled their way through the match.

So that is a hit out we needed. but if the same crap is delivered next week I will be annoyed. concerned that some of our young players looked so far behind the Lions young players and then realised most of theirs have played at AFL level last year. But still concerned. Concerned BJ and Towers are not coming along as fast as we need them to. The other player who I think was too soft at the ball tonight was Daniel Robinson. He coasted a few times and the ball was punched away very easily when it should have been an easy mark. The other thing was I was a bit confused with Blakey's coaching tonight. He seemed to be always on the defensive, he never tried anything vaguely attacking. Rhyce Shaw got 15 but wasted most of them, same with Hannas. They both got caught a lot which tells me they are underdone.

So next week at Drumoyne.

[MattW]

There was very little commitment tonight. The game was treated as though it meant nothing. A little worried about the number of senior players yet to play. Expecting more focus next week.

[wolftone57]

I know Mitchell had 20 touches but he looked fairly average tonight. I really feel he is being played out of position! He is not a wing/flank type player. He needs to be in the the centre and as harsh as it may sound, if there isn't a spot in there for him then he shouldn't be in the team. I am excited about his prospects as anyone but if we don't play him to his strengths then he is going to struggle!

I agree he is an in and under player. there is a spot for him if Horse and the coaches want to admit the Hannas experiment is a blow out. Hannas is better on the wing and Tommy in the centre or rover position. Hannas can do the inside mid job but not as well as he does the outside mid job. He is not a natural insider.

[wolftone57]

I expect the last NAB game against GWs to be far more intense as the season starts two weeks later. But I do hope next week is far better than this as I am going and have a member preference ticket.

[troyjones2525]

I agree he is an in and under player. there is a spot for him if Horse and the coaches want to admit the Hannas experiment is a blow out. Hannas is better on the wing and Tommy in the centre or rover position. Hannas can do the inside mid job but not as well as he does the outside mid job. He is not a natural insider.

Agree. A swap for Hannas and Tom would be a real positive for our structure. Especially when we get into some form. tom is a natural inside midfielder and could be one of the best in the competition if he can string some games together. Hannas is at his best on the outside wings, coming out of clearances with his running power. I hope the coaches see it the way we do!

[liz]

Oh god. What a collective moan.

It's the first hit out of the season. It's basically an extended training session. We never bother with these games.

Yet we're ruined. Sack Horse. Get rid of our recruiters. Grand final repeated.

Hysterical.

Thank goodness. I thought I might be the only one!

A few of our younger guys would have received a wake-up call of the difference between training well on the track and the intensity required against AFL calibre opposition, even in just a practice game. But if they're any good, they will be better for the run. A few of the experienced younger guys didn't do themselves too many favours with their intensity - Cunningham and Rohan I thought were both very anonymous. Hiscox' workrate looked reasonable enough but clearly he has some way to go to learn to make decisions and execute under pressure. Heeney showed enough to suggest he will adapt to the AFL tempo reasonably quickly. He certainly didn't look out of place. And I liked what Naismith showed in the ruck.

But the team as a whole was going through the motions and we know effort tells us close to nothing about what to expect in three weeks time.

[The Big Cat]

Typical Swans' opener. If anyone expected anything different you don't follow this team. We are aiming at the first week in October not the first week in March!

[Matt80]

I really liked Rampe's game. I think he is a real chance to be an All - Australian this year. Looked so composed, read the ball well and distributed the ball effectively.

[The Big Cat]

AFL website sums it up:


WHAT WE LEARNED
Sydney Swans
Not a great deal. The Swans are traditionally slow starters in the pre-season, and with the likes of Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh missing, they looked in second gear against a Lions team that already had a pre-season win on the board. Isaac Heeney looks an incredible talent, and the midfield depth will again be there with Tom Mitchell looking super fit and ready to be a regular.

[S.S. Bleeder]

There was very little commitment tonight. The game was treated as though it meant nothing. A little worried about the number of senior players yet to play. Expecting more focus next week.

Well let's face it; it doesn't mean anything. The NAB Cup has replaced the old practice games. It is nothing more than an opportunity to give the players a run, remove some cobwebs and to trial them in different positions.

[Auntie.Gerald]

how did everyone rate Pykes game ?

[frankee]

Reid came off, then back on, then off again. So I think he is ok.

[RogueSwan]

I know it is just a practice match but you would hope the basics would have been there. You know, not kicking to the opposition, keeping possession when there isn't a good option up ahead. Anyone other than Rampe taking the kick-ins looked atrocious. Joey is normally reliable but had no composure. Luckily it was a nice evening to be out with friends and family.

[SA Swan]

Typical Swans' opener. If anyone expected anything different you don't follow this team. We are aiming at the first week in October not the first week in March!

Agree totally.