Round 18: Swans v Cats

[dejavoodoo44]

I've been saying for a while that we've got a lot of depth with this group; but just young. Now it's all unfolding before us. We have 35 players that can be in our best 22.

JMac has been a surprise at how quickly he's developed into such an exciting player. And Stevens is looking a fine first round pick for us. Plenty to like all around.

Yes, McInerney's late season form has also been the major unexpected bonus for me. He looked good early last season, but then lost his way a bit in the second half of the year. On NEAFL form, I certainly had Stoddardt and Bell in front of him. Stoddardt for the kamikaze way that he rebounded out of defence and Bell for his gut running and pressure skills. But now, my optimism sparks a bit, every time that McInerney gets the ball, because he uses it so well.

Not that I've gone off the other two, it's just that I never really expected McInerney to be a star ball distributor; but now I do.

[Agent 86]

Perfect day, Hawks win, we have very honourable loss and rise to pick 3 which should now ensure we get a player before Campbell and Gulden, perfect result

Not quite perfect. I had a decent wedge of $ on Swans at $8.60. Might be selfish, but a deserved win would’ve made my day.

A bit more composure, a bit more hardness from a senior player, Hawkins being pinged for dropping the ball rather than being paid a push in the back & a game-changing goal, someone being able to handle Dangerfield when pushed forward…

We had a decent crack, but I’m still pretty disappointed. Geelong were bloody awful for most of that game & we should have made them pay for it.

[dejavoodoo44]

That’s an incredible stat. He reminds me so much of Andrew Gaff.

Out of interest what distance did McInerney cover on the other wing?

12.7 kms. Interestingly, the other best distances for the round so far, are: Gaff - 12.8; Menegola - 12.7; Kelly (GWS) - 12.6, and Ellis (Suns) - 12.6.

[Agent 86]

I've been impressed with the last 6 weeks or so from Clarke. His disposal and ball use isn't the best, but it feels like he is finding a groove in the team. He isn't flashy, he is never going to be a match winner, but he can play a role for us imho…

I'm not writing him off being a very useful player for us in coming years, despite his limitations.

Yeah, you’re right. I was being flippant. I like him. He tries his guts out & I enjoyed the way he went about his role on Neale last week. As a coach, you’ve gotta love a player who follows instructions to a T - so I reckon they appreciate this part of his game. But then again, there are times when instinct and skill need to kick in, & this is where he can often be found wanting. Can you teach this?

[AB Swannie]

12.7 kms. Interestingly, the other best distances for the round so far, are: Gaff - 12.8; Menegola - 12.7; Kelly (GWS) - 12.6, and Ellis (Suns) - 12.6.

Thanks for the details. I know Aussie Rules is much more than running but it certainly helps and to have two young blokes running 14.1 and 12.7kms in a game that really meant nothing shows a lot. I noticed that these two also played 92% and 91% game time.

[Nico]

Do our players not talk to each other.....Stephens caught blind.

That's the one part of his game he needs to work on. Happens a bit. Looks like he has heaps of time,then bang. Looking good otherwise.

[SwanSand]

I thought we were great today attacking from defensive 50 , using corridor and switching with kicks taken by good users.

I think the most disappointing thing was easy couple of goals from Center clearances. I think it is personnel - and maybe structure where we have no one running towards the Center from back half to prevent that from happening and somewhat to get the handball to push into the forward 50. It may mean we need someone that can do for us aka Zak Jones speedy half back. Maybe Ling can do that job if fit and maybe colin oriordan. Or maybe we don’t need personnel change but a tweak in the plan.

The Other disappointing thing was the mongrel kicks to no one in particular in the Center square for Geelong being poorly defended. Again it’s positioning and personnel. I guess Rampe is a great organiser along with Lloyd and Mills that we are missing so it’s not such a bad problem.

Clarke is a stop gap arrangement as Hewett and Clarke play a similar game but I think Clarke is a bit faster but poorer kick. Florent is a big worry - he seems to me a smooth runner and gets to all the right spots for pressure and overlap running but lacks polish. I am sure they probably knew it when they drafted him which is why the emphasis on getting good kicks after drafting him.

[stevoswan]

Yeah, you’re right. I was being flippant. I like him. He tries his guts out & I enjoyed the way he went about his role on Neale last week. As a coach, you’ve gotta love a player who follows instructions to a T - so I reckon they appreciate this part of his game. But then again, there are times when instinct and skill need to kick in, & this is where he can often be found wanting. Can you teach this?

As his fitness and tank are not in question, it should be his summer 'homework'.....kicking skills and drills. He's a keeper for his role playing skills alone but if he can hone his disposal and decision making skills, he could be a great servant to the club. Only 22.

[dejavoodoo44]

Thanks for the details. I know Aussie Rules is much more than running but it certainly helps and to have two young blokes running 14.1 and 12.7kms in a game that really meant nothing shows a lot. I noticed that these two also played 92% and 91% game time.

Yes, possibly played a bit more time than usual, because Bell was ruled out early? Bell is also a very good gut runner, who often gets his name in the tracker top 5 stats.

[dejavoodoo44]

As his fitness and tank are not in question, it should be his summer 'homework'.....kicking skills and drills. He's a keeper for his role playing skills alone but if he can hone his disposal and decision making skills, he could be a great servant to the club. Only 22.

And speaking of age, I just had to check, McCartin is still only 20. Another couple of years, and he should be one of comp's best key defenders. Probably had the better of today's duel, with the soon to be crowned Coleman Medallist.

[i'm-uninformed2]

And speaking of age, I just had to check, McCartin is still only 20. Another couple of years, and he should be one of comp's best key defenders. Probably had the better of today's duel, with the soon to be crowned Coleman Medallist.

A really good point. A 20yo kicked the butt of the Coleman Medal and most brutal key forward in the comp. McCartin is a good forward, but he’s a better defender.

[Nico]

McCartin has been a revelation at FB. With Rampe back next year and he playing CHB, plus Mills, Lloyd and Cunningham and Dawson floating across the backline, I would say we will have a very formidable backline. Fox has also be solid and throw in Allir for good measure. McCartin has given us so much more structure down back and he genuinely held his own against Hawkins. He is only 20.

McInerney has been another rising star. What I like about him is when he has the footy on the forward line he is prepared to back himself and have a shot, rather than waste time looking for the often non existent player on his own. A goalkicking wingman, wow. He looks a real 200 gamer.

Stephens keeps improving as does Blakey, throw in Rowbottom for good measure and Dawson has really come on this year. He appears to have got a few flaws out of his game and I think his second half of the season has gone to the next level.

On the game; it was impressive that when we looked out on our feet we kept coming and nearly pinched a draw.

[sharp9]

I don’t know how Mooney and Brereton with all their premierships can know less about football than a soccer player from New Zealand BUT....all their whining about why Hawkins was pinged really pissed me off. It was a clear free kick because the knee to the head was not in the marking contest. He landed on the ground before marking the ball. It had nothing to do with the Toby Greene rule it was an excellent (and brave!) call by the umpire. If anyone is watching the replay listen to the umpire call “it was too early”. Dimwits

[Nico]

I don’t know how Mooney and Brereton with all their premierships can know less about football than a soccer player from New Zealand BUT....all their whining about why Hawkins was pinged really pissed me off. It was a clear free kick because the knee to the head was not in the marking contest. He landed on the ground before marking the ball. It had nothing to do with the Toby Greene rule it was an excellent (and brave!) call by the umpire. If anyone is watching the replay listen to the umpire call “it was too early”. Dimwits

He is a strange unit sometimes. It looked to me that he deliberately went with the knee. And he whinged for the whole game.

[MattW]

J Mac is becoming a favourite of mine ! Great finisher


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Fantastic poise. Bodes very well.

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It's been a surprisingly fun season this year. I've enjoyed watching our young players develop and there are promising signs for the next few years if we can hang onto them.

I've had fun... and I am soooo looking forward to being at the SCG again next year.

Thanks to everybody here for their contributions, I love being here and reading all the comments. There are some really knowledgeable and great fans on this site.

Till next time...cheer cheer.

Well said; agreed.