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Just to focus on the game, rather than the controversy, I don't think the Swans played as poorly as the score would suggest. In the midfield the young Swans matched Southport pretty well in the first half, and still weren't awful in the second half. The big difference was that the Swans had no forward line to speak of (oh for a Amartey, McCartin or even a Pink - all players who we might have expected to feature prominently up forward in the NEAFL side this year. Maybe even a Sinclair or a Tippett). And the Southport defence played extremely well.
So while our boys were soundly beaten, it was by experience, skill and size, rather than by effort. Can't fault the way the academy boys kept putting their bodies on the line.
Rose was clearly very good, our best by far. O'Riordan and Maibaum were pretty good offensively, but the defence did look a bit disorganised at times and as leaders in that part of the ground, some of that must fall on them.
Dawson and Cameron have played more dominant games but both had their moments. Clearly Southport had identified Cameron as the number one player to contain and, credit to them, they did it very well. He still battled hard, but I think it illustrates how big the gap is between him dominating at NEAFL level and stepping up to contribute at AFL level.
Brown was a bit quieter than he has been in recent weeks up to the point he exited the game. Bell seemed to struggle to get into the game, or certainly to get the ball running or bouncing his way. On the other hand, I thought it was one of the better games I've seen from him in terms of work rate without the ball, especially in the second half. He chased and tackled pretty well, and kept trying to get into the game the other way.
Stoddart had some moments but looked tired in the second half, and didn't always stick his tackles. He still has a way to go physically (obviously). And Styles was fairly anonymous through the game.
Of the academy players, I liked Ellem, particularly considering he's still an U17 and conditioning wise, has some way to go. A couple of the other U17 guys (I think there were at least 4 of them out there today) also showed some promising signs. Reinhart was good, especially early, while Stern and Stewart didn't let themselves down either. I wonder if Stern, in particular, has the scope to become a small defender. He has the pace and tenacity.
So while our boys were soundly beaten, it was by experience, skill and size, rather than by effort. Can't fault the way the academy boys kept putting their bodies on the line.
Rose was clearly very good, our best by far. O'Riordan and Maibaum were pretty good offensively, but the defence did look a bit disorganised at times and as leaders in that part of the ground, some of that must fall on them.
Dawson and Cameron have played more dominant games but both had their moments. Clearly Southport had identified Cameron as the number one player to contain and, credit to them, they did it very well. He still battled hard, but I think it illustrates how big the gap is between him dominating at NEAFL level and stepping up to contribute at AFL level.
Brown was a bit quieter than he has been in recent weeks up to the point he exited the game. Bell seemed to struggle to get into the game, or certainly to get the ball running or bouncing his way. On the other hand, I thought it was one of the better games I've seen from him in terms of work rate without the ball, especially in the second half. He chased and tackled pretty well, and kept trying to get into the game the other way.
Stoddart had some moments but looked tired in the second half, and didn't always stick his tackles. He still has a way to go physically (obviously). And Styles was fairly anonymous through the game.
Of the academy players, I liked Ellem, particularly considering he's still an U17 and conditioning wise, has some way to go. A couple of the other U17 guys (I think there were at least 4 of them out there today) also showed some promising signs. Reinhart was good, especially early, while Stern and Stewart didn't let themselves down either. I wonder if Stern, in particular, has the scope to become a small defender. He has the pace and tenacity.
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