VFL 2023 Swans Reserves

[rustycrate]

Very true.

I’m just looking at it from the viewpoint of “who could step into the firsts if we suffer a few injuries?”

In the mids, Sheldrick appears the only viable option from todays game.

In defence we are loaded with options if we suffer injuries. Gould, Francis, Melican, and players like McInerney can go back.
Forwards is a bit skinny.
Mids is almost non existent but Roberts and Sheldrick are capable but very raw.
Ruck we have McAndrew and Edwards as a break glass option from what I have seen. Hopefully they are not required for at least a year.
We are indeed very naked if the tide goes out. Outside the best 22 we are very skinny.
There are a lot of donuts on the list today. But in a years time that may change dramatically.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Astute comment - and it really showed today.

Warner Jr, Sheather and Rankin are, at this stage, not high possession getters. HHK looks good at half forward, but not sure he’s a legitimate midfield prospect near-term.

And the first year kids are raw.

Sheldrick looks like he could play AFL now. But I’m not sure any of our other midfield prospects are even close.

They aren't. But that's OK. With a strong group our two best prospects in Roberts and Sheldrick are finding it very hard to get game time. Mitchell and Magor may develop inside skills over the season.
We probably only need to draft one this year, two at most.

 

[bedford]

Naismith dominated the ruck for the Borough , someone will pick him up mid season , would we ?

 

[Callipygian]

I don't know if he is/was available but I'd love to have a player like Hanners in the VFL squad. So much to offer and pass on. But maybe the pay is too peanuts for ex-AFL players to bother?

 

[bedford]

I don't know if he is/was available but I'd love to have a player like Hanners in the VFL squad. So much to offer and pass on. But maybe the pay is too peanuts for ex-AFL players to bother?

He will be lucky to get on the ground at Amateur level in his present state

 

[caesar88]

I thought that was Sheldrick's best game so far from what I've seen of him. Made good decisions and just looked assured and less rushed around the stoppages. Good to see

 

[hairy biker]

I'm surprised Francis hasn't got a few more kudos.

Essentially our only tall fwd target.
I thought he moved well, found space and competed throughout.

3 goals, 7 marks, 16 disposals.
Handy outing.
And looked confident in the role.
The club has made it clear we recruited him as a defender, but maybe for once, in a turn up for the books, we've recruited a defender and will turn him into a fwd.

 

[bedford]

I'm surprised Francis hasn't got a few more kudos.

Essentially our only tall fwd target.
I thought he moved well, found space and competed throughout.

3 goals, 7 marks, 16 disposals.
Handy outing.
And looked confident in the role.
The club has made it clear we recruited him as a defender, but maybe for once, in a turn up for the books, we've recruited a defender and will turn him into a fwd.

No spot up forward

 

[Bloods86]

I'm surprised Francis hasn't got a few more kudos.

Essentially our only tall fwd target.
I thought he moved well, found space and competed throughout.

3 goals, 7 marks, 16 disposals.
Handy outing.
And looked confident in the role.
The club has made it clear we recruited him as a defender, but maybe for once, in a turn up for the books, we've recruited a defender and will turn him into a fwd.

He'd been used up forward by the Bombers too. I thought that was seen as a factor in why he hasn't progressed as much. We stated we want him as a defender, so doubt we'll backtrack. With injury/suspension we just don't have other options at the moment.

 

[SeanM]

It was surprising seeing Francis play forward the whole match. But if Amartey was unavailable last round, I think Francis would have been the best option as a 3rd tall forward. People were suggesting McAndrew, but I think McLean and McAndrew would lack mobility as a tall forward pair.

I suppose it is a bit like the Cunningham situation where there is a lot of competition for spots in the backline. But then Clarke, Wicks and Konstanty got injured so it unexpectedly opened up an opportunity in the forward line.

Even if Francis is 6th choice tall forward. Reid is still out for a few weeks. Franklin won't play every game. So there is a chance he could be needed at some stage and good to have his versatility.

 

[Ticky009]

 

[Kiama Chris]

It was surprising seeing Francis play forward the whole match. But if Amartey was unavailable last round, I think Francis would have been the best option as a 3rd tall forward. People were suggesting McAndrew, but I think McLean and McAndrew would lack mobility as a tall forward pair.

I suppose it is a bit like the Cunningham situation where there is a lot of competition for spots in the backline. But then Clarke, Wicks and Konstanty got injured so it unexpectedly opened up an opportunity in the forward line.

Even if Francis is 6th choice tall forward. Reid is still out for a few weeks. Franklin won't play every game. So there is a chance he could be needed at some stage and good to have his versatility.

I was at the game and thought he was amongst our best. He looks a bit lackadaisical but takes a very solid mark. Most of the time he was our only tall up front. Young Cameron was better than I imagined but has a fair way to go. The only other option I thought they might have used was Edwards but they kept him in defence.
The ball came in too fast mostly for our defenders. Midfield was pretty porous. Scrapped hard but the Box Hill guys know each other a lot better.

 

[Ticky009]

I was at the game and thought he was amongst our best. He looks a bit lackadaisical but takes a very solid mark. Most of the time he was our only tall up front. Young Cameron was better than I imagined but has a fair way to go. The only other option I thought they might have used was Edwards but they kept him in defence.
The ball came in too fast mostly for our defenders. Midfield was pretty porous. Scrapped hard but the Box Hill guys know each other a lot better.

Yeah, that doesn't help does it.

 

[stevie26]

Allowing Hawthorn to run and overlap out of defence far too easily time after time cost us. They scored some easy goals like this. Otherwise, fairly even in contested play I thought.

 

[SeanM]

I was at the game and thought he was amongst our best. He looks a bit lackadaisical but takes a very solid mark. Most of the time he was our only tall up front. Young Cameron was better than I imagined but has a fair way to go. The only other option I thought they might have used was Edwards but they kept him in defence.
The ball came in too fast mostly for our defenders. Midfield was pretty porous. Scrapped hard but the Box Hill guys know each other a lot better.

Yes I thought Francis was really good. I think it helped the reserves structure to have a quality experienced tall forward. I feel he helped keep the game close for 3 quarters. Box Hill seemed quite good at keeping possession and working the ball upfield with little chip kicks.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Yeah, that doesn't help does it.

It will get better as the season progresses. Last year was similar.
The midfield recruits will get to know each other better and blend with the older listed players and VFL list. You could really tell with the way that the Box Hill players were positioning themselves how well drilled they are.
A couple of seasoned tall forwards will help a lot and bring the smaller guys into the game more.
Angus needs some help though. He was a bit rough early but was playing almost a lone hand later. His kicking improved out of sight as the game progressed. I hope he gets the sub job in Melbourne. Nothing against Matt at all but I think maybe Angus needs a bit of encouragement.

 

[bedford]

Pissed off Kalean Bradke kicked 5 for Richmond in his 1st game , should be in red and white !

 

[caesar88]

Pissed off Kalean Bradke kicked 5 for Richmond in his 1st game , should be in red and white !

I don't get what you wanted the club to do bedders. You rate Bradke as is your right, but the club obviously rated Edwards & Magor. Don't you think you should give them a chance and see what they become before deciding we got it wrong?

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I don't get what you wanted the club to do bedders. You rate Bradke as is your right, but the club obviously rated Edwards & Magor. Don't you think you should give them a chance and see what they become before deciding we got it wrong?

Am also irritated we did not get Bradke. Was happy about Edwards but am worried Magor may be a reach. I am not all that optimistic about any of the players from the last draft.

 

[bedford]

I don't get what you wanted the club to do bedders. You rate Bradke as is your right, but the club obviously rated Edwards & Magor. Don't you think you should give them a chance and see what they become before deciding we got it wrong?

My right !, it's just disappointing as i'd been watching him for a fair while . Don't worry i rate Edwards , but blokes like him don't fall out of trees and he performed well for us in a couple of games he had and is still growing

 

[Bloods86]

Am also irritated we did not get Bradke. Was happy about Edwards but am worried Magor may be a reach. I am not all that optimistic about any of the players from the last draft.

I was glad we got Owen and Edwards, though would have liked an out and out KPF. Ruck was the main issue for me though, this off season it'll be KPF.

But... Magor is the draftee that excites me the most. I know it's just highlights reel stuff and we can never really go from that predicting long term futures at AFL level, but he's a medium forward / inside mid capable of kicking bags of goals. He'll take some time, but we did need some additional inside mid coverage at VFL level (with the loss of Taylor, Bell, Clarke spending time in seniors), remains to be seen where he'll line up at senior level if he ever makes it that far.

From RookieMe Profile:

"Magor entered draft calculations towards the back-end of last season after he booted two bags of four goals for South Adelaide’s U18’s. Having finished his schooling at Sacred Heart College last season, and playing a key role in the school’s undefeated run, Magor began his top-aged year at the Panthers, where he strung together eight U18 matches. He booted 12 goals in these games and won plenty of the ball throughout, including a massive 41-disposal effort against eventual premiers Glenelg. He lined up for SA in their opening National Championship clash with the Allies and kicked two first-half goals, but unfortunately suffered an ankle injury which kept him sidelined for two months. Magor returned for rounds 17 and 18 with the Panthers and didn’t disappoint, kicking five goals against the Bulldogs and backing it up with six majors against Woodville-West Torrens to remind recruiters of his match-winning capabilities in attack."

And while I'm not sure that a small forward was what we needed, Konstanty will be good. He was widely rated, just unfortunate that he's not been able to kick off the season. Mitchell and Vickery were speculative, but some of our comments about having plans for their roles (not necessarily what they'd been doing previously) does excite me a bit, it might just take a couple of years before we see them at senior level.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I was glad we got Owen and Edwards, though would have liked an out and out KPF. Ruck was the main issue for me though, this off season it'll be KPF.

But... Magor is the draftee that excites me the most. I know it's just highlights reel stuff and we can never really go from that predicting long term futures at AFL level, but he's a medium forward / inside mid capable of kicking bags of goals. He'll take some time, but we did need some additional inside mid coverage at VFL level (with the loss of Taylor, Bell, Clarke spending time in seniors), remains to be seen where he'll line up at senior level if he ever makes it that far.

From RookieMe Profile:

"Magor entered draft calculations towards the back-end of last season after he booted two bags of four goals for South Adelaide’s U18’s. Having finished his schooling at Sacred Heart College last season, and playing a key role in the school’s undefeated run, Magor began his top-aged year at the Panthers, where he strung together eight U18 matches. He booted 12 goals in these games and won plenty of the ball throughout, including a massive 41-disposal effort against eventual premiers Glenelg. He lined up for SA in their opening National Championship clash with the Allies and kicked two first-half goals, but unfortunately suffered an ankle injury which kept him sidelined for two months. Magor returned for rounds 17 and 18 with the Panthers and didn’t disappoint, kicking five goals against the Bulldogs and backing it up with six majors against Woodville-West Torrens to remind recruiters of his match-winning capabilities in attack."

And while I'm not sure that a small forward was what we needed, Konstanty will be good. He was widely rated, just unfortunate that he's not been able to kick off the season. Mitchell and Vickery were speculative, but some of our comments about having plans for their roles (not necessarily what they'd been doing previously) does excite me a bit, it might just take a couple of years before we see them at senior level.

And of course I hope you are right.

 

[HighReeve]

Pissed off Kalean Bradke kicked 5 for Richmond in his 1st game , should be in red and white !

Richmond VFL. That's big impact early on.

The guy turns 22 in a couple months. Unlikely that he is getting taller.

Was keen for us to draft him too.

 

[bedford]

Richmond VFL. That's big impact early on.

The guy turns 22 in a couple months. Unlikely that he is getting taller.

Was keen for us to draft him too.

Many big kids need time to develop and he loved his cricket , can play that as well

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I wonder whether there has been any thought to giving Gould a bit of a run through the mids. It would a role similar to that unmentionable big Cat played in the GF.

He is quick enough in straight lines and pretty good below his needs as well as being cluey.