Round 20: Sydney Swans Reserves v Redland Bombers @ SCG

**ugg** · 11 August 2017, 12:35 PM

**bloodspirit** · 11 August 2017, 01:10 PM

Did we play poorly last week or were Brisbane just better?

Why hasn't Hardman played until now? Isn't he the Academy's best draft prospect? If he impresses will he be eligible for selection in the NEAFL finals?

Lastly, what is the format of the NEAFL finals series?

Thanks!

**barracuda** · 11 August 2017, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by bloodspirit

Did we play poorly last week or were Brisbane just better?

Why hasn't Hardman played until now? Isn't he the Academy's best draft prospect? If he impresses will he be eligible for selection in the NEAFL finals?

Lastly, what is the format of the NEAFL finals series?

Thanks!

I think James Bell is considered the best Academy draft pick. He has been invited to the Victorian State Combine which means 4 Victorian clubs are interested. He recently broke his hand which explains why he is not playing NEAFL.

Hardman is going to the Rookie Me Combine which means two clubs are interested. I think the Rookie Me Combine is put on by a private company who puts them through a combine and provides the data to the clubs. I don't think there are club interviews.

I don't think Hardman has had a very consistent year. He did kick the winning goal in the Allies win against Vic Metro but has not really taken control of a game this year, tending to fade in and out. He is a pure small crumbing forward who tends to stay deep. He is blisteringly fast, possibly one of the fastest over 20m in the entire draft pool. However he is small 173cm, lightly built and easily blocked. If he is not carefully blocked he does have the speed to rip sides apart. We just haven't seen it too much this year. I have no doubt he will be keen to put on a big show tomorrow.

I expect Jarrod Osborne to be interesting tomorrow as he seems to be hitting some amazing form including 41 disposals in the premier comp on the weekend to get the rising star for the round.

Wicks and Hardman are both small forwards, and despite not playing Allies, Wicks has probably had the better year. I would speculate that the recruiters are interested in seeing who is the better small forward between the two. Wicks is actually a midfielder but has had to adapt to the small forward role in NEAFL. At 181cm he is still to lightly built to play midfield for the swans. Being a midfielder he does bring more forward pressure and endurance running to the small forward role, and can tend to play higher.

Jake Brown is continuing to be given as much opportunity to make up for his absence through injury. I didn't see the neafl game last week but the toppy stats were bad, and Brown will be busting to get back to a 20 plus possession game.

No doubt Carr and possibly Deep will come in for the emergencies who may replace Kennedy or have to be on stand by. Carr has had a solid season with a couple of 4 goal games in NEAFL.

I've heard a rumour that the Melbourne based swans recruiters are in town this weekend. I would imagine they have had a say regarding which toppies play this week so they can see the ones that interest them live.

**ugg** · 12 August 2017, 08:23 AM

Foote out Carr in

**jono2707** · 12 August 2017, 08:56 AM

Uh-oh does this mean a late out in the 1s?

**ugg** · 12 August 2017, 09:13 AM

Not necessarily

**bloodspirit** · 12 August 2017, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by barracuda

I think James Bell is considered the best Academy draft pick. He has been invited to the Victorian State Combine which means 4 Victorian clubs are interested. He recently broke his hand which explains why he is not playing NEAFL.

Hardman is going to the Rookie Me Combine which means two clubs are interested. I think the Rookie Me Combine is put on by a private company who puts them through a combine and provides the data to the clubs. I don't think there are club interviews.

I don't think Hardman has had a very consistent year. He did kick the winning goal in the Allies win against Vic Metro but has not really taken control of a game this year, tending to fade in and out. He is a pure small crumbing forward who tends to stay deep. He is blisteringly fast, possibly one of the fastest over 20m in the entire draft pool. However he is small 173cm, lightly built and easily blocked. If he is not carefully blocked he does have the speed to rip sides apart. We just haven't seen it too much this year. I have no doubt he will be keen to put on a big show tomorrow.

I expect Jarrod Osborne to be interesting tomorrow as he seems to be hitting some amazing form including 41 disposals in the premier comp on the weekend to get the rising star for the round.

Wicks and Hardman are both small forwards, and despite not playing Allies, Wicks has probably had the better year. I would speculate that the recruiters are interested in seeing who is the better small forward between the two. Wicks is actually a midfielder but has had to adapt to the small forward role in NEAFL. At 181cm he is still to lightly built to play midfield for the swans. Being a midfielder he does bring more forward pressure and endurance running to the small forward role, and can tend to play higher.

Jake Brown is continuing to be given as much opportunity to make up for his absence through injury. I didn't see the neafl game last week but the toppy stats were bad, and Brown will be busting to get back to a 20 plus possession game.

No doubt Carr and possibly Deep will come in for the emergencies who may replace Kennedy or have to be on stand by. Carr has had a solid season with a couple of 4 goal games in NEAFL.

I've heard a rumour that the Melbourne based swans recruiters are in town this weekend. I would imagine they have had a say regarding which toppies play this week so they can see the ones that interest them live.

Thanks for this super informative reply, barracuda.

Yes, I was getting Hardman confused with Bell. I realised later, after posting. Here's hoping Bell finds his way on to our list next year.

Wicks has been pretty good in the Reserves this year with some decent games, especially earlier in the season.

Are the other senior emergencies playing? If not, wouldn't it just mean they are keeping one emergency fresh in case of... emergency? Although I'm disappointed they would pick Foote ahead of Robbo. I prefer Robbo. More versatile. Better disposal.

**ugg** · 12 August 2017, 01:13 PM

FT @swansreserves 26.17 (173) @RedlandFC 6.10 (46) Goals: Fisher 4 Dawson 3 Hardman 2 Rose 2 Pink 2 Aliir 2 Florent 2 Carr 2 Cunningham Ronke Jack Wicks Robinson Leonardis Edwards

Disposals Robinson 36 Fisher 32 Jack 30 Aliir 27 Dawson Rose 26 Florent 25 Marsh Johnson 21 Laidler Cunningham Edwards 20 Talia 19 Ronke 18 Maibaum 16 Pink 14 Carr 13 Osborne 12 Leonardis 11 Brown 10 Hardman Wicks 9

**bloodspirit** · 12 August 2017, 01:35 PM

Is not that easy to keep improving your percentage when it's already 250 but great to see we're finding a way.

Good stats for Robbo, Fisher, Aliir. Leonardis seems to have checked out already. Even if he is facing delisting, wouldn't it be better to go out with a NEAFL premiership to your name? Is he in danger of missing the cut for finals? I know we can only play so many listed players.

I look forward to hearing more reports and/or watching the stream.

**ugg** · 12 August 2017, 04:24 PM

Best Players: A. Aliir, S. Fisher, D. Robinson, S. Edwards, J. Dawson, O. Florent

**Ludwig** · 12 August 2017, 04:53 PM

I was surprised how Aliir dominated in the ruck against a much taller opponent, especially after the 1st quarter. He was also the best around the ground. He wriggles his way out of tight spaces, then breaks away. Besides kicking 2 goals he also set up a number of others with good kicking into the forward line.

I thought Florent was involved in many nice passages of play. Fisher and Ronke back in form after both had slow games last week.

**barracuda** · 12 August 2017, 05:49 PM

It is no secret that my main area of interest is in the toppies. For the second week none of the toppies did much. It intrigues me why that is when this time last year guys like jake brown had plenty of involvement.

I got to see the game and it dawned on me that whilst the listed neafl players are a very tight group, as a consequence of lack of injuries, they are basically playing as a team of 17 listed players. They are so strong that they have no need for the toppies. In fact for a large part of the game the toppies were off. When they were on the listed players simply played around them, and used them as an absolute last resort.

Whilst the 17 or so listed players are basically the same every week, I think they have given up on the new toppy faces that rotate through every week.

The poor toppies worked their butts off but were ignored 9 times out of 10. I'd love to see the gps. I reckon wicks probably topped the distance travelled.

I heard a comment that Brisbane won last week because their toppies were better. I wonder if it was simply because Brisbane plays as a complete team.

If I was shaw I would see this situation as a real weakness that could see Brisbane take the flag. You are usually only as strong as your bottom six, and they will be toppies. If Brandon jack had a brain, and I don't think he does, he would address this issue pronto.

**ugg** · 12 August 2017, 05:53 PM

I noticed Brown played most of the game in defence. I assume that's not his natural position.

**707** · 12 August 2017, 06:26 PM

I coached primary school footy and noticed that the kids that could really play tended to share it amongst themselves because they had confidence that the player they were passing to would mark it or retain possession whilst ignoring lesser talented kids in who they had less faith. Sounds like the same thing is happening in the twos except it just a handful of toppies who are being shut out.

Ugg, Barra or other ressie watchers, I notice Fisher is often in the bests, what type of player is he, position and style. A likely keeper? It seems most of this crop of rookies is showing a bit.

Round 20: Sydney Swans Reserves v Redland Bombers @ SCG

VFL Round 20: Sydney Swans Reserves v Redland Bombers @ SCG

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