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Player Watch #20 Riak Andrew

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"This is my life now, its all a bit surreal"​

Speaks so well for a young man. You can tell he's full of confidence and even a bit cocky. I'm looking forward to watching him grow as a footballer.
 
He's all of that and quite smart too. Very aware. The way he described how he went about improving his skills was very good.
If he's half as smart as his brother we're in for something. For all Mac's athleticism, his reading of the play, timing and positioing are what make him such a good player.
 
If he's half as smart as his brother we're in for something. For all Mac's athleticism, his reading of the play, timing and positioing are what make him such a good player.

As well as those strengths, what might be Mac’s biggest strength is his competitiveness. You can see that he is desperate to win and it can overflow sometimes into him losing the plot a little.

If Riak can be competitive and smart with his play like his brother, we’re gonna have something. I doubt his potential will be anywhere like Mac’s because of the difference in height - Mac is almost 7 foot whereas Riak is like 6’3” - but I’m very excited to watch him develop.
 
As well as those strengths, what might be Mac’s biggest strength is his competitiveness. You can see that he is desperate to win and it can overflow sometimes into him losing the plot a little.

If Riak can be competitive and smart with his play like his brother, we’re gonna have something. I doubt his potential will be anywhere like Mac’s because of the difference in height - Mac is almost 7 foot whereas Riak is like 6’3” - but I’m very excited to watch him develop.
Riak looks taller than his stated 193cm. He also is a more solid build than Mac and physically looks ready to play senior footy. Hopefully we will be wondering how he was taken so late in the 2024 draft in the years to come.
 
Riak looks taller than his stated 193cm. He also is a more solid build than Mac and physically looks ready to play senior footy. Hopefully we will be wondering how he was taken so late in the 2024 draft in the years to come.
yeah I happened to think the same and mentioned it in this thread about a month ago. Am sure he has grown since whenever they did those measurements and testing.
 

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yeah I happened to think the same and mentioned it in this thread about a month ago. Am sure he has grown since whenever they did those measurements and testing.
He's certainly in the thick of it in the latest video release from the club and even has to be separated from Amartey by team mates.
 
Yes I think it was in Lachlan McKirdy's write-up of that match sim that he mentioned that, or maybe a poster on here. Either way, it's only snippets seen so far but enough for me to be very interested in seeing how he develops. Looks somewhat of a natural player.
 
Love it. They talk about the significance of wearing the number 20. Riak acknowledges the honour of wearing veteran Swans Sam Reid's old number. A bit later he's asked "What's been your focus over the pre-season?" and he answers "Mainly I just wanted to avoid injuries after many interruptions. Obviously I've ticked that box so that's pretty good"

The number 20 jumper quietly mumbles "Injury free? Not once I've had my way with your puny bones <wicked laugh>"
 
Anyone got much feedback on his pre season work? Need some guys to step up in the back half, would be great if he could push for selection.
 
Anyone got much feedback on his pre season work? Need some guys to step up in the back half, would be great if he could push for selection.
From what I saw in the match sim last Friday, he looked pretty solid; still needs to work on a few things on his defensive game, but that will come along once the VFL games start.
 

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Anyone got much feedback on his pre season work? Need some guys to step up in the back half, would be great if he could push for selection.

Based on what I've seen my feeling is that he has the tools but he also has a ways to go, even as an overager. I don't think he'll get many games this year despite our need for a player like him. It's going to come down to how well he develops and he will need to show steely resolve and discipline to improve. In particular his fitness base seems lower than most - but maybe he just has a misleadingly chill vibe on the field that has deceived me.
 
Based on what I've seen my feeling is that he has the tools but he also has a ways to go, even as an overager. I don't think he'll get many games this year despite our need for a player like him. It's going to come down to how well he develops and he will need to show steely resolve and discipline to improve. In particular his fitness base seems lower than most - but maybe he just has a misleadingly chill vibe on the field that has deceived me.
Assume he only played VFL in the wet?
 
Assume he only played VFL in the wet?

Yes, but my comment was more based on seeing him at training (and I wrote it before the practice matches last Friday and forgot to hit post). Perhaps it's not right to use this expression at this early stage but I feel like Riak is a bit of a tease. He shows glimpses but then other moments he looks not so good. Which takes me back to my earlier comment - I think Riak has the talent but he's going to have to knuckle down, work hard, and show relentlessness, resilience, discipline and courage. If he can do that I reckon he'll be great!
 
Yes, but my comment was more based on seeing him at training (and I wrote it before the practice matches last Friday and forgot to hit post). Perhaps it's not right to use this expression at this early stage but I feel like Riak is a bit of a tease. He shows glimpses but then other moments he looks not so good. Which takes me back to my earlier comment - I think Riak has the talent but he's going to have to knuckle down, work hard, and show relentlessness, resilience, discipline and courage. If he can do that I reckon he'll be great!
I hope he does because with his leap and wingspan he should be able to play above his size.
 

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Player Watch #20 Riak Andrew


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