:i) I know it is very difficult playing your own club to shake off your opponents as the know the game plan very well but it was interesting to notice not much with the way of sling shot footy occurring to counter the press.......other then that it looked like very much swans footy without the full intensity in the tackling dept so we didnt walk off with injuries.
ii) overall fitness for the first 4 x 25min hit out looked pretty good. I really didnt notice anyone standing with hands on hips struggling to keep up......there was some exciting midfield matchups, ruck matchups, backline vs forward matchups and the lads really ran it out
iii) the sharing of goals was once again evident and putting Buddy more on the HFF and wing possies was great to see as well as the top of the goal square....... and he very much reminds me of the impact that Adam can have when he is zipping just a handpass wide of the ruck. Buddy is a massive presence and is seriously quick for his height. His pressure on the ball player is very cool to watch as he really hunts down the player with the ball like Gazza.
iv) our backline does look more potent and direct when Shaw is part of the rotation ie our counter attack speeds up dramatically. Obviously Zak Jones is already being touted to fill that void of Rhys in the coming years with ease......BUT Harry Cunningham could also still be groomed into a similar role if our midfield just becomes so congested with talent. Harry is truly finding his feet in all aspects of the game and especially around the ruck which is a major step up from 1st year being given some work in the backline then forward line and now he is in the engine room. Quite frankly Harry could level jump much higher then alot of us first realised.......he is physically a different player in 2014
v) The fight for spots in the forwards for the med to smalls between Towers, BJ and Rohan etc is going to be so much fun to watch in 2014........these three guys in particular are a luxury for the club at the moment.....to think a few years ago we were suffering for a lack of speed !!!!........also with McGlynn moving to the midfield along with Harry C by the looks of his development in the pre season it has opened up the door for BJ and Towers even more so ......and 3 seriously quick guys...........
vi) my other call is I think the pressure to perform in our 22 week in week out may still push Jetta into a more HFF role.........its not unreasonable to contemplate our 2012 hero being in the pressure cooker of the 22 as much as any other player..............this is one of the best squads I have ever seen. The rise up of about 7 or 8 kids is so evident when watch the lads live
vii) Swampy has certainly trimmed down and his work ethic has picked up massively.........he was playing a run with role and with so many high quality midfielders out there on wed night it is very difficult to look like you are dominant. I cant wait to watch more of Marsh thru out the ressies season as he is close to realising he can be a major figure in our ressies midfield now that he has an engine to match the skills........he just needs to become a little more selfish and aggressive to be first to the ball in ressies (which was not his role on wed night)
viii) I do think that McGlynn and HarryC moving into the midfield will put pressure on Birdy........reason being in my view is that Mcglynn is more versatile, faster and a better kick then birdy......ie I think McGlynn will play a more run with role 50% of the time but then equally be given some free run also which makes him a great matchup. Alternatively HarryC is knocking on the door of just being to good to leave out of the 22. He looked best when he was in the Sam Mitchell type possie on wed night ie just sitting behind the ruck and running off it to set up play as he has such a wonderful kick both sides of the body. HarryC has added another part of his game where he won a few tap downs with quick hands to Kennedy moving it out of the ruck
ix) the real shame was not seeing where Zak Jones is really at after so many of his teams mates and coaching staff saying how promising he is hru the pre season.......cant wait to see some NAB cup and ressies and watch Zak develop into that HBF Midfield role as he appears a real goer and with skills to match
x) Lastly take the time to watch the rapid development of Sam Naismith thru 2014.......this kid could be something special..........he has all the skills, vision, ability to pick up the low ball like a midfielder and passes it very smoothly BUT no1 and most importantly he is a very dominant tap ruckman. He really is very very hard to beat. With Sam and Mike coming back from injuries I can understand why we went with depth for 2014. Also Tip will only feature 50% max in the ruck. I will be amazed if Sam is not ready by 2015 to be a serious ruck rotation as right now if we needed him to play Snrs due to a big injury toll amongst our senior fellas........ he would do a good job in my opinion !
Leave a comment: