Player Watch #27 Justin McInerney

[Kennedy Parker]

Justin McInerney
Sydney Swans youngster Justin McInerney

27

Justin Mcinerney

Age

24

Ht

189cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

12.5

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

7.3

4star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.5

3star

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

is lightning-quick, an endurance machine and a clean user of the footy who’s best used on a wing or at half-back. The Northern Knights product was called up for his AFL debut against Melbourne at the SCG in Round 4, 2019, and although he wouldn’t feature at the top level again in his first year at the club, he was a stand-out in the NEAFL. McInerney is eyeing more opportunities at senior level in 2020.

Justin McInerney

27

Justin Mcinerney

Age

24

Ht

189cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

12.5

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

7.3

4star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.5

3star

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

DOB: 18 August 2000
DEBUT: 2019
DRAFT: #44, 2018 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: Banyule (Vic)/Marcellin College (Vic)/Northern U18

Justin McInerney | AFL

Follow Justin McInerney's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Ticky009]

Nice interview here with McInerney. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I love when they put a mic and camera in front of the boys who aren't quite as eloquent or well versed in public speaking, like McInerney and Florent. They mean to answer down the line but have little Freudian slips that the pros don't have, and they just shed a little more light on their characters and their thoughts.

McInerney: We love playing for each other

Justin McInerney chats through his excitement for the Grand Final, his love for his team-mates, and why the team has had success in 2022.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Well that sounds like he's good to go for the weekend. Was worried about his ankle.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Hope the parking attendant lets him into the MCG car park when he rocks up to the GF in his burnt orange Torana with the fluffy dice.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Hope the parking attendant lets him into the MCG car park when he rocks up to the GF in his burnt orange Torana with the fluffy dice.

You forgot the foxtail on the whip aerial and the nodding beagle.

 

[caesar88]

Inject this desperation from McInerney into my goddamn veins. It's a very good sign that he was moving like this again.

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[Day_night_honourer]

Nice interview here with McInerney. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I love when they put a mic and camera in front of the boys who aren't quite as eloquent or well versed in public speaking, like McInerney and Florent. They mean to answer down the line but have little Freudian slips that the pros don't have, and they just shed a little more light on their characters and their thoughts.

McInerney: We love playing for each other

Justin McInerney chats through his excitement for the Grand Final, his love for his team-mates, and why the team has had success in 2022.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Yep, agree - is going to come out a bit raw & unfiltered with the young guys...
for eg, on his mid-season slump: "That's just footy, you can't play well all the time."
Parker, Mills etc mustn't have got that memo ?

 

[TheMase]

14 disposals at 79% (7 contested), 4 marks, 3 clearances (2 centre from 3 appearances), 2i50, 3r50, 181m gained

This was Q4 vs North Melb in Rd 4 when Justin told Horse he’d win the game for us.

Maybe should be explored.

 

[wills2g]

14 disposals at 79% (7 contested), 4 marks, 3 clearances (2 centre from 3 appearances), 2i50, 3r50, 181m gained

This was Q4 vs North Melb in Rd 4 when Justin told Horse he’d win the game for us.

Maybe should be explored.

Don't know what happened this season really.. Was looking like our next A-grader after that game and it literally went 180 from there.

I usually watch the footy with workmates who aren't Swans supporters and it was the North game where they went who is this kid? He is an absolute gun.

Hope he gets a good rest, can freshen up and come back fit and firing again next year. We really missed his elite run and ball use in the 2nd half of the season.

 

[caesar88]

14 disposals at 79% (7 contested), 4 marks, 3 clearances (2 centre from 3 appearances), 2i50, 3r50, 181m gained

This was Q4 vs North Melb in Rd 4 when Justin told Horse he’d win the game for us.

Maybe should be explored.

Not sure who he goes in for though. Maybe rotates with Mills off HB? But then I also think we really need Mills in the midfield more. It's a tough call.

 

[BloodRet]

Turned shit when he lost the long hair

 

[TheMase]

Not sure who he goes in for though. Maybe rotates with Mills off HB? But then I also think we really need Mills in the midfield more. It's a tough call.

Parker goes forward?

 

[caesar88]

Parker goes forward?

Behave Caesar.

Who would replace McInerney on the wing/half back if Parker went forward more?

 

[TheMase]

Behave Caesar.

Who would replace McInerney on the wing/half back if Parker went forward more?

Hehe I should say Rankin now to poke you more

We have a few options there with Campbell, Cunningham even Gould with an adjusted structure (in defence). To go with the likes of Blakey and Florent (and Lloyd if he stays). Rampe could even play a different role if needed.

Anyway just musing again

 

[Punts]

Dawson affect also

 

[Kiama Chris]

If, as I fear, he has been suffering the effects of long COVID, I just hope the break brings him back to his physical best. Remember he was a champion junior middle distance runner as well as a terrific footy player. That extra few % is terrific value.
Worry about the rest when we see it again.

 

[TheMase]

If, as I fear, he has been suffering the effects of long COVID, I just hope the break brings him back to his physical best. Remember he was a champion junior middle distance runner as well as a terrific footy player. That extra few % is terrific value.
Worry about the rest when we see it again.

Have a friend who is struggling with it. Is a teacher and has only been able to work part time at most the past term.

He isn’t a pro athlete but pretty fit and he has lost pretty much all his stamina. Said it would take him a couple of hours to recover from running 20m.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Have a friend who is struggling with it. Is a teacher and has only been able to work part time at most the past term.

He isn’t a pro athlete but pretty fit and he has lost pretty much all his stamina. Said it would take him a couple of hours to recover from running 20m.

My wife has had relatively minor aftereffects but runs out of gas pretty quickly. Feel for your friend. The effects are sooooo variable.

 

[caesar88]

McInerney missed the St Kilda game in round 15 because of the COVID protocols. His form had already well and truly tapered off by then.

IMO the most likely reason for his drop off in performance this year is that knee injury he got way back in round 1 has effected his ability to train properly. So he's been able to get up for match day but not able to perform at his best.

 

[TheMase]

McInerney missed the St Kilda game in round 15 because of the COVID protocols. His form had already well and truly tapered off by then.

IMO the most likely reason for his drop off in performance this year is that knee injury he got way back in round 1 has effected his ability to train properly. So he's been able to get up for match day but not able to perform at his best.

His time on ground definitely dropped after his COVID break, related or not.

Rounds 1-14 averaged around 85% TOG
Rounds 16 - GF averaged around 76% TOG

 

[Punts]

Dawson affect imo

Still think he becomes an A grade player by 25

 

[caesar88]

His time on ground definitely dropped after his COVID break, related or not.

Rounds 1-14 averaged around 85% TOG
Rounds 16 - GF averaged around 76% TOG

Might've just been management as the season wore on?

His form didn't look any different before and after his COVID break to me.

 

[TheMase]

Might've just been management as the season wore on?

His form didn't look any different before and after his COVID break to me.

Don’t know. Before the bye he didn’t have a single game under 80% TOG, in fact it had built up since the start of the season and his four games before the bye were all at over 90% TOG.

The week after the bye he was at 78%, had his COVID week and only went over 80% (max 84%) four more times for the rest of the year.

 

[caesar88]

Don’t know. Before the bye he didn’t have a single game under 80% TOG, in fact it had built up since the start of the season and his four games before the bye were all at over 90% TOG.

The week after the bye he was at 78%, had his COVID week and only went over 80% (max 84%) four more times for the rest of the year.

I'm not disputing that he was being managed more for whatever reason, whether it was because of COVID issues or other injury issues. I'm just saying I don't think it had much of an impact on his form, as he was struggling before he had his COVID break.

From about the Brisbane game at the SCG onwards, he was lacking his usual pace, not covering the ground as well, and not looking as sharp or as confident with his disposal and decision-making. Certainly fit the bill of someone who wasn't able to train properly.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I'm not disputing that he was being managed more for whatever reason, whether it was because of COVID issues or other injury issues. I'm just saying I don't think it had much of an impact on his form, as he was struggling before he had his COVID break.

From about the Brisbane game at the SCG onwards, he was lacking his usual pace, not covering the ground as well, and not looking as sharp or as confident with his disposal and decision-making. Certainly fit the bill of someone who wasn't able to train properly.

We’re all avoiding the elephant in the room.

The haircut.

 

[caesar88]

I just want to do deep dives into some of my favourite Swans over the course of the summer, starting with McInerney.

I start with him because I think in a year where SO many players took exciting steps forward, McInerney was one of the few who failed to do so. The reasons why have been debated to death, so I won't dwell on the past, and will instead only look to the future. And I am bloody excited when I think about how good McInerney can be. What I love most about him is his swagger. Not the carrying on like a pork chop when he kicks a goal, but the swagger he plays with. Every possessions looks easy. Every disposal looks effortless. He looks the smoothest runner in the team when he gets going.

I will quote myself here from mid-2021:

I remember my missus, who is a big fashion fan, made me sit down and watch Youtube compilations of Naomi Campbell walking on a runway. Mind-numbing stuff at first, but she kinda opened my eyes a little to how something as rudimentary as walking could look like an art-form when the right person is doing it.

I get a similar vibe from McInerney when it comes to running. Everyone does it in footy, but he seems to make it look absolutely effortless. He just sorta glides across the turf and you don't really see him taking steps, you just see his feet turning behind him like wheels as he gets from A to B. He is just a very smooth operator.

For whatever reason, that swagger wasn't there much this year.

He's an interesting scenario because his best qualities - his line-breaking run and his ball-use - lend themselves to the outside wing position where he thrived so much in 2020 & 2021. Yet his confidence and that aforementioned swagger seem to come from his being in the thick of the action. Some players thrive on a more minor role that they can then maximise for themselves - Gulden, Florent and Hayward were perfect examples of this this year. Outside, lower-possession roles that they got full bang for their buck out of, the first two finishing top 10 in the B&F, the latter finishing with 30+ goals as a medium forward. Others need more responsibility to get the best out of themselves, and if given a peripheral role, will fade to the background too easily. I wonder if McInerney is such a player.

Which brings me to the question: do we have too many explosive and/or dynamic players in the team for McInerney to be given enough responsibility and/or opportunity to shine?

I think about our rebounding from defence, and between Florent & Blakey, it didn't feel like we needed it from McInerney. I think about our ability to break away around clearances on the inside, and between Rowbottom & Warner, it didn't feel like we needed it from McInerney. I think about our ball use around the ground or entering inside 50, and between Fox & Gulden, it didn't feel like we needed it from McInerney.

Which is quite surreal when you think about that, given McInerney's exceptional natural talent. In most teams he would feel like an absolutely essential playmaker.

I think this is why McInerney was always there, still in the team, having the odd McInerney moment here and there, but not piecing together complete performances. Because we simply had too many others taking those 'McInerney' kinds of plays for themselves.

To conclude: whilst I don't wish injuries upon anyone, especially our own players, I really think we're only an injury or two to those key players above away from McInerney getting more chances to shine. More chances to shine equals the swagger returning. The swagger returning equals the kind of complete performances we were seeing in rounds 4 & 5 this year, and in 2020 & 2021. So for all the discussions and debate about how to use McInerney, I really think his best footy will be determined by how much we use his teammates. Watch this space, but I'm very optimistic.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I just want to do deep dives into some of my favourite Swans over the course of the summer, starting with McInerney.

I start with him because I think in a year where SO many players took exciting steps forward, McInerney was one of the few who failed to do so. The reasons why have been debated to death, so I won't dwell on the past, and will instead only look to the future. And I am bloody excited when I think about how good McInerney can be. What I love most about him is his swagger. Not the carrying on like a pork chop when he kicks a goal, but the swagger he plays with. Every possessions looks easy. Every disposal looks effortless. He looks the smoothest runner in the team when he gets going.

I will quote myself here from mid-2021:



For whatever reason, that swagger wasn't there much this year.

He's an interesting scenario because his best qualities - his line-breaking run and his ball-use - lend themselves to the outside wing position where he thrived so much in 2020 & 2021. Yet his confidence and that aforementioned swagger seem to come from his being in the thick of the action. Some players thrive on a more minor role that they can then maximise for themselves - Gulden, Florent and Hayward were perfect examples of this this year. Outside, lower-possession roles that they got full bang for their buck out of, the first two finishing top 10 in the B&F, the latter finishing with 30+ goals as a medium forward. Others need more responsibility to get the best out of themselves, and if given a peripheral role, will fade to the background too easily. I wonder if McInerney is such a player.

Which brings me to the question: do we have too many explosive and/or dynamic players in the team for McInerney to be given enough responsibility and/or opportunity to shine?

I think about our rebounding from defence, and between Florent & Blakey, it didn't feel like we needed it from McInerney. I think about our ability to break away around clearances on the inside, and between Rowbottom & Warner, it didn't feel like we needed it from McInerney. I think about our ball use around the ground or entering inside 50, and between Fox & Gulden, it didn't feel like we needed it from McInerney.

Which is quite surreal when you think about that, given McInerney's exceptional natural talent. In most teams he would feel like an absolutely essential playmaker.

I think this is why McInerney was always there, still in the team, having the odd McInerney moment here and there, but not piecing together complete performances. Because we simply had too many others taking those 'McInerney' kinds of plays for themselves.

To conclude: whilst I don't wish injuries upon anyone, especially our own players, I really think we're only an injury or two to those key players above away from McInerney getting more chances to shine. More chances to shine equals the swagger returning. The swagger returning equals the kind of complete performances we were seeing in rounds 4 & 5 this year, and in 2020 & 2021. So for all the discussions and debate about how to use McInerney, I really think his best footy will be determined by how much we use his teammates. Watch this space, but I'm very optimistic.

I think our desire to use the corridor at every opportunity meant that McInerney, Florent (early on) and Stephens' possession numbers were fairly low and their roles tipped a bit more towards defence. I'd like to see us use a bit more width entering 50 to get more separation and get more value from McInerney and Gulden in particular.