Is this what Nick Davis is saying to Roos and the leadership group? On this weeks performance this was the only conclusion I could draw. Nick played on the half back line, and once in possession his abundant talent was on show for all to see ? his vision and brilliant disposal, the ability to hit blokes lace out on the dead run from long distance was simply amazing. Not once or twice, but time after time after time. Equally evident was Davis? lack of work ethic; once he had been beaten in a contest, there were several occasions when Nick simply stopped and watched others fight for the contested ball. He made it so obvious that (despite media reports denying it) it seemed that instead of the number 2, he was carrying a sign on his back that read ?Please Trade Me?. It was enough to make any committed fan weep. I consider it a sad reflection on Nick Davis, the coaching staff and the leadership group that such an extraordinary talent appears to be going down the gurgler.
SYDNEY SWANS 5.5 7.12 10.15 15.18 108 QUEANBEYAN 3.2 6.4 8.6 13.8 86
Almost as sideline to the Nick Davis show, the reserves returned to the winning list with a comfortable 22 point victory over Queenbeyan. This game saw the return to footy of Nick Fosdike and Timmy Schmidt ? both appeared pretty rusty, but their presence in contested ball situations was a significant factor in the teams performance. I would think that both need more time to gain match fitness before returning to the firsts, but was encouraged that both of them appeared to get through in one piece. Less encouraging was the absence of Vespremi, Laidlaw, O?Keefe and Murphy. So once again, the ressies entered battle with only 12 listed players in the squad. Even worse, Mocca White went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter, so much of the game was played with eleven.
The game commenced with Brennan and Beckmans as the KPP forwards, White and Faulks the KPP backs. Despite the rucking duties being shared between two asparagus spear top ups, the Swans midfielders worked hard and won the centre clearances all day. This combined with the masterful quarter back display from Davis ensured that there was a plentiful supply of good ball to the forwards. As a result the Swans had opened up a two goal lead by quarter time, and the only subsequent danger appeared not to come from the opposition, but from some extremely poor shooting for goal. In the first half Brennan distinguished himself with 1-4, we were spared more pain because he went back to cover after Mocca did his ankle. Beckmans could have kicked a dozen, he read Davis? long passes to perfection and took a string of very nice contested marks. His return for these efforts was 4-7, plus several total shanks that either went out of bounds or didn?t make the distance. By the end of the game his confidence in front was so shot that he backpassed after marling 25 metres out. Regardless, one could not fail to be impressed with his efforts.
At the other end we are finally starting to see some significant improvement from Peter ?Columbo? Faulks. He is a good size now, has good closing speed and spoiling technique. He is also starting to become effective on the rebound. I had my doubts with this kid last year, but now he is looking like a ?keeper?.
A very even display from the midfielders ? no real standouts among the listed players. But compared to three weeks ago there appears to be more cohesion, resulting in more effective run and carry. O,Dwyer continues to impress with his ability to break lines and dismay with pitiful disposal. Brabazon is in his third year now ? he should be starting to dominate, but it just does not seem to eventuate. I?m starting to think that it was a mistake to retain him. I was really taken with Spiteiri, a diminutive helmet headed top up. Three weeks ago he looked like a lost schoolboy, this week he was at the bottom of the packs and doing a terrific job winning clearances. He is also a fantastic mark for his size and a sharpshooter to boot. This kid has the ability to be a top player, tiny as he is.
In fact I confidently expect a good showing from the NSW-ACT Rams again this year, as these kids are really benefiting from the experience of playing in what is in effect the strongest country league in NSW or Victoria. (doubters please note that the relatively cashed up ACT clubs pick the eyes out of leagues like the Ovens Murray)
Sydney Swans: 5-5, 7-12, 10-15, 15-18-108
Queenbeyan: 3-2, 6-4, 8-6, 13-8-86
SYDNEY SWANS
Goal Kickers: M. Beckmans 4, D. Spiteri 3, R. Brabazon 2, L. Brennan, A. Bruce, M. Rawson, N. Davis, A. Sneddon, R. Bottin-Noonan
Best Players: M. Beckmans, N. Davis, D. Spiteri, P. Faulks, M O?Dwyer
QUEANBEYAN
Goal Kickers: M. Armstrong 3, P. Williams 3, A. Lieschke 2, M. Powell 2, R. Quade, S. Dickinson, J. Feuererot
Best Players: M. Powell, A. Lieschke, N. Irwin, A. Carey, S. Dickinson, L. Wilkinson
Originally Posted by SportingPulse
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks