On White, they would have wanted to make the call early in the week on Pyke for his debut, given the need to fly his family from Canada, rather than just up from Melbourne. So if there was any question mark over whether Jesse would be right, seems logical they decided not to risk him.
Was quite an impressive victory in the end. After the third quarter you could only wonder "Tigers by how much?" But they dug deep, just held on enough in the midfield, lifted intensity in defence and made the most of their forward opportunities.
A couple of years ago, when the Swans were at their ruthless best, they were often just good in the first half, and then murdered the opposition in the second half when their superior fitness came into play. At the moment, the pattern looks to be the opposite. With half the team comprising skinny 17 year olds, it was apparent today - and two weeks ago - that while they can put their tiny bodies on the line for some of the game, by the end it looks to be getting too hard. Swans were just outmuscled in the middle in the 3rd quarter, in particular, with some of the top-ups just not able to compete at ground level on a deceptively greasy and heavy track.
As for the Swans players...
Currie - got more time in the ruck and looks like he is building his fitness nicely for a senior debut in the not too distant future. Was purposeful when up forward, and although he wasn't marking at will as he was two weeks ago, he got to the right spot often enough.
Laidlaw - quiet in the first half (with the proviso that I missed the first 10 minutes, when I think he kicked one of his goals) but pretty decent second half, mostly as a forward. Missed a couple of 70% set shots (ie the kind he should get 7 times out of 10, or so) but kicked one nice crumbing goal and took some good marks.
Gilchrist - I like this kid. A lot. Did what he's done the last 3 times I've seen him play, which is show a lot of dash, courage in the contest when it is needed, and kick with poise and penetration. Just needs some bulk and he will play senior football.
White - not bad. Seemed a bit subdued at times - maybe the result of the illness? And missed a couple of gettable shots (70%ers!). But used his brain well at times. My favourite play of the day was a goal to Currie that started with a contest on the Swans' defensive wing. Kick went to Powell, who didn't show enough endeavour to try and mark it on the full. Instead, let the ball bounce and come to him. Laidlaw made up ground, Powell ducked his head into Laidlaw's chest looking for a free, didn't get it, was beaten on the ground by Laidlaw who got the ball out to Gilchrist. He found Barlow, who just made enough ground on the chasing Tiger and kicked long to a forward line contest. White nearly marked but didn't quite, held his feet, gathered the ball in and although off balance, looked like he was thinking of taking a ping at the goals. Instead, he had the presence of mind to handball to Currie, who was able to lope into an open goal.
Barlow- probably BOG for me. Still has a tendancy to look like he is loping when he could be going harder, but I suspect it's just the way he moves. Got to the right place lots of times and used the ball with plenty of purpose.
Crouch - looked short of a gallop to me. There were times when his pace would have been useful in creating some much needed space but wasn't really able to deliver. I reckon he needs at least another week in the twos before he comes into consideration for a senior recall.
Smith - steady, and at times quite influential. One of the best out of the middle, and unlike a couple of his senior listed team-mates, at least when he kicks the ball it is generally to a team mate. Kicked a pearler of a long snapped goal that Nick Davis or McVeigh would have been proud of.
DOK - hummm. As Ugg has already mentioned, a backwards step after some recent encouraging form. I thought he was a little insipid / flabby at contests, and while his field kicking was pretty good, he had three dreadful shots at goal. One, in the first half, he'd done all the hard work, run hard to receive and create space and time for himself to settle and take a shot on the run, and then let loose with a lazy curler from about 30m out that was lucky to scrape through for a behind.
He wasn't as bad as O'Dwyer or Brabazon, mind. I can't actually recall either of these two actually kicking the ball to a team mate. I'm disappointed, particularly, in MOD who last season looked to have improved his kicking significantly. Now it has gone backwards to beyond where it was in 2007. Half the time the pair of them don't seem to even bother aiming at a Swan. They just lope a bit, drop the ball on the boot and punt it wildly. Despite Braba being named as an emergency in recent weeks, I can't see any hope of senior football for either in the forseeable future, with Barlow way ahead of them, Smith and Laidlaw working their way to fitness, Crouch back and hopefully Vez and Schmidt only a few weeks away from resuming.
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