Dennis-Lane

[.Shotties.]

Not a shabby pickup for pick 55. Great shot at goal, very smart footballer and it's good to see the knocks on him at the start of the season, the defensive and body on the line efforts, are being improved. Was stoked to see him chase the ball right down to the defensive 50 last night.

 

[Jizza9]

I am amazed by his forward positioning, always in the right spot to pop up and take a mark. Very nice goal kicking routine too, just looks like he going to nail every shot.

 

[disgruntled goat]

Seems a very strong, sure mark for his size, too. Not afraid to go for the ball without knowing what's around him. Very classy and smart, knows where to put himself when the bigger boys contest a mark.

 

[bloodsbigot]

He's the biggest surprise for me in 2010. I really didn't expect him to be this good. Not spectacular by any means, but he gets the job done.

He seems to have a harmless looking, non-aggressive face, and this is probably why I initially thought he was useless.

 

[BarneyBent]

He's the biggest surprise for me in 2010. I really didn't expect him to be this good. Not spectacular by any means, but he gets the job done.

He seems to have a harmless looking, non-aggressive face, and this is probably why I initially thought he was useless.

I'd say averaging 2.3 goals per game is a reasonably spectacular effort for a bloke in his debut season. Also, of the 6 games he has played, we have won 5. 3 of these wins have come against top 8 sides. Also, in the last 4 games he has played, he has been our top goal-scorer (and top goal-scorer on the ground) twice, and out second top twice.

Really, over the last month he has been our most dangerous forward.

 

[disgruntled goat]

I'd say averaging 2.3 goals per game is a reasonably spectacular effort for a bloke in his debut season. Also, of the 6 games he has played, we have won 5. 3 of these wins have come against top 8 sides. Also, in the last 4 games he has played, he has been our top goal-scorer (and top goal-scorer on the ground) twice, and out second top twice.

Really, over the last month he has been our most dangerous forward.

Maybe not so much last night, but I still think TDL's form has benefited from the contests White creates as big forward target, particularly against the Dogs.

This is not the thread for it, but I'm surprised and disappointed with the ongoing calls to drop White. Reid had a very good debut, but talk of him being retained ahead of White is ridiculous.

 

[BarneyBent]

Maybe not so much last night, but I still think TDL's form has benefited from the contests White creates as big forward target, particularly against the Dogs.

This is not the thread for it, but I'm surprised and disappointed with the ongoing calls to drop White. Reid had a very good debut, but talk of him being retained ahead of White is ridiculous.

Really? Other players have probably benefited from White being up forward, but I don't think TDL is one of them. Relatively few of TDL's goals have been "crumber" goals. He is regularly taking marks inside 50, finding space, popping up. That's where most of his goals are coming from.

Personally, I'm leaning towards retaining Reid ahead of White. Reid has a big body, if not quite as strong, and as we saw last night, he can bring the ball to ground absolutely fine. He also finds space better than White does. Most importantly, HE TAKES MARKS.

Reid on debut put in a performance much better than we usually see from White. While White does have structural importance, we only see it when he's playing with confidence and switched on, and that is not always the case. Reid gave us equal (but different) structure by playing as a genuine CHF, and looked switched on and confident from his very first touch.

Having said that, there's little reason why both couldn't fit into the side. We have Hanners, Kennelly, McGlynn and Mumford to return. First on my list to make way are Meredith (looked much better over the last two weeks than in his earlier stint, but still not quite best 22) and Rohan (love him, but he doesn't seem to quite have that zip he had earlier in the year, he might be tiring). First back in (injury-wise) are Hanners and Kennelly, who were apparently just rested as a precaution.

Then we get to McGlynn. Honestly, Moore looked rubbish against Brissie. I'm a fan of Moore's, and when he plays well, the team plays well, but he might not be doing it consistently enough to keep out McGlynn, who plays a very similar role but more effectively.

Finally, Mumford. To be perfectly honest, I don't see why it has to be Reid/White out, Mumford in, when we've got a perfectly good midfielder in Goodes playing forward. How about when Mumford comes in, we move Goodes into the midfield, White forward, Shaw into the backline, Bevan (who could count himself very unlucky) out.

That would give us a spine of:

Richards
Grundy
Goodes
Reid
White

And McGlynn and TDL (getting back on topic) could run rampant in an open-style forwardline, without Goodes taking up space and attracting multiple defenders. Going in with a side like that would be a risk, it would be a roll of the dice, but it MIGHT just solve the forward problems we've been having this year; that is, we either have a strong-marking CHF in Goodes, but a clogged forwardline (which White seems to hate) because of the attention Goodes attracts, and we lack his influence in the midfield, OR, we have a more open forwardline, Goodes winning midfield ball, but nobody to kick it to at HF (unless we're on the SCG in which case we are often able to go direct, but we won't be playing at the SCG again this year). It has been the case all year. Reid to CHF, White FF, Goodes midfield makes a lot of sense, even though it's a huge gamble. I'd really like to see it.

 

[Swans120]

No way would i be dropping Bevan right now, that's for sure. He has been playing far too well and is more valuable than Shaw IMO, though Rhyce has been going well recently as well.

I'd love Reid to stay in, but he was a late addition to the team and is 19yo. His time will come but this time he'll have to make way.

 

[BarneyBent]

No way would i be dropping Bevan right now, that's for sure. He has been playing far too well and is more valuable than Shaw IMO, though Rhyce has been going well recently as well.

I'd love Reid to stay in, but he was a late addition to the team and is 19yo. His time will come but this time he'll have to make way.

Shaw has been fantastic defensively-speaking over the last month. Bevan has been very solid, but not undroppable. The other option is Jetta, but I definitely like him in the team, he adds so much, especially if Rohan makes way.

I just think that the arguments for White to stay in the side are very convincing, I really can't disagree with them, but our forward structure would be so much better with Reid at CHF and Goodes in the middle. Bevan is a small defender, and with Smith, Shaw and Mattner all currently in very good defensive form, he might just find himself squeezed out. The other option is playing Shaw as a marking forward, and while he has shown he can fill in reasonably effectively in that role, I'd prefer to see Reid there and Shaw down back in a shut-down role.

Having said all that, I think it's unlikely we'll get all four players back next week. McGlynn is probably the least likely to return. If only Hanners, Kennelly, and one (or none) of McGlynn and Mummy come back, Reid could quite easily get another game. If he does, whether he plays well or poorly, a decision either way (if we win and play a semi-final) will be a lot easier.

 

[Swans120]

Bevan is a better shut down defender than Rhyce and is more effective up forward. Shaw is a better shut down player of half-forward/wing types. Bevan won't be dropped and neither will Shaw in all seriousness. It will be Reid to go out.

This thread has really taken a 90 degree turn hasn't it?

 

[BarneyBent]

Bevan is a better shut down defender than Rhyce and is more effective up forward. Shaw is a better shut down player of half-forward/wing types. Bevan won't be dropped and neither will Shaw in all seriousness. It will be Reid to go out.

This thread has really taken a 90 degree turn hasn't it?

Lol, yes it has. I did try to relate my first White/Reid post back to TDL to keep the thread on topic though!

What makes you so sure Bevo won't be dropped? He was annihilated by Brennan (admittedly it was always a terrible match-up for Bevo, so I can't say I blame him much), and had a couple of defensive lapses on Proud when moved. Bevo has been nice and solid, but not undroppable. We have Shaw, Mattner and Smith who can all perform shut-down roles. Yes, Shaw might be better at the HF types, but then Mattner and Smith are better at the small-forward types. Malceski has also been in quite decent defensive form recently.

Reid is young, he's inexperienced, he didn't dominate, but he added a dimension to our forwardline which I thought was VERY important. When he was taking marks across half-forward, we were kicking goals.

 

[SOPH_CROSS]

im so glad everyone see's how fantastic he is

yes his 1st two games he had the yipds but he settled and hes scored 3+ goals over the last few weeks and we must all remember he was injured at the start of the year and had to re do a full preseason before playing again

I love him the kids a gun actually hes not a kid hes a bloody good player

 

[Swans120]

Lol, yes it has. I did try to relate my first White/Reid post back to TDL to keep the thread on topic though!

What makes you so sure Bevo won't be dropped? He was annihilated by Brennan (admittedly it was always a terrible match-up for Bevo, so I can't say I blame him much), and had a couple of defensive lapses on Proud when moved. Bevo has been nice and solid, but not undroppable. We have Shaw, Mattner and Smith who can all perform shut-down roles. Yes, Shaw might be better at the HF types, but then Mattner and Smith are better at the small-forward types. Malceski has also been in quite decent defensive form recently.

Reid is young, he's inexperienced, he didn't dominate, but he added a dimension to our forwardline which I thought was VERY important. When he was taking marks across half-forward, we were kicking goals.

Since Bevo has been reintroduced into the team (more out of injuries than because of him winning his spot back IMO) he has shut down a lot of dangerous small forwards, shown he has improved as a defender and shown glimpses when he is allowed to go forward.

I thought he played quite well last night though some of his stuff on Brennan was disappointing (i thought this matchup was coming as he played on and beat Brennan easily a few years ago at the Gabba...2008 it might have been). But his disposal and defensive work has become more consistent and he is just making nowhere near as many mistakes as he used to (giving frees away, going to ground, letting in cheap goals). Had a few goal assists last night including setting up Reid's goal with a beautifully judged kick over the pack to Sam's advantage. I'm noticing he is also getting his hands on the ball more and more and setting up scoring thrusts more often. Seems he is more confident going forward and carrying the ball rather than just concentrating on being a lock down defender.

I rate Bevo a better defender of medium/small forwards than Shaw and Mal and probably about equal with Mattner (another to have had a few weeks of very solid form).

And the reason I am so confident Bevan won't be dropped is that Roosy is clearly a big fan of his and always has been. Look at the players Bevan gets assigned to. Leon Davis, Daniel Motlop, Jared Brennan, Jeff Garlett including others who don't spring to mind at the moment. And he has done well on them for the most part.

And I know Reid was fantastic last night, a stellar performance for a debuting 19yo tall. But realistically, when you think about how Roosy does things regarding young players and the loyalty he gives to the tried and true AND when you think about how successful we have been with such tried and true players over the last month...it all points to guys like Meredith, Rohan, Reid going out for Mumford, ROK and Hannebery.

 

[legend166]

Can't drop Bevo. He's had a great second half of the year and basically saved his career. Easily deserves his spot. Especially with Carlton's fleet of small forwards.

As for TDL, very happy with him. Will be even better next year after a full AFL preseason.

 

[smithy72]

Really enjoying TDL at the moment because he presents himself as a genuine smaller forward,I thought Sam Reid was great last night his reach & 1 take grabs were fantastic, but he needs a summer in the gym..with Bradshaw not going to take any further part in the year,we really need Jesse as a Strong Forward for the "Swoopers" to do their job..But I honestly love our intensity at the moment.Kieran is just an absolute GUN!!

 

[db swannie]

He's the biggest surprise for me in 2010. I really didn't expect him to be this good. Not spectacular by any means, but he gets the job done.

He seems to have a harmless looking, non-aggressive face, and this is probably why I initially thought he was useless.

I laughed.

His confidence has grown leaps and bounds too. His first game he looked a bit wobbly, but he's really slotted into the side well, and as others have said, really knows how to put himself in the right place. Taking he and Jetta as more mature rookies has real advantages in terms of their "readiness" for AFL level footy.

 

[Dangas]

is doing his job as a forward

 

[MickyG]

I like his enthusiasm. Looks to be really enjoying himself (and why wouldn't he).

 

[bradmanstandguy]

He is starting to read the play really well.And knows that he will be outbodied in pack marks
in the goalsquare,so he seems to go with his one on one skills. He is still a bit scrawny
and needs to bulk up a bit. He has a great kicking action,and as we have seen in the last couple of games he knows where the sticks are. Our midfield are also starting to kick to his
advantage. Anyhow just my thoughts.

 

[grimlock]

The pre-season injury set him back for a while, and he looked really rusty coming back through the reserves. I remember in the intra-club game he outpointed experienced defenders like Mattner and Kennelly, by doing the same sort of things that we are seeing now, running or backing into space and taking clever marks.

 

[MVP_PaulRoos]

All bow down before TDL!

I can't understand how TDL is still flying under the radar. He has been a huge factor in our improvement from our mid-season slump, by giving us a decent target in the forward line. He has also been the dominant forward on ground in the last two games. He also puts in a big effort defensively, and has added to our forward line pressure.

Yet somehow, he continues to be almost unknown by our opponents. I was reading a preview thread on the Carlton board for the Swans v Carlton game. Only one Carlton supporter suggested that it might be time that Jack recieved a hard tag, and TDL's name was not even mentioned. Sometimes the ignorance of our major players, or our players in good form, from the rest of the AFL world, astounds me.

Anyway, even if nobody outside Sydney knows who you are, rest assured that you are well loved by Swans fans TDL. I just thought it was time somebody made a big deal about how important TDL has become for us.

 

[BeepTest]

Re: All bow down before TDL!

He was well know for being the weakest front running seagull ever to have played WAFL.

 

[swans16]

Re: All bow down before TDL!

Good On Ya Mate!

 

[TheGoatBaron]

Re: All bow down before TDL!

He was well know for being the weakest front running seagull ever to have played WAFL.

You're another expert that's upset, that we are playing finals, instead of finishing in the bottom 4, like many experts here predicted?

 

[Tedeski]

Re: All bow down before TDL!

TDL was recruited as a smart goal kicking forward with an accurate kick.

He has settled well there & has a terrific technique & he doesn't miss much. I like that.

Four shots on goal can pretty much mean 4.0 or 3.1 instead of the 1.3 or 2.2 that we have often been used to with many of our forwards over the years. He also leads to spots where he can have a reasonable shot for goal. Big Jesse seems to run too wide most of the time.
Still early days but he is a very smart small forward. He will heavily tagged this week!