Round 17: Sydney Swans Reserves v NT Thunder @ SCG

[wolftone57]

I only saw the second half of a dead game but for mine Dawson was the only one demanding a senior spot, his contested marking is a revelation.

Hayward looked classy and did some good things but may have run his senior race this year.

I know Aliir is a favourite here but gee he stuffs around with the ball a lot, he never seems to take the first best option and whilst he usually gets out of it I really think he should be told to cut it out and just keep things simple. He did look good though and his hands are brilliant.

Clearly the ressies played OK but that was my general observations not really paying huge attention

Hayward kicked 6. If anyone is rested or goes down he'll be straight back in.

[wolftone57]

I was a big fan of Dawson when he arrived at the Swans. He's got a ripping long kick and had a real presence in the SANFL. However, his first game really dissapointed me. It seemed like he wasnt quite ready to take the next step - seemed a little lost on field and didnt impose himself on the opposition. Some rookies surprise on the upside, others show they need more time. In my utterly unqualified opinion, I thought Jordan showed that he needed more time.

I think his big problem now is where does he fit in the side, given the Seniors are really travelling well? Without an injury, who does he displace while keeping a balanced senior team?

I suspect for Jordan, he needs a strong preseason and he will find a place as one of the teams emerging leaders next year.

Dawson is being groomed to take the second rotation in the mids. He will replace Joey in the rotations, this will give Joey more rest and he will not be blowing and therefore even more effective. In other words Kizza's spot as it stands. i thought the problem with his debut was that the senior players were @@@@e and even though he led up to the ball well he was ignored totally. He contested well but the ball was coming in so badly to the advantage of the defenders it was hard for all our forwards. none of them had great games that day and scoring was hard to come by. In that game Sinclair, Hayward, Reid, Florent & Smith all got less disposals. So you could say they were not ready either. It tells the story of a side not playing well and not giving the forwards much of a chance. The mids and backs just bombed it in to Buddy every time only to see it come back 80% of the time. It was a pathetic performance against a very weak opponent.

[barracuda]

Dawson is being groomed to take the second rotation in the mids. He will replace Joey in the rotations, this will give Joey more rest and he will not be blowing and therefore even more effective. In other words Kizza's spot as it stands. i thought the problem with his debut was that the senior players were @@@@e and even though he led up to the ball well he was ignored totally. He contested well but the ball was coming in so badly to the advantage of the defenders it was hard for all our forwards. none of them had great games that day and scoring was hard to come by. In that game Sinclair, Hayward, Reid, Florent & Smith all got less disposals. So you could say they were not ready either. It tells the story of a side not playing well and not giving the forwards much of a chance. The mids and backs just bombed it in to Buddy every time only to see it come back 80% of the time. It was a pathetic performance against a very weak opponent.

I've seen Dawson in six games this year. He combines size, speed and power. As the year has gone on he has grown in confidence and is basically rag dolling every NEAFL side he plays against. He is without question ready for seniors and I expect once he grows in confidence there he will become a significant senior player. I think he is also capable of a variety of roles including half back. Possibly the only thing stopping him this year will be the finals, but next year, no doubt.

[liz]

I agree that Dawson is just about ready. He may be in a bit of a catch-22 position in that young players rarely come into the senior side as play makers. More often, they're asked to be "role players" until they've proven themselves. I think Dawson will be a better player than, say, Robinson quite quickly (not meant as a knock on Robinson, but Dawson is taller, marks better and has a better kick on him) but Robinson has proven himself disciplined enough to play defensively at senior level. When you're the gun player in the NEAFL side, it's a bit harder to prove your readiness for such a role. I doubt there'd have been a player in an opposition side in the NEAFL this year that warranted giving Dawson a shut down role, just to see how he might go.

If I were to be ultra-critical of Dawson's game last weekend, there were at least three (maybe a couple more) instances where he had a short, unpressured kick that missed the target by a significant distance. In each case I can remember, these were across half-back and led to scoring opportunities for the Thunder (who were mostly unable to capitalise on them). These were dead easy kicks, and given how good his kicking mostly is, I presume these poor kicks were down to a lack of concentration. I imagine the coaches will want him to get these out of his game at NEAFL level, because at senior level they would have each gifted a goal to the opposition.

[Boddo]

Game has just started on NITV now

[Meg]

Thank you Boddo!

[ugg]

Jake Brown is this week's NEAFL Rising Star

Brown hungry to cement place in high-flying Sydney Swans NEAFL side – NEAFL

[707]

Just watched the ressies replay with sound off.

Dawson looks a fairly complete footballer, crashes in/through, finds the ball, marks, kicks, distributed a lot of ball. If he doesn't get a go this year for whatever reason, reckon he's a certain starter in 2018.

Hayward just oozes talent, happy for him to return to seniors.

Liked the look of what I thought was a toppie, number 45 but checking Uggs opening post I notice it's Fisher, did some nice things.

Tippett, well he was so much bigger than the opposition, had to go well.

Aliir showed all those traits that got us excited last year, not sure how we squeeze him in or where/what role he plays at senior level but the x factor he brings would make us better, I think.

All in all, after starting the season with no depth we now appear to be well placed. With a thin draft I expect we may only use our first two selections as our third compulsory list change will be the Melican upgrade.

[penga]

If I were to be ultra-critical of Dawson's game last weekend, there were at least three (maybe a couple more) instances where he had a short, unpressured kick that missed the target by a significant distance. In each case I can remember, these were across half-back and led to scoring opportunities for the Thunder (who were mostly unable to capitalise on them). These were dead easy kicks, and given how good his kicking mostly is, I presume these poor kicks were down to a lack of concentration. I imagine the coaches will want him to get these out of his game at NEAFL level, because at senior level they would have each gifted a goal to the opposition.

Otherwise known as the Towers. Interesting insight,