NAB Challenge Pride Match - Sydney v Freo

[goods78]

Thanks Wolf for the great summary.

I agree that BJ needs some confidence and I would extend the same assessment to Garry and Jett's.

I think the commentator mentioned in the 3rd QTR that BJ had only one possession for the match at that stage. Matt80 mentions his first rate tackling, but needs to have more impact than that to be considered in my top team.

Garry & Jetta are natural wingmen learning new positions and both tend to drop their heads when they make a clanger. Unfortunately, they play in tough roles where it happens more than most. I just hope they can accept the mistake and move on when it happens at crucial times.

[wolftone57]

Please elaborate. It's hard to see on the TV/

The idea of leaving all our players on one side of the stoppage expecting to get the ball out that side, the defensive side generally, is gone. Players now set up in a more circular pattern around the stoppage. This is a more classical set up but where we differ is we have outriders on the defensive side and offensive side ready to run and carry. Other sides do this but now we are actually setting up this way the strength of our mids is more noticeable and they are now blocking and shepherding. This allows one or two players to free up and get the clearance.

Previously we left opposition players free and this destroyed us in the GF. We don't do that anymore.

[wolftone57]

Brandon Jack has every chance of making it due to his tackling pressure. Seven tackles playing in open field in incredible. Longmire loves tackles and loves defensive pressure. The offensive side of his game will come. His teammates must love the opportunity he creates for them with his pressure.

I don?t think Shaw or Laidler will make the round one team. I think versatile players like Cunningham, Towers, Rohan, Jetta, McVeigh, Heeney and Kieran Jack will rotate through the defensive, midfield and forward lines. Longmire loves versatility almost as much tackling and Shaw and Laidler are not as versatile as these other guys.

Very easy on Drumoyne Oval to apply tackling pressure as it is only 150m long and about 100 wide. It is an egg shape which means it is narrower at one end, the Southern end. It is still good to get 7 tackles but he did little else. Sorry he is not in my best 22 for the opener so far. towers & Heeney are way ahead. As to Laids and Shaw they were both exposed for lack of pace yesterday.

[wolftone57]

He was very damaging in the first half while Franklin was on the field and competitive as they were double teaming him so that left Towers free to roam and be a target. After half time he was shut down more as Franklin became less influential. Towers really looked good in patches but felt that Heeney seems better suited to the role as a high half forward when all the talls are available.

Graeme I'm not sure Shaw or Laidler will play the first game. Macca, Benny, Sammy & Tip have to come back. For a start I think Sammy will play CHB. Macca will be the other in defence with Ramps, Teddy, Reg, Smithy & Rooster.

Take out Robbo, Xav, Naismith, Nankervis, BJ, Laids & Shaw. That would be a pretty good side in my opinion.

B Smith Richards Grundy

HB Rohan Reid Jetts/Macca

C Hannas Parker Lloyd

HF Cunningham Franklin Heeney

F Goodes Tippett McGlinn

R Pyke, Kennedy, K Jack

Bench; Jetta, Mitchell, Bird, Rampe. Em; Towers

Although Towers could replace any of two or three players in the line up. Towers got 15 disposals, so yes only 5 in the second half but then again he won't have to play a key position in our line up during the season proper. BJ & Harry collected 11 & 12 respectively. Towers also has 2 goal assists. I think it all depends on the last match against GWS as to who gets a guernsey. They also might look at Jones, Hewett & Aliir in that game too. Watch to see who they give a rest this week, if they are best from last years best 22 then they are in. If they aren't as in Laids then they definitely aren't in.

[swanwolf]

Liked most of what I could see, through the rain and bubbling stream that is. Swan's pre-season games often seem chaotic but at least our madness had more method this week compared to last. Heeney the Wunderkind continues on his merry way with a set shot routine like a young ROK, number 5 is alive. Towers always hints at just how good he could be then... isn't. Despite that, there's something different about him this year, don't know... finally looks like a senior player or something.

Not too concerned about Brandon building his game. Does seem a little unsure and off kilter at the moment but I trust our coaches can get him in sync. This year I'd play him as a crumber, a vital role with Tippett rucking while Franklin is double teamed. As for his brother, Kieran's missed shot wasn't nearly as dissapointing as another opportunity he lost. Benny didn't play in the Pride Cup because he has a tight bottom and not one wisecrack from Jack? Losing his touch, is Kizza.
Still, the match was worth it for this photo alone:

362156_gl.jpg

Funny how life works out sometimes, hey Garry!

[Ludwig]

Very easy on Drumoyne Oval to apply tackling pressure as it is only 150m long and about 100 wide. It is an egg shape which means it is narrower at one end, the Southern end. It is still good to get 7 tackles but he did little else. Sorry he is not in my best 22 for the opener so far. towers & Heeney are way ahead. As to Laids and Shaw they were both exposed for lack of pace yesterday.

Pretty much agree with your general assessment and round 1 side. Not much change from the GF side, with Mitchell coming in for Mal, and Shaw making way. My 1st preference at this stage is Towers, perhaps because he is a 3rd year player and mature aged player as well. It's his year to make the 22. It will be hard to keep Heeney out of the side for long. There's something about him that reminds me of Judd.

I'm okay with Jetta's game. I think he will stick more tackles in the regular season. We need him or Macca to take the kick-ins. Lloyd looks settled and should continue on with his improvement this year. Although young, he has the maturity to take on a small defender role if needed.

We also have Jones as another possibility to make a push for the 22, so I don't see too much problem with depth if we've go guys like Shaw, Laidler, Jones and Heeney waiting in the wings.

[AnnieH]

Who gave them permission to win??
I hope we don't have to play another Ansett Cup game or, god forbid, a final.
I want everyone fit and healthy for Round 1.

[Matt80]

Graeme I'm not sure Shaw or Laidler will play the first game. Macca, Benny, Sammy & Tip have to come back. For a start I think Sammy will play CHB. Macca will be the other in defence with Ramps, Teddy, Reg, Smithy & Rooster.

Take out Robbo, Xav, Naismith, Nankervis, BJ, Laids & Shaw. That would be a pretty good side in my opinion.

B Smith Richards Grundy

HB Rohan Reid Jetts/Macca

C Hannas Parker Lloyd

HF Cunningham Franklin Heeney

F Goodes Tippett McGlinn

R Pyke, Kennedy, K Jack

Bench; Jetta, Mitchell, Bird, Rampe. Em; Towers

Although Towers could replace any of two or three players in the line up. Towers got 15 disposals, so yes only 5 in the second half but then again he won't have to play a key position in our line up during the season proper. BJ & Harry collected 11 & 12 respectively. Towers also has 2 goal assists. I think it all depends on the last match against GWS as to who gets a guernsey. They also might look at Jones, Hewett & Aliir in that game too. Watch to see who they give a rest this week, if they are best from last years best 22 then they are in. If they aren't as in Laids then they definitely aren't in.

Wow. What a team! Well done.

I would move Towers to sub with Bird as emergency.

[aguy]

Graeme I'm not sure Shaw or Laidler will play the first game. Macca, Benny, Sammy & Tip have to come back. For a start I think Sammy will play CHB. Macca will be the other in defence with Ramps, Teddy, Reg, Smithy & Rooster.

Take out Robbo, Xav, Naismith, Nankervis, BJ, Laids & Shaw. That would be a pretty good side in my opinion.

B Smith Richards Grundy

HB Rohan Reid Jetts/Macca

C Hannas Parker Lloyd

HF Cunningham Franklin Heeney

F Goodes Tippett McGlinn

R Pyke, Kennedy, K Jack

Bench; Jetta, Mitchell, Bird, Rampe. Em; Towers

Although Towers could replace any of two or three players in the line up. Towers got 15 disposals, so yes only 5 in the second half but then again he won't have to play a key position in our line up during the season proper. BJ & Harry collected 11 & 12 respectively. Towers also has 2 goal assists. I think it all depends on the last match against GWS as to who gets a guernsey. They also might look at Jones, Hewett & Aliir in that game too. Watch to see who they give a rest this week, if they are best from last years best 22 then they are in. If they aren't as in Laids then they definitely aren't in.

Yep I can't argue with that team. Looks good to me. I can envisage Cunningham and towers battling out their spots. But I like the overall balance and skill of that team.

Bring on the season proper. Can't wait

[troyjones2525]

Shaw will play round 1. While I agree with most who think he probably shouldn't be out there, he is a coaches favourite and his experience and leadership will get him the start at Heeney's expense I predict from the side posted earlier. But hey, I'd be happy to be wrong!

[Matt80]

Shaw will play round 1. While I agree with most who think he probably shouldn't be out there, he is a coaches favourite and his experience and leadership will get him the start at Heeney's expense I predict from the side posted earlier. But hey, I'd be happy to be wrong!

Heeney has to play in round one. He is the new Sam Mitchell. His decisions in traffic are superb. He also has the bravery and leadership strength of a Luke Hodge.

Put him in the centre square with Parker, Kennedy and Pyke. Do it now and watch him develop, then dominate. Have Jack and Hanners swarming in of the wing.

That is the combination!

[Conor_Dillon]

The round 1 team will be intriguing either way...let's just all keep our fingers and toes crossed that there's no injuries at all this week

[Conor_Dillon]

And also, has anyone heard anything about Jones/Hewett/Allir ?

I remember a poster (wolftone I think?) mentioned that Hewett had come back in unsatisfactory shape for the pre-season so it could be that he hasn't reached a high enough fitness level yet?

Jones and Allir are both mysteries.

[Auntie.Gerald]

B Smith Richards Shaw

HB Rampe Grundy Macca

C Hannes Parker Lloyd

HF Cunningham Franklin Bird

F Goodes Tippett McGlynn

R Pyke, Kennedy, K Jack

Bench; Jetta, Bird, Mitchell, Reid

Em; Towers, Heeney, Rohan, Laidler


Obviously the back 6 that i have chosen probably wont be a final back 6 at the end of the season but we have to win the first 3 games not the opposite like last year.......we can not loose against the Bombers in rd 1 !!!!!

Rohan, Towers and Heeney for me can start in the ressies and continue their development for the first few weeks unless one of the above is having a shocker

I just dont feel Rohan has shown enough

I dont think Heeney nor Towers so far have shown they are certain starters but in saying that Heeney is on the rise and Towers has improved a lot in 2015 and playing more a Swans style of footy

Laidler for Rampe is the only swap i could see but Rampe is well ahead of Laidler in my opinion

[ugg]

B Smith Richards Shaw

HB Rampe Grundy Macca

C Hannes Parker Lloyd

HF Cunningham Franklin Bird

F Goodes Tippett McGlynn

R Pyke, Kennedy, K Jack

Bench; Jetta, Bird, Mitchell, Reid

Em; Towers, Heeney, Rohan, Laidler


Obviously the back 6 that i have chosen probably wont be a final back 6 at the end of the season but we have to win the first 3 games not the opposite like last year.......we can not loose against the Bombers in rd 1 !!!!!

Rohan, Towers and Heeney for me can start in the ressies and continue their development for the first few weeks unless one of the above is having a shocker

I just dont feel Rohan has shown enough

I dont think Heeney nor Towers so far have shown they are certain starters but in saying that Heeney is on the rise and Towers has improved a lot in 2015 and playing more a Swans style of footy

Laidler for Rampe is the only swap i could see but Rampe is well ahead of Laidler in my opinion

It's nice to see someone who values Bird's role in the side but I think he'd be hard pressed to fill two positions