Mike Pyke?

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Great news.

I really hope that Seaby is forced to come back through the reserves. Mumford has established himself as the number 1 ruckman and Pyke has done enough to be considered number 2 IMO.
 

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Pykey you star! Totally agree with MalFan, he's established himself in the side and should hold that spot unless someone forces him out. I think/know Roos will bring Seaby straight back in, but I don't think that sends the right message at all. Great to see he's been rewarded with a new contract and a permanent spot on the senior list.
 
a couple of highlights for me last night were when he dropped back deep in defense and collected the ball then ran the ball out with a very good looking long kick, he didnt look like a newbie to the game at all, he read it well, another was when the lightning fast Varcoe got the ball on the wing near the boundary, he looked up and thought he could easily get around Pyke with a dummy handball but Pyke would have none of that and 'launched' at him with a bone crunching tackle and won the free kick. Great stuff.
 
There were a few other really nice things too, some really long penetrating kicks inside 50 that got over the Cats midfielders dropping back and there was another really good tackle on a small Cat forward who was going at full pace (i think it might have been Byrnes) at HB. Saw the hips and launched straight at him. Was a perfect rugby tackle in fact. His tackling, HO's and marking are well worth his spot in the side right now.
 
also it was noticeable that his teamates didnt hesitate to kick to him when under pressure, the more I think about it its bloody amazing how quick he is making the transition from rugby. Speaking of rugby, not happy the Aussies got belted last night.
 
Of the 22 that played the last 2 weeks, Pykey would get picked ahead of 10 of them.
Well done Mike! The guy is getting 100% out of himself & is learning with every game. The opposition would go into games more concerned with how to deal with Mumford but then end up with having to deal with Pyke who is competing beautifully ATM!
 
We are lucky to have 2 ruckmen with superb defensive pressure, its great to have a couple of bigger guys who can impose themselves around the ground. Yes I'm biased but I think Pyke has been our most improved player this season, not even Tadgh Kennelly showed as much in his 2nd season and he was coming from a game that was a lot more similar to AFL.
 
it just proves if you give someone consecutive game time that they will eventually pick it up and develop into a decent footballer i just wish they would do that with a few other players!

that run out of the back 50 was fantastic! Wish he booted a goal though i took my mike pyke banner out just for him!
 

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Pyke has improved from ground zero remarkably. Word is that there isn't a book on the history or development of the game he hasn't read, on top of his theory and practical training. He now knows more about the game than most kids born into it.
His hard work will reap big rewards for the Swans over the next 5 years, Seaby, Mumford, Pyke, Orreal and Currie; too many ruckmen for one list? Who will give?
 
His hard work will reap big rewards for the Swans over the next 5 years, Seaby, Mumford, Pyke, Orreal and Currie; too many ruckmen for one list? Who will give?[/quote]

Orreal will go and Currie must be under pressure I think.
 
SOPH_CROSS said:
it just proves if you give someone consecutive game time that they will eventually pick it up and develop into a decent footballer .......
Click to expand...

Soph, I think this approach works when you have a player with the right attitude who is totally committed to improving every and any aspect of their game. I imagine Mike takes on board any feedback or criticism with relish. He's improved on so many areas of his game this year.

Mike Pyke's a feel-good story in a year peppered with disappointments and it's cool that you have a Mike Pyke banner. If he stays with the Swans I'd pencil him in as a future leader.
 
I just love hearing what he says. I can take that more seriously than all the tripe the other players come up with. He is genuinely working his tail off to be successful in this foreign sport and you can tell he is so set on doing well. Good on him, glad to have such a hard worker at our club.

His improvement over the last 18 months has been incredible and a real pleasure to track. Just to see where he was in his first game against the Tigers to now.

Brian Taylor, amongst others, ought to apologise and give him some credit.
 
Next time a young player isn't getting the games he (or his fan) thinks he deserves they should take a good hard look at Pyke.

A is for Attitude
 

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Mike Pyke?

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