Reserves v Belconnen

[Robbo]

Jesus. Why are our mids being beaten by blokes who get pissed after they train?

[ugg]

I thought Belconnen dominated our midfield, and Schmidt was the only one who seem to have any impact on the match. The other mids, Smith included, were well beaten.

BTW, how many hospital handballs did we serve up in that match. Felt sorry for the guys on the receiving end, they got crunched big time.

[Triple B]

On the game, we were hamstrung by injuries big time.

Meredith came off and went down to the rooms after 10 minutes of the first quarter and sat on the bench in his tracksuit for the rest of the game. unsure of the injury, but he was walking fine, so maybe it could be his shoulder problem which kept him out the first 12 rounds. The tracksuit may have covered any telling clues.

Faulks came off after that collision with Murphy late in the first quarter. He was holding his ribs and seemed to be really having trouble. He went to the quarter time huddle and stood with his group but didn't return to the field. By 3/4 time he had showered and change into civvies.

Barlow came off midway thru the 3rd quarter, wrapped the hammy in ice and stayed on the bench the rest of the game.

Down to 2 on the bench really hurt us bad and only our good goalkicking kept us in it.

[Triple B]

Pfft, Mathews and Smith were ordinary at best.

Gee Ugg, can't agree with that at all. I thought Smith was just about our best.

I SMS'd Reggi and DoctorJ straight after the game with "Smith best, Grundy, Currie, Schmidt all good."

[ugg]

Match Results

Pfft, Mathews and Smith were ordinary at best.

[liz]

Perhaps it was due to the fact that the NSW/ACT Rams played Vic Metro today (and lost). Noticed one familiar name, Daniel Spiteri, not sure of the others who usually take the top-up spots.

Spiteri has certainly been one of the most impressive. He's been playing with the Swans throughout the extended U18 championships so must just have been called up recently into the team. Mitch Rawson and somebody-May are the only other two names I can recall (other than Sam Brassingham, who played today). But even when the top-ups in past games haven't done enough to make me remember their names, they've still impressed me with their courage in contests. Two or three of them out there today just looked a bit scared to go after the ball. I recall one of the more promising thrusts through the midfield that resulted in a long kick to a two on one contest in our forward line. Both the Swans players watched while the one Magpie came through, attacked the ball and marked it despite starting in the worst position of all three.

It sounds like I'm being a bit overly critical of these lads. That's not my intention. Most of them are very young to be playing senior grade football. Most of them aren't even the cream of the crop in their age group since those players are with the Rams at the moment and/or are signed on scholarships with other clubs. And most of them do have a red hot dip every week. I just think this week they were a significant factor in the Swans losing.

[ugg]

The standard of the top-ups was also significantly lower than in most games I've seen this year. Many of them were a liability out there, in contrast to others who've not looked out of place at all.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that the NSW/ACT Rams played Vic Metro today (and lost). Noticed one familiar name, Daniel Spiteri, not sure of the others who usually take the top-up spots.

[TheMase]

I thought Currie was excellent

[liz]

Good game to watch. Belconnen were very good, pressured the Swans, and worked hard off the ball. Thoroughly deserved their victory.

They did deserve to win and the scoreboard slightly flattered the Swans - or rather, the Swans kicked very very well for goal and the Pies were wasteful in front of goal. Belconnen killed us in the midfield and the inexperience of some of the Swans defenders was shown up. It probably didn't help that Columbo KO'ed himself early in the game.

The standard of the top-ups was also significantly lower than in most games I've seen this year. Many of them were a liability out there, in contrast to others who've not looked out of place at all.

It was interesting to see Allison throw the players around in the second half in an attempt to turn the tide. Stacking the forward line with Currie and Orreal, while moving White onto the ball, was an interesting move and it paid dividends since their height clearly worried Belconnen. I think each of them got one fairly soft free kick in front of goal - they were there but came about because the defenders were worried about height rather than because Currie and Orreal looked like genuine chances of marking the ball in those instances.

Others have already drooled about Vez so there's not much need to add to it, except to say his snapped goal - ala Davis vs Geelong - showed signs of what we can expect in the future. Also really enjoyed Murph's goal (there's a surprise!!) but most of the credit has to go to the great kick from Reg that set it up.

[Jewels]

Vespremi any chance at seniors next week? I reckon we need to show some imagination with our selections next week.

God I'd love to say yes, I was close to drooling every time he went near it, but unfortunately, he doesn't look fit enough. He plays hard, really, really hard but he has to come off a lot and he is completely stuffed when he does.

[hammo]

Vespremi any chance at seniors next week? I reckon we need to show some imagination with our selections next week.

[Bas]

Murphy is a big lad. So is Currie.

I caught the second half and it was quite a good game. Much better than the firsts.

[ugg]

That was my first time seeing the Prez as well and boy was i impressed. People were definitely right about him going into a contest at 100mph. He already looks pretty strong and from what i see, his skills set is probably in the top echelon of all our midfielders.

Looks to have a great future ahead.

Currie looks almost ready enough to take Spidas spot. After the @@@@ that Spida dished up tonight, i'd love Currie to be in next week.

I really hope Schmidt's patience doesn't run out. He will be a permanent fixture in our 22 next year.

Re the 100 mph line, that's right but only with the added comment that he goes at 100 mph when the speed limit is 60. Absolute nut, almost took mark of the game, climbed over 2 or 3 players, ended up horizontal before dropping it when he hit the ground. Was absolutely filthy too at not completing it.

[Jeffers1984]

That was my first time seeing the Prez as well and boy was i impressed. People were definitely right about him going into a contest at 100mph. He already looks pretty strong and from what i see, his skills set is probably in the top echelon of all our midfielders.

Looks to have a great future ahead.

Currie looks almost ready enough to take Spidas spot. After the @@@@ that Spida dished up tonight, i'd love Currie to be in next week.

I really hope Schmidt's patience doesn't run out. He will be a permanent fixture in our 22 next year.

[gossipcom]

Thanks for the info ugg.