Round 13: Sydney Swans Reserves v Queanbeyan Tigers

[ugg]

NEAFL Round 13
Sydney Swans Reserves v Queanbeyan Tigers
Saturday 25th June 2011 12.30pm
Sydney Cricket Ground

"Hold on, wait a minute, didn't we just play the Tigers???!" This is not a misprint, an error or even a reversion back to the old AFL Canberra comp where out of 8 teams, two of them were called the Tigers (Wagga being the other). With all the complexities involved in trying to devise a draw that includes crossover games between the two conferences, this was just one of the many strange circumstances that have arisen. Adding to the weirdness of the situation, the previous game 2 weeks ago was scheduled for the SCG only to be shunted out to Lakeside Oval at the last minute, but this game originally scheduled for ANZ, then BOP, will now take place at the SCG.

At least the Swans won't have the excuse of not knowing what to expect tomorrow!

Eastern Conference Ladder
Team|Played|Wins|Losses|Draws|Byes|%Won|For|Agains t|Percentage
Reserves|9|9|0|0|1|100.00%|996|382|260.73%
Ainslie|8|6|2|0|2|75.00%|804|620|129.68%
GWS|8|5|3|0|1|62.50%|704|654|107.65%
Tuggeranong|9|4|5|0|1|44.44%|772|931|82.92%
{colsp=10}-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Queanbeyan|9|3|6|0|1|33.33%|828|928|89.22%
Eastlake|8|2|6|0|2|25.00%|624|760|82.11%
Belconnen|7|1|8|0|1|11.11%|585|1022|57.24%



Past Meetings
2011
R11 Reserves 15.12 (102) defeated Queanbeyan 7.11 (53)
Poor ball use by the Swans and good pressure from the Tigers ensured a close contest for the majority of the game. The Swans' superior fitness came to the fore in the last quarter as usual and they buried Queanbeyan with 4 goals to none. Jesse White kicked 6 goals with Paul Bevan excelling as a leading forward.

Goals: White 6 Moore 3 Heath Bevan 2 Thompson Gordon
Best: Bevan, McNeil, Currie, Heath, Murphy, Sumner

2010
R2 Queanbeyan 16.9 (105) defeated by Reserves 19.14 (128) @ Dairy Farmers Park
A high-scoring shootout down in Canberra, 17 listed players fronted for the side and the goals were shared round with 5 players booting 2 goals each. Nick Smith, Mike Pyke and Daniel Currie were named as the Swans best on the day.

Goals: Smith Rohan Playfair McNeil Dennis-Lane 2 Bevan Hirst Miles Gordon Heath Reid Veszpremi O'Dwyer Johnston
Best: Smith, Pyke, Currie, Veszpremi, McNeil, Reid

R10 Reserves 30.14 (194) defeated Queanbeyan 8.14 (62) @ ANZ
In an impressive display harking back to the halcyon days of 05/06, the Reserves were too good for a disappointing Tigers outfit. Dennis-Lane collected his second 7-goal haul for the season, ably supported by Henry Playfair's 5 and top-up player Eugene Kruger's 4. Not surprisingly, Dennis-Lane was the Swans best player on the day, ahead of Pat Veszpremi and Brett Meredith.

Goals: Dennis-Lane 7 Playfair 5 Kruger 4 Gordon Emery Veszpremi Moore 2 McNeil Picken McKaigue Meredith Lynch Johnston
Best: Dennis-Lane, Veszpremi, Meredith, Thornton, Playfair, Kruger

R15 Reserves 14.7 (91) defeated by Queanbeyan 19.18 (132) @ Sydney Cricket Ground
A severely depleted Reserves outfit comprising of only 10 listed players put up a spirited fight for most of the match but in the end succumbed by 41 points. Gary Rohan and Patrick Veszpremi were the dynamic duo up front kicking 6 and 4 goals respectively. Chris McKaigue fought hard in defence.

Goals: Rohan 6 Veszpremi 4 McNeil McKaigue Pearson Malcolm
Best: Rohan, Veszpremi, McKaigue, Reid, McNeil, Thompson

Recent Form
Reserves
R1 BYE
R2 WIN Away Eastlake 83-33
R3 WIN Home Belconnen 138-29
R4 BYE
R5 WIN Home Tuggeranong 123-12
R6 WIN Away GWS 87-27
R7 WIN Home Gold Coast Reserves 120-28
R8 BYE
R9 WIN Away Ainslie 124-74
R10 WIN Away Brisbane Reserves 104-97
R11 WIN Home Queanbeyan 102-53
R12 WIN Away GWS 115-29

Queanbeyan
R1 BYE
R2 WIN Home Belconnen 169-46
R3 LOSS Home Mt. Gravatt 64-128
R4 BYE
R5 LOSS Away Ainslie 65-136
R6 WIN Home Belconnen 109-91
R7 BYE
R8 LOSS Away GWS 88-129
R9 WIN Away Tuggeranong 123-93
R10 LOSS Away Belconnen 73-87
R11 LOSS Away Sydney Reserves 53-102
R12 LOSS Home Tuggeranong 84-116

Last Round
Reserves 17.13 (115) defeated GWS 3.11 (29)
A tight and intriguing struggle developed during the early stages of the game where GWS's pressure and tackling strangled the Swans' movement of the ball. After an adjustment during the second quarter where the Sydney players started to kick longer and more direct, they managed to break the Giants' swarm and coast to a comfortable victory. Daniel Currie starred both in the ruck and at full forward finishing with 4 goals. Luke Parker was the pick of the dominant midfielders.

Goal Kickers: Currie 4 Gordon 3 White Dennis-Lane Otten Everitt 2 McNeil Meredith
Best Players: Parker, Heath, Meredith, White, Gordon, Currie

Queanbeyan 10.13 (73) defeated by Tuggeranong 17.14 (116)
A classic 8-pointer, the Tigers' loss ensured they surrendered their top 4 spot to the rising Hawks. The Tigers held a 6 point lead at half time but were poor in the second half, kicking only 4 goals in response to the Hawks' ten.

Goal Kickers: Kavanagh Conroy Quade Daniher Wescombe 2 Jensen
Best Players: Conroy, Heaslip, Griggs, Walsh, Dickinson, Daniel

Team List
Listed players
#|Name|Games|Goals|Votes|Notes
7|Brett MEREDITH|8|7|12|Senior emergency
8|Trent DENNIS-LANE|7|27|6|
10|Daniel CURRIE|9|8|13|
22|Byron SUMNER|7|2|19|
23|Lewis JOHNSTON|8|4|15|Senior emergency
26|Luke PARKER|7|4|14|
27|Matthew SPANGHER|4|0|0|
28|Dylan McNEIL|10|5|16|
32|Lewis JETTA|0|0|0|Senior emergency
33|Jarred MOORE|7|7|13|
35|Campbell HEATH|5|3|14|
36|Chris McKAIGUE|9|1|11|
38|Mike PYKE|1|4|3|
43|Eugene KRUGER|9|2|4|
44|Max OTTEN|8|2|0|
45|Nathan GORDON|7|9|16|

Changes
In: Jetta (Senior demotion), Pyke (quad)
Out: Everitt (Senior promotion), White (Senior promotion)

Pyke fails to make the team for the 2nd week in a row. I really hope we're not going to see a ongoing problem :(

Jetta makes his first Ressies appearance of the year, and should it resemble his short stint last year, the crowd will be in for an electric display. Will the coaches throw him behind the ball and ask him to run and carry the ball like the want and expect, or will they expect him to toughen up by playing him in the guts and direct him to tackle like a maniac and go for the loose balls without fear?

The departure of the two leading forwards from last week White and Everitt opens up a spot for Lewis Johnston to be swung forward (Please Henry!) as there is enough cover down back with Spangher, Heath, McKaigue and Otten all capable of playing as key defenders. Otten played his best game of the season last week as a marking forward and probably will take up the same role this week. Dennis-Lane might also enjoy the extra space afforded by the departure of the senior-bound duo.

<insert weekly="" haren="" query="" :confused:(Insert weekly Haren question here)

Academy Players/Topups (one to be omitted)
#|Name|Games|Goals|Votes|Notes
49|Nathan KENNY|6|0|0|
50|James BRAIN|7|1|1|
52|Mitch THOMPSON|8|1|5|
53|Kane MURPHY|7|8|9|
54|Tim WALES|6|0|0|
?|Andrew MOODY|3|1|0|
?|Eric MOODY|2|2|0|
?|Daniel ROBINSON|2|2|0|
?|Stephen WRAY|1|0|0|

Changes
In: A.Moody, E.Moody, Robinson, Wray
Out: Blake Guthrie, Jack Lynch

Guthrie, Lynch drop out to the NSW/ACT RAMS U18. Jackson Potter, who didn't play last week is also on RAMS duty. Eric Moody, dropped from the RAMS returns to the side alongside his younger brother Andrew.

Reserves leading goalkickers


Trent Dennis-Lane 27
Jesse White 15
Paul Bevan, Nathan Gordon 9

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

Reserves leading votegetters


Byron Sumner 19
Paul Bevan 17
Nathan Gordon, Dylan McNeil 16

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

Talking points


Moore - Can't even make it to the emergencies list any more, where does his future lie?
Dennis-Lane - Was it the flu that was really responsible for his lacklustre showing last week?
Jetta - Let's fire up Jets! Longmire has already indicated that he expects Jetta's stay to be 'short'
Johnston - Play him forward, play him forward, play him forward.

Queanbeyan squad (1 to be omitted)


2. Ryan QUADE
4. Toby CONROY
7. Paul FRANCHI
8. Neil IRWIN
9. Will GRIGGS
13. Roy JAQUES
14. Alex OVERS
15. Mitch DANIHER
18. Jeremy KIRKWOOD
19. Steve JOLLIFFE
20. Sam JENSEN
22. Tom HOLLIS
24. Todd DICKINSON
25. Jared DANIEL
29. Daniel CAMPBELL
32. Ryan PRICE
33. Michael WESCOMBE
34. Casey WALSH
37. James MANIE
38. Mitch HEASLIP
45. Travis BULL
46. Beau WATTS
48. Jon ELIAS
?. Mitch PRICE
?. Stephen CAMP

In: Overs, Price, Bull, Elias, Watts, Franchi, Campbell, Price, Camp, Manie
Out: Sam Daniel, Paul Slater, Kaine Stevens, Brett Freund, Tim Cook. Liam Walker-Eastick, James Kavanagh

Summary
The Tigers do possess some goalkicking firepower in Kavanagh, Conroy, Quade and Daniher but if and when the Swans midfielders get on top as expected the Ressies should end the day with a 10 and zip record.</insert>

[BSA5]

Bit concerning that E.Moody is dropped from the Rams. :(

[Jenny]

Hi All,

Brilliant report as usual Ugg!

For those that plan on coming, tomorrow's Reserves match will be played at the SCG at 12.30pm. You will need to enter through Gate A, and entry is free.
The gate will open at 12.15pm.

Also, please note that the SCG food outlets will not be open, so make sure you bring a sandwich and your thermos with you!

As always, if you have any questions, let me know!

Jenny

[ugg]

Oops spoke too soon. Pyke is playing. Will update first post in a bit

[ugg]

Hi All,

Brilliant report as usual Ugg!

For those that plan on coming, tomorrow's Reserves match will be played at the SCG at 12.30pm. You will need to enter through Gate A, and entry is free.
The gate will open at 12.15pm.

Also, please note that the SCG food outlets will not be open, so make sure you bring a sandwich and your thermos with you!

As always, if you have any questions, let me know!

Jenny

Thanks Jenny. Where is gate a exactly. Is that the members gate? Also which areas are we allowed to sit in

[Jesse Richards]

Thanks, ugg. Thanks Jenny. Terrific that the gate opens 15 minutes before the game starts. Much appreciated.

[ugg]

Updated our team list, PYKE in. Also updated the Tigers' list, the biggest news is that Kavanagh isn't playing.

[Bleed Red Blood]

Oops spoke too soon. Pyke is playing. Will update first post in a bit

Excellent, important for Currie to have some back-up and while White and Everitt are in the seniors, a good opportunity for both these guys to have a good go up forward.

[dimelb]

Thanks ugg - I'm very pleased to see Pyke back on the field. And let's hope the reserves' run continues.

[Triple B]

ugg, Jenny obviously got busy. I can confirm tho that Gate A is definately the main members gate.

I'd imagine you can sit in the Ladies and they'll probably open the gate to let you sit in the Brewongle concourse as well.

I'm still only 50/50 of attending at this stage. Blacktown would have been a much easier logistical option for me unfortunately....

[BeeEmmAre]

Just a reminder to reserves fans about tonight's telecast of the Swans-Giants match. 6.30pm on Main Event Channel 518.

[Jenny]

Thanks Triple B! I did get distracted!

At this stage, you'll be restricted to the Members Area. They might open the Brewongle Concourse if needed.

We've also just been told that they are now going to open the food outlet behind the Member's Pavillion.

[ugg]

Awesome never sat in the Members before looking forward to it

Live tweeting etc from 12.30ish

[Xie Shan]

Thanks for the info Jenny!

[Triple B]

See u there ugg.

BigAl, are u a starter?? I reckon we'll be able to get back to the Homebush brewery for the last quarter of the Tigers v Dees and sink a few before going over at 5 to claim our usual seats...

[Triple B]

Awesome never sat in the Members before looking forward to it

Live tweeting etc from 12.30ish

ugg, the members area is not necessarily the 'Members Stand'.

I'd be surprised if u are allowed in the Members Stand tbh. I'm guessing anywhere in the Ladies or Noble. Happy to be wrong tho to see what it's like now. I let my SCG membership lapse after nearly missing out on tix for the '06 GF and vowed never to go thru the stress again, so let my SCG Membership lapse and re-joined the Swans after being a member in the early 90's.

[dimelb]

The Ladies is good.
Grammar check: OK.

[Primmy]

I'm going to be there. That should please everyone.......I'll be the one wearing red.

[Kirkari]

Glorious day for an outing. Cheer cheer!!

[Big Al]

Swans 7.5 47
Tigers 0.1.1

Goals TDL 3, Currie,Nipper, Parker,Bulldog

[Big Al]

Swans 7.5 47
Tigers 0.1.1

Goals TDL 3, Currie,Nipper, Parker,Bulldog

QTR Time

[Big Al]

Swans 21.8.134
Tigers 1.1.7

Goals TDL 8, Bulldog 3, Spangher 3, Nipper 2, Sumner 2,Currie, Parker, Moody

[Big Al]

swans 21.8.134
tigers 1.1.7

goals tdl 8, bulldog 3, spangher 3, nipper 2, sumner 2,currie, parker, moody

half time

[Jeffers1984]

Jesus.

[Big Al]

A good old fashioned Melee to finish the half.

It was what you would call a dominant display by the Reserves. Clean hands and hard running were on display with TDL utterly dominant up forward.

Only complacency will prevent more if the same in the 2nd half.

[Matt79]

Good to see Sphanger amongst the goal scorers too. How has he looked?

[ugg]

Scintillating display and topped up with great conversion

[Big Al]

Good to see Sphanger amongst the goal scorers too. How has he looked?

Hard to gauge against this opposition but good hands and like everyone in the side is running hard and presenting well.

[Matt79]

Hard to gauge against this opposition but good hands and like everyone in the side is running hard and presenting well.

Thanks mate, will be interesting to see whether he can crack the seniors soon. We may need the height!

[liz]

As a contest it is a bit of a farce. comparing the Tigers to witches hats would be an injustice to witches hats.

[ugg]

So Lj and Meredith not playing. Teddy prob out and who else?

[Big Al]

The Tigers have decided to come out for the 2nd half... Brave move.;)

Although based on experience the Tigers may decide to go the knuckle this half...

[Big Al]

So Lj and Meredith not playing. Teddy prob out and who else?

Meredith might be covering for a warm up injury maybe..

[Big Al]

Swans 26.19.175
Tigers 2.1.13

Goals TDL 8, Nipper 4,Spangher 4,Bulldog 3, Sumner 2,Currie, Parker, Moody, Pyke, E.Moody

3QTR TIME

[ugg]

Good work in getting the scoreboard attendees to fix their score

[Big Al]

Swans 27.20.182
Tigers 4.1.25

Goals TDL 8, Nipper 4,Spangher 4,Bulldog 3, E.Moody 2,Sumner 2,Currie, Parker, Moody, Pyke

[stellation]

Surely the mercy rule must come in at some point?

[Big Al]

Swans 28.20.188
Tigers 4.1.25

Goals TDL 8, Nipper 5,Spangher 4,Bulldog 3, E.Moody 2,Sumner 2,Currie, Parker, Moody, Pyke

Nipper on fire in the 2nd half.

[Big Al]

Swans 33.22.218
Tigers 5.2.32

Goals TDL 9, Nipper 7,Spangher 6,Bulldog 3, E.Moody 2,Sumner 2,Currie, Parker, Moody, Pyke

[Big Al]

swans 33.22.218
tigers 5.2.32

goals tdl 9, nipper 7,spangher 6,bulldog 3, e.moody 2,sumner 2,currie, parker, moody, pyke

full time

[Peace]

Can we get TDL over to ANZ for tonights game?!?

[tasswan]

who kicked the behinds?

[ugg]

who kicked the behinds?

TDL 4 Gordon Moore Parker Sumner Pyke Heath Wray 2 Jetta Robinson McNeil rushed

[tasswan]

TDL 4 Gordon Moore Parker Sumner Pyke Heath Wray 2 Jetta Robinson McNeil rushed

Thanks

[Dan]

How did Jetta go, is he gonna be in the two's for a fair stint?

[Untamed Snark]

Wow, unbelievable score.
Good to hear they maintained focus through the whole game

[liz]

Wow, unbelievable score.
Good to hear they maintained focus through the whole game

They did drop off a fair bit in the second half, though 11 behinds in the 3rd quarter alone indicates it was the finishing that got a bit sloppy, rather than the around the ground play. By the end of the game they were down a couple of men. Kruger was in civvies before half-time after collecting a solid knock to his ribs, by the look of things. Pyke ended the game wearing the fetching red dressing gown, no doubt after having his game time managed somewhat. One of the toppies was also on the bench with what looked like a sore ankle.

Given how much of a romp it was, Jetta was very quiet. Won't be forcing his way back with games like that.

TDL was sensational in the first half, but a lot quieter after half-time. He missed several shots you would normally expect him to kick, so his failure to reach double figures was probably his own doing. Nipper was excellent for the whole game, around the ground and in front of the sticks. Parker was also very busy - I wouldn't be surprised if he had 40+ possessions.

Pyke definitely looked short of a gallop and was subbed on an off at regular intervals. He took too very nice contested marks in the forward line though, and although his height was a factor, he also had to read the flight of the ball, positiion his body and protect the drop zone to take them.

[Bloody Hell]

How did TDL not get 10???

Did he play further up the ground in the 2nd half?

[dimelb]

A pretty comprehensive win, then. And I hope the spirit of bloodthirstiness continues when they hit the firsts.

[ugg]

I have to agree with liz that relatively speaking Jetta had a very quiet game. Spent the first half either a kick behind play or skirting the edges of the pack. They moved him in the center square in the second half, no doubt in an effort to get more involved but his involvement was still limited. I thought there were a few occasions that he actually used the ball and pinpointed a teammate instead of just blazing away but given that most of the forwards had a paddock to work with it wasn't anything special.

TDL - I suspected that they tightened up on him after halftime (funny that, after an 8 goal first half) which left ample space for Nipper and Spangher to lead into. He did miss two gettable shots in the 3rd quarter before getting his ninth in the last with a crumbing effort.

Byron is sporting a (new?) tatt on his left arm, some kind of bird looks very slick.

The sore toppie might have been Mitch Thompson, I don't recall seeing him in the second half.

Some non-playing Swans were doing a (timid) kick to kick at half time. AJ was there was with Lamb and there were other people in Swans garb, one tall and one small that I couldn't place. Thinking about it now, I think the tall one might have been Haren although I don't really remember his face anymore. The other is possibly Brain who I'm sure didn't play today.

[Big Al]

How did TDL not get 10???

Did he play further up the ground in the 2nd half?

Nipper and Spangher were the ones doing the lead up forward work on the 2nd half with TDL playing further up the ground. He did miss some gettable shots so he still should have cracked the 10.

Parker and Nipper were outstanding and would share BOG honors for mine. Spangher was impressive when played forward. Had great hands and an accurate kick.

Jetta didn't dominate but his touches were all class. Still needs to back himself and take the game on a lot more.

Pykes tap work was excellent and I lost count the amount of effective taps he put into the path of Parker.

Sumner was excellent as well and does a lot of work. He doesn't mind mixing it with the bigger bodies either. The more I see of him the more I'm convinced he'll make a regular senior AFL player.

[ugg]

Spangher was good as a forward wasn't he. Nice size but moves quickly for his bulk, strong hands and a prodigous kick (45m set shots cleared just short of post height)

[liz]

The tall playing kick to kick was definitely Haren. The small looked vaguely familiar so it was probably a regular toppie. Nice to see Mummy out supporting the team too.

The start of Byron's tatt was on show up in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago but it looks like it has grown a bit since then.

[ugg]

Ah good. The rumours of his demise must have been greatly exaggerated

I didn't realise tattoos came in organic form. The wonders of technology

[ugg]

Do you think Trent could release a biography after he is done playing entitled "Nine is never enough"?

Sydney Swans
Goal Kickers: T. DENNIS-LANE 9, N. GORDON 7, M. SPANGHER 6, J. MOORE 3, E. MOODY 2, B. SUMNER 2, L. PARKER , D. CURRIE , A. Moody , M. PYKE
Best Players: N. GORDON, J. MOORE, L. PARKER, M. SPANGHER, D. CURRIE, B. SUMNER

[ugg]

First 200+ score in the Ressies since the 2007 season where we had 5. 2011 is starting to resemble 2007 where we were unbeaten and finished with a percentage of 370.60 %. I wonder if the grumblings will start from the Canberra clubs, in particular the use of our Academy players as topups.

We shouldn't overlook that with the withdrawal of LJ and Meredith and then the loss of Kruger midway through the second we only had 13 listed players for most of the game.

[AnnieH]

Can we get TDL over to ANZ for tonights game?!?

He was there .... unfortunately he was sitting in the stand behind us.

I'd love to be able to swap a few of the seniors out and replace them with a few kids.

Now is the time to do it - before we get to the pointy end of the season.

[AnnieH]

We shouldn't overlook that with the withdrawal of LJ and Meredith and then the loss of Kruger midway through the second we only had 13 listed players for most of the game.

We're only allowed to play 13 from the list aren't we?
They'll be wanting to drop our limit to 10 next!!

[R-1]

I'd love for the NEAFL structure to give us games against the likes of Mount Gravatt and Northern Territory Thunder. I realise our dominance isn't always this complete (with the lack of injuries and all) but still, there's some stronger teams up north.

FWIW it'd probably benefit Ainslie too.

[ugg]

So what can turn a team who has been as competitive as any side has been against the Ressies into virtual witches' hats in just 2 weeks? From what I have gleaned over at BF, a combination of league suspension, club disciplinary suspension and a few injuries meant the Tigers made 10 changes for today's game, which included some U18 players. As it was, the Tigers' pressure was very lax for most of the day and the Swans players had a picnic with the amount of space they received. It was a rare case when an inside 50 did not result in a score. They did tighten up a little in the fourth quarter (does pride kick in when you're facing a 200 point deficit?), but that was certainly a case of too little too very, very, very late.

The electronic scoreboards weren't turned on so they had to rely on the manual one. The two boys did a good job for a while but due to a combination of lack of concentration and maths skills, it started going askew from the middle of the 2nd quarter (they added 6 goals to our score for one of the goals LOL) until the RWO contigent twigged them onto it at the end of the 3rd. I think they should hand the job back to Big Al.

Luke Parker continued where he left off last week with a dominant display in the middle. He racked up touch after touch with his bullocking strength around the packs and he took a great overhead mark for his goal. He will be pressing for a spot, especially now that Kieren looks to be out.

Nathan Gordon was a real livewire up forward, buzzing about the half-forward areas with purpose and intent just as he was last week. He could offer something to the senior team in this role. Ball use looks to have improved - laid off a few assists - and he still possesses that strong pair of hands. He really turned it on in the 2nd half kicking 5 goals as his superior running power came to the fore as the opposition trailed off. Earlier in the year I questioned whether he might not make it due to a lack of a suitable position for him in the seniors, well I think he may have found it. He could offer something similar to what Bevan is playing at the moment, I don't doubt for a second that he could be just as tough as Bevan - just needs experience under his belt.

Byron Sumner was full of run today, playing midfield instead of the half-back flank. What impressed me was the number of times he kept running forward, mostly unchecked to offer an option when a teammate had marked just outside the scoring zone. In the mid-season review, Playfair highlighted that Uncle needed to improve his fitness and today was a good step in that direction.

I'm puzzled by Trent Dennis-Lane's omission from the best list. Was it a case of TDL being a flat track bully and being the recipient of easy goals? By my count, he kicked 5 from uncontested marks, 1 from a great contested mark tumbling back into the goalsquare and 3 from crumbs. Furthermore he missed 3 from set shots (very unlike him) and 1 from a crumb. Was his defensive pressure not up to scratch again? Again from my point of view I thought he chased as hard as the other players so I wouldn't fault him there. Boy I would love to be a fly on the wall on the player review meeting for this week. I know they give out the votes not long after the game and perhaps they'll change their assessments after watching the tape again.

Matthew Spangher started in defence on Ryan Quade, but soon moved forward with great success. He led hard with good pace, gave good contests in the air and finished off his chances accurately. I suspect they just wanted him to see action with the ball and that was going to be up forward rather than down back, and I think if he does play seniors it will be as a defender. Still, it is nice to know that he can play this role if needed as well.

The ruck division dominated as usual with Mike Pyke and Daniel Currie getting first hands to the majority of the ruck contests. Pyke was first ruck for most of the day until he was taken off (due to time management coming back from injury) which allowed Currie to resume the mantle. Crusher wasn't as dominant up forward as he was against GWS but this can be explained due to the number of uncontested marks for the other forwards. His one goal did eventuate after he took a strong grab against two TIgers defenders and kicked from a tight angle. Pyke was constantly on and off and in his resting phases up forward he took 2 grabs but could only convert one of them.

Jarred Moore played well at half-forward but wasn't as prominent as the other forwards. He did take some good grabs in the forward 50 area and in addition to his 3 goals he tallied up clearances in tight. It didn't feel that he was as clever with his distribution as we 've come to expect from him at this level, this was more of a crash and bash approach from Jarred today. Where does he stand in the seniors pecking order? No idea.

Dylan McNeil was taken out of his usual inside midfield role and played mostly an outside role on the wing. He was quieter than usual and while it's a good way for him to learn to spread, it also highlights how effective he is in that usual role.

I liked Chris McKaigue's game more than usual. His spoiling was very good today and was rarely beaten in the few opportunities that Queanbeyan had moving forward. Max Otten must have been cursing his luck having drawn a defensive post rather than his forward position from last week. Campbell Heath was also quiet for most of the game but started to get into the game more after he was pushed to the wing later on and was involved in a few successful transitions from defence into attack.

Lewis Jetta had a relatively quiet game and I'll be very surprised if he makes it back for the Adelaide clash. He spent the first half playing off halfback where he was adequate but I thought he could have run and carried it a little more. In the second half, they placed him in the centre where he didn't particularly shine. He did spot up a few players on the lead which is a good sign as his ball use has been one of my major bugbears this year.

Eugene Kruger was hurt after he made a good spoil in defence, looked to have landed awkwardly on the way down. The amateur doctors (i.e. the crowd surrounding me) offered diagnoses ranging from dislocated shoulder to elbow to ribs. I think they just took him off as a precautionary measure and he looked in good spirits on the sidelines. After all, we were hardly playing for sheep stations today!

The toppies were very good as usual. Mitch Thompson was handed an inside role and played with his usual aplomb before disappearing I believe to injury. The Moody brothers Andrew and Eric are very light on their feet and have an eye for goal. Eric in particular, has an uncanny innate ability to twist and turn his way through traffic and yet know which way he's supposed to be going. While Eric is no giant, he's certainly bigger than his brother who is tiny! Both did fall off some tackles so that would be the major concern for them at the moment. I liked what I saw from the younger topups in Stephen Wray and Daniel Robinson. Wray looks quiet big for his age and should still be growing while Robinson looks like a tough nut who was unfazed in the different roles he was handed, including a stint at fullback. Kane Murphy not his most dominant game but had a hand in 2 goals. Tim Wales saw some action in the last quarter in defence and needs to use it a little more directly. I don't know why but I must have a blind spot for Nathan Kenny because yet again the only memories I have of him are on the sidelines. As mentioned previously, don't think James Brain played

And forgive me for not listing the goals a la last week's report. But 33 goals gets a teeny bit tedious especially when a good majority of them would be "midfielder gets ball, kicks to forward on lead who marks uncontested with defender a few metres behind. Forward kicks the set shot from (30-50)m". As a peace offering I'll highlight my goal of the day.

Just before halftime, from the center bounce, the Swans can't get a clean possession but keep pushing it forward. Suddenly Bulldog emerges from behind the pack and snaps a high bomb in the general direction of the goals. TDL follows the flight of the ball, stretches his arms as he falls back and hangs onto it!

A trip to Canberra next week awaits the Ressies against the young but improving Hawks who have lifted themselves off the foot of the ladder where they had been marooned for a few years now. With a few injuries mounting and travelling emergencies required along with the possible returns of Rohan and Lamb, it might quite a different side that runs out next week.

[Kirkari]

I left shortly after the kids running the scoreboard lost track of the number of goals scored by the Swans part way through the 3rd quarter. Let me say i love watching the ressies... BUT, you can see why the Victorian teams who can send their senior players back to the VFL have an advantage. This is almost like watching a different game.

[Primmy]

Yep, that was pretty much as I saw it ugg.

Eugene was clutching his right side ribs, and the trainers were gingerly working on them too. I would put 0.50cents on his ribs being bruised.

Love the Moody bros. But tiny, oh so tiny, and quick! Real little slithery players, can we keep em?

Pykey has great hands, and is ignoring the coach's edict that he wasn't allowed to kick. yay, he is not very good yet, but he is a contest that poor tiggers found difficult; its the shoulders and height.

Spangher is much better up forward than I could have imagined! OK, the competition was non existent, but he is a better tall forward than he is a backman.

We have got to get some better competition to play against.

Hi Kirky! Bet you were jealous of us sitting in the Members Stand! Couldn't believe it. Old seats and bird @@@@. But nice view.

[ugg]

How did you lot manage to sneak your way up there, lording it over the rest of us plebe from on up high?

I think Kruger's injury was on his left side though wasn't it?

[Big Al]

How did you lot manage to sneak your way up there, lording it over the rest of us plebe from on up high?

I think Kruger's injury was on his left side though wasn't it?

When the SCG staff saw who we were they directed us up there. The Champagne at half time was a nice touch I thought.

[Triple B]

How did you lot manage to sneak your way up there, lording it over the rest of us plebe from on up high?



ugg, the gates/doors were open and un-manned, it was open slather to get into the Members Stand, much to my surprise. You appeared to be having a nice time in the sun with your attractive offsider, so I just thought you'd brushed us when you sat amongst the rabble....

EDIT: Al, I thought we were taking the 'we just went up, nothing to see there' line???

[Triple B]

Just on all the comments, I feel people are being way too harsh on Jetta.

He didn't tear it apart like you'd expect he might, but I'm sure he was just playing his role as instructed.

His field kicking was glorious and although he looked like he could run and carry on multiple occasions yet elected to kick just appeared to me like playing to instructions.

It certainly wasn't a performance which demands they find a spot for him next week, but if their intention was to give him just a week off, especially against the manic pressure that Collingwood employ, then I don't think he hurt those chances of being recalled.

[Primmy]

Right side on Krugers ribbs. When he first went down he was obviously in great pain and having difficulty breathing. More than winded though.

[Kirkari]

Hi Kirky! Bet you were jealous of us sitting in the Members Stand! Couldn't believe it. Old seats and bird @@@@. But nice view.

You looked very comfortable up there! Kind of you to shake your jewellery at those of us down in the cheap seats;-) We were following the sunny spot along the boundary line.

[dimelb]

... Pykey has great hands, and is ignoring the coach's edict that he wasn't allowed to kick. yay, he is not very good yet, but he is a contest that poor tiggers found difficult; its the shoulders and height. ...
I haven't seen as much of Pyke as you have Primmy but I think he is generally a better kick than people recognise. I've thought so ever since two (I think) preseasons ago when we saw him in a NAB Cup game at Optus put one straight through the big sticks from what was nearly a forward pocket. I am eagerly looking forward to his return to the firsts and playing two genuine and versatile ruckmen and let Jesse settle at FF.

[ugg]

I haven't seen as much of Pyke as you have Primmy but I think he is generally a better kick than people recognise.

Queanbeyan official on the sidelines after Pyke had marked on the wing, and I'm paraphrasing here "COVER THE LOOSE MEN BECAUSE THIS GUY CAN'T KICK"

Reserves far too strong for Tigers - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club (http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/117107/default.aspx)

[Primmy]

ugg, that statement comes from the Bruce and Tim Book of Nonsense. No wonder the poor tiggers were in such strife!

My goodness Kirky! Was my bling all that obvious! (Normally I call it my pair of binoculars, but what the hey).

[Big Al]

My goodness Kirky! Was my bling all that obvious! (Normally I call it my pair of binoculars, but what the hey).

But they were brand new and shiny and the diamond encrusted coating was to die for. ;)

[Big Al]

Queanbeyan official on the sidelines after Pyke had marked on the wing, and I'm paraphrasing here "COVER THE LOOSE MEN BECAUSE THIS GUY CAN'T KICK"


Reserves far too strong for Tigers - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club (http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/117107/default.aspx)

Other pearlers he may have come up with.

"Don't tag Parker he can't possible hurt us"

"That guys wearing No45 so he's obviously no good"

[alison.z]

My first ressies game for the year - the times just haven't been good so far ... but such an enjoyable afternoon!

Parker and Gordon stand outs for me ... and favourite moment - when a Tigers player finally kicked a goal in the last quarter (a good one too!) and the lady behind us stood up and yelled 'That's my son!' hahaha

[Lucky Knickers]

But they were brand new and shiny and the diamond encrusted coating was to die for. ;)
Diamonds...Meh! Hey Primmy? ;)

[wolftone57]

Why don't we play some of the kids next week, they seem to be playing really well. bring in TDL, Currie, Sumner, Parker, Nipper & maybe give Spanger a taste just for good measure. Could make it very interesting & trying a few things for ron.

[ugg]

6 changes is a bit extreme don't you think? And who would you drop to make way for them?

[liz]

Why don't we play some of the kids next week, they seem to be playing really well. bring in TDL, Currie, Sumner, Parker, Nipper & maybe give Spanger a taste just for good measure. Could make it very interesting & trying a few things for ron.

I think there is just a wee bit of difference between the pressure exerted by a Collingwood side (or even an Adelaide side) and that which Queanbeyan were able to muster on Saturday afternoon.

[Plugger46]

I think there is just a wee bit of difference between the pressure exerted by a Collingwood side (or even an Adelaide side) and that which Queanbeyan were able to muster on Saturday afternoon.

Yeah, just a little I would think. 6 changes to a side that got within a kick of Collingwood - somehow I don't think so.

[Primmy]

I wonder if wolftones is a player in waiting.......cat amongst the pigeons type....

[Lucky Knickers]

Who was the slightly built young indigenous player who was very handy in an early goal I meant to post on the weekend but have forgotten is number.

[liz]

Who was the slightly built young indigenous player who was very handy in an early goal I meant to post on the weekend but have forgotten is number.

Both the Moody brothers kicked goals. Andrew (the younger and smaller of the two) kicked one first, and then Eric chipped in with two later in the game.

[Lucky Knickers]

Thanks Liz. Where can I read about them? Can someone tell me about them? Are they academy?

[liz]

They are Academy. If you look through the Academy thread you will find a fair bit of discussion about them, including one article about how they came to come to Sydney, and some debate (and eventually a conclusion) about whether their journey took them via WA. They made their first appearance with the reserves in the game played as a curtain raiser to the Swans Dogs game in Canberra on 7 May. Most of the discussion happened in the week or three following that game, which should help you find the right part of the Academy thread.

Eric is one of the four Academy players eligible for this year's draft that the club nominated in May as ones under consideration. They had to nominate players then to take advantage of the priority drafting concessions. Doesn't mean that they have committed to any of those players, just that they have put the rest of the clubs on notice that they are considering them.

Andrew isn't eligible until the 2012 draft.

[ugg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OK6CwcHeJs

1m16s in - one of Byron's goals. Jetta to Currie to Kruger? to Nipper to Sumner.

[Lucky Knickers]

Thank you Liz. Appreciate the info.
What are your thoughts on his getting drafted?