2021 Season Review

[The Runner]

The top speeds are single measurements in single matches. The quickest way to move the ball is by kicking it long and, ideally, accurately. To the extent that the Swans moved to becoming a quicker side this year, it was via a structure, mindset, vision and courage to move the ball forward by foot.

Agreed. I would add that I think we have a mix of players with a good change/turn of speed. Top speed doesn't always matter that much.
But the ability to go from 50-75% effortlessly to move out of traffic is significant. Blakey has a great gear change when he takes the game on.
Warner, Gulden, McInerney all seem relatively quick - but I'm regularly impressed by their ability to adjust speed to create space and keep the ball moving.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Yes, the last time I remember reading an article about the different speeds of our players, over different distances, was about ten years ago. The results were: Goodes was fastest over 20m, Jetta was fastest at 50m and for the 100 it was Rohan. Surprisingly, bigger guys, who we don't really think of as being that quick, often record the fastest top speed. Their greater muscle mass enables a more powerful burst; but their higher weight, means that they're not able to sustain it.

And I think at that time, Hannebury was the 2km time trial king. Which might be the most relevant distance for Aussie Rules?

Plugger was the classic example of the mass = power. Given him a 15-20m lane to break into, and he'd kill his defender every time because of his explosive speed.

[Aprilbr]

Speed to make that initial breakaway is still critically important. If its combined with strength then you have a real weapon eg Danger, Stringer, Judd (in his early days). It seems very important at centre breaks with the changed rules. Hopefully, we have a player in Chad who possesses those twin attributes to do some real damage but time will tell.

[TheBloods]

Yes, the last time I remember reading an article about the different speeds of our players, over different distances, was about ten years ago. The results were: Goodes was fastest over 20m, Jetta was fastest at 50m and for the 100 it was Rohan. Surprisingly, bigger guys, who we don't really think of as being that quick, often record the fastest top speed. Their greater muscle mass enables a more powerful burst; but their higher weight, means that they're not able to sustain it.

And I think at that time, Hannebury was the 2km time trial king. Which might be the most relevant distance for Aussie Rules?

Endurance is more important than top speed in todays game . Look at Jmac or Gulden , they keep running , covering ground, working into the right positions. They draw the ball to them and make things happen , thats why Hannebery used to have the ball on a string . Its even more important now days to be a hard runner with the way the game is faster than ever

[dejavoodoo44]

It’d depend.

Short burst speed vs sustained speed are very different things.

For example, Harry has a quick burst of speed and it’s part of what makes him a great small defender, but I reckon if you lined up a 50m sprint, Blakey would win.

There’s also power. For example, both Chad and Heeney have a great burst from the contest, which gives them time and space. Or Papley has a turn of pace in tight corners. But you wouldn’t say any of them has the speed over distance of a JMac.

And besides, Liz’s point is correct. You can only use your speed in context.

Yes, the last time I remember reading an article about the different speeds of our players, over different distances, was about ten years ago. The results were: Goodes was fastest over 20m, Jetta was fastest at 50m and for the 100 it was Rohan. Surprisingly, bigger guys, who we don't really think of as being that quick, often record the fastest top speed. Their greater muscle mass enables a more powerful burst; but their higher weight, means that they're not able to sustain it.

And I think at that time, Hannebury was the 2km time trial king. Which might be the most relevant distance for Aussie Rules?

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Here's our clubs top distance per game runners according to this AFL article: Marathon men: Telstra Tracker reveals your club's running machines Look, a link! (which I always provide)

Top-five most distance covered per game in 2021

Callum Mills, 14.03km
Lewis Melican, 13.55km
Dane Rampe, 13.49km
Harry Cunningham, 13.45km
Errol Gulden, 13.38km

Top-five most distance covered in a game in 2021

Hayden McLean, R7 v Geel, 16.74km
Errol Gulden, R5 v GWS, 16.27km
Hayden McLean, R8 v Melb, 15.79km
Oliver Florent, R18 v GWS, 15.53km
Sam Wicks, R12 v StK, 15.37km

I wonder whether anyone else is looking at his soft tissue history and his km's travelled and wondering whetehr they are related?

I think I recall that both of McLean's games involved acting as a decoy forward to run the oppositions best intercept defender out of posiiton.

[Faunac8]

I get that we are a team that plays a fast moving game which is exciting and enjoyable to watch I was however surprised that some of the players generally considered “ fast “ in our squad didn’t feature.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I was surprised Blakey wasn’t among our fastest

It’d depend.

Short burst speed vs sustained speed are very different things.

For example, Harry has a quick burst of speed and it’s part of what makes him a great small defender, but I reckon if you lined up a 50m sprint, Blakey would win.

There’s also power. For example, both Chad and Heeney have a great burst from the contest, which gives them time and space. Or Papley has a turn of pace in tight corners. But you wouldn’t say any of them has the speed over distance of a JMac.

And besides, Liz’s point is correct. You can only use your speed in context.

[liz]

The top speeds are single measurements in single matches. The quickest way to move the ball is by kicking it long and, ideally, accurately. To the extent that the Swans moved to becoming a quicker side this year, it was via a structure, mindset, vision and courage to move the ball forward by foot.

[Markwebbos]

Also interesting looking at the fastest players results Harry was our fastest but we were the team with the slowest top speed in the competition so maybe we are not quite as fast as we think.

Speed kings: Telstra Tracker reveals your club's fastest player in 2021

I was surprised Blakey wasn’t among our fastest

[Faunac8]

Also interesting looking at the fastest players results Harry was our fastest but we were the team with the slowest top speed in the competition so maybe we are not quite as fast as we think.

Speed kings: Telstra Tracker reveals your club's fastest player in 2021

[sprite]

Some surprising results there. Lewis Melican - who would of thought?

Lewis was probably running around the carpark looking for his opponent...

[TheBloods]

Some surprising results there. Lewis Melican - who would of thought?

He is a hard worker can never fault his effort , just lacks a footy brain

[Aprilbr]

Some surprising results there. Lewis Melican - who would of thought?

[stevoswan]

Here's our clubs top distance per game runners according to this AFL article: Marathon men: Telstra Tracker reveals your club's running machines Look, a link! (which I always provide)

Top-five most distance covered per game in 2021

Callum Mills, 14.03km
Lewis Melican, 13.55km
Dane Rampe, 13.49km
Harry Cunningham, 13.45km
Errol Gulden, 13.38km

Top-five most distance covered in a game in 2021

Hayden McLean, R7 v Geel, 16.74km
Errol Gulden, R5 v GWS, 16.27km
Hayden McLean, R8 v Melb, 15.79km
Oliver Florent, R18 v GWS, 15.53km
Sam Wicks, R12 v StK, 15.37km