VFL VFL Round 7 v Geelong. Saturday 12:05pm @ Victoria Park

[Kappa]

We mid need a mature “beast” mid who’s not quite good enough for AFL to be the on field leader / protector for our young mids and to stop us getting killed around the stoppage (which constantly puts our defensive players under pressure

We have one, his name is Ned

 

[Kappa]

TJ and Ryan were close to BOG.

Well that's positive news, sounds like most of the kids took a step forward apart from Prindable Smit and HDM

 

[Vankri]

This was my concern on draft night, but he showed good lateral movement v Box Hill which was a more encouraging match. The problem for most of the season thus far is that he looks for all the world like a top up player. All of Swadling, Anderson and Saxena show genuine AFL traits (whether it translates is another story) and I’m yet to see it with him outside that match.

Ryan getting close to a senior recall, IMO.

I agree and also make judgements on early players based on whether they have AFL traits. Some players have the attributes but not the traits so to speak. Eg at this stage every one can see Allan has speed, endurance, a big body but no one can really point out to what that actually means in terms of impacting play at AFL level. Prindable could end up the same. I’m writing neither off but it’s a stark comparison with players like West, Saxena, HH or Hayes who all in their own have game plays that can translate.

I’m not as enamoured by Swadling as others but admittedly that’s because I don’t follow the draft as much and have only seen 3 VFL games. What do you think his role would be at AFL level? Looks a bit like a Tom Phillips to me with the game having moved in another direction, or dare I say an Allan. What am I missing?

 

[Piesinmyeyes]

Liked Swadling today.
More polish and better decision making.
Improving.
Saxena is a talent and has good touch, good signs.
West whilst had few disposals, his efficiency was excellent and has smarts and nous. Looking forward to his next senior call up.
Howes also promising in defence and HH started really strongly though faded, but has class.
TJ marking and run was better today, thou kicking was below par.
Allan wasn’t really influential thou had his usual 30 odd touches.
Ryan ok.
Not much else to report, killed in the midfield and transition.

 

[nahnah]

why does our vfl team always suck

 

[stormskye]

We mid need a mature “beast” mid who’s not quite good enough for AFL to be the on field leader / protector for our young mids and to stop us getting killed around the stoppage (which constantly puts our defensive players under pressure

Grey is no beast but def missed him today

 

[Scodog10]

I agree and also make judgements on early players based on whether they have AFL traits. Some players have the attributes but not the traits so to speak. Eg at this stage every one can see Allan has speed, endurance, a big body but no one can really point out to what that actually means in terms of impacting play at AFL level. Prindable could end up the same. I’m writing neither off but it’s a stark comparison with players like West, Saxena, HH or Hayes who all in their own have game plays that can translate.

I’m not as enamoured by Swadling as others but admittedly that’s because I don’t follow the draft as much and have only seen 3 VFL games. What do you think his role would be at AFL level? Looks a bit like a Tom Phillips to me with the game having moved in another direction, or dare I say an Allan. What am I missing?

Just as a point of clarification I’m not yet at a point of judgement on Prindable, but I agree that you can see it early with some. Largely we’re in agreement.

Swadling though reminds me of a podcast I listen to every couple of years on WW1. There was a high ranking official in the entente armies (can’t remember who) that noted quantity has a quality of its own. Swadling just finds the ball whether it’s work rate, smarts, boisterous calling etc. and I was iffy on whether it would translate from Colts to state league. It has. He won’t get to this level, but like Swan I think he just knows where to be and when in order to get a possession or chain of possessions. He could go the Tom Phillips route, but I think it’s more likely his floor than ceiling. At least I hope!

 

[WanderingDude]

Liked Swadling today.
More polish and better decision making.
Improving.
Saxena is a talent and has good touch, good signs.
West whilst had few disposals, his efficiency was excellent and has smarts and nous. Looking forward to his next senior call up.
Howes also promising in defence and HH started really strongly though faded, but has class.
TJ marking and run was better today, thou kicking was below par.
Allan wasn’t really influential thou had his usual 30 odd touches.
Ryan ok.
Not much else to report, killed in the midfield and transition.

Some of Saxena’s body work and football smarts I did not expect. A wonderful project player.
TJ and Allan had major brain fades.
I wanted Howes left forward. Points to the pies and dunce cap to me. He had a couple of moments. A handfull of
games and Geelong makes it very good. So much to work with.
Allan, Ryan and HDM are getting more of it. Ryan was a bit better than expected. HDM found the ball immediately on return. It feels like a participation award to the three rather than advancing to the next stage.
West soon.

 

[Kappa]

why does our vfl team always suck

We seem like we try to replicate the AFL side in terms of lots of sharp handballs and high risk kicks, only problem is our VFL squad never has the skill to execute it consistently and we constantly turn the ball over in high risk areas.

 

[CollingwoodBoots]

I think Prindable is tidy, but his lack of spread/athleticism will be his biggest barrier. A dying breed of elite level midfielders.

Ed Allan again just zero composure, 32 touches but half of them were blind kicks off one step or panicked handballs.

HDM actually liked his game, thought he showed a bit.

Saxena great as others have said, just looks so smart and composed.

Swadling great, very tidy use and clean. Always seems to win the contest in which he’s involved in.

Jiath similar to Allan, does some nice stuff but seems a chaotic player. Lacks composure as well.

There’s also raw, then there is McCarthy. Miles off VFL level let alone AFL. Obviously very long term.

HH not his best but he’s an AFL level player. I also think this of Ryan. Think he’s does the fundamentals extremely well and rarely beaten

 

[sr36]

I think Prindable is tidy, but his lack of spread/athleticism will be his biggest barrier. A dying breed of elite level midfielders.

Ed Allan again just zero composure, 32 touches but half of them were blind kicks off one step or panicked handballs.

HDM actually liked his game, thought he showed a bit.

Saxena great as others have said, just looks so smart and composed.

Swadling great, very tidy use and clean. Always seems to win the contest in which he’s involved in.

Jiath similar to Allan, does some nice stuff but seems a chaotic player. Lacks composure as well.

There’s also raw, then there is McCarthy. Miles off VFL level let alone AFL. Obviously very long term.

HH not his best but he’s an AFL level player. I also think this of Ryan. Think he’s does the fundamentals extremely well and rarely beaten

Ryan is like a VFL Perryman. He's going well. No idea how he'd go at the next level - but pretty hard to fault at VFL level.

 

[Chunky Steak]

Sorry all, I'm totally out of the VFL loop this week. Did Bobby play? If so how much gametime did he get and how did he go?

 

[granniewolf]

Ryan is like a VFL Perryman. He's going well. No idea how he'd go at the next level - but pretty hard to fault at VFL level.

He deserves a chance to show what he can do.

 

[sr36]

He deserves a chance to show what he can do.

AFL defence is pretty stacked - but I'd prefer to see him ahead of Parker next time we need to call on a defender.

 

[stormskye]

We seem like we try to replicate the AFL side in terms of lots of sharp handballs and high risk kicks, only problem is our VFL squad never has the skill to execute it consistently and we constantly turn the ball over in high risk areas.

Def a factor. We can’t defend the wing as well as the seniors. They just aren’t as well drilled in the zone and makes it easy for teams to transition in the space we give.

 

[Apex36]

Sorry all, I'm totally out of the VFL loop this week. Did Bobby play? If so how much gametime did he get and how did he go?

Played the full game, had some ok moments, probably not quite ready for a recall yet.

 

[stormskye]

AFL defence is pretty stacked - but I'd prefer to see him ahead of Parker next time we need to call on a defender.

Agree. I think he’s performing above Parker at VFL lvl atm. Would love to see him get a game atleast against the eagles along with west

 

[Rorzza]

---

AFL.com.au

 

[Chunky Steak]

Played the full game, had some ok moments, probably not quite ready for a recall yet.

Thanks!

 

[WanderingDude]

Sorry all, I'm totally out of the VFL loop this week. Did Bobby play? If so how much gametime did he get and how did he go?

Played many minutes. Just out of play at the moment. I wanted more but it was another step. Two small moments I did not expect. In the second half Bobby was involved with medical staff. It was not concussion related. He was having vision issues. He had an on field vision test, I’m sure it was 3/4 time. At another time he was being out paced by a Geelong player. He was running forward from centre. I was surprised he did not turn on his pace. It felt like a fitness issue. I am not bagging Bobby. Just so good he is out there coming back.

 

[SchuPie]

Saw Humphrey of Gold Coast Sheppard through a goal last night
What’s the rule again?

 

[WanderingDude]

Saw Humphrey of Gold Coast Sheppard through a goal last night
What’s the rule again?

GC yes. Pies no. I don’t know why Howes would run away from the ball.

 

[SchuPie]

GC yes. Pies no. I don’t know why Howes would run away from the ball.

it seemed a bizarre decision

 

[WanderingDude]

it seemed a bizarre decision

I wonder if the ump had an egames background, couldn’t be AFL.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Sorry all, I'm totally out of the VFL loop this week. Did Bobby play? If so how much gametime did he get and how did he go?

IMO all indications are that he won’t be AFL relevant until round 15 at the very earliest (post bye).