Swans VFL 2022

[TheBloods]

Roberts will be a player but needs to take a second before he kicks if he wants a senior game this yr , reckon that 'll be what the coaches want to see from him , bit of class

[Ludwig]

RWO - settle a debate for me.

Goods Snr (RWO lurker) cheers on the Swans reserves and gets upset if they lose or are particularly inconsistent - like the weekend. He can’t understand Laidler being the coach and does not see what he brings to the coaching table.

I think Longmire and co could not care less about the collective result of the reserves team. They could lose by 100 points, but if Mellican kept his opponent scoreless or if Amartey kicks 5 - that’s a great result. I think he wants a good standard of competition to help younger players learn and develop, but in the short term it’s really only about 6 or so individuals pushing for a senior elevation.

Side note:

Regarding Laidler, it’s a great result for him professionally. It’s a position that would look great on a coaching CV from a well respected club. I’d bet he’s not in great money and the Swans would prefer to use the available cap space for the coaches at the senior level.

For those going on about reserve reports, have a look Laidler an hour after the reserves game. He is on the bench working at the seniors game. I can’t imagine too many senior VFL coaches doing that. Save your hostility for the swans marketing!


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I appreciate your comments and think it's deserves a proper hearing. I would agree that it's the individual performances of listed players that are more important than the final score. I have no animosity towards Laidler and have no idea if he's a good coach or not. I don't doubt that he gives it his all.

What I do see in the VFL games is a lack of team cohesion, poor execution and little that resembles what the Swans are trying to accomplish at the senior level. Is this Laidler's fault? I don't know. But I feel we looked a better outfit under previous Reserves' team coaches. Something seems to me missing. Something has to change.

[rickmat]

Agree 100%, Ludwig. Swans had to get rid of admin and coaches a few years back because of AFL's cuts to each team's overall budget. Laidler was the last man standing and got given what ended up the VFL team. I agree there doesn't seem to be structure or cohesion when the VFL boys play. I always thought Shaw was the best development coach we had. Yes, there is something missing in the DNA of the VFL team. Laidler is more interested in sitting next to.Horse on the boundry doing whatever it is he is doing. Not with his VFL boys. We can do better and all the Swans listed players are not getting the coaching on match day they deserve, seemingly.

[bloodspirit]

I think we underrate Laidler. The club has had plenty of opportunities to get rid of and replace him with someone else if they thought it would be an improvement, especially during the pandemic, but they didn't.

Also, I noticed many posters were piling in to Laidler when we getting smashed in the first quarter but none of them jumped in to praise Laidler when we turned it around massively in the second quarter (which I think is an even greater achievement, particularly against a stronger team).

Like Ludwig, I find it difficult nigh impossible to judge how well Laidler does his job, especially when we don't really know whether it's more about preparing individuals to play seniors footy or whether it's trying to coach the reserves to victory.

On a bit of a tangent, I was really curious about who all Laidler's assistants during the Reserves game were. I presume they are volunteers and are not salaried but there was a fair support crew of people I didn't recognise running out at the quarter time breaks.

[Mr Magoo]

I think we underrate Laidler. The club has had plenty of opportunities to get rid of and replace him with someone else if they thought it would be an improvement, especially during the pandemic, but they didn't.

Also, I noticed many posters were piling in to Laidler when we getting smashed in the first quarter but none of them jumped in to praise Laidler when we turned it around massively in the second quarter (which I think is an even greater achievement, particularly against a stronger team).

Like Ludwig, I find it difficult nigh impossible to judge how well Laidler does his job, especially when we don't really know whether it's more about preparing individuals to play seniors footy or whether it's trying to coach the reserves to victory.

On a bit of a tangent, I was really curious about who all Laidler's assistants during the Reserves game were. I presume they are volunteers and are not salaried but there was a fair support crew of people I didn't recognise running out at the quarter time breaks.

Agree that Laidler has a pretty hard job. The VFL team is a team thrown together from listed players , top ups from the swans vfl list and then an academy player or two thrown in . They do not train as a single unit so its pretty hard to get cohesion in a team in that circumstance.

The Swans would be focusing on getting what they want out of the listed players and to be honest the others are just their to supplement. I dont think they have any regard for the score.

[Jupiter]

I think we underrate Laidler. The club has had plenty of opportunities to get rid of and replace him with someone else if they thought it would be an improvement, especially during the pandemic, but they didn't.

Also, I noticed many posters were piling in to Laidler when we getting smashed in the first quarter but none of them jumped in to praise Laidler when we turned it around massively in the second quarter (which I think is an even greater achievement, particularly against a stronger team).

Like Ludwig, I find it difficult nigh impossible to judge how well Laidler does his job, especially when we don't really know whether it's more about preparing individuals to play seniors footy or whether it's trying to coach the reserves to victory.

On a bit of a tangent, I was really curious about who all Laidler's assistants during the Reserves game were. I presume they are volunteers and are not salaried but there was a fair support crew of people I didn't recognise running out at the quarter time breaks.

They are all salaried Swans staff. I've mentioned here before one I know of as I saw it somewhere is Tom Morrison ex-Sydney Uni coach - Prem Div then NEAFL then Prem Div when that folded - I think he came from the WAFL. He'd actually have more experience coaching a team than Laid's - so I think the team is well resourced as ever - I don't know who else is involved, its not made that public is it....

[bloodspirit]

They are all salaried Swans staff. I've mentioned here before one I know of as I saw it somewhere is Tom Morrison ex-Sydney Uni coach - Prem Div then NEAFL then Prem Div when that folded - I think he came from the WAFL. He'd actually have more experience coaching a team than Laid's - so I think the team is well resourced as ever - I don't know who else is involved, its not made that public is it....

Very interesting. No, it isn't published much. I'm surprised they are paying so many staff to coach reserves while they had to sack staff like Stuart Maxfield and Nick Smith and Lloyd Perris at the beginning of the pandemic.

[dejavoodoo44]

Agree that Laidler has a pretty hard job. The VFL team is a team thrown together from listed players , top ups from the swans vfl list and then an academy player or two thrown in . They do not train as a single unit so its pretty hard to get cohesion in a team in that circumstance.

The Swans would be focusing on getting what they want out of the listed players and to be honest the others are just their to supplement. I dont think they have any regard for the score.

I'm not sure if I really have a strong opinion either way on Laidler. It is difficult to juggle an almost constantly changing side, and his time in charge has had plenty of interruptions. But on the other hand, I rarely look at a reserves game and think that he's really got the team firing. I'd probably like him to do a bit more media, so that us fans that are interested can have a bit more information.

[COB]

I'm not sure if I really have a strong opinion either way on Laidler. It is difficult to juggle an almost constantly changing side, and his time in charge has had plenty of interruptions. But on the other hand, I rarely look at a reserves game and think that he's really got the team firing. I'd probably like him to do a bit more media, so that us fans that are interested can have a bit more information.

All I know is that we are below Brisbane, Giants and Suns on the reserves ladder as well as most AFL affiliated clubs, were outscored 17 goals to 3 over 3 quarters against Brisbane and provided the Bullants with their only victory albeit we had a lot of injuries that day. Not sure I would say that Laidler has them firing. I think we have been disappointing the past 15 months but not sure how much is Laidler's fault. Would definitely prefer Rhyce Shaw as coach though.

[ugg]

VFL Coaches votes

Sydney 8.7 (55) lost to Brisbane Lions 17.12 (114)
10 Deven Robertson (BL)
6 Ryan Clarke (Syd)
4 Rhys Mathieson (BL)
3 Tom Berry (BL)
3 Mitch Robinson (BL)
2 Callum Sinclair (Syd)
1 Harry Morrison (Syd)
1 Jack Payne (BL)

Robertson 5-5
Clarke 4-2
Mathieson 4-0
Berry, Robinson 3-0 each
Sinclair 2-0
Morrison, Payne 1-0 each

[Ludwig]

A lot of people have given up on Ryan Clarke, but he's played well in the reserves. I think he's earned another shot at AFL level. He's done it the hard way. He's not a jet, but runs all day and gets to the ball. His disposal isn't the greatest, but it's not as bad as some have made it out to be. He just turns 25 in June.

If a spot opens up in the midfield or halfback, I would pick him before Stephens.

[Faunac8]

A lot of people have given up on Ryan Clarke, but he's played well in the reserves. I think he's earned another shot at AFL level. He's done it the hard way. He's not a jet, but runs all day and gets to the ball. His disposal isn't the greatest, but it's not as bad as some have made it out to be. He just turns 25 in June.

If a spot opens up in the midfield or halfback, I would pick him before Stephens.

Yes I think many tend to overlook that he is just coming into what are the most productive years for many players.
He performed some good run with roles when he first arrived and we were doing it tough and needed some defensive pressure applied on some opposition playmakers.
I agree he has earned a chance to see if he has developed further and what he can offer.
He is out of contract at the end of the year and probably would relish a chance to show he deserves another contract with us but if he doesn’t deliver then we can both move on.
He could potentially provide another option a depth player that can fill a role over the next few years.

[Aprilbr]

A lot of people have given up on Ryan Clarke, but he's played well in the reserves. I think he's earned another shot at AFL level. He's done it the hard way. He's not a jet, but runs all day and gets to the ball. His disposal isn't the greatest, but it's not as bad as some have made it out to be. He just turns 25 in June.

If a spot opens up in the midfield or halfback, I would pick him before Stephens.

You have really gone off Stephens, LW. Prior to the season commencing, I was very hopeful that Stephens would have a breakout season based on his bulking up and training hard. Instead, he seems to be languishing in our Reserves and playing average football. We really need him to step up as our midfield lacks depth.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

You have really gone off Stephens, LW. Prior to the season commencing, I was very hopeful that Stephens would have a breakout season based on his bulking up and training hard. Instead, he seems to be languishing in our Reserves and playing average football. We really need him to step up as our midfield lacks depth.

I am also disappointed, his recent performances in the 2's have been dispiriting.

Halfway through the 2020 season, the 2019 draft was looking absolutely golden. Not so much now.

[rickmat]

The comments about Stephens reminds of Dawson who was in the reserves wilderness for 2-3 years before he blossomed and was given his chance in the seniors. And Dawson didn't go through 2 years of Covid hell which Stephens has and which has stymied his progress, like many others. So we need to give Stephens some more time to find the form and talent he showed before he was recruited.