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Good solid hit out today in very hot conditions against Subiaco. Swans were very sluggish in the first quarter and the Lions dominated the centre clearances early but the level picked up drastically in the 2nd quarter. It was amazing that there were only 5 goals out of 26 kicked to the Bassendean end by both teams. There was a reasonable breeze blowing to the Guildford end but it wasn't a gale.

I think I saw enough of our new recruits to suggest that they will all add something to the team this year. I was particularly impressed with Jye Chalcraft. Others who caught my eye were Lewis Tester 34, Bryce Watson 20 and Tom Smith 27 took some good marks and looked like a potential forward option. Great to see Alex Howard back and looking very fit and with Pasini, Notte and Stephens  our defence is going to be very strong this year. Also guys like Erceg, Spackman Collins and Bright are still to come back. Lynch also did a lot of good things as well as the usual suspects Turner and Clarke.

Given that Swans kicked 20 against West Perth and 15 today, there may hopefully be more capacity for larger scores this year. You never want to get carried with a scratch match because both teams are not at full strength but there were promising signs for me today. We seemed to have more leg speed than Subi , the skills need to be a bit sharper, particularly handballs but there is time to work on that.
 

Good hit out for both teams. Evan Smith's game impressed me the most - very quick for a big man - while Rokahr's ability to stand up in tackles was reminiscent of W. Twomey. 

Cameron looked much fitter than all last year, doing good things in the second half (I think he came on at 1/2 time), but does anyone know how far Erceg, Glass-McCasker, and O'Donohue are away from playing? Cipro, Edwards, Blakely, and Collins didn't play in either grade yesterday, so depth looks acceptable.

Number 6 looked like a good player. Is he a recruit or did I not remember him?

On yesterday's evidence, Swans look the better team. Better spread. Better skills. Disposals and marking. 

Johnny Leonard wrote:

Number 6 looked like a good player. Is he a recruit or did I not remember him?

On yesterday's evidence, Swans look the better team. Better spread. Better skills. Disposals and marking. 

Thats Benjamin Hewitt JL. A local lad who has come up through the juniors and was an instrumental player in Swans reserves premiership win last year. I reckon he will be a key player for us this year.

Another player I noticed yesterday was William Reidy, he seems to have bulked up a bit and is playing with a lot more confidence than he had in previous seasons. He is wearing the number 8 guernsey which was previously worn by Lachlan Riley who was a regular last season. Does anyone know whats happened to him?  I notice hes still on the senior player list without a number.

Johnny Leonard wrote:

Number 6 looked like a good player. Is he a recruit or did I not remember him?

On yesterday's evidence, Swans look the better team. Better spread. Better skills. Disposals and marking. 

Still some way to go I think JL, with Swans' inability to get the ball out of the middle at bounces a perpetual issue. I thought Subi had a better forward line system that can counter future opponents' game plans than Swans. 

I thought Reidy was very good, too.

How sad is it that a player with criminal convictions past and pending who failed to attend training like everyone else is expected to at the club who set hm on his way to his AFL dream, then walks out and asks another club for another go, gets all the headlines? You media need to take a good hard look at yourselves.

I didn't make the scratchie at Bassendean today. Sharks beat us by 22 points, did anybody make it there? If so would appreciate any observations.

Success Hill wrote:

Johnny Leonard wrote:

Number 6 looked like a good player. Is he a recruit or did I not remember him?

On yesterday's evidence, Swans look the better team. Better spread. Better skills. Disposals and marking. 

Still some way to go I think JL, with Swans' inability to get the ball out of the middle at bounces a perpetual issue. I thought Subi had a better forward line system that can counter future opponents' game plans than Swans. 


That’s because we have an undersized ruck who can’t jump!

mikeh wrote:

I didn't make the scratchie at Bassendean today. Sharks beat us by 22 points, did anybody make it there? If so would appreciate any observations.


Swans missing 13-14 league players and not much can be taken from the game. A few of the mids got another run in but they were going 75% at best. 

Stack played league but is still a way away. Clearly underdone if he’s picked for league next week then it will send the wrong message and we are slow learners. 

Erceg didn’t play again but is pushing for selection next week. 

Colts had a close win and the Ressies was a farce with most of the 2’s playing League. 

Not sure of the need for 3 rounds of practice matches.