2016 preseason practice games

[ugg]

Take the players who played last week's game, add Ted and McGlynn, subtract the players who called up to the seniors (and most likely Hiscox as the emergency) and you get

Rose
Davis
Nankervis
Derickx
McGlynn
T.Richards
Newman
Leonardis
Marsh
B.Jack
Dawson
Aliir
O'Riordan
X.Richards
Melican
Galloway

A bit light on true inside mids, B.Jack and McGlynn are the obvious choices. Davis will probably return there after playing forward last week while Rose, Dawson and Marsh have been used there already this pre-season.

Not sure why Sam Murray hasn't played, he's not on the official injury list.

[Pmcc2911]

I was interested in which Acadamy boys played

[ugg]

What a turnaround from two weeks ago when the Giants (who admittedly were slightly stronger then compared to today) beat us up by about the same margin, so to turn the tables and give them a touch up was particularly sweet. The tackling and pressure applied by the Swans was top notch and most noticeably our skills improved considerably, especially in the last quarter when kick and handball targets found their men whereas GWS were uncharacteristically sloppy and turned the ball over across their half forward time and time again.

• James ROSE - Continued where he left off last week with a brilliant display across half forward. Like any good forward he had the ability to create space for himself and he used it the ball smartly with well directed kicks to teammates instead blazing away wildly. His first 2 goals were great crumbs - the first he was at the drop of the ball and snapped the goal with his left, the second he was front and square at the drop of the ball and kicked with his right. The third goal was a disputed contested mark with Patfull, Patfull (rightly) complaining that he touched it first so it shouldn't have been a mark but the umpire pinged him for abuse and let Rose kick the easy goal from the goalsquare. Besides his 3 goals, he set up plenty of forward 50 marks - chip kicks, long kicks, high kicks, low drilled kicks - they all seemed to find its mark. Not afraid to take the play on (and sometimes ran himself into trouble but that's to be expected when you play that way) and create on the run.
• Abe DAVIS - Played forward with short spells in the midfield. Quiet in the first half but provided a strong marking target inside 50 and ran out the game well kicking 2 in the last quarter.
• Tom DERICKX - Another strong outing against Dawson Simpson, taps were probably even but I believe Derickx offered more around the ground. As usual, when in the ruck, sat a kick behind play to aid the defence rather than pushing forward. Some athletic marks (and attempts at marks) today
• Ben McGLYNN - Sat out the first quarter and was couldn't wait to get on at the start of the 2nd quarter. It was your typical Benny McG game, attacking contests at pace, running and tackling hard, drawing a few head high free kicks mixed in with some poor kicking. He split time between midfield and forward (more forward time) and presented well as a forward. He'll be happy with this hitout but having been managed for 3 quarters I doubt he will get back in the seniors next week.
• Ted RICHARDS - Like McGlynn, sat out the first quarter and when he came on had the big job on a hungry looking Patton. Unfortunately he looked real rusty, was slow off the marks a few times and allowed Patton a few marks on the lead. Very vocal in arranging the defenders. I would expect a few more weeks in the NEAFL to get his match fitness back.
• Nic NEWMAN - Solid game from Newman, I particularly liked that he stuck a few tackles today but I thought his impact of the game was minimal.
• Tyrone LEONARDIS - Leonardis was rotated through a few positions today, adding inside midfield and forward time to his usual half-back and wing roles. Again his pace and line breaking were eye catching with his ability to shrug tackles away a highlight of his game. Showed quick and clean hands in the forward line and used his pace to chase down a quick Jarrod Pickett who was about to kick for goal. Was shouted at by Teddy a few times for not marking his man, but on the whole another promising outing for the youngster.
• Harry MARSH - One of the best games I have seen from Marsh. Playing midfield and resting forward he was very effective in the defensive aspects of his game, tackling hard and causing Giants to turnover the ball. Hurt himself twice and limped off once but ran out the game so it was most likely a cork than any serious injury.
• Brandon JACK - Played more outside today compared to previous 2 weeks and while he did some very good things going forward he was also frustratingly wasteful with the ball at times, either making a poor decision or taking too long to dispose of the ball.
• Jordan DAWSON - Used all over the ground again, splitting time mainly between forward and midfield this week. Showed glimpses of class at times but also very quiet for patches of the game. Snapped a difficult goal out of a ball up.
• Aliir ALIIR - Surprisingly given the task on Patton in Quarter 1, usually XR gets this unenviable task and he rose to the occasion, playing well on the whole on Patton who was keen to get up and down the ground. He would be disappointed in giving away 1 goal to Patton during his time on him (Patton finished with 5) when he failed to keep enough body contact during a wrestling marking contest and allowed Patton to easily push back and bump Aliir off position and mark uncontested. Disappointing he wasn't given the chance to continue this battle with Patton for the rest of the game, but understandable given Teddy's need to return to full fitness.
• Colin O'RIORDAN - Will be entertaining watching his development, he definitely does not shy away from chasing the ball and backs his ability to kick the football. However his decision making isn't on par with some of his kicking (handballing isn't that flash either), and will make a more than his fair share of mistakes while learning in the NEAFL. There was an amusing moment when he received a 50m penalty just outside our defensive 50, he sprinted with the umpire to the mark, left his Giant opponent his wake while running past the mark, approached 50 and with the goals in his sights, hit it 15m off the side of his boot
• Xavier RICHARDS - With Patton playing up the ground, Richards was our deepest lying defender marking the resting ruckman and was relatively untroubled for the day.
• Lewis MELICAN - Defence in the first quarter and released to the wing when Teddy came on at quarter time. Not a bad user of the ball further up the field but lacked the speed to go with their quicker players in open space.
• Jordan FOOTE - Started the game in the middle, playing opposite either Coniglio or Barrett. Memorable tackle on Coniglio when the Giant looked clear and aiming for goal. He didn't play out the game, but this was probably a tactic to manage his return from injury (I'm guessing he went off at half time)
• Kyle GALLOWAY - With his big frame and ability to move well for his size, he causes problems for the shorter defenders. At the moment he competes well to bring the ball to ground, but when he adds marking to his game, will be a genuine goal threat as a forward. As a ruckman, relieved Derickx in a couple of short spells during the game.
• Topups - #50 Matt Wilson kicked 3 goals 3 behinds and impressed all round with his reading of the play and skills, followed up on his equally impressive performance last week. #51 Lachlan Behagg competes well for a tall forward, works hard on leads and was rewarded with 2 goals. #56 Jake Veale again received time in the middle and looks a natural there

Swans 4.2 8.8 12.11 19.13 (127)
Giants 3.4 6.8 10.8 10.8 (68)

Goals: Rose 3 Wilson 3 Davis 3 Behagg 2 McGlynn Marsh Jack Dawson Galloway Gowers Reinhard McFadden

[liz]

Ever so slightly off topic, but what on earth is Conglio doing playing NEAFL?

[ugg]

A bit like Ted and Ben he was injured for most of the preseason and they didn't think he was fully fit. In addition they had strong alternatives although after today I think that thinking might change.

[111431]

Ever so slightly off topic, but what on earth is Conglio doing playing NEAFL?

Coming back from injury

[Plugger46]

Coniglio, Patton, Haynes, Hoskin-Elliott and Patfull all playing NEAFL. Haven't they got some depth.

[707]

Coniglio, Patton, Haynes, Hoskin-Elliott and Patfull all playing NEAFL. Haven't they got some depth.

Sure have, 19 players selected in the top 10, some teams have 1 or 2.

Thanks Ugg for your excellent report.

[dimelb]

Thanks ugg, helpfully informative report.

[Meg]

Thanks from me as well Ugg, I enjoyed reading your report, really informative.

[dejavoodoo44]

Coniglio, Patton, Haynes, Hoskin-Elliott and Patfull all playing NEAFL. Haven't they got some depth.

Which is sort of interesting. Without knowing who else was playing, there are respectively, a pick one, a pick two, a pick seven and a pick four, running around in their reserves. In contrast, our team that thrashed Collingwood last night, had two top ten picks; Buddy, who was taken at five and young Mills, who cost us a number three pick.

[Mug Punter]

Which is sort of interesting. Without knowing who else was playing, there are respectively, a pick one, a pick two, a pick seven and a pick four, running around in their reserves. In contrast, our team that thrashed Collingwood last night, had two top ten picks; Buddy, who was taken at five and young Mills, who cost us a number three pick.

Logic says that their talent must result in success but it's no guarantee of a flag. My personal view is that if they don't make the finals in season 5 (this year) then the predictions of a GWS dynasty may not eventuate. I can't help but think the completely artificial set up of the place, the plastic fans (the away section on Saturday was sad and pathetic) and the general apathy towards them can't but provide a holiday camp atmosphere. And I think the Stevie J experiment could go horribly wrong.

They may well rue the loss against the Dees, not too many top 8 teams will lose to them. Their game against Geelong will be crucial for GWS, lose that and they could well be 0-3 if we beat them.

[dejavoodoo44]

Logic says that their talent must result in success but it's no guarantee of a flag. My personal view is that if they don't make the finals in season 5 (this year) then the predictions of a GWS dynasty may not eventuate. I can't help but think the completely artificial set up of the place, the plastic fans (the away section on Saturday was sad and pathetic) and the general apathy towards them can't but provide a holiday camp atmosphere. And I think the Stevie J experiment could go horribly wrong.

They may well rue the loss against the Dees, not too many top 8 teams will lose to them. Their game against Geelong will be crucial for GWS, lose that and they could well be 0-3 if we beat them.

Yes, and if you look at Carlton, many people thought that three number one picks and Chris Judd, guaranteed them a place at the top of the table. Instead, they went in the other direction. And I do think that with GWS, it could become a situation where most of their high draft picks, once they get a few years into their contracts, will decide that they are entitled to contract upgrades, and with the salary cap, this could lead to a lot of bitterly clashing egos.

[Mug Punter]

Yes, and if you look at Carlton, many people thought that three number one picks and Chris Judd, guaranteed them a place at the top of the table. Instead, they went in the other direction. And I do think that with GWS, it could become a situation where most of their high draft picks, once they get a few years into their contracts, will decide that they are entitled to contract upgrades, and with the salary cap, this could lead to a lot of bitterly clashing egos.

If they don't make the finals this year then the wheels could really fall off.

I also think the fact that they have put their young players, highly promising young players but as yet unproven, on massive over the top multi year contracts will come back to bite them. I just think it makes them feel they've made it before they have. Plus there's the go home factor, I can see why playing for the Swans with our history and culture is exciting but I see nothing exciting about playing for that club. I cannot wait until I hear the first GWS player wanting out because "they want to play for a proper football club".

[dejavoodoo44]

Or, "Yeah, but when I signed up, I thought there'd be beaches".