Swans Inter-club Match 2019 v GWS @ Blacktown Fri 22/2 9:30am

[wolftone57]

Along with others, I thought there were promising signs on display. As you would expect from sides in their first hit out of the season (and with lots of senior experience and class missing from both sides), it was a bit scrappy at times and some poor turnovers. I though the difference between the two sides, especially in the first half, was that the Swans were able to string together more clean passages of play and deliver the ball in to their forward line in a more constructive way. In the second half the Giants gained the ascendency, larger from their ruck dominance, but I don't think that's a concern for us given who we had (or didn't have) in the ruck in the second half.

My best two were Rampe, who looked very fit, very sharp, and maybe a tiny bit quicker, and Papley, who just played an all round solid game. The passage of play that led to one of Hayward's goals was my play of the day. It looked like the two knew exactly what they were doing - Hayward hang back and let Papley win the ball under pressure, and backed himself to finish with his class.

I loved seeing Mills in the middle. That was exactly how he played at NEAFL and U18 level before he was drafted (mostly as an U17, given he was injured for most of the year before he was drafted). It's good to see he can still do it, and in stronger company (albeit not quite proper AFL level). I think he's a far more natural contested ball winner than Heeney. He's a "see ball, get ball" type, whereas Heeney's instincts are more to hang off the packs and shark the loose ball, or pounce on the first possession winner with one of his aggressive tackles. I think he's better value as the first receiver of the ball, rather trying to win the ball himself in packs.

All the new guys who got a go showed something. McInerney's dash may have caught the eye the most, but there was a moment just before he went on his two bounce foray that caught my eye. The ball was in the air headed straight into Mumford's outstretched hands until McInerney decided he could get to the contest and effect a spoil. He didn't hold back at launching himself at Mumford's body, which was impressive given their size differential.

Rowbottom went hard at the contest every time it was his turn. And there was a ball-busting tackle by Reynolds that caught my eye. Both are likely to spend most - maybe all - of the season in the NEAFL but they showed glimpses of what attracted the club to them.

Another player I was impressed by who hasn't received much acknowledgement on here was O'Riordan. I don't think he played at all in the first quarter, but after coming on I thought he controlled the back half pretty well, used his pace to get to lots of ground balls, kept a cool head and used the ball well. Given Smith seems likely to miss the start of the season, I reckon a couple of solid outings in the official practice games will see him earn a spot for round 1, and then it's up to him to prove he belongs.

Well done Liz. I agree. But I will just add Maibaum to that mix. He controlled the back line and kept Himmelberg pretty quiet. I loved how he seemed to have plenty of time. This is a guy who hates to be beaten, even at training. I love how he berates himself even when Bid beats him. Developing nicely. The backs are really well provided for. Melican, Maibaum, Reg and Aliir as talls. Smithy, Macca, O'Riordan, Lloyd, Rampe, Thurlow, McInerney, Reynolds, Fox, Rampe taking the medium and small players. I think we are well covered.

I also liked that Pink got really involved and Dawson played really well in the first half. He was so damaging they tagged him after half time.

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[rb4x]

Some great pictures there. Thanks OOTF.

Does anyone know who the player is in the fourth picture on the first page? I guess it must be one of the academy players who was on stand-by, but he looks quite physically developed for an U19 player.

The academy players named were Kyle Veerhuis, Connor Flanagan, Kyle McKeller, and Zac Cameron. I don't know their numbers and don't recognise him.

[wolftone57]

Some great pictures there. Thanks OOTF.

Does anyone know who the player is in the fourth picture on the first page? I guess it must be one of the academy players who was on stand-by, but he looks quite physically developed for an U19 player.

SAM Wicks

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[liz]

Swans v GWS - Paul Carter.

Some great pictures there. Thanks OOTF.

Does anyone know who the player is in the fourth picture on the first page? I guess it must be one of the academy players who was on stand-by, but he looks quite physically developed for an U19 player.

[Melbourne_Blood]

I loved the commentary. Whoever the commentator was was not only knowledgeable but so skilful in drawing out from Tom Harley, Menzel, Heath and ? information, that I at least was interested to know, and insights re the players etc and with lots of humour. I wonder if the NEAFL commentators were listening!

I agree . Apparently he is on triple m in Sydney, did a great job. I liked the mix of half swans / half giants guests . Dylan Buckley and heath Shaw are pretty entertaining


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[liz]

Along with others, I thought there were promising signs on display. As you would expect from sides in their first hit out of the season (and with lots of senior experience and class missing from both sides), it was a bit scrappy at times and some poor turnovers. I though the difference between the two sides, especially in the first half, was that the Swans were able to string together more clean passages of play and deliver the ball in to their forward line in a more constructive way. In the second half the Giants gained the ascendency, larger from their ruck dominance, but I don't think that's a concern for us given who we had (or didn't have) in the ruck in the second half.

My best two were Rampe, who looked very fit, very sharp, and maybe a tiny bit quicker, and Papley, who just played an all round solid game. The passage of play that led to one of Hayward's goals was my play of the day. It looked like the two knew exactly what they were doing - Hayward hang back and let Papley win the ball under pressure, and backed himself to finish with his class.

I loved seeing Mills in the middle. That was exactly how he played at NEAFL and U18 level before he was drafted (mostly as an U17, given he was injured for most of the year before he was drafted). It's good to see he can still do it, and in stronger company (albeit not quite proper AFL level). I think he's a far more natural contested ball winner than Heeney. He's a "see ball, get ball" type, whereas Heeney's instincts are more to hang off the packs and shark the loose ball, or pounce on the first possession winner with one of his aggressive tackles. I think he's better value as the first receiver of the ball, rather trying to win the ball himself in packs.

All the new guys who got a go showed something. McInerney's dash may have caught the eye the most, but there was a moment just before he went on his two bounce foray that caught my eye. The ball was in the air headed straight into Mumford's outstretched hands until McInerney decided he could get to the contest and effect a spoil. He didn't hold back at launching himself at Mumford's body, which was impressive given their size differential.

Rowbottom went hard at the contest every time it was his turn. And there was a ball-busting tackle by Reynolds that caught my eye. Both are likely to spend most - maybe all - of the season in the NEAFL but they showed glimpses of what attracted the club to them.

Another player I was impressed by who hasn't received much acknowledgement on here was O'Riordan. I don't think he played at all in the first quarter, but after coming on I thought he controlled the back half pretty well, used his pace to get to lots of ground balls, kept a cool head and used the ball well. Given Smith seems likely to miss the start of the season, I reckon a couple of solid outings in the official practice games will see him earn a spot for round 1, and then it's up to him to prove he belongs.

[MattW]

Some pics from today's game for anyone interested via carter_capture on Instagram and follow the link in the profile (cant post URL here unfortunately).

Swans v GWS - Paul Carter.

[rojo]

I loved the commentary. Whoever the commentator was was not only knowledgeable but so skilful in drawing out from Tom Harley, Menzel, Heath and ? information, that I at least was interested to know, and insights re the players etc and with lots of humour. I wonder if the NEAFL commentators were listening!

[Ralph Dawg]

So much potential in our young list. The question is how they will come on in the next few years but I can see a day where captain Blakey is lifting the premiership cup surrounded by his forward line mates McCartain, Dawson, Papley, Ronke and Hayward (I really hope Tom's OK!).

[Industrial Fan]

Oh forgot to mention Nick Davis remains fitter than he was as a player

[Mark26]

Pretty much sums it up. I also thought Cameron was great in the first half and dominated Mumford. That pack mark in the Goal square was special. Mumford dominated the second half but was mostly rucking against Dawson. Blakey 50 meters out and on the boundary line, no problems. Was getting excited about 2019, then I hear McCartin has serious concussion and future is in doubt.


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Would like to add COR, Maibaum and Fox to that list defensively. I thought Foxy was clean and explosive. He sure has a good jump too and did well against Mummy in the last quarter.

[crackedactor]

Just watched , a fair bit to like . Blakeys goal kicking action is a thing of beauty . James Rowbottom was really solid for a first year player and I can see him getting some games. Mcinerney had glimpses of real dash in the second half and managed to execute his kicks well at pace on occasion. Florent and Hayward have definitely bulked up and looked good out there. Reg and Melican looking sharp down back too. Also thought Pink and maibaum both showed a bit. Oh and Mills looked right at home in the middle . Some good signs there.


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Pretty much sums it up. I also thought Cameron was great in the first half and dominated Mumford. That pack mark in the Goal square was special. Mumford dominated the second half but was mostly rucking against Dawson. Blakey 50 meters out and on the boundary line, no problems. Was getting excited about 2019, then I hear McCartin has serious concussion and future is in doubt.


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[ootf]

Some pics from today's game for anyone interested via carter_capture on Instagram and follow the link in the profile (cant post URL here unfortunately).

[S.S. Bleeder]

Swans Squad

1. James Rose - not very clean

4. Ryan Clarke - only played second half and was ok without being a standout

6. Jackson Thurlow - didn’t notice jackson much as Rampe, Grundy and Melican tended to dominate......in attack jackson was outplayed by McInerney. I suppose Thurlow will get more outside game time in the next game

7. Harry Cunningham - very strong game and same as last season drifted between wing and HBF for exits and played very well

8. James Rowbottom - a reall young warrior quite like Parker at same age......more 2020 I think but he is a goer that is for sure

9. Will Hayward - Solid

11. Tom Papley - really mature game from Tom. All class

13. Oliver Florent - wow Ollie really is quick with his change of pace. Good inside outside game today

14. Callum Mills - impressed with his midfield time and will be midfield I suspect this season. Depends a little on Thurlow being the player we need off HBF

17. Darcy Cameron - good game got injured on the knee ?

21. Jack Maibaum - solid and good closing speed. Played fairly direct and tried to play on. A little forced but gave it a go

22. Nick Blakey - well he certainly put his hand up for a spot in the 22 for rd1. Classy, athletic, great kicking today

24. Dane Rampe - super strong

27. Justin McInerney - a real goer and tough. Nice touch and vision today also. Very exciting prospect for the future and maybe some 2019 snr games

29. George Hewett - solid as always

31. Harry Reynolds - limiter time. Tried very hard

32. James Bell - obviously outside player but needs to find his tenacity and back himself

33. Ryley Stoddart - same again as bell...... limited time and floated in and out of the game

34. Jordan Dawson - like blakey will be close to the best 22. Just so confusing where to play Jordan but he has lifted again and must be a 12 snr game plus player in 2019

38. Colin O’RIORDAN - solid but will struggle to get much snr time vs the other backs available

39. Heath Grundy - strong game back

42. Robbie Fox - very adaptable player and can see why we kept him over Robbo or towers

43. Lewis Melican - good First game back. Solid

44. Jake Lloyd - picked up where he left off. Critical player for us

45. Sam Wicks - good pressure. Limited minutes

47. Toby Pink - gives everything a go......improved a little from last season. Supposedly injured a lot last two years

Great assessment AG. Not surprised about Rose. I think he'll be a great NEAFL player but he can't handle seniors speed and intensity. Happy to see Paps did well. Did he play midfield or forward?

[Velour&Ruffles]

Also seems that Mumford the Thug is back.

M'eh, I'm no apologist but there wasn't much in it. More a push than a hit. And frankly George was all over him like [a prominent Australian who cannot be named] on a choirboy, and kind of deserved it. Had an opposing player been hanging on to our ruckman like that I'd have been pleading Just Desserts.