Round 6: GWS Giants v Sydney Swans Reserves

[ugg]

NEAFL (Eastern Conference) Round 6
GWS Giants v Sydney Swans Reserves
Saturday 7th May 2011 9.10am
Manuka Oval

The first clash for NEAFL competition points between these 2 sides, yet for two Sydney based sides it has been somehow been scheduled for Canberra. Work that one out! Anyway, due to the earlier starting time of the seniors at 1.10pm this match will start at a very early and very chilly 9.10am. Be sure to rug up if you're planning to attend.

Eastern Conference Ladder
Team|Played|Wins|Losses|Draws|Byes|%Won|For|Agains t|Percentage
Reserves|3|3|0|0|0|100.00%|344|74|464.86%
GWS|2|2|0|0|1|100.00%|210|139|151.08%
Ainslie|2|1|1|0|1|50.00%|204|174|117.24%
Queanbeyan|3|1|2|0|0|33.33%|298|310|96.13%
{colsp=10}-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastlake|3|1|2|0|0|33.33%|242|254|95.28%
Tuggeranong|2|0|2|0|1|0.00%|83|224|37.05%
Belconnen|3|0|3|0|0|0.00%|129|440|29.32%

Past Meetings
2011
Pre-season practice match
Reserves 23.16 (154) defeated GWS 8.10 (58)
After yet another sluggish start, in which the Reserves allowed the Giants to establish a 8 point lead at quarter time, a much more focused performance after the short break saw the team run over the top of the youthful but overpowered Giants. Jed Lamb nailed 6 goals in a classic forward's display with Mike Pyke and Ben Haren adding 3 off their own each.

Recent Form
Reserves
R2 WIN Away Eastlake 83-33 R2
R3 WIN Home Belconnen 138-29
R4 BYE
R5 WIN Home Tuggeranong 123-12

GWS
R2 WIN Away Ainslie 109-68R3 WIN Home Tuggeranong 101-71
R4 BYE
R5 LOSS Away Northern Bullants 34-123 (FOXTEL CUP)


Last Round
Reserves 18.15 (123) defeated Tuggeranong 1.6 (12)
Constant wet weather in the days preceding this game saw it shifted from the SCG out to the adjacent Lakeside Oval but this disruption did not affect the Reserves winning form. Tuggeranong forced numbers back early and combined with the rain the Reserves could only kick 1 goal in the first quarter. However, a shift to a man-on-man strategy and intermittent relief in the weather saw the Reserves stamp their class to run away with another comfortable victory. Trent Dennis-Lane kicked 5 late goals to top the goalscoring list. Byron Sumner was a class above in the wet with defenders Lewis Johnston and Chris McKaigue helping keep the Hawks to just a solitary goal.

Northern Bullants 19.9 (123) defeated GWS 5.4 (34)
GWS were no match for the strong VFL side who boasted a number of experienced Carlton players such as Bret Thornton and Brock McLean. GWS would rather forget their first half in which they failed to kick a goal while conceding 12 to the Victorian based side. Their intensity lifted in the 2nd half and they came away with a creditable 5 goals to 7 loss in that second period. Ruckman and captain Jon Giles kicked 2 goals along with forward Simon Tunbridge with midfielders Anthony Miles and Dylan Shiel the best for the Giants.

Team List
Listed players
#|Name|Games|Goals|Votes|Notes
1|Mark SEABY|3|2|3|
8|Trent DENNIS-LANE|3|10|0|
10|Daniel CURRIE|3|2|2|
18|Jesse WHITE|0|0|0|
22|Byron SUMNER|2|1|10|
23|Lewis JOHNSTON|3|0|10|Senior emergency
26|Luke PARKER|3|3|0|Senior emergency
27|Matthew SPANGHER|1|0|0|
28|Dylan McNEIL|3|1|4|
30|Lewis ROBERTS-THOMSON|2|1|0|
36|Chris McKAIGUE|3|0|7|
42|Paul BEVAN|0|0|0|
43|Eugene KRUGER|3|1|0|
44|Max OTTEN|2|0|0|
46|Ben HAREN|3|6|0|

Changes
In: White (Senior demotion), Bevan (Senior demotion),
Out: Brett Meredith (non-playing senior emergency?), Jed Lamb (Injured/rested?), Nathan Gordon (Senior promotion)

The midfield loses the run of Gordon but we still possess plenty of class and hardness in the likes of McNeil, Parker and Sumner. Note that Kruger did a tagging job last time round on Dylan Shiel with limited success.

With Seaby and Currie ready able to do the ruckwork, White should play this game as a specialist forward only. LRT and Spangher both played in the forward line last week despite having spent the majority of their AFL careers as defenders. With a (hopefully) more competitive opposition this week they could both be moved back in defence alongside Johnston, McKaigue and Otten. This should give more space for the likes of Dennis-Lane, Haren and Bevan (probably) to roam in the forward 50.

I also believe there will be no restrictions on the number of listed Swans players taking the field at the one time.

Academy Players/Topups
#|Name|Games|Goals|Votes|Notes
49|Nathan KENNY|2|0|0|
50|James BRAIN|3|0|0|
52|Mitch THOMPSON|2|0|2|
?|Matthew LEMME|0|0|0|Wests, Has been a topup previously
?|Andrew MOODY|0|0|0|Mac Uni
?|Eric MOODY|0|0|0|Mac Uni, see bit.ly/eMoody (http://bit.ly/eMoody)
?|Mark MURA|0|0|0|Kiama


In: Lemme, A.Moody, E.Moody, Mura
Out: Kane Murphy, Tim Wales, Daniel Robinson

Disappointing to lose Murphy whose been presence across the half-forward line has been lively. I'm guessing the likes of Jackson Potter, Blake Guthrie and Jack Lynch are still away with RAMS. Looking forward to see what the 4 new academy inductees can produce.

Reserves leading goalkickers


Trent Dennis-Lane 10
Ben Haren, Kane Murphy 6
Mike Pyke 4

For full list: 2011 Leading goalkickers - RWOwiki (http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/wiki/index.php?title=2011_Goalkickers)

Reserves leading votegetters


Nathan Gordon 14
Byron Sumner, Lewis Johnston 10
Chris McKaigue, Kane Murphy 7

For full list: 2011 Best votes - RWOwiki (http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/wiki/index.php?title=2011_Best_votes)

Talking points


Jesse White - Jesse has made a habit of going back to the reserves and kicking big bags of goals after being dropped from the seniors. He kicked 8 against Tuggeranong in 2010 and 8 & 11 in consecutive weeks in 2009. There's a good chance that Folau will line up against him and this should be an exciting matchup between two athletic big men.
Lewis Johnston - Apparently 'this' close to senior selection according to John Blakey. He's been solid in 2 consecutive games but the Giants should pose more of an attacking threat than either Belconnen or Tuggeranong did.
Trent Dennis-Lane - Playfair has highlighted the defensive side of his game as an area that needs improvement so expect TDL to be chasing down the likes of Folau and Hampton on Saturday.
Luke Parker - Did playing only half a game (albeit not a particularly good half) hurt his chances of a debut this week allowing Nipper to leapfrog him for a spot this week. Hopefully will get a full game this time against what is a strong midfield on paper.
Mark Seaby - A big game is required from Seabs to counter the effect of Jon Giles who was considered one of the best SANFL ruckmen last year.

GWS squad (to be trimmed)
2. Curtly HAMPTON - Played very well off the half back flank in the practice match
3. Mark WHILEY
5. Dylan SHIEL
6. Josh BRUCE
7. Kurt AYLETT
8. Jeremy CAMERON - Did well with 3 goals from a few chances in the practice match
10. Anthony MILES
11. Jack HOMBSCH
12. Sam SCHULZ
14. Sam DARLEY
19. Simon TUNBRIDGE
20. Alex CAREY
24. Stephen CLIFTON - Reigning VFL B&F winner
25. David CUMMINS
26. Jonathan GILES
27. Andrew PHILLIPS
29. Ben CASLEY - Started the practice game very well with 3 goals in the first quarter.
30. Damian WILLIAMS
31. Jacob TOWNSEND
33. Stuart TURNER
34. Joseph REDFERN
35. Ben REID
36. Daniel SPITERI - Name might be familiar to regular ressies watchers. Has been top up a number of times over the past few years.
37. Chris VARSAMKIS
38. Tim BARTON
39. Lachlan HARPER
40. Mitch FRAIL - Has also played as a top up with us.

Summary
The Giants have had an impressive start to the NEAFL downing premiers Ainslie away from home, a feat which the reserves have struggled to replicate in recent years. The hiding they received from the Bullants may have dented their confidence, but Sheeds and Choco will have no doubt fired up their charges for this 'derby'

The Swans players should be hungry with possible spots up for grabs in the seniors, especially if their counterparts continue their losing streak later in the day. We have plenty of players in good form who will be keen to press their claims with a good showing against what is arguably the strongest opposition in the NEAFL Eastern Conference.

However, judging by the result of the previous practice match and the struggles the Giants had against the Bullants, the Swans should start as hot favourites.

[ugg]

Also see
Reserves set for Giants clash - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club (http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/113208/default.aspx)

I think the media people are having a bit of fun naming LRT at rover.

[ShockOfHair]

Thanks Ugg. I predict the Reserves by 7 goals.

Is the NEAFL scheduling done by an interchange steward?

[stellation]

Dissapointed there's no Jed- having him in Canberra and so close to the Mint would be, to quote Bruce, "Delicious".

Sorry. :D

[Big Al]

Dissapointed there's no Jed- having him in Canberra and so close to the Mint would be, to quote Bruce, "Delicious".

Sorry. :D

:rofl

[ugg]

Does anyone know why Lamb isn't playing? Anyone that attended training midweek, was he there?

[jono2707]

No Folau for GWS - has he chucked it in already? He was appalling against the Bullants - looked clueless most of the time.

Anthony Miles (10) is a handy player for them too...

[ugg]

No Folau for GWS - has he chucked it in already? He was appalling against the Bullants - looked clueless most of the time.

Anthony Miles (10) is a handy player for them too...

Oh dear, I didn't even notice that. He was in the very first squad I saw, I just hope it's a mistake by the Giants website

[dimelb]

Thanks ugg. It's shaping up as a game with its own interest factors.

[wedge.maverick]

Mark Whiley & Anthony Miles have both been top ups as well.

[ugg]

Straight from the giants twitter account

Izzy's ankle pulled up sore after training on Wednesday so he stayed behind in Sydney.

[Big Al]

Straight from the giants twitter account

Izzy's ankle pulled up sore after training on Wednesday so he stayed behind in Sydney.

With Izzy in the side I was predicting a 12 goal win.

Now with him out I'll change that prediction to 8 goals.

[aardvark]

LRT named to play on ball. That could be fun to watch. Swans to win by 100 points and Jesse to kick 10 goals.

[ugg]

For those with Facebook you can follow live Incompatible Browser | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/swansreserves)

No goals so far nearing the end of the 1st quarter, sounds like a tough struggle

Swans 0.2 GWS 0.2

[ugg]

We're losing! Quarter time

Swans 1.2 (8) GWS 1.3 (9)

Swans Goals: Bevan
GWS Goals: Reid

[ugg]

Half time

Swans 1.2 3.7 (25)
GWS 1.3 2.6 (18)

Swans Goals: Bevan White <unknown>[unknown]
GWS Goals: Reid Casley</unknown>

[Triple B]

The closeness is as much as GWS playing pretty well more than a lack of effort on our part.
Parker outstanding and LRT won't be too far away from a recall. Someone needs to tell Jesse u can't win mark of the year in the 2's...

[liz]

Half time

Swans 1.2 3.7 (25)
GWS 1.3 2.6 (18)

Swans Goals: Bevan White <unknown>[unknown]
GWS Goals: Reid Casley</unknown>

Tough going at sunny but chilly Manuka. Giants hugely improved since last time and their forward pressure particularly good.LRT and Parker probably best for us in first half. Jesse good in parts too. Missing most of regular toppies.

[stellation]

Not great conversion from either team just going by the scores- how's the weather down there?

[mcs]

Not great conversion from either team just going by the scores- how's the weather down there?

Nice weather but it is chilly this morning. Should be a lovely afternoon for footy this arvo.

[Big Al]

Impressed with the endeavour of GWS. If they were a bit cleaner with their skills they could well be in front. Luke Parker is a gun and the less said about Jesse the better.

[ugg]

3 quarter time

Swans 1.2 3.7 6.11 (47)
GWS 1.3 2.6 3.9 (27)

Swans Goals: E.Moody (Topup#47) 2 Bevan White Parker Dennis-Lane
GWS Goals: Reid Casley Carey

[Triple B]

Ugg, topup 47 has kicked 2. I thought u had unknown because u didn't know his name..

[stellation]

How's LJ been?

[liz]

3 quarter time

Swans 1.2 3.7 6.11 (47)
GWS 1.3 2.6 3.9 (27)

Swans Goals: Bevan White [unknown] Parker Topup#47 Dennis-Lane
GWS Goals: Reid Casley Carey

Unknown goal also belongs to toppie 47

[Triple B]

How's LJ been?

LJ has been pretty good, without completely starring...

[ugg]

Thanks Trips and liz, have updated.

[ugg]

Starting to pull away, midway through last

Swans 1.2 3.7 6.11 9.14 (68)
GWS 1.3 2.6 3.9 3.9 (27)

Swans Goals: Dennis-Lane 3 E.Moody (Topup#47) 2 Bevan White Parker [Unknown]
GWS Goals: Reid Casley Carey

[Big Al]

GWS have run out of juice. It's a shame really as they don't deserve to be thrashed.

[ugg]

Time for Big Al to put on the beige jacket Joffa-style, we just kicked another

Swans 1.2 3.7 6.11 10.14 (74)
GWS 1.3 2.6 3.9 3.9 (27)

Swans Goals: Dennis-Lane 3 E.Moody (Topup#47) 2 Bevan White Parker [Unknown] [Unknown]
GWS Goals: Reid Casley Carey

[ugg]

Sorry about the unknowns, the facebook page stopped giving us the goalscorers. Perhaps someone can fill in the blanks.

Full time

Swans 1.2 3.7 6.11 12.15 (87)
GWS 1.3 2.6 3.9 3.9 (27)

Swans Goals: Dennis-Lane 3 E.Moody (Topup#47) 2 Bevan White Parker [Unknown] [Unknown] [Unknown] [Unknown]
GWS Goals: Reid Casley Carey

[Big Al]

Time for Big Al to put on the beige jacket Joffa-style, we just kicked another

Swans 1.2 3.7 6.11 10.14 (74)
GWS 1.3 2.6 3.9 3.9 (27)

Swans Goals: Dennis-Lane 3 E.Moody (Topup#47) 2 Bevan White Parker [Unknown] [Unknown]
GWS Goals: Reid Casley Carey

Beige??? It's a light tan friend. ;)

[liz]

I wrote down TDL 2 T47 2 Jesse 3 Haren 2 Bevo Parker McNeil

[Triple B]

Haren kicked 2 I think. Certainly 1.

[Triple B]

Agree with those Liz. Dill kicked a great snap near the end.

[ugg]

Sydney Swans
Goal Kickers: J. WHITE 3, B. HAREN 2, E. MOODY 2, T. DENNIS-LANE 2, L. PARKER , P. BEVAN , D. MCNEIL
Best Players: L. PARKER, L. JOHNSTON, C. MCKAIGUE, M. THOMPSON, L. ROBERTS-THOMSON, D. MCNEIL

GWS Giants
Goal Kickers: B. Reid , A. Carey , B. Casley
Best Players: J. HOMBSCH, J. GILES, K. Aylett, A. Carey, J. Townsend

[aardvark]

Sydney Swans
Goal Kickers: J. WHITE 3, B. HAREN 2, E. MOODY 2, T. DENNIS-LANE 2, L. PARKER , P. BEVAN , D. MCNEIL
Best Players: L. PARKER, L. JOHNSTON, C. MCKAIGUE, M. THOMPSON, L. ROBERTS-THOMSON, D. MCNEIL

GWS Giants
Goal Kickers: B. Reid , A. Carey , B. Casley
Best Players: J. HOMBSCH, J. GILES, K. Aylett, A. Carey, J. Townsend

Interesting to see McKaigue there again Ugg. Is he ever likely to play seniors ?

[ugg]

I've come to the conclusion that the best players list is awarded according to how each player performed in relation to the goals set for them. McKaigue's main instruction would seem to be spoil, spoil, spoil and to be honest he has become very good at this aspect of the game, hence the votes. He's been playing as an undersized key defender mainly due to injury to other talls but with LRT apparently back in defence today I'm not sure what his role was. We'll have to wait for reports from liz, Triple B and Big Al and others to see.

I don't see him making it as a key defender at senior level, and it would also be a waste of his other asset which is his pace. He doesn't often display it when he has the ball as he's too busy concentrating on bouncing or kicking it, but watch him off ball and he is surprisingly much quicker. I'd like to think he's Kennelly's protege but at this stage his kicking isn't close to Tadhg's. How long will they be prepared to give him - another year on the rookie list? Will Chris be willing to stay around ?

[ugg]

We play GC reserves next week and they beat Brisbane Reserves by 40 points today. It looks to be the best matchup of the season for the Reserves especially if there are top 10 picks like Sam Day, Daniel Gorringe, Harley Bennell and Dion Prestia playing for them.

[aardvark]

I've come to the conclusion that the best players list is awarded according to how each player performed in relation to the goals set for them. McKaigue's main instruction would seem to be spoil, spoil, spoil and to be honest he has become very good at this aspect of the game, hence the votes. He's been playing as an undersized key defender mainly due to injury to other talls but with LRT apparently back in defence today I'm not sure what his role was. We'll have to wait for reports from liz, Triple B and Big Al and others to see.

I don't see him making it as a key defender at senior level, and it would also be a waste of his other asset which is his pace. He doesn't often display it when he has the ball as he's too busy concentrating on bouncing or kicking it, but watch him off ball and he is surprisingly much quicker. I'd like to think he's Kennelly's protege but at this stage his kicking isn't close to Tadhg's. How long will they be prepared to give him - another year on the rookie list? Will Chris be willing to stay around ?

Thx Ugg. I won't hold my breath waiting for him to debut. We may have too many strong bodies for the GC ressies next week. I predict a comfortable 3-4 goal win.

[Ratna]

I missed the first half but am surprised Sumner has not received a mention in the posts or amongst the best as I thought his second half was really good. Would love to see him given another go in the firsts sometime soon.

[liz]

I am not sure I can write anything to live up to Ugg's recent extraordinary standards, but here are a few musings about the game.

It was an odd sort of a contest playing in bright winter sunshine (this was Canberra, after all) on what looked like a perfect playing surface. Despite appearances, it was a surface on which many players struggled to hold their feet. Given my windscreen had ice on it this morning at 8am when I started my journey home (via Manuka for a warm breakfast, of course), maybe the ground was icy at just past 9am yesterday.

When we played the Giants in a practice game a few weeks ago, they were very good for the first quarter and then dropped away quickly. It is a credit to how quickly Sheedy and Williams are developing their kids that this time round they were right in the game - at least on the scoreboard - at three quarter time. The tide had probably turned a bit earlier than that, with the Swans gradually asserting their authority throughout the third quarter, but it wasn't until the final term that they managed to pull away on the scoreboard to any significant degree.

The main improvement the Giants had made was their ability to lock the ball into their forward line for long periods of the first half. They weren't able to manufacture much in the way of real scoring opportunities, but they certainly made it hard for the Swans to get the ball into the midfield, let alone their forward 50m. The Swans forwards found themselves getting sucked too far up the ground, meaning that quick squirty kicks out of defence hit the Giants' wall and came straight back in.

I hadn't given much thought to the strength of the Swans side before the game began, and at quarter time I started thinking to myself that we must be a bit shorter than normal on listed players, so (relatively) difficult they were finding it to win and sustain possession. But when I started to jot down who was out there I realised we had at least 15 listed players out there - so I had to give that one up as an excuse. What the team probably was lacking was a bit of run, because we had a large number of tallish listed players and relatively few who could run and carry. Lamb was absent for some reason - Ugg might know why - and Meredith was playing senior emergency so was also absent. I wonder if someone was in doubt for the game and hence they didn't give Brett at least a half of footy. So in terms of smaller players to run and carry the ball, we were left with Sumner, Parker, Bevan, TDL and McNeil (who isn't overly quick). And we were also missing many of the regular scholarship / Academy top up players who have added significantly to the reserves small man run-and-carry in earlier games.

I had a fantastic vantage point, bang in the middle of the Bradman Stand and within easy viewing and earshot distance of both benches. The Giants' bench, in particular, was very vocal - both in terms of shouting out encouragement to players on the ground and congratulating them when they came off the ground.

Luke Parker was the absolute stand-out for the Swans. He played like he knows he is ready for the bigger stage, and I am sure his performance will have garnered the attention of the coaches. I confess I didn't notice him overly in the first quarter, but after the first change he stamped himself on the game. I think I've seen him get more of the ball in other matches but his running to present, his use of the ball and his repeat efforts were all very good this week. The Swans' own report has mentioned this already, but his game was summed up by an effort late in the game with the Swans already 10 goals ahead. He ran hard to make a relatively meaningless contest on the wing, didn't get there in time to prevent the Giant player gathering possession but then flung himself across the opposition player's boot as he kicked the ball and smothered the ball out of bounds. Moments later he was to be seen down in the Swans' forward pocket, presenting as a marking option (though not used).

LRT was very important, especially in the first half when the Swans were seriously challenged in defence by the amount of time the ball spent down there. He looked markedly more full of run than last week, and played what is best described as a Dustin Fletcher role, playing tight and spoiling when needed but also parading around the back line chopping off attacks, using his cool head and experience to clear the ball to the Swans' advantage, and sometimes wandering a bit further up the ground with ball in hand.

The Swans' report describes Johnston as being superb at CHB. I thought he was good, but maybe not as impressive as last week. There were a few occasions when he found himself behind his opponent and allowed a relatively easy lead and mark. That said, he still set up play well for others and found plenty of the ball. I think he was minding Josh Bruce for much of the game, though on several occasions I heard the Giants' bench shouting to Bruce to mind a different Swan. (At least once this was Spangher, before he was injured.) Bruce didn't have much of an influence on the game, so Lewis did his job pretty well.

I am not really sure what Jesse's instructions were for this game. If it was to present hard and often on the lead, he didn't do it. However, there wasn't much flowing play emerging from the Swans' backline for the first half of the game so maybe there wasn't much worth leading to. He did take what looked to be an excellent mark, holding his ground and using his body strength, in the first quarter, but the umpies disagreed, awarding a free against him for a push. (The Swans coaching contingent sitting close by in the Bradman Stand were not impressed by the decision.) He was also robbed off a very good diving mark on the wing right in front of me where the umpire was unsighted, guessed that the ball had hit the ground, and called play on. Looked like a clean take to me. Bewilderingly he also spent some time in the ruck. Given the Swans had Seaby and Currie in the team to share the ruck load, and Longmire has admitted that spreading Jesse between ruck and forward duties might be hindering his development as a forward, I thought this was a bit odd. Maybe they are still hedging their bets a little and hoping he'll suddenly discover the art of rucking. He was OK in this role for the time he spent there but that's not really the point. When the flood gates opened in the final quarter, White was able to chime in with a couple of goals, including one very nice long kick from about the 50m line on the run. Overall his was a decent contribution without being a great one.

Haren was just OK for the first three quarters - I've seen him present better in other games - but chimed in when party time started, which includied him provding his requisite curling goal from a long range snap across his body. They always look a bit speculative and maybe a big chancey but he's done it too often now to write them down as complete flukes.

McNeil is a player whose best work often goes unnoticed and I confess I didn't notice a whole lot of him when the game was tight, though I am sure he was doing what he usually does at the feet of Seaby and Currie. He did get to stretch his legs in the second half and went for a few runs. Though not overly quick, he doesn't mind going for a bit of a charge through the middle of the ground at times, and he contributed an excellent goal in the final quarter.

I don't remember too much specific about the rest of the listed Swans. I should have jotted down a few more notes while they were fresh in my mind. Seaby was strong in the ruck, as you'd expect. Currie played a bit in defence and a bit in the ruck. Sumner was busy and worked hard without doing anything I can remember as particularly outstanding. McKaigue was solid, stuck to his man, and is gradually improving. Bevan was relatively anonymous for someone with his senior experience. Otten still doesn't seem to have found his feet. He fumbled a lot and dropped marks he should have taken. TDL worked hard but didn't really get much of a look in in terms of scoring opportunities until the second half. He missed a couple but looked dangerous down there once the supply increased as the game went on.

The only top-ups I paid much attention to were numbers 47 and 48, who the Swans' official report tells us are brothers. They were kind of like mini-versions of Sumner - yes, that small! Though I saw one of them (Eric I think) trailing Sumner around in the Bradman Stand during the senior game and I think he is tad taller than Byron, though skinnier. The other one (Andrew) was smaller still and of very slight frame. They were both very enthusiastic in their attack on the ball and had a bit of zip about them. Andrew, in particular, found himself pushed off the ball a bit too easily, but that was no disgrace given his size and it didn't stop him going in for more. Eric's two goals were important, coming before the Swans really started to dominate. I am glad to read that they are Academy players but they're not on the list of inaugural inductees so it is hard to tell how old they are. I look forward to seeing a bit more of them as the season unfolds, especially Eric, who is more physically equipped at this stage.

[dimelb]

Thanks Liz, always appreciate your musings.
And there is at least one GWS player who'll be at home on his home ground.

GWS Giants
Goal Kickers: B. Reid , A. Carey , B. Casley
Best Players: J. HOMBSCH, J. Giles, K. Aylett, A. Carey, J. Townsend

[ugg]

Thanks for the report liz.



Weird to hear about White in the ruck, I can only take this as a sign that they want him to continue in this role if he gets a recall.
Lamb has a hammy issue according to a BFer who asked Stuart Dew, who was on the sidelines.
On the Moody brothers, see this article MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY AFC - SportingPulse (http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-1047-26758-0-0&sID=49466&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=15640941&sectionID=49466) . I wonder if Micky O had anything to do with them, having been signed by Macq Uni this year but also obviously having a job with AIS Academy.

[liz]

Ugg, you never cease to amaze with your ability to dig information up from all sorts of places. Shame the piece doesn't give us a clue about how old the brothers are and thus how much growing they might have left to do - strength wise as much as height.

[Gezball]

thanks for the wrap liz

[Auntie.Gerald]

Luke Parker was the absolute stand-out for the Swans. He played like he knows he is ready for the bigger stage, and I am sure his performance will have garnered the attention of the coaches. I confess I didn't notice him overly in the first quarter, but after the first change he stamped himself on the game.

Thanks Liz great report..........is Luke ready ?

I have seen seen a little of him live and I know I have been ranting but I just think he made for Senior football.............he is a little old school ie a Voss or Rooey but he just looks like a Ghost buster :)

Ready to Rock !

[Auntie.Gerald]

Luke Parker - AFL.com.au (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/102358/default.aspx)

[Triple B]

Nice 5+ minute interview with Henry re: the game on the weekend with a few highlights...

Ressies review v GWS (http://www.afl.com.au/video/tabid/76/contentid/352873/swanstv+reserves+report+r6+v+gws/default.aspx)

[ugg]

and basically the transcript of that interview. Nothing on the other other Lewis so one would think a long shot for this week.

Parker and McNeil shine for reserves - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club (http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/113512/default.aspx)