Round 18: Swans v Cats

[MattW]

While checking the stats, I noticed that Stephens clocked up 14.1 kms for the game. I thought that seemed notably high, so I checked the tracker data for this round's other games. The second most distance covered for the round, was by Ryan Clarke today; who managed 12.9 kms. Young Dylan also topped the game stats for pressure acts, with 24. When you also factor in his often very good ball use, speed and good decision making, that adds up to an excellent day's work. I can see him becoming a definite favourite, over the next season or two.

I can't recall if any other youngster had a stand out performance this round, as the games a starting to blur a bit, but hopefully that's enough for a rising star nomination.

Agreed: the dude is a gut runner, but quick too. Bring on the longer quarters.

[MattW]

Stephens is a ripper isn’t he.

Andrew Gaff with better kicking skills. Genuinely quick, runs all day, terrific skills, makes space and willing at the contest. He’s still got to gain some strength over the ball, but that’ll come.

Between he and McInerney, a cracking pair of wingers. We’ve lacked that for the last decade bar Hanners, but we’ve got two beauties.

I remember there was a view we’d reached a little on Stephens and a lot on McInerney. Our recruiters did it again.

As for the talk re McDonald, I’d love him, but either Adelaide or North would be mad not to grab him first. I hope they both do something stupid, but struggle to see it.

I still think of Chris Judd watching Stephens - that fast, direct running with his head up.

Agree that he and McInerney are a cracking pair of wingers - Justin's foot skills are terrific, he's courageous and a great shot for goal on the run. Seems a popular character too.

[Markwebbos]

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

Robbo wasn't happy either: "Tom Hawkins was penalised for an infringement in a marking contest. The umpire was heard to say Hawkins jumped “too early”. How does that work? Moments before the ball arrived, Hawkins jumped, his opponent Tom McCartin was in front and turned to front Hawkins and was collected in the head by Hawkins’ knee. No studs up, McCartin misjudged the kick, Hawkins marked it and the umpire penalised Hawkins."

Category: | Herald Sun

[Ludwig]

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.

This is one of a number of similar summaries on Florent before he was drafted:

Florent is a lightly-framed, fast midfielder who uses the ball very well, especially by foot. This is particularity noticeable in congestion, as he has a great ability to baulk opposition players and get clear, before using his sharp kicking skills to pick out a teammate.
He was a joint winner of the beep test at the recent AFL combine and finished top-10 in agility, running vertical jump (left foot) and clean hands test.
Florent is also great at putting on defensive pressure and laying tackles in the forward 50.


Florent was known as a good kick. I agree that Florent has been inconsistent with several parts of his game. His kicking has been a problem in the 2nd half of this season. These things tend to work out. He will address the problems in the off season and expect he will come back in 2021 and have a great year.

[mcs]

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?

Short answer no. Long answer - not really. He will always have limitations in his play - its whether we have a role that will fit him perfectly going forward or not that is the question. I'm not sure we do - but I'm happy to see him be around the club and find out, because he can do a job, and if he isn't seniors quality long term, then that will quickly become apparent as younger brigade take over from him.

[MattW]

Agree with all of the optimism on here.

Congratulations to Longmire producing such exciting football and the overseeing the development of a close nit squad, playing with belief. Really excited to watch us next year, with the younger plsyers more physically developed and having had more time to work on that running game.

This game felt a little to me like the signs a young team gives a year or two before they challenge. Just missing the size and power; and a key forward. Papley kicked for goal poorly, but he was otherwise outstanding one out in the F50, always marking or bringing the ball to ground.

A few mentions: I thought Dawson was superb today - some fantastic marks, great kicking, found a lot of it. Cunningham was excellent too - he's become such a dependable contributor. It was good to see Melican play well again - he's had a good last month or so.

- - - Updated - - -

This is one of a number of similar summaries on Florent before he was drafted:

Florent is a lightly-framed, fast midfielder who uses the ball very well, especially by foot. This is particularity noticeable in congestion, as he has a great ability to baulk opposition players and get clear, before using his sharp kicking skills to pick out a teammate.
He was a joint winner of the beep test at the recent AFL combine and finished top-10 in agility, running vertical jump (left foot) and clean hands test.
Florent is also great at putting on defensive pressure and laying tackles in the forward 50.


Florent was known as a good kick. I agree that Florent has been inconsistent with several parts of his game. His kicking has been a problem in the 2nd half of this season. These things tend to work out. He will address the problems in the off season and expect he will come back in 2021 and have a great year.

I think it's more a decision-making thing than a skill thing. Agree he'll work it out.

[Nico]

I agree on the decision making. I think what happens he doesn't take the first option and gets himself into trouble, and hence is under pressure when kicking at times.
Many times he doesn't run in a straight line when he should. Goes sideways a lot and tries to take on the player in a wrong situation. Should be able to get the decision making right.

[Agent 86]

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.

Yes, can only get better. That tackle was perfectly executed and should have been rewarded not given a bs push in the back. Game changing poor decision.

Not that we need more rules, but maybe it’s time to look at a captain’s challenge for incorrect decisions that can lead to momentum swings? I hate seeing teams penalised by wrong calls.

[Mel_C]

A few weeks back I was wanting the season to hurry up and finish but now that it's over I can't wait for 2021. You can see how we want to play. We might not be able to execute it perfectly at the moment but it's exciting to watch. Hopefully next year with some injury luck and no covid training restrictions, we will be a more consistent and cohesive team.

[dimelb]

Today's encouraging showing plus the returning wounded ... wow, I can hardly wait. Roll on 2021!

[barry]

Robbo wasn't happy either: "Tom Hawkins was penalised for an infringement in a marking contest. The umpire was heard to say Hawkins jumped “too early”. How does that work? Moments before the ball arrived, Hawkins jumped, his opponent Tom McCartin was in front and turned to front Hawkins and was collected in the head by Hawkins’ knee. No studs up, McCartin misjudged the kick, Hawkins marked it and the umpire penalised Hawkins."

Category: | Herald Sun

The "Toby green" rule is a stupid rule anyway, bent by the rabbid AFL media because:
1) green wasn't even in a marking contest.
2) studs up, foot out has been around in marks for decades.

Now we have these silly interrogations all over the place.

IMO, Hawkins went a bit early, but seeing as he marked it, they normally let the mark stand. Fair call either way.

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BTW, greens kick was simply "kicking in danger". No need for a new rule.

[Meg]

Pretty good summary by Peter Ryan:

“Strong future for Sydney”

“The Swans won five games and plenty of respect with the way they competed throughout the season despite injuries to key players such as Isaac Heeney, Dane Rampe and Lance Franklin (who did not play a game) missing. The result was in some ways perfect for the Swans although they fought as hard as anyone to win. They dropped a spot down the ladder after the Hawks won meaning they will have pick No.3 in the draft and knowledge Papley is staying and they have stroing core of young players developing.”


Blicavs gives Cats last gasp win over desperate Swans Geelong nearly squandered a chance for a top-four finish against the desperate Swans but did just enough to grind out a six-point win.

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/blicavs-smother-gives-cats-last-gasp-win-over-desperate-swans-20200920-p55xfh.html?btis

[sharp9]

The "Toby green" rule is a stupid rule anyway, bent by the rabbid AFL media because:
1) green wasn't even in a marking contest.
2) studs up, foot out has been around in marks for decades.

Now we have these silly interrogations all over the place.

IMO, Hawkins went a bit early, but seeing as he marked it, they normally let the mark stand. Fair call either way.

- - - Updated - - -

BTW, greens kick was simply "kicking in danger". No need for a new rule.

So you think it’s OK to jump up and knee a guy in the head whilst the ball is only half way to the contest and then stand there waiting to take an uncontested mark? Somewhere between the obvious free I have outlined above and Warwick Capper is a line where it becomes illegal. “Too Early” the umpire said because the contact was NOT IN THE MARKING CONTEST. Hawkins was back down on the ground when the ball arrived. You could call it a “shove out” or “two actions” but whichever way it was a definite free kick.

[Blood Fever]

So you think it’s OK to jump up and knee a guy in the head whilst the ball is only half way to the contest and then stand there waiting to take an uncontested mark? Somewhere between the obvious free I have outlined above and Warwick Capper is a line where it becomes illegal. “Too Early” the umpire said because the contact was NOT IN THE MARKING CONTEST. Hawkins was back down on the ground when the ball arrived. You could call it a “shove out” or “two actions” but whichever way it was a definite free kick.

Know I'm biased but I thought it was a good decision. Hawkins has a nasty streak in him that he doesn't need given his size.

[0918330512]

The "Toby green" rule is a stupid rule anyway, bent by the rabbid AFL media because:
1) green wasn't even in a marking contest.
2) studs up, foot out has been around in marks for decades.

Now we have these silly interrogations all over the place.

IMO, Hawkins went a bit early, but seeing as he marked it, they normally let the mark stand. Fair call either way.

- - - Updated - - -

BTW, greens kick was simply "kicking in danger". No need for a new rule.

Toby Grub’s actions weren’t ever kicking in danger. There was rarely an attempt to kick the ball by Toby. It was always a fend off with a sole full of studs. And a disgraceful and dangerous act.

Still, I expect little more from Toby, his manufactured club or the GW$ supporters who defend his actions