grimlock
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- Liverpool, NSW
After our international edition yesterday, let's bring it back to the local scene with a review of some of the NSW players.
15) Kieren Jack
What went right
It's been another season of improvement from Jack, who has continually bettered his game in every season since his arrival at the Swans as a NSW rookie pre-selection. He started the year as 'just' another tagger in the Swans's arsenal of run-with players, but Jack has since been allowed to utilise the offensive parts of his game without sacrificing the important tight checking jobs he performs on the star midfielders on the opposing team. This was reflected in a 38% increase in his possession count without a significant change in his amount of playing time. He also took on the bulk of the grunt work left empty by Kirk's midfield absence, finishing as the number one tackler at the club and 3rd in clearances. In addition, Jack had tremendous impact on the scoreboard, kicking 21 goals (5th at the Swans) and dishing out 30 assists (equal 2nd). He was arguably unlucky to miss out getting selected in the All-Australian preliminary squad of 40, although it is always difficult to gain selection in the competitive midfield positions.
Where he can improve
Although his output in the first half of the year wasn't something to be sneezed at, it was in the second half that Jack really stepped it up and was one of the major reasons the Swans finished off the year with a flourish. The key for Jack will be whether he can consistently perform at this elevated level for the whole season. He has remained relatively injury-free throughout his career, but it is yet to be seen how damaging the impact of playing in the guts will be to him.
2011 outlook
Along with Goodes and McVeigh, Jack will be one of Sydney's main offensive threats in the midfield. He will no doubt attract the attention of taggers next year, although this may be negated if Jack continues his tagging roles. I am not brave enough to predict what Jack could achieve next year, because given the rate of improvement he has displayed thus far, he would end up embarassing me by easily exceeding my expectations. Perhaps a role in the leadership group beckons for a player many have touted as a future Swans captain.
42) Paul Bevan
What went right
Bevan fought his way back into the side after just missing out on selection for the Round 1 side. He had trained in the pre-season for a new position as a defensive forward, but lost out to Jarred Moore in a tight battle. He returned to the side in Round 8 and played all but 3 of the remaining games in the seniors. A handy utility who can play both back and forward, his flexibility is important to the Swans structures, as it allows the coaches to room to manoeuvre with regards to the all important matchups. After one of his best games in the elimination final against Carlton, he was very lucky to be dropped, making way for the returning Bradshaw and McGlynn.
Where he can improve
Swans fans know what we get from Bevan, an uncompromising and tough-tackling player. Often pigeon-holed as a small defender - a task which I don't think he is particularly good at given he lacks the pace and agility to keep up with the small nippy forwards - Bevan needs to improve his footy smarts in order to lessen some of the bad decisions he is prone at making, especially on the defensive side of his game. If he is to play as a defensive forward, he probably needs to have more scoreboard impact, having missed a few easy shots at goal this year.
2011 outlook
At best, Bevan will be a depth player for the Swans next year. His omission from the team after the Carlton final is a harbinger of what is in store for him next year - he will have to rely heavily on injuries and suspensions to earn a place in the team as he is not regarded as a 'best 22' player. Bevan has already been linked to a few clubs as trade week approaches, and as far as we know he is currently uncontracted for next year. With the spectre of GWS looming over the horizon, he may be tempted to sign a one-year extension with the Swans and evoke the GWS get-out clause if he cannot force himself in the Swans best side for 2011.
11) Ed Barlow
What went right
It was a very disappointing year for the "Cheese", adding just one game to his tally of 25 following a career-high of 14 games last year. He travelled to Kardinia Park in Round 7 and a late call-up as LRT withdrew with an injury. He was very lucky to earn this opportunity as his performances for the reserves up to that point varied between insipid and average. Playing up forward, he was poor in the loss as his opponent Milburn dominated across halfback, and Barlow earnt the wrath of supporters for his weak play and mistake-ridden game. Heading back to the reserves, he only managed to impress in one game and after suffering a hamstring injury during a ressies match he was not seen on the field again for the rest of the year. The reasons for this were never made clear as he was not placed on the club's official injury list.
Where he can improve
Physically Barlow is almost the perfect specimen for the modern day AFL footballer. He is tall, strong, can take a good grab, athletic, the best middle distance runner at the club and his foot and hand skills are solid. However, it is the deficiencies in the football side of his game that drives both coaches and supporters crazy. His intensity at the contests can be very disappointing as he has notably not gone in hard into aerial and ground contests. He can go missing for long periods of the game, spending trailing his opponent or just ball-watching. Finally, his decision making tends to go awry when placed under pressure. Just a small checklist for young Ed
2011 outlook
Sadly I do not see Barlow running out in the red and white again, if he is to be playing AFL football next year it will be in another club's colours. The question remains whether Barlow has any trade value, or whether the Swans will do him a favour and send him to the club of his choice for a late, late draft pick that will not be utilised. Sydney's core game plan of high stoppages at a small ground such as the SCG is very much antithetical to Barlow's natural strengths. Barlow may thrive at a club whose game plan isn't as physically intense as the Swans, and his running power may come to the fore at the bigger grounds such as Subiaco Oval or the M.C.G.
15) Kieren Jack
What went right
It's been another season of improvement from Jack, who has continually bettered his game in every season since his arrival at the Swans as a NSW rookie pre-selection. He started the year as 'just' another tagger in the Swans's arsenal of run-with players, but Jack has since been allowed to utilise the offensive parts of his game without sacrificing the important tight checking jobs he performs on the star midfielders on the opposing team. This was reflected in a 38% increase in his possession count without a significant change in his amount of playing time. He also took on the bulk of the grunt work left empty by Kirk's midfield absence, finishing as the number one tackler at the club and 3rd in clearances. In addition, Jack had tremendous impact on the scoreboard, kicking 21 goals (5th at the Swans) and dishing out 30 assists (equal 2nd). He was arguably unlucky to miss out getting selected in the All-Australian preliminary squad of 40, although it is always difficult to gain selection in the competitive midfield positions.
Where he can improve
Although his output in the first half of the year wasn't something to be sneezed at, it was in the second half that Jack really stepped it up and was one of the major reasons the Swans finished off the year with a flourish. The key for Jack will be whether he can consistently perform at this elevated level for the whole season. He has remained relatively injury-free throughout his career, but it is yet to be seen how damaging the impact of playing in the guts will be to him.
2011 outlook
Along with Goodes and McVeigh, Jack will be one of Sydney's main offensive threats in the midfield. He will no doubt attract the attention of taggers next year, although this may be negated if Jack continues his tagging roles. I am not brave enough to predict what Jack could achieve next year, because given the rate of improvement he has displayed thus far, he would end up embarassing me by easily exceeding my expectations. Perhaps a role in the leadership group beckons for a player many have touted as a future Swans captain.
42) Paul Bevan
What went right
Bevan fought his way back into the side after just missing out on selection for the Round 1 side. He had trained in the pre-season for a new position as a defensive forward, but lost out to Jarred Moore in a tight battle. He returned to the side in Round 8 and played all but 3 of the remaining games in the seniors. A handy utility who can play both back and forward, his flexibility is important to the Swans structures, as it allows the coaches to room to manoeuvre with regards to the all important matchups. After one of his best games in the elimination final against Carlton, he was very lucky to be dropped, making way for the returning Bradshaw and McGlynn.
Where he can improve
Swans fans know what we get from Bevan, an uncompromising and tough-tackling player. Often pigeon-holed as a small defender - a task which I don't think he is particularly good at given he lacks the pace and agility to keep up with the small nippy forwards - Bevan needs to improve his footy smarts in order to lessen some of the bad decisions he is prone at making, especially on the defensive side of his game. If he is to play as a defensive forward, he probably needs to have more scoreboard impact, having missed a few easy shots at goal this year.
2011 outlook
At best, Bevan will be a depth player for the Swans next year. His omission from the team after the Carlton final is a harbinger of what is in store for him next year - he will have to rely heavily on injuries and suspensions to earn a place in the team as he is not regarded as a 'best 22' player. Bevan has already been linked to a few clubs as trade week approaches, and as far as we know he is currently uncontracted for next year. With the spectre of GWS looming over the horizon, he may be tempted to sign a one-year extension with the Swans and evoke the GWS get-out clause if he cannot force himself in the Swans best side for 2011.
11) Ed Barlow
What went right
It was a very disappointing year for the "Cheese", adding just one game to his tally of 25 following a career-high of 14 games last year. He travelled to Kardinia Park in Round 7 and a late call-up as LRT withdrew with an injury. He was very lucky to earn this opportunity as his performances for the reserves up to that point varied between insipid and average. Playing up forward, he was poor in the loss as his opponent Milburn dominated across halfback, and Barlow earnt the wrath of supporters for his weak play and mistake-ridden game. Heading back to the reserves, he only managed to impress in one game and after suffering a hamstring injury during a ressies match he was not seen on the field again for the rest of the year. The reasons for this were never made clear as he was not placed on the club's official injury list.
Where he can improve
Physically Barlow is almost the perfect specimen for the modern day AFL footballer. He is tall, strong, can take a good grab, athletic, the best middle distance runner at the club and his foot and hand skills are solid. However, it is the deficiencies in the football side of his game that drives both coaches and supporters crazy. His intensity at the contests can be very disappointing as he has notably not gone in hard into aerial and ground contests. He can go missing for long periods of the game, spending trailing his opponent or just ball-watching. Finally, his decision making tends to go awry when placed under pressure. Just a small checklist for young Ed
2011 outlook
Sadly I do not see Barlow running out in the red and white again, if he is to be playing AFL football next year it will be in another club's colours. The question remains whether Barlow has any trade value, or whether the Swans will do him a favour and send him to the club of his choice for a late, late draft pick that will not be utilised. Sydney's core game plan of high stoppages at a small ground such as the SCG is very much antithetical to Barlow's natural strengths. Barlow may thrive at a club whose game plan isn't as physically intense as the Swans, and his running power may come to the fore at the bigger grounds such as Subiaco Oval or the M.C.G.
