NAB Challenge Game 1: Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide Power @ BISP

[CureTheSane]

I agree. Fringe players at best.

So were, Kirk, Dunkley, LRT, McVeigh, to name a few.
They may all well flounder, or one or more may be stars.

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I just walked past Heeney at fan day. He was walking fine and looked very happy and chatty

That means more than anything really.
Interesting that during the game his face made it look like it may be season ending, and then his face the following day lets us all know that everything is cool lol

[Primmy]

Sometimes guys find 'not playing' is the hardest thing to do. As I am a non participator in sport myself, just a sideline specialist, I find it very entertaining. But competitiveness is not in my dna as such, and the players - well they are another breed.

[Ludwig]

Agree with most of the observations and comments made so far, especially Scottee.

At this time of year most of the players are rusty and I wouldn't make too much of the sloppy play and erratic skills. Yes, BJ, Robbo and Hiscox didn't have good games, but they are still young and we will see how they go as the season progresses. There were a lot of senior players that had quiet games as well, but we know they will come good when the real action starts.

The focus at this time of year should be on the positives, i.e. the things some of the new players showed out there. The highlight was just how comfortable Mills already looks as a player. And there were others as well: I think Talia was a good pickup and he should find a long term role in our back six. He could be a very important player for us as we work through a difficult transition in the backline.

It sounds like Heeney is okay. I know from personal experience how frustrating patella tendinitis can be. It's just so hard to get rid of the damn thing. And so hard to know how far you can push yourself with it. It's like having to spend all day with Hayden Ballantyne.

Lloyd and Cunningham both look as they will continue their progress and take their games to a new level this year. If they both can cement their spots we should have some real depth on the outside, and both can take runs through the middle as well.

Towers looks determined to make a solid run to hold a spot in our forward line and if he can then Rohan could be available for the HBF.

Hope to see more of Hewett this year. He looks a solid player with a bright future.

For the little time they played both Dawson and Tyrone look to be excellent picks for players taken in the 50s in what was considered a weak draft.

And finally, I thought Laidler looked sharp and quicker than last year. I thought he might be pushed out of his spot this year in order to get more drive from the backline, but he looks a solid player. It will be interesting to see how we set up to get that right balance in the back six with height, speed and skill.

[Levii3]

Anyone know how many rotations we had?

[bloodspirit]

Well, I made it to the game. But I was with my 2 year old for his first ever game of footy so I missed most of what happened on field. Importantly he had a good time running around after a little footy and enjoying the grassy spaces. He also seemed to take a liking to Parker (excellent taste, hey!?). We left during the last quarter as the rain began to pelt down. Was able to see Dawson and Leonardis get touches of the ball and cheered them on.

From the glimpses I got, I, like many others, thought Towers went alright. Nobody especially stood out. Was disappointed with the disposal overall. I hope it's not going to be "de ja vu all over again" this year. Actually, despite the many disappointing games last year (none worse than the Hawks and Tigers matches - both of which I was at), in hindsight I am appreciating the outcome more. A top four finish and a narrow loss to Freo while we were missing 4 of our best players is very respectable. I don't think this will be our year but feel more positive that there is hope than that dull, horrible taste that lingered well into last year after the 2014 GF.

I thought Blacktown was an OK venue. Like someone else said - great surface and facilities and agree we need to take some games west for our supporters there (and I live in the east).

I will be impressed if Nankervis ever makes it as a steady AFL player (because it is tough and he is not that big and quite slow) but he does have great footy skills. I saw a couple of deft touches from him that made me smile.

Gotta run - my two year old wails.

[Doctor]

I think Dawson has gone ahead of BJ. Jake Llyod is going to be a star this year, I know theres been talk about McVeigh across HB but i hope we just keep Mills there the Kid is a god send for our shocking back half play.

Any update on Heeney?

Dawson's gone ahead of BJ after one NAB Challenge game?

[Doctor]

I agree with many of the comments here about who went well. I'd just like to add a bit of praise for Reg though, who I thought was pretty solid.

[Levii3]

Dawson's gone ahead of BJ after one NAB Challenge game?

If you watched yesterdays game and the games jack played in last year he's not set the world on fire or anything he was ordinary. He's not the greatest kick in the world particularly into forward 50. I think Dawson has more upside than BJ and can see him develop into a Shaun Burgoyne role for us in a few years

[Scottee]

Apples and pears. A small mid v a mid sized forward.

[Mug Punter]

Strongly disagree with this...I for one am very thankful that the AFL and Sydney Swans still have some thought for the thousands of Swan's fan who live in Western Sydney. For one time in the year, it was nice to be to and from the ground in 15 minutes. Blacktown ISP is a great spot for pre season footy, good surface and facilities for what it is...a scratch match.

I agree with this statement 100%

[Mug Punter]

Couldn't make the game due to illness but watched all of live and a bit more today..

Comments pretty much reflect what was said before really
* Nothing from Hewett to suggest he won't be ready for Round 1
* Mills looks the goods and I'd have him off HBF for this year, I like his crisp disposal and he seems to always have a lot of time. He still had one look and dropped a ball; he'll need to get rid of that real quick though but I'm sure he will
* Towers looked good and I'd say he'll start every game available this year, like his movement and leap
* Dawson was a "good new story" but Dunstall overplayed it up a bit I think, look forward to having a closer look at him at Drummoyne though
* Nankervis I like but I fear he just isn't quite AFL standard
* Jake Lloyd looks set for a good year, we need players like him to step up

Not a bad hit out I guess, hard to read too much into it

[Ludwig]

I agree MP that Mills looked good off halfback, but now it's a matter of how to fit everyone in. The consensus seems to be that both Talia and Laidler had good games. So we still have Ted, Rohan, Zak Jones and Macca to fit in the side, all of whom have been slated to go into the back six at times. There is also a bit of love for Nic Newman, who is yet to play and would need to be elevated.

I wouldn't get down on Nankervis just yet. Ruckmen take time to develop, especially Mummyesque types. I'm not expecting him to get up to AFL standard for another 3 or 4 years. The career of a number 1 ruckman doesn't seem to get going until age 24 or so. For example, Matt Lobbe was 24 before getting a full time gig and he was a highly touted 1st round pick who has lived up to his billing.

I've been a fan of Hewett from the start, but still have trouble fitting him into the best 22. We also don't know what the story will be with McGlynn and whether he slots into the senior side if he's fully fit. I'd like to see Hewett get at least 7 or 8 games this year.

[Mug Punter]

I agree MP that Mills looked good off halfback, but now it's a matter of how to fit everyone in. The consensus seems to be that both Talia and Laidler had good games. So we still have Ted, Rohan, Zak Jones and Macca to fit in the side, all of whom have been slated to go into the back six at times. There is also a bit of love for Nic Newman, who is yet to play and would need to be elevated.

I wouldn't get down on Nankervis just yet. Ruckmen take time to develop, especially Mummyesque types. I'm not expecting him to get up to AFL standard for another 3 or 4 years. The career of a number 1 ruckman doesn't seem to get going until age 24 or so. For example, Matt Lobbe was 24 before getting a full time gig and he was a highly touted 1st round pick who has lived up to his billing.

I've been a fan of Hewett from the start, but still have trouble fitting him into the best 22. We also don't know what the story will be with McGlynn and whether he slots into the senior side if he's fully fit. I'd like to see Hewett get at least 7 or 8 games this year.

I forgot to mention Laidler, I just love the way he goes about things.

For me the backline of Smith Ted Laidler Rampe Reg and Mills looks pretty solid.

I'd have Jack Parker and Rohan if fit across the centreline with a forward line of Towers Franklin McVeigh Reid Tippett Heeney

With a starting onball brigade of Sinclair, JPK Hanneberry that leaves the bench and I'd be going for Lloyd, Hewett and Harry C for sure but just not sure about the last spot. Zak Jones needs to come on well this year but Mills may well take his spot. I'm a huge Benny fan but has father time caught up with him? Talia hasn't overly impressed me yet and he's not a bench style player anyway as we can always swing Reid down back for am injury. I'd lean towards McGlynn pending fitness

[Ludwig]

I forgot to mention Laidler, I just love the way he goes about things.

For me the backline of Smith Ted Laidler Rampe Reg and Mills looks pretty solid.

I'd have Jack Parker and Rohan if fit across the centreline with a forward line of Towers Franklin McVeigh Reid Tippett Heeney

With a starting onball brigade of Sinclair, JPK Hanneberry that leaves the bench and I'd be going for Lloyd, Hewett and Harry C for sure but just not sure about the last spot. Zak Jones needs to come on well this year but Mills may well take his spot. I'm a huge Benny fan but has father time caught up with him? Talia hasn't overly impressed me yet and he's not a bench style player anyway as we can always swing Reid down back for am injury. I'd lean towards McGlynn pending fitness

I thought Talia played well. He had 11 possessions at 100% DE. He plays an aggressive attacking game for a key defender.
I also think Tom Mitchell will hold his spot despite some poor disposal. He's just too big a possession winner. There's still plenty to play out in the preseason before we'll know about those final few spots.

[royboy42]

I had the impression watching on TV that Towers jumped out of the stalls and had an excellent first half. TV can be deceptive, but he didn't seem to be so visible after half time. One of the things that has held him back was his knack of coming in and out of games.
Any thought? was my perception at the weekend wrong? Hope so.
Mills gonna be well worth all the Eddie hate etc of the last couple of years. Mitchell never to play seconds again, barring any rehab requirements.
If Dunstall and his mates had stopped talking about how the coming storm and associated lightning (which never eventuated) was going to have them leave the field, we may have heard some genuine commentary. Sad to see a great game getting better every year, and the descriptions getting even more abysmal.