Originally Posted by
liz
I think that game, more so than the senior game that followed, showed just how far the Suns still need to develop as a club. There is no way, on paper, that the Suns team was a 100 point worse team than the Swans team. They had very similar numbers of listed players versus top-ups, access to equivalent standard of top-up players via the academies, and a midfield boasting the likes of Rischitelli, Hallahan and top-10 draft pick from last year in Brodie, a defence boasting Matt Shaw and another top 10 pick in Scrimshaw, and a big lump of a ruckman in Currie (who was pretty dominant at centre bounces). In contrast, I doubt the Swans had any AFL quality onballers playing - those who played in the middle are most likely to play elsewhere at senior level if/when they get their chances (like Marsh) or will probably be delisted at the end of the year (eg Jack).
I remember being really excited by Tom Nicholls when he first emerged onto the scene. It's really sad to see a player who showed that much athletic promise wandering around at NEAFL level having so little impact. Maybe he's just returning from injury (I've not bothered to go back and check his recent history) and I'm being unfair.
I don't know who I'd drop from the senior team (and how the side might be rejuggled) but AA is too good an athlete and too talented a footballer to remain in the NEAFL for much longer. He was a delight to watch yesterday and I believe the senior team will improve once he's back in the side. He made everything look so easy yesterday, like he had all the time in the world. And while he did have more time than he'll be afforded at senior level (obviously), it's his balance and calmness that made him stand out and we've already seen that this can translate to senior football.
My favourite moment of the game was in the 4th quarter, when AA made one of his forays down the wing and was chased hard by one of the young Suns top-ups (no 57), a lad with some serious pace. The lad caught Aliir, laid a perfect tackle and won himself a free kick for HTB. But then Aliir smothered his kick, collected the ball and loped off to set up another scoring opportunity for the Swans.
Another piece of play I enjoyed was an effort from Barkley in the 2nd quarter. He ran from one player to another, not laying a tackle but putting some pressure on the ball carrier. I think it was the 4th or 5th player he reached where he managed to effect a bump and turn the ball over back to the Swans. That off-the-ball work was typical of what the Swans showed all game and the Suns sadly lacked.
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