NEAFL (Eastern Conference) Round 3
Sydney Swans Reserves v Belconnen Magpies
Saturday 16th April 2011 3.40pm
Sydney Cricket Ground
A visit from the Belconnen Magpies is usually one of the fixtures to look out for on the Reserves' schedule. They have been one of the powerhouses in the old AFL Canberra competition winning premierships in 2002-2004 and 2009. However, judging by the early results (including pre-season) in 2011, this match may not live up to some of the great battles of past seasons.
Belconnen surprisingly missed out on the finals in 2010, and subsequently relinquished their title to Ainslie. Injuries cruelled their chances for most of the year, in particular their star tall forward Andrew Ainger who had led the competition goalkicking with 86 in 2009. Ainger has since left for the brighter lights of the SANFL, while the departure of other dominant senior players such as Griffin Underwood (QAFL), Josh Jennings (coaching at Traralgon) and James Bennett can partly explain their drop off so far this year.
Eastern Conference Ladder
Past Meetings
Team Played Wins Losses Draws Byes Points For Against Percentage Queanbeyan 1 1 0 0 0 4 169 46 367.39% Reserves 1 1 0 0 0 4 83 33 251.52% GWS 1 1 0 0 0 4 109 68 160.29% Ainslie 1 0 1 0 0 0 68 109 62.39% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eastlake 1 0 1 0 0 0 33 83 39.76% Belconnen 1 0 1 0 0 0 46 169 27.22% Tuggeranong 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.00%
2010
R1 Reserves 20.8 (128) defeated Belconnen 9.12 (66) @ Sydney Cricket Ground
The Reserves were impressive in thrashing the defending premiers in Round 1. That victory halted a shocking record of 8 losses in 9 games against the Magpies. Sam Reid kicked 5, while Campbell Heath, Nick Smith and Matthew O'Dwyer were amongst the best Swans players that day.
R6 Belconnen 8.6 (54) defeated by Reserves 18.9 (117) @ Manuka Oval
The Reserves led from start to finish, and their performance was hailed by coach Frosty McPherson as their best performance in 2 years. Trent Dennis-Lane finished with 7 majors at the end of the game, while Sam Reid was named BOG after a impressive stint in defence. He was ably supported by Matthew O'Dwyer and Dylan McNeil.
R11 Belconnen 11.7 (73) defeated by Reserves 14.13 (97) @ Manuka Oval
The Reserves continued their much improved away form by easily accounting for the Magpies. They led by 44 points at the last change before a string of injuries allowed Belconnen to close the gap to a respectable 24 point margin. Gary Rohan bounced back from his dropping with 3 goals while Lewis Johnston, Ted Richards and Brett Meredith pushed their claims for senior selection with impressive games.
R18 Belconnen 15.15 (105) defeated Reserves 11.7 (73) @ Manuka Oval
A depleted squad of just 10 listed players battled hard in the first half but were eventually vanquished by a hungry Magpie lineup who had to win to keep their slim finals chances alive. Campbell Heath impressed in an unusual role forward kicking 3 goals and being named BOG. Dylan McNeil had yet another sterling game in the midfield while Matthew O'Dwyer provided much-needed drive from the half-bank flank.
Recent Form
Reserves
WIN Eastlake 83-33
Belconnen
LOSS Tuggeranong 46-169
Last Round
Reserves 12.11 (83) defeated Eastlake 4.9 (33)
In damp and cold conditions, the Reserves were slow out of the blocks being kept goalless in the first quarter. However with another rev-up from coach Playfair still ringing in their ears, they put in a much improved effort for the rest of the game, cruising to a big win by kicking 12 of the next 14 goals. Trent Dennis-Lane made the most of his chances, kicking 3 quick goals in a little spurt in the 2nd quarter. Top-up player Kane Murphy's lively performance across the forward-line netted him BOG honours with midfielders Nathan Gordon and Dylan McNeil also starring in the win.
Queanbeyan 26.13 (169) defeated Belconnen 7.4 (46)
The Tigers were dominant in all 4 quarters, opening up a 53 point half time lead and pushing the margin to a whopping 123 points by the end of the game. Star forward James Kavanagh dominated with 7 majors.
Team List
Listed players
Changes
# Name Games Goals Votes Notes 1 Mark SEABY 1 0 0 7 Brett MEREDITH 1 0 0 8 Trent DENNIS-LANE 1 3 0 10 Daniel CURRIE 1 1 1 11 Jed LAMB 1 0 0 17 Tadhg KENNELLY 1 0 0 23 Lewis JOHNSTON 1 0 0 26 Luke PARKER 1 0 0 Senior emergency 28 Dylan McNEIL 1 0 4 30 Lewis ROBERTS-THOMSON 0 0 0 33 Jarred MOORE 1 1 0 36 Chris McKAIGUE 1 0 2 38 Mike PYKE 0 0 0 Senior emergency 43 Eugene KRUGER 1 0 0 45 Nathan GORDON 1 0 5 46 Ben HAREN 1 2 0
In: Roberts-Thomson (calf), Pyke (non playing senior emergency)
Out: Byron Sumner (senior emergency/injured?), Max Otten (rested/injured?)
I'm not sure for the exact reasons for the omissions of Otten and Sumner. One guess might be that there were enough listed players available and in order to give everyone enough playing time (due to the restriction of 13 listed players on the field at the same time), they'd rather rest 2 than play all 18. Before we jump to any conclusions, note that Luke Parker was named an emergency 2 weeks ago and didn't play in the curtain-raiser. This may be Sumner's fate this week.
The Pyke and Seaby duo is a ruck division that most AFL teams would be proud of, and they have a handy backup in Daniel Currie should they require him. McNeil, Parker, Meredith and Gordon should be prepared for a lot of red leather coming their way at the ruck contests. Lewis Johnston, LRT, Kennelly and McKaigue should man the fortress down back, with TDL, Currie, Haren, Moore and Lamb forming a potent looking forward line.
Academy Players/Topups
# Name Games Goals Votes Notes 47 Jackson POTTER 1 0 0 48 Blake GUTHRIE 1 2 0 49 Nathan KENNY 0 0 0 50 James BRAIN 1 0 0 51 Jack LYNCH 1 0 0 52 Mitch THOMPSON 0 0 0 53 Kane MURPHY 1 2 6 BOG last week 54 Tim WALES 1 0 0
In: Kenny, Thompson
Out: Mitch May, Teddy Strudwick
It's nice to see a core group of topups playing from week-to-week. It will help with the stability of the side and assist the chances of the Reserves winning games.
Reserves leading goalkickers
- Trent Dennis-Lane 3
- Ben Haren, Blake Guthrie, Kane Murphy 2
For full list: 2011 Leading goalkickers - RWOwiki
Reserves leading votegetters
- Kane Murphy 6
- Nathan Gordon 5
- Dylan McNeil 4
For full list: 2011 Best votes - RWOwiki
Talking points
- LRT - Half a game 3 weeks ago and his calf pulled up sore. How will he fare this week?
- Kennelly - With the bye next week, it will be his last chance to work on his match fitness for 2 weeks. Expect him to play close to the full game.
- Parker - close to senior selection and wouldn't be a bad candidate for the substitute position either. He missed the GWS game so I'm keen to see how he fares in this one
- TDL - 3 goals in limited time against Eastlake last week. TDL has been playing further up the ground in an attempt to enhance his prospects of senior selection. With only 3 on the interchange bench now, players who can play multiple positions are seen as more valuable.
Belconnen
3 to be omitted
- 1. Matthew Byatt
- 2. Stephen Coate
- 3. Daniel Jordan
- 5. Lachlan Harper
- 6. Daniel Lock
- 7. Jordan Harper
- 8. Paul Raadts
- 9. Matthew Hammond
- 11. Alexander Bennett (capt)
- 13. Jye Bohm
- 14. Malcolm Douglas
- 15. Andrew Dess
- 24. Rhys Mcalister
- 28. Samuel Rutland
- 29. Simon Curtis
- 31. Thomas Alexander
- 32. Christopher Mcdevitt
- 33. Christopher York
- 34. Reuben Towill
- 37. John Love
- 38. Luke Donohue
- 39. Brendan Dess
- 40. Oliver Tweeddale
- 41. Joss Whitford
- 43. Nick Collins
- 44. Pat Delaney
- 46. Ryan Turnbull
In: Coate, Lock, Mcdevitt, Towill, Dess, Whitford, Collins
Out: David Mcphan, Matthew Porter
Summary
Belconnen have picked a bad week to play the Reserves as it will be one of the strongest sides we will field in recent years. We have 3 players with a Premiership medal (Seaby, Kennelly and LRT), 6 players with AFL finals experience (+TDL, +Moore, +Pyke) and 7 players who have tasted senior AFL football (+Meredith). Given the beating that they received at the hands of Queanbeyan last week, it is hard to see them travelling up to the SCG and toppling such a strong Reserves side. Their saving grace may be the predicted wet weather which in all likelihood will lessen the final margin.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by ScottH
Bookmarks