Round 18: Swans v Cats

[MattW]

Stephens is a ripper isn’t he.

Andrew Gaff with better kicking skills. Genuinely quick, runs all day, terrific skills, makes space and willing at the contest. He’s still got to gain some strength over the ball, but that’ll come.

Between he and McInerney, a cracking pair of wingers. We’ve lacked that for the last decade bar Hanners, but we’ve got two beauties.

I remember there was a view we’d reached a little on Stephens and a lot on McInerney. Our recruiters did it again.

As for the talk re McDonald, I’d love him, but either Adelaide or North would be mad not to grab him first. I hope they both do something stupid, but struggle to see it.

I still think of Chris Judd watching Stephens - that fast, direct running with his head up.

Agree that he and McInerney are a cracking pair of wingers - Justin's foot skills are terrific, he's courageous and a great shot for goal on the run. Seems a popular character too.

[MattW]

While checking the stats, I noticed that Stephens clocked up 14.1 kms for the game. I thought that seemed notably high, so I checked the tracker data for this round's other games. The second most distance covered for the round, was by Ryan Clarke today; who managed 12.9 kms. Young Dylan also topped the game stats for pressure acts, with 24. When you also factor in his often very good ball use, speed and good decision making, that adds up to an excellent day's work. I can see him becoming a definite favourite, over the next season or two.

I can't recall if any other youngster had a stand out performance this round, as the games a starting to blur a bit, but hopefully that's enough for a rising star nomination.

Agreed: the dude is a gut runner, but quick too. Bring on the longer quarters.

[MattW]

J Mac is becoming a favourite of mine ! Great finisher


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Fantastic poise. Bodes very well.

- - - Updated - - -

It's been a surprisingly fun season this year. I've enjoyed watching our young players develop and there are promising signs for the next few years if we can hang onto them.

I've had fun... and I am soooo looking forward to being at the SCG again next year.

Thanks to everybody here for their contributions, I love being here and reading all the comments. There are some really knowledgeable and great fans on this site.

Till next time...cheer cheer.

Well said; agreed.

[Nico]

I don’t know how Mooney and Brereton with all their premierships can know less about football than a soccer player from New Zealand BUT....all their whining about why Hawkins was pinged really pissed me off. It was a clear free kick because the knee to the head was not in the marking contest. He landed on the ground before marking the ball. It had nothing to do with the Toby Greene rule it was an excellent (and brave!) call by the umpire. If anyone is watching the replay listen to the umpire call “it was too early”. Dimwits

He is a strange unit sometimes. It looked to me that he deliberately went with the knee. And he whinged for the whole game.

[sharp9]

I don’t know how Mooney and Brereton with all their premierships can know less about football than a soccer player from New Zealand BUT....all their whining about why Hawkins was pinged really pissed me off. It was a clear free kick because the knee to the head was not in the marking contest. He landed on the ground before marking the ball. It had nothing to do with the Toby Greene rule it was an excellent (and brave!) call by the umpire. If anyone is watching the replay listen to the umpire call “it was too early”. Dimwits