Game Day thread Rd 17 2013

[alt_mattr]

That was close to our best game of the season I think. Smashed a reasonable side with yet another top 22 player out. My observations, in no particular order:

* Pyke could play full-forward full-time.
* Pyke again got shafted on the free kicks.
* Brandon Jack's handball was too good for the umpire, he couldn't imagine such a thing so he called it a throw
* Brandon runs the lines incredibly well, he is in the right place, getting the ball (or fumbling it) very often.
* Mumford is awesome, there must be a few clubs after him for next year.
* The back line was impenetrable unless the ball came in quick and low to a leading player.
* K Jack is one hell of a player.
* Dan is (somehow) even better.
* Cunningham did a lot in his 15 mins and looked wonderful.
* Looks like we can rely on White as long as we need him and he could be on the up.
* The young guys drop their eyes and look for leading targets way more than the older players who almost always bomb it as long as they can.
* Brandon looks raw, but Lamb and Mitchell just look like old hands.
* Our ruck duo made the Weagle's ruck stars look ordinary. We currently have the best ruck in the league.

Whoever is training the reserves needs to get a big pay rise and a long contract now! The NEAFL is not the toughest reserve league but these players just keep transitioning smoothly to the firsts. Just think what we got from B Jack, Lamb, Mitchell, Rampe and Cunningham today. Those guys have 36 games between them, it is just nuts how well they are going as a group. Quite a few times today some brilliant piece of play leading to a goal involved only players who started the year in reserves and you could see them get around each other.

[liz]

I am not sure that Crouchy and team can take too much credit for Rampe - other than inviting him for a couple of games last year.

But yes, the reserves coaching team is doing a sensational job at the moment in preparing youngsters to come in and play their role. The pressure skills they get the team to apply are sensational. Just the development of Brandon's defensive game in little more than half a season has been remarkable. And Jesse's improvement over the past two years has been highly impressive too. The rest just know how to come in and slot into the senior team.

[DK_]

Jesse was really good but I would rather him leading out of the goal square with Tippett as CHF or both leading to different places on that big ground. On the G I would have them doing that as I would on ANZ

One of the great things about his performance of late has been his versatility. It gives Longmire options for strategy (bet WCE weren't expecting him to line up on the wing) and a backup if injuries hit. It would also make it difficult for opposition teams to prepare if they don't know what role he's going to play.

[Auntie.Gerald]

horse just is certainly bullish on Jesse at the minute

it was a bold move and White responded with 110% effort from the BIG MAN !!!

[hot potato]

The team is playing with fabulous skill, speed and confidence , feels that they are even more solid than 2012, their ball movement in traffic is tremendous and their workrate fantastic. Grundy isn't quite keeping up with this evolution, but maybe it just shows up more against the electrifying speed of the others.

Looking forward to the Audit awaiting ThevTigers in 7 days. Cant wait.
HP

[Cressakel2]

Jessie White was sensational today. Hard as a cats head, contested strongly, used his pace quite well for a big unit, took some great marks, hit targets with his kicking and showed he belongs (most importantly).

Finally fulfilling his potential by working hard on all aspects of his game. Morton & LRT are now a fair way behind White at this point of the season.

Hanners was sensational again today. The boy has sharp hands and an even sharper footy brain. Fair chance for Charlie this season, although a certain G Ablett probably has it in the bag.

[wolftone57]

One of the great things about his performance of late has been his versatility. It gives Longmire options for strategy (bet WCE weren't expecting him to line up on the wing) and a backup if injuries hit. It would also make it difficult for opposition teams to prepare if they don't know what role he's going to play.

Jesse has been playing a break the lines type of footy in the twos and has been very successful. He is so strong and manages to get his hands free all the time so therefore can handball and did today incredibly well in tough situations. He can play a lot of roles, 2nd ruck/ruuck-rover at centre bounces, wing that is so fast and strong he is almost a second mid, forward, back! Well anywhere. By the way a lot has been said of Dane and so it should but I would love to say what a @@@@ hot game Dre played today on Darling. The Dear only got one goal and Dre beat him 2/3.

[ugg]

Pretty sure Rampe played on Darling primarily and then Hill when WC went smaller as Richards took Darling instead

Dre was more of a spare man and he did his job well

[wolftone57]

Pretty sure Rampe played on Darling primarily and then Hill when WC went smaller as Richards took Darling instead

Dre was more of a spare man and he did his job well

Sometimes that was the case as in the first quarter. But sometimes Teddy had Darling if there wasn't a resting ruck. But later when they had a resting ruck Dre got Darling for quite a while, shared with Dane who also played on Wellingham or Masten. Yes when West Coast went one in defence Dre was our one out, bloody stupid of them because he is such a bloody good kick.

[barry]

Brandon jack not quite there.

[Captain]

Just got back from the game. Fantastic performance and nothing better then going to Subi and watching a Swans win. Eagles supporters are a total joke.

White looked very good and outshone Tippett for most part, even if Reid is fit I wouldn't be dropping White.

Our midfield is unbelievable. Hanners, Jack, Kennedy, ROK, Bird.....awesome! Harry had a great impact as the sub.

Can't actually think of a bad player.

Good times!

[swans_premiers]

Brandon jack not quite there.

Agree. Would like to see him as sub and cunningham get a full game. That's if there's no changes..