Round 15: Sydney Swans Reserves v Gold Coast Suns Reserves @ SCG

[liz]

I think that game, more so than the senior game that followed, showed just how far the Suns still need to develop as a club. There is no way, on paper, that the Suns team was a 100 point worse team than the Swans team. They had very similar numbers of listed players versus top-ups, access to equivalent standard of top-up players via the academies, and a midfield boasting the likes of Rischitelli, Hallahan and top-10 draft pick from last year in Brodie, a defence boasting Matt Shaw and another top 10 pick in Scrimshaw, and a big lump of a ruckman in Currie (who was pretty dominant at centre bounces). In contrast, I doubt the Swans had any AFL quality onballers playing - those who played in the middle are most likely to play elsewhere at senior level if/when they get their chances (like Marsh) or will probably be delisted at the end of the year (eg Jack).

I remember being really excited by Tom Nicholls when he first emerged onto the scene. It's really sad to see a player who showed that much athletic promise wandering around at NEAFL level having so little impact. Maybe he's just returning from injury (I've not bothered to go back and check his recent history) and I'm being unfair.

I don't know who I'd drop from the senior team (and how the side might be rejuggled) but AA is too good an athlete and too talented a footballer to remain in the NEAFL for much longer. He was a delight to watch yesterday and I believe the senior team will improve once he's back in the side. He made everything look so easy yesterday, like he had all the time in the world. And while he did have more time than he'll be afforded at senior level (obviously), it's his balance and calmness that made him stand out and we've already seen that this can translate to senior football.

My favourite moment of the game was in the 4th quarter, when AA made one of his forays down the wing and was chased hard by one of the young Suns top-ups (no 57), a lad with some serious pace. The lad caught Aliir, laid a perfect tackle and won himself a free kick for HTB. But then Aliir smothered his kick, collected the ball and loped off to set up another scoring opportunity for the Swans.

Another piece of play I enjoyed was an effort from Barkley in the 2nd quarter. He ran from one player to another, not laying a tackle but putting some pressure on the ball carrier. I think it was the 4th or 5th player he reached where he managed to effect a bump and turn the ball over back to the Swans. That off-the-ball work was typical of what the Swans showed all game and the Suns sadly lacked.

[Ludwig]

I don't know who I'd drop from the senior team (and how the side might be rejuggled) but AA is too good an athlete and too talented a footballer to remain in the NEAFL for much longer. He was a delight to watch yesterday and I believe the senior team will improve once he's back in the side. He made everything look so easy yesterday, like he had all the time in the world. And while he did have more time than he'll be afforded at senior level (obviously), it's his balance and calmness that made him stand out and we've already seen that this can translate to senior football.

No Problems. Robbo and Florent come out for JPK and AA. Rampe doesn't have to play as a key defender. The best teams that we will play in the run home, GWS, Adelaide and Geelong all play 3 tall forwards so we actually need Aliir for proper coverage. Even if Rampe plays on Camerion next week, Aliir can run with Tomlinson on the wing. I'm in favour of a shorter side, especially if we gain speed, but we really are a bit too short to properly match some of the better sides. It's only because of Rampe's talent and Mills' high marking ability that we get by, and get by quite well, but we can do even better with Aliir in the side. I agree with you that's he's just too good to be playing in the NEAFL.

[Markwebbos]

We will have to select a taller side next week. Do we bring back Sinclair or play a makeshift second ruck and AA?

The ruck battle is going to be key. Mumford seems to be much less effective in the last few weeks, but not sure Towers et al will work against Lobb.

Just rewatched Towers tap, handball receive and goal in the 2nd Q.

[Boddo]

No Problems. Robbo and Florent come out for JPK and AA. Rampe doesn't have to play as a key defender. The best teams that we will play in the run home, GWS, Adelaide and Geelong all play 3 tall forwards so we actually need Aliir for proper coverage. Even if Rampe plays on Camerion next week, Aliir can run with Tomlinson on the wing. I'm in favour of a shorter side, especially if we gain speed, but we really are a bit too short to properly match some of the better sides. It's only because of Rampe's talent and Mills' high marking ability that we get by, and get by quite well, but we can do even better with Aliir in the side. I agree with you that's he's just too good to be playing in the NEAFL.

Fully agree. Out Robinson & Florent In Kennedy & Aliir

[stevoswan]

Fully agree. Out Robinson & Florent In Kennedy & Aliir

I had Kennedy and Haywood in for Robbo and Ollie (more so 'like for like')......is Will's foot still not right?

[MattW]

I think that game, more so than the senior game that followed, showed just how far the Suns still need to develop as a club. There is no way, on paper, that the Suns team was a 100 point worse team than the Swans team. They had very similar numbers of listed players versus top-ups, access to equivalent standard of top-up players via the academies, and a midfield boasting the likes of Rischitelli, Hallahan and top-10 draft pick from last year in Brodie, a defence boasting Matt Shaw and another top 10 pick in Scrimshaw, and a big lump of a ruckman in Currie (who was pretty dominant at centre bounces). In contrast, I doubt the Swans had any AFL quality onballers playing - those who played in the middle are most likely to play elsewhere at senior level if/when they get their chances (like Marsh) or will probably be delisted at the end of the year (eg Jack).

I remember being really excited by Tom Nicholls when he first emerged onto the scene. It's really sad to see a player who showed that much athletic promise wandering around at NEAFL level having so little impact. Maybe he's just returning from injury (I've not bothered to go back and check his recent history) and I'm being unfair.

I don't know who I'd drop from the senior team (and how the side might be rejuggled) but AA is too good an athlete and too talented a footballer to remain in the NEAFL for much longer. He was a delight to watch yesterday and I believe the senior team will improve once he's back in the side. He made everything look so easy yesterday, like he had all the time in the world. And while he did have more time than he'll be afforded at senior level (obviously), it's his balance and calmness that made him stand out and we've already seen that this can translate to senior football.

My favourite moment of the game was in the 4th quarter, when AA made one of his forays down the wing and was chased hard by one of the young Suns top-ups (no 57), a lad with some serious pace. The lad caught Aliir, laid a perfect tackle and won himself a free kick for HTB. But then Aliir smothered his kick, collected the ball and loped off to set up another scoring opportunity for the Swans.

Another piece of play I enjoyed was an effort from Barkley in the 2nd quarter. He ran from one player to another, not laying a tackle but putting some pressure on the ball carrier. I think it was the 4th or 5th player he reached where he managed to effect a bump and turn the ball over back to the Swans. That off-the-ball work was typical of what the Swans showed all game and the Suns sadly lacked.

Great to hear Aliir had a good game. I really hope we find a way to give him a game next week. We need all the weapons we can muster against the Giants.

[MattW]

No Problems. Robbo and Florent come out for JPK and AA. Rampe doesn't have to play as a key defender. The best teams that we will play in the run home, GWS, Adelaide and Geelong all play 3 tall forwards so we actually need Aliir for proper coverage. Even if Rampe plays on Camerion next week, Aliir can run with Tomlinson on the wing. I'm in favour of a shorter side, especially if we gain speed, but we really are a bit too short to properly match some of the better sides. It's only because of Rampe's talent and Mills' high marking ability that we get by, and get by quite well, but we can do even better with Aliir in the side. I agree with you that's he's just too good to be playing in the NEAFL.

I respect your opinion, but respectfully disagree with the suggestion that Rampe doesn't have to play as a key defender. Rampe is our best mobile key defender. He shuts down leads and can defuse one-on-ones against the best. I can't see why you'd play him anywhere else. He is the best fit for Cameron and will surely play on him.

Our three key defenders are all playing really well at the moment.

[Boddo]

I had Kennedy and Haywood in for Robbo and Ollie (more so 'like for like')......is Will's foot still not right?

Who knows when it comes to injuries. One of the few criticisms I have of the club is their reporting of injuries to fans 2 weeks turns into 4-6 so easily. I prefer Aliir as we need more height in the back half next week plus he provides run from hb. I'm a big Hayward fan but I'd prefer he come back through the neafl

[Ludwig]

I respect your opinion, but respectfully disagree with the suggestion that Rampe doesn't have to play as a key defender. Rampe is our best mobile key defender. He shuts down leads and can defuse one-on-ones against the best. I can't see why you'd play him anywhere else. He is the best fit for Cameron and will surely play on him.

Our three key defenders are all playing really well at the moment.

It can be more difficult finding the best role for your best players than deciding what to do with your marginal players. I think this is the case with Rampe. He's very good in many different roles. I can understand those who prefer to use him as a key defender, because he's very good at it and can play tall or small. At his moment in time I feel we have a number of good tall and medium defenders in the reserves. Aliir, Marsh and Laidler are all capable of playing senior footy.

I feel we can improve in 2 areas: Finding betting outlets from our defence to reduce repeat entries by the opposition and finding better options when kicking into our forward 50.

I prefer Rampe being used more as an offensive weapon as well as a loose man in defence, which gives him more latitude to follow the ball and intercept marks. There were teams that tagged him and tried to take him out of the play and I wouldn't be surprised if we see this more often. Bringing Aliir in reduces the pressure on Rampe as Aliir takes some attention as well. He can't be left to do what he wants because he can damaging both running and kicking the ball.

This strategy also permits a player like Lloyd to spend more time in the midfield where he can use his good kicking and decision making to find targets closer to our goal. I like having Lloyd and Newman more forward because of their ability to pick targets in a good position to kick a goal. We have too many players that just like to kick it long to Buddy. We have a lot of good goal kicking midfielders like Parker, Heeney and Hewett and should use them more often.

[Bloody Hell]

Is he really out of cotton wool though? Playing one half of football on a wing against one of the not so good sides in the NEAFL seems to me to be quite a long way off from playing senior AFL football. Today's game against a much stronger foe will be a much better indicator of where he is at.

As much as I love AJ and sincerely hope he gets back to the top level you have to keep in mind he has missed 4 and a half years of football. That is an insane amount of football for anyone to miss regardless of the reason.

I'm not saying they'll throw him to the wolves - there are a lot of ifs, but if he proves himself good enough and if he is needed and if he regains touch, confidence and fitness then he will be selected.

My point is I doubt they have put a line though him playing senior football in 2017 because 2018 will be so much different. I can't find the figures, but I think Menzel played 6 VFL games before returning to the top level.

[Bloody Hell]

And I'll add that I think it's better mentally and for his preparation in 2018 that he plays 1 or 2 games this year so it's not hanging over his head the whole off season.

[Nico]

No Problems. Robbo and Florent come out for JPK and AA. Rampe doesn't have to play as a key defender. The best teams that we will play in the run home, GWS, Adelaide and Geelong all play 3 tall forwards so we actually need Aliir for proper coverage. Even if Rampe plays on Camerion next week, Aliir can run with Tomlinson on the wing. I'm in favour of a shorter side, especially if we gain speed, but we really are a bit too short to properly match some of the better sides. It's only because of Rampe's talent and Mills' high marking ability that we get by, and get by quite well, but we can do even better with Aliir in the side. I agree with you that's he's just too good to be playing in the NEAFL.

Allir's godfather?

[goswannies]

My point is I doubt they have put a line though him playing senior football in 2017 because 2018 will be so much different. I can't find the figures, but I think Menzel played 6 VFL games before returning to the top level.

While Menzel had 4 ACL reconstructions, he was out of senior football for 3 seasons. Alex has been (at least) 4 seasons.

Menzel had both ACLs reconstructed. Alex's have all been on his left knee.

Apples ???? and oranges ????.

[Bloody Hell]

While Menzel had 4 ACL reconstructions, he was out of senior football for 3 seasons. Alex has been (at least) 4 seasons.

Menzel had both ACLs reconstructed. Alex's have all been on his left knee.

Apples ???? and oranges ????.

So you're saying only 3 weeks for Alex?

[jono2707]

I'm not saying they'll throw him to the wolves - there are a lot of ifs, but if he proves himself good enough and if he is needed and if he regains touch, confidence and fitness then he will be selected.

My point is I doubt they have put a line though him playing senior football in 2017 because 2018 will be so much different. I can't find the figures, but I think Menzel played 6 VFL games before returning to the top level.

Saturday showed that he is a long, long way off senior football at this stage. Realistically he'll play out the year in the NEAFL, and aim for a solid pre season next year.