The Swift thread

[richy4]

see i don't get this. does EVERY player who gets 50 games suddenly turn into something great?! what about weedon? strijk? hams? stevens? jordan jones? why aren't we aren't we pumping 50 games into these guys so we can build around them?

i don't want to come down too heavy on swift just because he had a particularly bad game. i'm just not convinced he is destined to be in any afl top-22. he will play 50 games if he deserves to get them. on performances like yesterday, he doesn't.

Well first of all when he was given a shot at the start of his career he impressed. Unlike guys like Jordan Jones they have been given opportunity and were not very good at all.

Secondly, Swift hasn't been bad this year. People have just decided to hate him for whatever reason and every bad thing he does it's like his whole game was based on that one mistake..

 

[Galileo9]

i hate him so much!! why can't we play masten, strijk, stevens etc

well masten had similar low impact so you would hate him too. strijk most overrated player in our history, stevens plays in Priddis' spot really and did nothing when given a chance.

as for "etc", it seems that you are simply interested in having a little toy every weekend that they can j*ck over before going to bed. just keep swapping them.

I'd like to think our coaches know what they are doing and answering the "why" questions is pointless people are not interesting in knowing about development curves and making little improvements in players' game until it all clicks. most people are only interested in someone out of the blocks, explosive and clean.

not saying swift didnt make mistakes but how about backing players for a change. but thats just boring. as i said above, he has only played 28 games. ability is there and coaches see it. he still makes mistakes but has cut out the really really bad mistakes. that means there is improvement. how about we go with that for a change.

 

[the harry]

see i don't get this. does EVERY player who gets 50 games suddenly turn into something great?! what about weedon? strijk? hams? stevens? jordan jones? why aren't we aren't we pumping 50 games into these guys so we can build around them?

i don't want to come down too heavy on swift just because he had a particularly bad game. i'm just not convinced he is destined to be in any afl top-22. he will play 50 games if he deserves to get them. on performances like yesterday, he doesn't.

Because the potential upside from Swift is thought to be far better than many others. He was, allegedly, a very good junior who has two years of serious knee injuries. He also has youth on his side compared to Hams and Strijk.

Would love to be getting games into JoJo and Stevens though.

 

[KaaL]

Jordan jones has only played 2 games that's barely an opportunity.

 

[Bestbird]

He hAsn't been that bad this year for a player with 30 odd games and has been in and out of the side. The problem is that the benchmark is very high due to the amazing performances of some of our young players this year as well as the team in general.

 

[richy4]

He was bad in those two games. Swift has consistently dominated the WAFL, jordan hasn't.

 

[Bacchus]

Well first of all when he was given a shot at the start of his career he impressed. Unlike guys like Jordan Jones they have been given opportunity and were not very good at all.

Secondly, Swift hasn't been bad this year. People have just decided to hate him for whatever reason and every bad thing he does it's like his whole game was based on that one mistake..

This is not true! The bloke had two games in an undermanned team and did okay IMO. Don't rewrite history to suit your argument.

 

[salo]

Well first of all when he was given a shot at the start of his career he impressed. Unlike guys like Jordan Jones they have been given opportunity and were not very good at all.

Secondly, Swift hasn't been bad this year. People have just decided to hate him for whatever reason and every bad thing he does it's like his whole game was based on that one mistake..

jordan jones? has played 2 career games and none since looking the goods in the pre-season! (you should've picked someone else!)

as for swift, time will tell. like you (probably) i'm encouraged by the fact that the club still thinks he is worth playing. maybe he will come good. i just don't think he's done enough to warrant the hype that he gets around here or be a walk-up starter every week until he reaches 50 games.

 

[Matera92]

well masten had similar low impact so you would hate him too. Strijk most overrated player in our history, stevens plays in priddis' spot really and did nothing when given a chance.

As for "etc", it seems that you are simply interested in having a little toy every weekend that they can j*ck over before going to bed. Just keep swapping them.

I'd like to think our coaches know what they are doing and answering the "why" questions is pointless people are not interesting in knowing about development curves and making little improvements in players' game until it all clicks. Most people are only interested in someone out of the blocks, explosive and clean.

Not saying swift didnt make mistakes but how about backing players for a change. But thats just boring. As i said above, he has only played 28 games. Ability is there and coaches see it. He still makes mistakes but has cut out the really really bad mistakes. That means there is improvement. How about we go with that for a change.

but i prefer to go into hysterics when a young player is'nt the next judd!!!

 

[Galileo9]

see i don't get this. does EVERY player who gets 50 games suddenly turn into something great?! what about weedon? strijk? hams? stevens? jordan jones? why aren't we aren't we pumping 50 games into these guys so we can build around them?

i don't want to come down too heavy on swift just because he had a particularly bad game. i'm just not convinced he is destined to be in any afl top-22. he will play 50 games if he deserves to get them. on performances like yesterday, he doesn't.

well thats where you are wrong. swift has always been able to find the ball. 18 posessions with 71% game time is not bad and players who can find the ball are always given more of a chance than weedon or jones who cant find it in first place.

sure jones is now playing well in wafl, but he needs to show that for a while before given a chance. not after 2xgood games. why do u want to see jones? is it because of the whole new toy thing i wrote above? because i am certain most posters who call for jones have never seen him play in wafl. neither have i but i trust coaches to see what he has to offer. they know what each player can offer. its not a popularity contest!

 

[richy4]

This is not true! The bloke had two games in an undermanned team and did okay IMO. Don't rewrite history to suit your argument.

haha

No i didn't mean it like that, how many games did Swift play before he started dominating and getting a couple BOG performances?

My point was he set a really high standard from the get go, whereas others didn't. The reason he keeps coming back in the team is because his WAFL form is always excellent. The other guys haven't been that good in that respect.

 

[richy4]

jordan jones? has played 2 career games and none since looking the goods in the pre-season! (you should've picked someone else!)

as for swift, time will tell. like you (probably) i'm encouraged by the fact that the club still thinks he is worth playing. maybe he will come good. i just don't think he's done enough to warrant the hype that he gets around here or be a walk-up starter every week until he reaches 50 games.

I haven't seen much of him, probably should of mentioned someone else
but what i have seen of him have not been impressed.

Thing is he hasn't been a walk up start, he has been battling very hard each week to get into the side or stay in it.

 

[bali-dog]

i dont hate swift..
i just dont get swift???
like i dont get masten?
but i dont wish to unreasonably bash these guys..if they become better players after more games, well thats great for them and the team..and i'm happy with that.
my point is and always has been..even if swift has only played 20 games,and masten=?, thats 20 oppurtunities to show what he's got and what he can bring to the team...i dont recall seeing a whole lot in that time, especially when compared to Hams,Strijk,Smith,Lycett,let alone Darling,shuey gaff..
even Hams impacted on games and left an impression...but swift (and masten)??..i just dont get what theyre supposed to have..but they might both be miracles waiting to happen??..or depth players at best and fade away..
it is looking more and more like they were the best of a bad draft season,and now placed in the context of a team hotting up with solid contributors,these guys just dont reach the benchmark,and are being shown up for what they are, 2nd tier..?
if koby stevens gets more gametime for example,and happens to make an impact,then it kind of speaks for itself re swift+masten..
but as i said if one or both happen to step up,well its a win-win..great for the team.

 

[the harry]

Oh come on, Hams is 25 this year and Strijk is turning 24! They were drafted as mature aged recruits, that's not a fair comparison at all! Why don't you point to Troy Wilson and ask why every player drafted doesn't have a body like that?

At the start of this year Smith was lucky to stay in the side, but was able get continual games and improve. While Darling and Shuey were draft steals.

 

[wce4premiership]

Was a bad week for him, deserves to be dropped hopefully turns it around though.

He either needs to practice on his left or just can it, it's shit.

 

[Winky]

i dont hate swift..
i just dont get swift???
like i dont get masten?
but i dont wish to unreasonably bash these guys..if they become better players after more games, well thats great for them and the team..and i'm happy with that.
my point is and always has been..even if swift has only played 20 games,and masten=?, thats 20 oppurtunities to show what he's got and what he can bring to the team...i dont recall seeing a whole lot in that time, especially when compared to Hams,Strijk,Smith,Lycett,let alone Darling,shuey gaff..
even Hams impacted on games and left an impression...but swift (and masten)??..i just dont get what theyre supposed to have..but they might both be miracles waiting to happen??..or depth players at best and fade away..
it is looking more and more like they were the best of a bad draft season,and now placed in the context of a team hotting up with solid contributors,these guys just dont reach the benchmark,and are being shown up for what they are, 2nd tier..?
if koby stevens gets more gametime for example,and happens to make an impact,then it kind of speaks for itself re swift+masten..
but as i said if one or both happen to step up,well its a win-win..great for the team.

Swift has abilty as does Masten. Masten appears too anxious to get rid of the ball but would be handy if he could overcome that and get a bit more of the ball as we badly needs some pace. Swift works hard and is ready to put his body on the line. Sometimes he seems to be a bit unsure as to the best option but then so does McGinnity, S Selwood and Schofield..all young players. I think Swift will be a good player but have doubts about Masten. Having said that however, I thought Stevens deserved a run as he hasn't been given a real good go...maybe he is not following instruction? I doubt Hams will overtake any of the younger guys but I would have thought Strjk was a chance. Can't see Dalzeil, Houlihan, Stevenson, C Wilson or B Jones staying on longer than this year. Would like to see J Jones het a run but maybe he also doesn't follow instruction.

 

[The_Panther]

well masten had similar low impact so you would hate him too. strijk most overrated player in our history, stevens plays in Priddis' spot really and did nothing when given a chance.

as for "etc", it seems that you are simply interested in having a little toy every weekend that they can j*ck over before going to bed. just keep swapping them.

I'd like to think our coaches know what they are doing and answering the "why" questions is pointless people are not interesting in knowing about development curves and making little improvements in players' game until it all clicks. most people are only interested in someone out of the blocks, explosive and clean.

not saying swift didnt make mistakes but how about backing players for a change. but thats just boring. as i said above, he has only played 28 games. ability is there and coaches see it. he still makes mistakes but has cut out the really really bad mistakes. that means there is improvement. how about we go with that for a change.

I made the comment based on my overall impression of his performances. I really couldn't be bothered detailing instances he has demonstrated poor decsion making or poor skill execution.

Well i am backing players... Masten, stevens and strijk!! I'm frustrated that we give all the young mids 1 or 2 games then send them back to the wafl. Give them 4 or 5 games, this consistency will build their confidence and overall performance.

I'd play Masten in front of swift as he has greater potential and will provide a similar output. I'd play Strijk in front of swift as he has excelled at wafl level ie reward performance.

Seriously bf is designed for supporters to talk dross about players, speculate on how we improve our team. I get the impression you have some link to the kid as he has done nothing for you to show this level of support?

 

[Swift Chubby]

I've followed Swift and backed him hard, but it's becoming a struggle.

If this talk of Shuey going off on field is true, it wouldn't surprise me. We've developed a tightly knit group and Swift doesn't seem to be part of it. Seems like a bit of a loner post-game, doesn't seem to have a bond with anyone. I remember the only time he looked like he had a mate on the park was when Ryan Neates was playing in the pre-season. His current form is just so out of whack with how the rest of the team is playing; no intensity whatsoever.

He hasn't been playing that badly, I mean the OOTF's yesterday weren't completely shocking, I think it was more that it was during a crucial part of the game. He's probably trying to prove something to the Woosha and Burnsy by doing something magic, but it's not coming off.

He's a very smart guy, 99.5 TER or something, maybe he's thought too hard about the game and forgotten the basics. Regardless, I think he's gone; it's unfortunate for him that we 've gone so well to date, because otherwise he and Stevens would've gotten a lot more gametime.

 

[Tiff]

I've followed Swift and backed him hard, but it's becoming a struggle.

If this talk of Shuey going off on field is true, it wouldn't surprise me. We've developed a tightly knit group and Swift doesn't seem to be part of it. Seems like a bit of a loner post-game, doesn't seem to have a bond with anyone. I remember the only time he looked like he had a mate on the park was when Ryan Neates was playing in the pre-season. His current form is just so out of whack with how the rest of the team is playing; no intensity whatsoever.

He hasn't been playing that badly, I mean the OOTF's yesterday weren't completely shocking, I think it was more that it was during a crucial part of the game. He's probably trying to prove something to the Woosha and Burnsy by doing something magic, but it's not coming off.

He's a very smart guy, 99.5 TER or something, maybe he's thought too hard about the game and forgotten the basics. Regardless, I think he's gone; it's unfortunate for him that we 've gone so well to date, because otherwise he and Stevens would've gotten a lot more gametime.

Pfft, wasn't Juddy like 99 TER as well, what's he done

 

[Keys]

The downside of having a good run with injuries is that you don't get game time into players who are outside the best 22. Swift is worth persevering with on our list but with a full or near full squad to choose from he hasn't done enough to warrant selection and consequently ends up being in and out of the side and can't get the continuity he needs to build confidence at the highest level

we've seen the improvement in players like smith schofield and scooter who have been given the chance to develop so on time swift may get his chance

Stevens masten sheppard etc are all in the same boat

 

[richy4]

I've followed Swift and backed him hard, but it's becoming a struggle.

If this talk of Shuey going off on field is true, it wouldn't surprise me. We've developed a tightly knit group and Swift doesn't seem to be part of it. Seems like a bit of a loner post-game, doesn't seem to have a bond with anyone. I remember the only time he looked like he had a mate on the park was when Ryan Neates was playing in the pre-season. His current form is just so out of whack with how the rest of the team is playing; no intensity whatsoever.

I noticed this too. Doesn't seem to be close with anyone, saw him tap someone on the side and they just seemed to ignore him and look the other way. Could just be a quiet kid and keeps to himself. Which is absolutely fine.

Has anyone actually met him?

Just wondering maybe something happened behind the scenes

 

[Bacchus]

haha

No i didn't mean it like that, how many games did Swift play before he started dominating and getting a couple BOG performances?

My point was he set a really high standard from the get go, whereas others didn't. The reason he keeps coming back in the team is because his WAFL form is always excellent. The other guys haven't been that good in that respect.

1) Swift dominating?? A very generous assessment IMO.

2) Couple of BOG's? Again generous. Did put in some decent and promising performances at the end of '09. That's getting to be a long time ago now. This was after a few games, not his first two.

3) High standard from the get go? Once again very generous, and rewriting history.

4) Excellent WAFL form? Others not? The majority of Eagles players do well in the WAFL. Dalziell for example, regularly accumulates very high stats. Swift's stats looks good, but a lot of cheap, ineffective possessions like Dalziell.

5) Others don't dominate WAFL like Swift? Simply incorrect! Jordan Jones who you picked out to compare with Swift has been regularly getting very high stats with a much poorer team. Masten invariably gets 30+ games when he plays WAFL.

As a WC supporter I would like to see all our recruits become stars at the highest level. I try to take an unbiased or if anything generous attitude to them all. After a few years if they haven't made it, I guess you have to give up. I've tried to see the best in Swift and still hold out some hope for him. But the fact is, he is a poor kick if not a woeful kick, and this is the most basic and important skill of the game. He has made some improvement from last year, e.g. not getting done for HTB like he was last year. A second thing about Swift is that he doesn't have the physical strength or mass to compete at the highest level. He gets thrown around like a rag doll. I can't say whether he is arrogant or not, but I remember a WC site interview he did last year where he said he was focussing on core strength not muscle mass. The guy needs more weight and power, does he think he is Chris Judd or someone? His game yesterday was very poor, surely you would have to agree with that? I would say if he's not traded, and there's no point giving him away for nothing, he might have one more year to establish himself.

 

[Alexwce]

he needs to adapt to speed of AFL, he will be a brilliant player, give it time.

 

[ioppolo]

Been mentioned before, if he had been given more opportunities then Ebert, who is likely to be the better player?

 

[rhinowce]

This.

He has been solid-good in the games he has played. You're blind if you think otherwise. Dropping him is not required.

Unless all our stars come back this week, which i doubt they will he should be getting a game for the rest of the season.

Dont agree with the bolded part, doesnt send a very good msg to the rest of the squad when you can play like a complete dud and be gifted games just for the sake of it..