VFL Round 6: Sydney Swans Reserves v Southport Sharks

[ugg]

Looking at the NEAFL site and the match info on the Swans website saying gates open 5.40, the game has been moved to Blacktown starting 2.20pm

[liz]

Looking at the NEAFL site and the match info on the Swans website saying gates open 5.40, the game has been moved to Blacktown starting 2.20pm

It would be feasible to get from Blacktown to ANZ in plenty of time for the senior game. Feasible, that is, if someone hadn't driven into the back of my car a couple of months ago and written it off. Not sure I fancy doing it using public transport.

[Conor_Dillon]

A couple of months!? Why hasn't it been fixed yet? Insurance companies are unvelievable!

[ugg]

NEAFL 2015 Round 6

Sydney Swans Reserves v Southport Sharks

Saturday 16th May 2015
2.20pm
Blacktown International Sports Park

The latest revamp of the NEAFL performed over the offseason resulted in the elimination of 3 teams - Hills Eagles, Queanbeyan and Belconnen. This gave the NEAFL fixture makers the opportunity to schedule, for the first time, clashes between AFL Reserves teams and local NEAFL teams from the opposing state. In 2015 fixtures between the Swans and Southport this round, and later on this year the Redland Bombers will be the first ever between those clubs.

Southport have been one of the stronger local NEAFL teams since the competition was inaugurated in 2011. While they missed out on the finals in that year, they were particularly strong in the 2012 and 2013 season finishing with a 14-4 record in both seasons and subsequently qualified for the FOXTEL Cup.

They were just outside the Top 6 last year but have recruited strongly over the off season in both the on and off field departments. Former Crow and Suns player Nathan Bock was appointed head coach with former Cats and Giants backman Josh Hunt signed as a playing assistant coach. Bock brought along his younger brother ex-Bomber rookie Christian but undoubtedly the big off season recruits were of ex-Lion and Sun Jared Brennan as well as ex-Magpie and Docker Jack Anthony.

They've had a tough draw to start the season, with games against the 2 Queensland AFL reserves side as well as perennial top side NT Thunder. They managed to beat the Lions whilst suffering close losses to the Suns and Thunder but due to a big win over Redland are sitting inside the Top 5.

A loss for the Swans would see them in danger of falling out of the Top 5. They were clearly second best to the Giants last week but hung in there for most of the game thanks to a gritty determined display by the defenders as well as a wasteful Giants forward line. The injury list for the club as a whole is relatively small (touch wood) so a strong contingent of 17 listed players will take the field on Saturday.

NEAFL Ladder
Recent Form
Reserves
Southport Sharks
Past Meetings

1st ever meeting between these two sides

Last Round
Team List
Listed players
Changes
In: Bird, McLaren, Richards
Out: Dean TOWERS (seniors), Brandon JACK (seniors emergency), Lewis MELICAN (?)

Melican's comeback has only lasted one week. McLaren returns with the coaches having the luxury of swinging him or Davis back or forward, or perhaps both now that Richards has also returned.

Bird will surely play midfield which will help the balance of the side who looked a little lacking in the on ball department last week. Cunningham and/or Robinson could spend some time as a forward as a result of this shift.

Academy Players/Topups
In: Cubis, Osborne, Treacy
Out: Doug HADDEN, Andrew SIERAKOWSKI, Will TAYLOR


Statistics

Disposals
Marks
Tackles
Hitouts
Clearances
Inside 50s
Rebound 50s
Goals
Votes
Southport Sharks
In: Burton, Mutu
Out: Stephen THYNNE, Adam McKENZIE

Along with the previously mentioned Anthony, Bock, Brennan and Hunt, there are 2 further players with AFL experience in defender Wayde Mills (Brisbane) and Haydn Kiel (Hawthorn)

Not surprisingly Brennan has been their best player so far this year, averaging the most disposals (24.5) and kicking the 3rd most goals (7) for the Sharks. The Swans may elect to have Robinson perform a run-with role on him.

Anthony may be some what of a one trick pony, but it is a trick that he does particularly well - currently 3rd in the NEAFL goalkicking charts. It will be a big challenge for one of our tall defenders - most likely Xavier.

Hunt made his name in the AFL as a tough back pocket but has been playing forward for the Sharks and finished with 5 goals last week against the Suns reserves. Marsh would be his most likely matchup if he plays forward.

Bock has been entrusted with the primary ruck duties (avg 20 hitouts) with Wolbers his backup (avg 16.7 hitouts)

[111431]

thks for your fantastic reviews - I always look fwd to them and your post match debrief

[ugg]

@swansreserves: Full time @swansreserves 14.13 97 @SouthportSharks 6.9 45. Goals Nankervis 3 Naismith 3 Hewett 2 Hiscox Jones Rose Davis Bird Foote

[ugg]

Southport were disappointing I was expecting more from them. They continually turned the ball over the whole game and in general just made poor decisions going forward which made the Swans defenders' jobs relatively easy.

Bird was heavily tagged from the first bounce to the last, sometimes had his opponent hanging off him even before he had taken possession of the football. Lots of handballs, lots of contested possessions, and led the midfield well. But I don't think he was dropped for form reasons, so I don't know how much this performance will have in his chances of a recall

I would actually give my BOG to Robinson. He was free to do his thing given the amount of attention to Bird and he used the ball well but importantly I think his work off the ball in his spread was excellent. Deserves a chance at senior level.

Hewett was hot early but quietened down in the second half. Still worked his socks off. Cunningham played a lot of the second and third quarters in the forward. I thought he might have had a slight niggle but he played midfield again in the last so that's that theory down the drain. Jones took a lot of Cunningham's midfield minutes and looked comfortable in that role. What really stands about Jones is his tackling, the intensity he puts into them.

Naismith and Derickx split ruck time again and both were very good in the tap work. Derickx surprisingly perhaps was pretty good around the ground while Naismith was more than handful when resting forward with his long reach and big frame. Along with Nankervis they took many contested marks inside fifty and should have at least one more goal each if it wasn't for some poor set shots. Nankervis an effective field kick but needs to get himself to more contests to impact the game.

Rose very classy at half forward, he also has strong hands for a small and I'm really bullish on his future. Hiscox again looked threatening with his pace and ability to streak away into space but needs to improve his kicking on the run.

Richards started on Anthony but that only lasted a quarter as Southport shifted Anthony to fullback as they struggled for inside 50s in that quarter. Also spent time on Brennan whose displayed some sublime skills as well as some poor decision making that elicited more than a few harsh words from the Southport coaches box

Marsh again in defence mostly on Josh Hunt. I would say broke even, competed well but Hunt had his measure in a few contests. Aliir played on smaller opponents but didn't have much defending to do. Newman rested in the first quarter but again impressed with his disposal when he did come on. Took most of our kick ins.

Davis played predominantly off a wing, sometimes pushing back inside defensive 50 to help. He has no issues matching it with the other on ballers and is a solid tackle. I also liked Foote's game, released into a wing and also across half forward I thought his running and creativity were prominent factors today

McLaren very quiet, started forward finished in defence. Seemed a little timid in his attack on the footy today, he can definitely improve

[ugg]

SYDNEY SWANS
Goal Kickers: S. Naismith 3, T. Nankervis 3, G. Hewett 2, J. Hiscox 2, A. Davis , C. Bird , J. Foote , J. Rose
Best Players: , C. Bird , D. Robinson , A. Davis , S. Naismith , , H. Marsh

[Scottee]

Based on the limited game time for Towers and the fact that Goodes seemed to find some form it looks as if there will be at least one call up to replace Towers for the Hawks game. Who will it be?

[111431]

Thks - opposition don't sound great but our young guys sound promising

[Ludwig]

Thanks for the report Ugg. Glad to hear that Robbo is continuing his good form and got your BOG. I would give him Towers spot in the side next week.

Also sounds like the regulars are keeping up the good form. I didn't rate Davis much last year, but respect Emma Quayle's talent assessment and she really rated Davis highly. It appears that she is right once again. She was also on the mark with Hewett, another of her favourites. I think he's a super talent that will be hard to keep out of the side next year.

[dimelb]

Thanks ugg, really appreciate the pre-match and the reports.

Next week I'd send Towers back to 2s, either Bird or Robinson to seniors.

[707]

Thanks Ugg, your reports are the highlight of my week - yes I know I'm a sad case!

[ugg]

Not sure why only 5 players instead of the usual 6 in the best players list

[Conor_Dillon]

Awesome work Ugg, your reserves reports are brilliant! It's a pity the club can't do something similar for the website.
Also sounds like our depth is developing pretty nicely. Do you think Cunningham playing forward might be because they see it as his best chance of breaking back into the senior side? Himself, Goodes and Towers could all be competing for that one spot.