Round 5: Sydney Swans Reserves v Hills Eagles

[ugg]

A Hard Day's Night

NEAFL Round 5
Sydney Swans Reserves v Hills Eagles
Friday 19th April 2013 4.10pm
Sydney Cricket Ground

A short 5 day turnaround will test the recuperative powers of the reserves, but coming off a 197 point thrashing of Tuggeranong which shot them to the top of the ladder on percentage over reigning premiers Queanbeyan, there isn't too much to complain about. Jared Crouch's charges welcome some familiar faces to the SCG, as a strong looking Hills Eagles side look to make amends for their poor showing in last year's corresponding fixture.

The Eagles gave the Reserves a good hitout in a practice match a few weeks before the regular season started, and while the final margin was a rather 78 points, it wasn't a true reflection of the decent performance put up by the Eagles.

Eastern Conference Ladder
Team|Played|Wins|Losses|Draws|Byes|For|Against|Per centage|Points
Reserves|3|3|0|0|1|454|207|219.32%|12
Queanbeyan|3|3|0|0|1|335|222|150.90%|12
Belconnen|3|2|1|0|1|337|293|115.02%|8
Eastlake|4|2|2|0|0|339|382|88.74%|8
UWS Giants|3|1|2|0|1|305|272|112.13%|4
{colsp=10}-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hills Eagles|3|1|2|0|1|302|340|88.82%|4
Ainslie|4|1|3|0|0|353|410|86.10%|4
Tuggeranong|3|1|2|0|1|183|402|45.52%|4
Sydney Uni|3|0|3|0|1|289|397|72.80%|0


Past Meetings
2012
R20 Sydney Hills Eagles 9.5 (59) defeated by Reserves 27.18 (180) @ ANZ Stadium

In the inaugural meeting between the two sides, the Reserves were switched on from the very start and put 8 majors on the scoreboard before the Eagles had their first. The Eagles were more competitive after quarter time but their defence had no answer for the triple threat forward line of Mitch Morton, Matt Spangher and Tommy Walsh. Jed Lamb and Jarred Moore controlled the midfield for the Swans who had excellent service from ruckman Jesse White.

Goals: Morton 6, Walsh 6, Spangher 5, Meredith 2, Lamb 2, White, Wray, Robinson, Plug, Cunningham, Sertbas
Best: Lamb, White, Walsh, Morton, Spangher, Moore

Recent Form
Reserves
Round|Team|Venue|Result|F|A
R1|BYE|
R2|UWS|Away|WIN|107|102|
R3|Gold Coast|Home|WIN|110|165|
R4|Tuggernong|Away|WIN|237|40|


Hills Eagles
Round|Team|Venue|Result|F|A
R1|BYE|
R2|Ainslie|Away|LOSS|74|132|
R3|Sydney Uni|Home|WIN|129|93|
R4|Southport|Home|LOSS|99|115|


Last Round
Tuggeranong 6.4 (40) defeated by Reserves 36.21 (237) @ Greenway Oval

The Reserves showed no mercy to a inexperienced Tuggeranong lineup, belting them consistently across 4 quarters to score the biggest win in the 2013 NEAFL season so far. Jed Lamb and Jake Lloyd fed off the work of dominant ruck Jesse White, while key forwards Mitch Morton, Tommy Walsh and Tim Membrey kicked 21 goals.

Goals: Morton 11, Walsh 7, Membrey 3, Jack 3, Lamb 3, Marsh 3, Rampe 2, Towers 2, Robinson, Lloyd
Best: Lamb, Morton, Walsh, White, Lloyd, Rampe

Hills Eagles 14.15 (99) defeated by Southport 17.13 (115) @ Bruce Purser Reserve

Goals: Stubbs 5, Vlatko 3, Young 2, Pollock, Bradley, Reed, Garlick
Best: Dragicevic, Stubbs, Buchanan, Garlick, Turner, Young

Team List
Listed players
#|Name|Games|Goals|Votes|Notes
6|Tom MITCHELL|2|1|0|Upped his game time from a half game 2 weeks ago to 3 quarters last week.
11|Jed LAMB|3|5|11|Banging on the seniors door loudly, but could have been louder if he had converted more chances last week (3 goals 5 behinds)
14|Craig BIRD|1|1|5|Two sub jobs in a row meant he needed game time in the reserves.
17|Tommy WALSH|2|7|4|Dominated as the focal point in attack last week, his size and strength too much for Tuggeranong to handle.
18|Jesse WHITE|3|1|8|Improved fitness has seen him run out most games as the sole ruckman. Getting his hands on the ball a lot, but needs to be a tad cleaner to be more effective with them.
22|Dean TOWERS|3|2|0|Pushed higher up the ground, had his best game in the red and white last week with plenty of touches and assists.
23|Jordan LOCKYER|3|0|0|Released to the wing but yet to stamp his mark on any game so far.
27|Daniel ROBINSON|3|2|3|Not as high profile as fellow inside midfielders Lamb and Mitchell but plays to his strengths, very involved in clearances.
33|Brandon JACK|3|5|0|Bobbing up in the right places to kick goals and set up others.
36|Alex BROWN|3|2|2|Key defence role last week emphasised his versatility.
42|Xavier RICHARDS|2|0|0|Back in the side after one unexplained absence, could line up on Stubbs.
44|Jake LLOYD|3|2|4|A more outside role than we've seen from him, just as good there as he was inside.
46|Shane BIGGS|3|0|0|The defensive logjam as cleared out a bit with Rampe back in the seniors and Walsh forward, his run and carry will be crucial.

Changes
In: Bird (seniors), Richards (???)
Out: Tim Membrey (???), Harry Cunningham (knee), Mitch Morton (seniors), Matthew Dick (???), Harrison Marsh (???), Dane Rampe (seniors)


Academy Players/Topups
#|Name|Games|Goals|Votes|Notes
47|Stephen WRAY|1|0|0|
50|Lloyd PERRIS|0|0|0|Swans Academy
51|Mitch CRAWFORD|2|0|0|
52|Doug HADDEN|1|0|0|
53|Harrison GREEN|0|0|0|Swans Academy
54|Erol SERTBAS|1|1|0|
55|James BEHAGG|0|0|0|From Manly-Warringah
59|Thomas HEAD|2|1|0|
60|Jordan WEIR|3|1|0|


In: Green, Head, Perris, Sertbas. Wray
Out: Matthew Bell, Calum Johnston

Reserves debut for Lloyd Perris (although he did play in the practice matches) and Green.

Reserves leading goalkickers

Mitch Morton 18
Tim Membrey 9
Tommy Walsh 7


For full list: 2013 Goalkickers - RWOwiki (http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/wiki/index.php/2013_Goalkickers)

Reserves leading votegetters

Jed Lamb 11
Mitch Morton, Jesse White 8
Andrejs Everitt 6


For full list: 2013 Best Votes - RWOwiki (http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/wiki/index.php/2013_Best_votes)

Hills Eagles
B:|15. Stuart TURNER|8. Ryan BARRETT|1. Ben BOURKE
HB:|22. Damien BONNEY|2. Scott REED|18. Jack DIMERY
C:|19. Eugene KRUGER|30. Amon BUCHANAN|9. Jon VLATKO
HF:|11. Trent STUBBS|9. Jamie VLATKO|29. Rowan BILKEY
F:|27. Matthew EASTMAN|31. Steven POLLOCK|23. Callen YOUNG
Foll:|58. Luke GEMMILL|12. Tim GARLICK|17. Marc DRAGICEVIC
Inter:|14. Brad URE|5. Ted STRUDWICK|25. William BRADLEY
|38. Alex SNEDDON|13. Aaron SAVAGE


In: Eastman, Gemmill, Savage
Out: Yoshi HARRIS, Mark SKUSE

Hills Eagles have managed to collate quite a few ex-AFL players in their 2013 team. Most famous of all of course is 2005 premiership player Amon Buchanan, who along with ex-Richmond player Marc Dragicevic doubles as an assistant coach. Another ex-Swan Eugene Kruger will also line up against his former team, whilst ex-Collingwood pair Trent Stubbs and Scott Reed fill in key positions at both ends of the ground.

Strudwick, Eastman and Sneddon have played as topups for the Reserves in the past.

[ScottH]

From twitter:

@sydneyswans Congratulations and good luck to Harrison Green in his Swans Reserves debut this afternoon at the @scg #GoSwans

[justabaraker]

UGG, here are the selected teams - look forward to another informative preview from you



Share
Sydney Swans
46 S. Biggs 14 C. Bird 36 A. Brown 51 M. Crawford 53 H. Green 52 D. Hadden 59 T. Head 33 B. Jack 11 J. Lamb 44 J. Lloyd 23 J. Lockyer 6 T. Mitchell 50 L. Perris 42 X. Richards 27 D. Robinson 54 E. Sertbas 22 D. Towers 17 T. Walsh 60 J. Weir 18 J. White 47 S. Wray
Hills Eagles
1 B. Bourke 15 S. Turner 8 R. Barrett 22 D. Bonney 18 J. Dimery 2 S. Reed 11 T. Stubbs 9 J. Vlatko 30 A. Buchanan 29 R. Bilkey 19 E. Kruger 3 J. Vlatko 27 M. Eastman 23 C. Young 31 S. Pollock 58 L. Gemmill 12 T. Garlick 17 M. Dragicevic 25 W. Bradley 13 A. Savage 38 A. Sneddon 5 E. Strudwick 14 B. Ure 34 N. Crowe

[ugg]

Thanks justabaraker. Interesting that there is no Everitt, Membrey, Dick and Marsh. but maybe it's an incomplete list? There's only 21 players

[southsideswan]

Ugg .. u are just the person to help with my trivia question .... why do they list the BEST from 6th best to best eg last week Best: Lamb, Morton, Walsh, White, Lloyd, Rampe. where Lamb got 1 pt and Rampe received 6 pts.

When u see it written it appears that Lamb got the best and trails off from there.

I have the progress total so far as Jesse White on 12 pts and Jake Lloyd on 10 pts.

I took the points from NEAFL site.

[ScottH]

Ugg .. u are just the person to help with my trivia question .... why do they list the BEST from 6th best to best eg last week Best: Lamb, Morton, Walsh, White, Lloyd, Rampe. where Lamb got 1 pt and Rampe received 6 pts.

When u see it written it appears that Lamb got the best and trails off from there.

I have the progress total so far as Jesse White on 12 pts and Jake Lloyd on 10 pts.

I took the points from NEAFL site.

Ugg keeps the totals here, 2013 Best votes - RWOwiki (http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/wiki/index.php/2013_Best_votes)

[707]

So Trent Stubbs is still playing footy.

I remember when he signed a NSW Scholarship with Hawthorn a few years back that the Hawks supporters said he would become the best player ever to come out of NSW and that the Hawks had pulled a massive coup getting him out of the Swans clutches.

I then watched with interest as his career didn't blossom at Hawthorn or at Collingwood and wondered if the Hawk supporters got it badly wrong when Stubbs was a 16yo or whether Stubbs himself caused his "downfall".

Be interesting to see what becomes of him from here.

[southsideswan]

ScottH .. yes I suppose that is my question ..why the difference between 2013 Best votes - RWOwiki and the official NEAFL figures or am I looking at it all wrong.

[ugg]

ScottH .. yes I suppose that is my question ..why the difference between 2013 Best votes - RWOwiki and the official NEAFL figures or am I looking at it all wrong.

The numbers they use refer to the rank and you can corroborate this by reading the official swans match report to see who they named as the best

The points I give them are based on a system I simply devised. I'm sure there are faults with it

[wolftone57]

Thanks Ugg & Justa for the update on the teams. I am looking forward to seeing the Twos go around tonight. Will be there with blanket I think as the wind is chilly and the SCG gets absolutely freezing in RED Zone.

[southsideswan]

The numbers they use refer to the rank and you can corroborate this by reading the official swans match report to see who they named as the best

The points I give them are based on a system I simply devised. I'm sure there are faults with it

Thanks .. I just could not connect the 2 .. but 2 different voting allocations ..its great work u do.

[ScottH]

The numbers they use refer to the rank and you can corroborate this by reading the official swans match report to see who they named as the best

The points I give them are based on a system I simply devised. I'm sure there are faults with it

I do remember this from when I did it a few years back. It was confusing.

[ugg]

It's pretty simple, I award 1 to the lowest named player (i.e. furthest to the right) then add 1 to each subsequent player to the left. On most weeks there are 6 players so the BOG gets 6 votes but sometimes there are less players named (e.g. if 3 players named the BOG gets 3).

[Primmy]

Added bonus today. Monty is playing for Them, number 30. No booing, not allowed for a game changing 2005 grand final winner.

[ugg]

Confirmation that Everitt (hmmmmmm), Dick, Membrey and Marsh are not playing. One more toppie added to the list - James Behagg

[justabaraker]

Confirmation that Everitt (hmmmmmm), Dick, Membrey and Marsh are not playing. One more toppie added to the list - James Behagg
Andreas Everitt named as emergency for the One's but not in the Magoos - you'd have to assume that that they have plans for him tonight !
James Behagg is a young kid from the Northern beaches. They reckon he goes ok but I haven't seen him play myself. As far as I know, he's never played anything higher than Sydney under-age footy before now. Quite a step-up and we hope he does well.
Ugg, what happens to the Reserves players who don't get a game on the weekend ? They sure don't play anywhere in Sydney. Do they just sit around and drink Powerade during the Magoos ? Surely it can't be good for their continuity to be in and out like that.

[Reggi]

We are in the unique position of flying to NZ Monday to play Thursday. Three games in twelve days is difficult, I am sure this is factored intomthevseslection, I.e. Everitt may be coming straight back in having had a rest.

[BillyRayCypress]

So Trent Stubbs is still playing footy.

I remember when he signed a NSW Scholarship with Hawthorn a few years back that the Hawks supporters said he would become the best player ever to come out of NSW and that the Hawks had pulled a massive coup getting him out of the Swans clutches.

I then watched with interest as his career didn't blossom at Hawthorn or at Collingwood and wondered if the Hawk supporters got it badly wrong when Stubbs was a 16yo or whether Stubbs himself caused his "downfall".

Be interesting to see what becomes of him from here.

Scott Reed was another one. There was great hopes for him also.

[liz]

Everitt is playing. In fact, he's just kicked his second goal.

[justabaraker]

Score Liz ? or is it too one-sided to be taken seriously ?

[ugg]

12.8 80 6.4 40

Everitt to be taken off for the second half though

[justabaraker]

expect the Eagles to run out of legs towards the end. Had a hard match last weekend against Southport and that's what happened then.

[liz]

Score Liz ? or is it too one-sided to be taken seriously ?

It's quite a reasonable contest actually. Swans were up by 12 goals to 6 at half time but while the Swans are clearly the better side, the Eagles are chasing and tackling and generally making the Swans work for their goals. And when they've been able to pierce through the defense of the midfield, they managed to score themselves with relative ease.

[R-1]

Who is this number 59 toppy? Looks talented.

[justabaraker]

It's quite a reasonable contest actually. Swans were up by 12 goals to 6 at half time but while the Swans are clearly the better side, the Eagles are chasing and tackling and generally making the Swans work for their goals. And when they've been able to pierce through the defense of the midfield, they managed to score themselves with relative ease.
Like I said....Swans will let the Eagles knock themselves out, then will cruise away.

[Primmy]

Who is this number 59 toppy? Looks talented.

Thomas Head. Can we keep him huh huh,,!,

[justabaraker]

Thomas Head. Can we keep him huh huh,,!,
Comes from up the coast somewhere. Had a stint with Freo (scholarship maybe) but is available now.

[BSA5]

Perris looks really great out there. Agree on Head, has a lot of presence, takes marks, kicks goals.

[Pekay]

Perris looks really great out there. Agree on Head, has a lot of presence, takes marks, kicks goals.

Ex Balmain, now back home on the Central Coast at Killarney Vale or Terrigal I think.

[chatovadafloor]

Played a few games for eagles last year, good young kid, can play too

[justabaraker]

Final score from the SCG please ?

[justabaraker]

Final score from the SCG please ?
it's ok - I got it.............



Swans 22.16=148 - Eagles 13.8 = 86

You know what ? That's a pretty good outcome for the SHEagles, especially after they took it up to Southport last weekend

[Northern_Swan]

Ex Balmain, now back home on the Central Coast at Killarney Vale or Terrigal I think.

Terrigal. One of a few big ins for the defending premiers

[liz]

It was a decent performance from the Eagles and they were running harder at the end of the game than the Swans were. I thought the Swans were a little down on the level of intensity of previous matches this season, though a weaker than normal squad may be part of the reason. Still. there were periods during the game where they played very disciplined and cohesive footy, keeping the ball in motion for long periods - ie playing on at every opportunity.

Head has improved significantly since his first outings in the practice games. In the earlier games he looked like a bit of an unco-ordinated lump, but today he moved very well and played with lots of confidence. He set up the goal of the game in the third quarter when he sprinted towards the ball as it was going through for a point, got to it right on the goal line and tapped it backwards back into play, from where other players set up a mark and set shot.

Otherwise, I thought Walsh looked pretty good, especially in the second and third quarters, while Lloyd and Robinson kept buzzing away all game, each kicked a nice goal, and set up lots of play for others.

Loved seeing Rhyce standing by the Swans bench, barking out instructions and encouragement from the sideline, and patting players on the back as they came from the ground.

[ugg]

Hills Eagles 4 0 24 6 4 40 10 7 67 13 8 86
Sydney Swans 5 3 33 12 8 80 17 12 114 22 16 148
SYDNEY SWANS
Goal Kickers: T. Walsh 5, T. Head 4, A. Everitt 3, J. White 2, D. Robinson 2, J. Lloyd 2, D. Towers , B. Jack , J. Lockyer , J. Lamb
Best Players: A. Brown, C. Bird, J. Lloyd, J. Lamb, D. Hadden, T. Walsh
HILLS EAGLES
Goal Kickers: J. Dimery 2, T. Garlick 2, J. Vlatko 2, E. Strudwick , T. Stubbs , B. Ure , B. Bourke , A. Buchanan , S. Pollock , E. Kruger
Best Players: J. Dimery, J. Vlatko, L. Gemmill, M. Dragicevic, C. Young, T. Garlick

[ugg]

Really can't trust the goalscorers list. 100% sure Wray kicked the first goal of the game it was right in front of me

also wonder if they mixed up Head and Hadden. Head had three goal assists to go along with his four goals while Hadden was quieter

Eugene Kruger came off second best when he was involved in a full speed heads on collision with a teammate. Sickening sound when they clashed heads and Kruger was left holding his jaw and making uncomfortable sounds clearing his throat

[gossipcom]

How'd Bird go tonight?

[ugg]

Combined well with Jesse at the centre bounces, the two of them seemed to have a good understanding between them. Many clearances to his name.

[mcs]

Combined well with Jesse at the centre bounces, the two of them seemed to have a good understanding between them. Many clearances to his name.

Good to hear. We need Bird in our top 22 next week - a very underated footballer imo.

[Primmy]

I've asked Crouchy if we can keep Head. I was in the Redzone, just behind the goals, and some of the things he did do not come from anything but instinct. Has a 20 year old face, and although looked big bodied has a bit of muscle development to go - for instance no comparison to Tommy Walsh except for basic build.

Enjoyed this game. If you put a bag on Xavier Richards head you would always pick who he is. Sooo like Ted.
Love watching BJ (Brandon Jack, that's his call sign) in action. He always looks like he is totally involved and having fun, and with a bit of polish and about another 20 kilos he'll be a keeper.
Have a fair bit of time for Alex Brown too. Has matured a lot in a short time, plays like a grown up.
Jesse, dear Jesse. Gosh he works hard, and I have a fondness for him, and in the VFL he would be a star.
Shane Biggs is on a mission.

No grandstanding, no stuffing around, just getting in there and playing a game where they did not relax until the last siren went. Played it out to the end.

Glad to hear Rhyce was involved "over there". He is not a man who takes kindly to not playing, even in ressies. He is very much after the type of man that Fruity is, and I had all the time in the world for that man. Rhyce would make a great runner. One day. Probably a great assistant coach.

I think Birdy is behind the rest of the seniors preparation wise this season. It happens.

[wolftone57]

I've asked Crouchy if we can keep Head. I was in the Redzone, just behind the goals, and some of the things he did do not come from anything but instinct. Has a 20 year old face, and although looked big bodied has a bit of muscle development to go - for instance no comparison to Tommy Walsh except for basic build.

Enjoyed this game. If you put a bag on Xavier Richards head you would always pick who he is. Sooo like Ted.
Love watching BJ (Brandon Jack, that's his call sign) in action. He always looks like he is totally involved and having fun, and with a bit of polish and about another 20 kilos he'll be a keeper.
Have a fair bit of time for Alex Brown too. Has matured a lot in a short time, plays like a grown up.
Jesse, dear Jesse. Gosh he works hard, and I have a fondness for him, and in the VFL he would be a star.
Shane Biggs is on a mission.

No grandstanding, no stuffing around, just getting in there and playing a game where they did not relax until the last siren went. Played it out to the end.

Glad to hear Rhyce was involved "over there". He is not a man who takes kindly to not playing, even in ressies. He is very much after the type of man that Fruity is, and I had all the time in the world for that man. Rhyce would make a great runner. One day. Probably a great assistant coach.

I think Birdy is behind the rest of the seniors preparation wise this season. It happens.

Primmy I agree with you on Alex Brown and Shane Biggs. Mostly Biggs' kick outs were really good and his run from hb fantastic. He also was very tight on his opponent. Alex has stepped up a grade and is performing like a veteran. Makes very good decisions generally. Jesse is powering on and even against some strong opposition yesterday he was pretty good. I wouldn't be surprised if Rhyce wasn't mentoring Biggs by the way as a lot of his actions yesterday mirrored the Seniors game plan and two players, Mal & Rhyce with the run from defence and setting up play.

[ugg]

Tom MITCHELL - Started and played out the full game for the first time this year. As in the previous 2 outings, started at half-forward before being rotated through the midfield. This was the quietest of his 3 games, he had no scoreboard impact, but suspect he was heavily tagged.
Jed LAMB - Not as dominant as last week but showed off his class with pinpoint assists to Walsh and then White. Like his ability to clear the ball from congestion with his determined bursts from packs.
Andrejs EVERITT - First half only. Started in the midfield as he usually does in the reserves but also spent major minutes as a roaming forward. Kicked an incredibly quick goal straight from the second quarter bounce.
Craig BIRD - Played exclusively as an inside midfielder, and combined well with White on many occasions at ruck contests to effect numerous clearances. He's obviously too good for this level and the main goal of getting a full game under his belt was well and truly achieved.
Tommy WALSH - Struggled in the first quarter against the weight of multiple opponents who were keen to prevent him getting front position. Improved in the next 2 quarters where he kicked all 5 goals, worked hard to create space for himself on the move and not get bogged down in wrestling contests against 2 or 3 Eagles. Took the forward 50 boundary throw ins and also relieved Jesse in the ruck on rare occasions.
Jesse WHITE - Not as dominant as last week's outing against Tuggeranong but still racked up plenty of hitouts. Improved forward play this week, grabbing two tough marks inside 50 and converting them successfully.
Dean TOWERS - Started the game on the wing and continued his solid form from last week, getting very involved. The highlight was a great pickup at speed of a misplaced Jordan Weir kick across half-forward before steadying and kicking an exciting running goal. However, he faded as the match went on and he was also trialed as a medium forward as well as in some centre square setups without much success.
Jordan LOCKYER - Again used on a wing, had more of the ball then last week but still relatively quiet given his role. Okay user of the ball when under no pressure but can be a bit slow to get rid of it when under the pump. He had two set shots on goal in the 4th quarter weren't very convincing off the boot but luckily one of them sneaked in.
Daniel ROBINSON - The Swans preferred to use him instead of Lloyd as an inside, clearance player despite the inclusions of Bird and Everitt this week. Very measured player, doesn't panic and takes his chances in front of goal with aplomb. His second goal summed up his equanimity perfectly - he was tucked up tight against the sideline, where the left boundary intersects the 50m arc, had a quick glimpse inwards to look for open teammates. When he saw none free, he sized up the angle, took a few steps and hooked it home no problems.
Brandon JACK - Pushed up the ground and won his fair share of hard ball gets. Very competitive and runs just as hard defensively as he does when has the ball. Kicked only one but could have had four as his 3 behinds were all from achievable situations.
Alex BROWN - This was his first full game as a KPD that I've witnessed (I couldn't count last week's thrashing) and he acquitted himself well. Punched from behind successfully, but also not afraid to run off his man to get to a contest. Most of the time that was a decision he made correctly. The only fault on his behalf was when he ran to intercept a falling ball that bounced awkwardly in front of, and then away from him allowing ex-Swan Eugene Kruger to run into an open goal. Also ran full-paced into Buchanan in one defensive 50 contest, Monty slammed him to the ground with some force but to Brown's credit he got up straight away despite being visibly affected (winded) by it. As I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of his kicking and ball use and he set up a few goals today from the back half.
Xavier RICHARDS - Quiet, the only notes I had about him were his milliseconds-after-the-siren goal that was not counted (so technically not noteworthy), and the similarities in his voice and manner to Ted when barking out instructions in the backline.
Jake LLOYD - His performances in an outside running role have just been as impressive as his inside ones during the pre-season. He is a lovely, long kick of the football, an effective tackler with good awareness and if an opportunity opened up in the seniors I wouldn't hesistate to promote him off the rookie list.
Shane BIGGS - Doesn't do anything spectacular that makes you sit up and take notice but I guess his calm demeanour is something you would prefer to have in defence than one with a kamikaze approach. Took most of the kick-ins now that regular taker Cunningham is out of the side.



Topups - Left-footed key position forward Thomas Head was easily the standout, he's played in the other Sydney-based NEAFL matches before but had to stand aside as a secondary option with the presence of Membrey and Morton as his forward colleagues. I think he benefited slightly from the attention the Eagles directed towards Walsh but that's not to take anything away from his game, which included direct 3 goal assists to go along with his 4 majors. The highlight of his game wasn't from any of those 4 goals but an athletic and smart leap and punch of a bouncing ball that was heading over the sidelines allowing another topup Harrison Green to feed Walsh for a snapped goal.

Stephen Wray was involved early across the wing and half-forward, kicking the first goal of the game, a long shot right on the 50m arc and then hitting up Head on the lead for the second. Jordan Weir did well as the third tall defender alongside Brown and Richards, marking a few opponents which also included the in-form Trent Stubbs. Erol Sertbas was on the bench for most of the first half, but had more game time once Everitt was subbed off, resuming his role as a defensive half-forward who used his pace to harangue and pressure the opposition's defenders

Mitch Crawford and James Behagg were situated mostly a kick behind play and while not as physically developed as Head or Wray, were still skilful enough to contribute to the side. Lloyd Perris may still be small in stature but he wasn't afraid in going after the ball and didn't look out of place.


The Eagles proved to be an organised outfit, their defensive side of their game was of a high enough standard to be a competitive value to our midfield and forwards. Buchanan, despite carrying a few more kilos than at his mid 2000s peak, still has the nous and fighting qualities that made him an effective inside player. However I didn't spot him much towards the tail end of the game and I wonder if he went off the ground. Jamie Vlatko, like he did in the preseason practice game, proved a tough matchup. He reads the fall of the ball exceptionally well and often beat his man in one-on-one contests. He was particularly hot in the first quarter where he booted his 2 goals and set up another.

Reserves have the bye next week to coincide with the NZ trip and will resume their season when we host the Brisbane Lions Reserves on Sunday 5th May 9.30 am (booooo) at the SCG.

Swans 5.3 12.8 17.12 22.16 (148)
Eagles 4.0 6.4 10.7 13.8 (86)

Goals: Walsh 5, Head 4, Everitt 2, Lloyd 2, Robinson 2, White 2, Jack, Lamb, Lockyer, Towers, Wray

[dimelb]

Thanks ugg, Primmy, Liz, Wolftone and other posters. Always value your input.

[wolftone57]

I just went to the Swans Official Website (we all know that RWo is where you really find out anything Swans). They are starting to get slack again. No Reserves info about the weekends match, no highlights, nothing about the Twos since they kicked the hell out of Tugga. What is it ! SLACK! Liz, Ugg, Scott & co don't get paid to do this but the people who do the official site do, it is a part of their job.

I might be expecting too much but I don't think it is that hard for the PR department of our footy club to keep fans informed. Good PR is GOLD bad PR is FIRE. Jus=t to even post an article would be good.

[ugg]

To be fair to them, they released a report straight after the game and highlights are usually out on Tuesday

[wolftone57]

To be fair to them, they released a report straight after the game and highlights are usually out on Tuesday

A very small report that I just found under 'Short break No Barrier etc. That is why I didn't find it before because a pre-match preview had similar title. Ta Ugg. But I would still like to see a bit more. I would also like to see updates on progress of players like Mitchell. When they were doing injury reports he went totally off the radar as soon as he started back with the main group. I think we were all wondering what was happening with him and if he would play soon. He is and that is great. now Rooster is off the radar and would like to know a little more about his progress.

the reserves report has become just a bit stingy. No best players or anything.

[liz]

the reserves report has become just a bit stingy. No best players or anything.

"Best players" is of limited value, IMO, as you have players at very different stages of their development, tasked with different roles, and with different things they are focussed on. Even in past years, the best players named by the club would frequently differ from those that spectators would pick, based on mst observable impact on a game. Such a list is usually a poor indicator as to who is next in line for a senior game.

[southsideswan]

There is best player data given each week. The list is on the NEAFL site. One minor problem is that they list the 6 names without points beside them. UGG takes the nominations as ranked (as commonsense would have it) from the first name awarded 6 points and the last 1 point. The NEAFL site does it 1 to 6. I'm not sure whether I should push the issue or keep out of it as none of my concern.

[ugg]

southsideswan: They don't do points, because it's not actually added up anywhere. The number represents the ranking, and the best lists are always done from best on ground in descending order from left to right just like any other AFL match report.

[southsideswan]

I raised the question with the Manager NEAFL (Eastern Region) "There is usually a list of 6 players. The first could have been assumed to receive 6 points but it appears the other way round. The last player listed is the best, with numbers running 1 to 6. Is that correct?"

The reply "That?s correct" .. these are copy and paste from email.

NEAFL on there web site had the same players mentioned and allocated the points as follows Brown 1 , Bird 2 , Lloyd 3, Lamb 4, Hadden 5 & Walsh 6

UGG, you have them as Brown 6, Bird 5, Lloyd 4, Lamb 3, Hadden 2 & Walsh1. This would make sense.

North East Australian Football League: Fixtures & Results (http://www.neafl.com.au/index.php?id=3)

[ScottH]

I raised the question with the Manager NEAFL (Eastern Region) "There is usually a list of 6 players. The first could have been assumed to receive 6 points but it appears the other way round. The last player listed is the best, with numbers running 1 to 6. Is that correct?"

The reply "That?s correct" .. these are copy and paste from email.

NEAFL on there web site had the same players mentioned and allocated the points as follows Brown 1 , Bird 2 , Lloyd 3, Lamb 4, Hadden 5 & Walsh 6

UGG, you have them as Brown 6, Bird 5, Lloyd 4, Lamb 3, Hadden 2 & Walsh1. This would make sense.

North East Australian Football League: Fixtures & Results (http://www.neafl.com.au/index.php?id=3)

Ugg has to translate the best(1 to 6, 2 to 5 etc) in order to have a running count of the best players.
Otherwise it makes it difficult to see how the votes are tracking.

[ugg]

Ugg has to translate the best(1 to 6, 2 to 5 etc) in order to have a running count of the best players.
Otherwise it makes it difficult to see how the votes are tracking.
I think what the NEAFL dude is saying is he is just copying and pasting the list of players from an email sent by the 2 clubs involved in each match, which I'm 99% sure collate the list of best players themselves.

There are no points involved because there is no tally being kept anywhere by the NEAFL. The numbers you see next to each name are the rankings. i.e. Brown 1 means Brown was 1st, Bird 2nd etc.

[ugg]

More highlights from NEAFL TV from 0:08 to 1:06


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw5iMOZrvY0

[justabaraker]

We are in the unique position of flying to NZ Monday to play Thursday. Three games in twelve days is difficult, I am sure this is factored intomthevseslection, I.e. Everitt may be coming straight back in having had a rest.
Love your work Reggi....you nailed it !