Mike Pyke....Respect

[lock33]

The bloke has been battered from pillar to post by the football media since he began only 4 years ago. Brian Taylor considers him the worst player in the AFL. Ricky Nixon said he was a waste of time..
Here he is, lining up in a Grand Final and will possibly be a Premiership player on Saturday night..
His journey is every bit as remarkable as Izzys and Hunts if not more yet he earns chump change compared to those two. He doesnt get the kudos he deserves and Im sure he would be quite comfortable with it.
He is one of the most competitive players in the comp, the man is a competitive beast who thrives on a contest and a challenge.
Sure you will see players with more raw talent but give me a bloke that competes like he does every time..
He is no stranger to the big stage, seriously love watching this guy hit contests and Im proud that he is a product of our club and culture.. Have your million dollar Hunt and Folou, give me the Big Canadian everyday...Respect.

 

[PTizzle]

He has done well. Genuinely deserves to be in the team come GF day.

BT, as always, is an absolute buffoon

 

[Donners]

Indeed, he's come a long way and hasn't got the kudos he deserves until recently.

He also comes across as an intelligent, entertaining and nice person from the interviews I've heard with him.

 

[MarkCatsFan]

Haven't seen it talked about much this week. A Canadian lining up in a GF after 4 years being either ignored or criticised by the footy media. It's a great story and should get more attention. I guess it's beyond the Melbourne Media to admit they were wrong though.


Great job Mike Bring back a Premiership medal please

 

[Morris Major]

it's difficult not to go for Sydney...

Canada colours = Sydney colours, nice touch!

 

[sherb]

I finally checked this out the other night:

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Amazing story. Considering what he was like when he started, it's chalk and cheese now. Whilst hardly Dean Cox, he does his job week in week out, and is doing bloody well to keep a handy player (and premiership player) in Seaby out of the side.

Amazing story. Hope he does well, but not too well.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

I finally checked this out the other night:

Jesus. He can certainly gallop when he gets up a head of steam

 

[Altum Volantes]

Cannot recall this barrage of negative press Pyke copped..?

 

[goodie23]

Good on him

The bloke has been battered from pillar to post by the football media since he began only 4 years ago. Brian Taylor considers him the worst player in the AFL. Ricky Nixon said he was a waste of time..

He should wear that as a badge of honour

 

[silk]

Op is spot on. Onya Mike.

 

[lock33]

Cannot recall this barrage of negative press Pyke copped..?

As a fanatic Swans fan I have probably read alot more than you as I am always googling everything Swans. You being in WA I guess you wouldn't read as much as me or Melbourne based fans for that matter but I get your point. I probably should have worded the OP a little differently, its not so much about the negative press but moreso the lack of positive press. Im always reading Izzy this and Hunt that, they are paid millions and struggle to get a game for the two bottom teams(I dont mean them disrespect either) because they are from an AFL target area... Pyke has come from further back and is playing in a Grand Final and gets very little kudos for it. I just meant this thread to appreciate his effort.

 

[lock33]

Jesus. He can certainly gallop when he gets up a head of steam

He hurts too when he tackles.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

BT never said he was the worst player in the AFL. Misconception.

 

[AM]

Fantastic to see someone follow their dream and see it realised. Go Pykey!

 

[Silent Alarm]

Nup, he's a hack.

 

[CaptainChardonnay]

Forming THE ruck combination of the comp with Mummy.

Been great to watch.

 

[JUBJUB]

Brian Taylor considers him the worst player in the AFL. Ricky Nixon said he was a waste of time..

What a duo to get bagged by - the worst TV commentator and the kiddie fiddler

 

[PTizzle]

BT never said he was the worst player in the AFL. Misconception.

Hi Brian.

 

[HolyRioli]

Respect

 

[And_ROOS]

Can Ricky "Sh*tbag" Nixon really comment on ANYONE being a waste of ANYTHING considering his form of the past 5 years? He should be put on a rocket and shot into a sun, and then that sun shot into a bigger sun.
Pyke deserves respect, and maybe someday if they work as hard Hunt and Folau might become nearly as good as him.

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

BT never said he was the worst player in the AFL. Misconception.

THIS:
Prominent AFL player manager Ricky Nixon commented publicly that he thought the Swans were "wasting their time" with Pyke. Much later, Pyke was described by commentator and ex-player Brian Taylor as the worst player in the AFL competition.

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20120927152507598

AND THIS:
Once described by commentator Brian Taylor as the worst player in the competition, Pyke has developed into an accomplished forward/second ruck.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/jo...ke-is-one-in-101/story-fnelctok-1226479848248

 

[RiggoDiesel44]

Not that it's a big deal, but Mike is the the closest thing to an American in the comp (may have just insulted a few Canucks with that). So I'm a fan of him...and the Swans this weekend. (ehhh, mostly though because I'm a Geelong fan)

 

[BF Tiger]

It is a great story. Well done. Elite representation in two sports, no matter what, is impressive.

Geez, is Seaby the AFL's most forgotten man?

 

[Underdog]

I hate BT but bagging him because he once called him the worst player in the competition when it mightn't have been far from the truth at the time is a bit misleading and unfair.

He's a reasonable player. However, I'd prefer Hunt at my club.