NEAFL discussion thread

[SeanM]

I did not think Robinson's game was disgusting. He was good in midfield especially early. He was good at the contest, provided an option and kept possession well.

I liked Ronke's game. He reminds me of Papley. Whether he was playing centre midfield or half forward he was involved a lot and chased down defensively well.

Hayward played in midfield and forward. He was rusty at times. But you could tell he was a quality player. He can cleanly pick up a loose ball in the forward pocket, find space to present himself as an option and still kicked three or four goals.

I liked Stoddart. He mostly played wing and half forward maybe briefly half back. Not everything came off. He made some nice overlapping runs, looked inside to make a short pass and took some nice overhead marks.

I can't judge Amarty's ruck work. He shared centre bounce ruck duties and played centre forward at other times. He seems good around the ground. Not huge but quite mobile and nice hands. Longer term maybe more of a second ruck.

[Ludwig]

I wouldn't rule out Amartey as a ruckman. We should keep in mind that the AA ruckman Paddy Ryder is only 1 cm taller. Jeff White was 195cm. It's not how high the top of the head is from the ground, but how high the hands get when jumping. It's also a matter of timing. We will have to wait and see how he does as the season progresses.

There are not too many ruckmen coming through the system these days which suit the modern game and more teams will have to resort to the tall mobile utility as a ruck option. I can see an Amartey-Aliir ruck combo as quite possible.

Sounds like good news about Ronke and Bell. Ronke is good mates with Hayward, who gave him a big plug while guest-commenting during the GWS interclub match in February. (Note: This is not a sex joke).

[rickmat]

Thank you to those who shared with us some interesting details about players, who played and who didn't, it is much appreciated. Now we know more than the Swans tell us, their supporters. I hope this improves dramatically as we are 6 days to liftoff

[bloodspirit]

Thanks for all the reports from those who attended! Much appreciated.

I'm glad to hear some votes of confidence for Robbo. I'm not confident that he is going to make it but I'm a fan. He's a really good player and team man and has more to offer than Foote (who also gives his all and plays for the team). Still he's up against it with the talent that has been coming into the club.

[wolftone57]

I thought Robinson was bog. He dominated the middle. He is clearly an inside mid, kinda sad he can?t get an opportunity to play his natural game in the seniors

In the GWS match? 6 disposals. That is not good enough if you are going to make it as a mid at this level. I have always been a big wrap for Robbo bit as soon as he put it about he wanted out I now doubt his commitment. Same as Jessie

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[wolftone57]

I did not think Robinson's game was disgusting. He was good in midfield especially early. He was good at the contest, provided an option and kept possession well.

I liked Ronke's game. He reminds me of Papley. Whether he was playing centre midfield or half forward he was involved a lot and chased down defensively well.

Hayward played in midfield and forward. He was rusty at times. But you could tell he was a quality player. He can cleanly pick up a loose ball in the forward pocket, find space to present himself as an option and still kicked three or four goals.

I liked Stoddart. He mostly played wing and half forward maybe briefly half back. Not everything came off. He made some nice overlapping runs, looked inside to make a short pass and took some nice overhead marks.

I can't judge Amarty's ruck work. He shared centre bounce ruck duties and played centre forward at other times. He seems good around the ground. Not huge but quite mobile and nice hands. Longer term maybe more of a second ruck.

I did not see that game. I was alluding to the GWS game. He missed tackles, was way off the contest and he was slow to react. He only got 6 disposals.

Liz said that was because he did not get too much game time but the replay belies that. He had at least 70 minutes on the turf.

I also don't agree that he has a poor skull set. I've seen him make some sensational moves and his disposal is normally good. I just think he was being a typical private school boy soon at the end of last season.

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[barracuda]

I was at that game and sat behind the interchange. Robinson played 5 minutes of the first quarter. None of the second or third and 20 minutes of the last quarter. He played high forward which is not his position.
The general consensus of the people I was with was that he was injured or being punished for seeking a trade

[liz]

I was at that game and sat behind the interchange. Robinson played 5 minutes of the first quarter. None of the second or third and 20 minutes of the last quarter. He played high forward which is not his position.
The general consensus of the people I was with was that he was injured or being punished for seeking a trade

One thing Fantasy Football is good for - providing some data. The AFL published information last week about every player who played in the JLT, which included information about TOG. This attributes 25% TOG to Robinson, which is almost exactly what your observations indicate. Impressive!

JLT Series: Every player's AFL Fantasy scores - AFL.com.au

However, I don't think you need conspiracy stories, like him being punished for requesting a trade. I think it's far more reasonable to interpret it as reflecting where he sits in the pecking order (which is similar to where's he's sat in the pecking order for the last couple of seasons, even when not injured, and explains why he asked for a trade). Most clubs - the Swans included - used JLT 2 to get game time into the players they are most likely to play in round 1. It was an extended squad (26), so it was to be expected that those not in the best 22 would get less time on ground. And while "on-ball" might be his best position, he's a way off forcing his way into the on-ball rotations within the senior team. When he has had senior team opportunities in the past, it's been as a half-forward. So what we saw in JLT 2 is just a continuation of what we've seen in the past.

It really doesn't seem in the nature of the Swans to punish a player for requesting a trade.

[ugg]

Pretty sure Robinson was the ruck backup to Towers for most of the last quarter as well, after they put Cameron in cotton wool.

[jono2707]

I just think he was being a typical private school boy soon at the end of last season.

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What like JPK, Hanners, Nick Smith et al? We can only hope....

This season will likely be Robbo's last unless something big on-field happens.

[bloodspirit]

It really doesn't seem in the nature of the Swans to punish a player for requesting a trade.

I agree with you (e.g. ROK) but one X. Richards might not.

[liz]

I agree with you (e.g. ROK) but one X. Richards might not.

How did the Swans punish Richards? They offered him a contract and he declined it.

[barracuda]

Perhaps punish is too strong a word. However when a player asks to leave and then stays it may change the dynamic slightly and even at a sub conscious level coaches will lose a bit of faith.

[Monty]

The scores in the game were Swans 105 - SU 55 (give or take). Bird, BJ did not play for SU.
Even first qtr but Swans fitness and class progressively took over. Pink looked to have a badly sprained ankle. On crutches after game. Reg played the full game and looks a certainty for WC.
Swans best for mine (not necessarily in order) Ronke, COR, Cameron, Marsh, Hayward, Robinson, Reg

[liz]

The scores in the game were Swans 105 - SU 55 (give or take). Bird, BJ did not play for SU.

Thanks for providing the scores. I don't suppose the Swans will ever get around to even mentioning the game took place.

I thought fitness was a key difference, and there were a few people standing around me supporting Sydney Uni but clearly with a Swans allegiance too (at senior level) who commented on how the Swans were just able to get more numbers to every contest. That reflects the fitness aspect and the greater intensity they're trained to play the game at.

Does anyone know for sure if Bird and Jack are playing for Sydney Uni this year? I know it was reported that they were, but neither is listed on the Sydney Uni website. Mind you, it may be that they share a media website co-ordinator with the Swans (or they're twin brothers/sisters) because Edwards isn't listed on their site either, and he did play on Saturday.