Which Swan is most underrated by opposition supporters?

[DeadlyAkkuret]

We all know the moment, when you mention a Sydney player's name on BigFooty and many opposition supporters will ask what they've done for the last two years or simply say "Who?".

I can't remember the poster or the thread, but Ted was severely underrated by someone on this site last last year and the particular poster seemed to think he wasn't in our best 22 based on the season he had. Strange, but sadly not surprising.

If you don't want to nominate one of the players I've listed, go with other and post who that player is.

 

[AG]

Nick Smith. His generic name doesn't help him become known amongst opposition supporters either.

 

[Danair]

It's a tossup between Richards and Smith, but considering it was a disgrace that Teddy wasn't even picked in the AA squad last year means I went with him.

 

[Irvin11]

I'd say Richards.

 

[drivative]

Probably Smith for me too, but how about 'other': Grundy? Is he rated by other supporters?

 

[AG]

Grundy is starting to become not rated by our own supporters.

 

[Irvin11]

Grundy is starting to become not rated by our own supporters.

Grundy is like David Luiz imo. Is usually very reliable, but every now and then he will make a glaring error which causes people to lambaste him.

 

[Jack Lord]

I reckon Kieran Jack. He had such a quiet 2011 it's easy to forget how fantastic he was a year earlier. If he recreates his best this year, 2012 could be a top year for the swans.

 

[MF]

LRT because not only do opposition supporters not realise how good he is, but they actually think he's shit.

 

[J_Moore]

Yeah, LRT, no doubt. People still regard him as completely useless. I remember sitting behind a North supporter at the SCG in 2010 who spent the whole game yelling it "kick it to roberts-thomson!!!!" as if it was the funniest thing on the world, but meanwhile Lewie was playing his best ever game for the club behind the grand final. He was on fire, but people still rehwd him as a gumby.

 

[vonn]

Anyone in our BACKLINE

 

[grimlock]

I agree with the names mentioned so far but I'll add two of my own

Ted Richards - He has come along in leaps and bounds in the last 18 months so it's somewhat excusable that many opposition fans think he is a washed up Essendon hack forward or at best a competent but limited loose defender. Having held down the difficult job at full back and beating some of the game's best forwards, he would be right on the cusp of AA selection. That is, assuming the AA selectors ever bothered to watch our games.

Mike Pyke - Pyke's all-round improvement in 2011 unfortunately co-incided with two events. Firstly, the introduction of the subsitute and reduction of the interchange bench from four to three. This has had the effect of demolishing the 2nd ruck position (at least at the Swans) which has morphed into a role of a tall forward who possesses the capability to ruck 30 or so minutes a game to relieve Mumford. Secondly, the long term quad strain he suffered just as he broke into the team in Rounds 6-7 basically ended his season. He was a surprise emergency late in the year which only served to illustrate how highly regarded he is at the club, given that Seaby had performed solidly in the reserves (and some seniors games) during Pyke's convalescence but was immediately bypassed once Pykey was fit again.

So with only 2 senior games in 2011 to show off his improved game, many opposition fans remain unconvinced of his worth (hello BT) and still view him as a novelty - the ex-Canadian rugby player who once scored against the All Blacks. In fact, I sincerely believe some of his tapwork is as good as Mumford's and would be our 2nd ruckmen if the old 4 man interchange system was still in place.

 

[Matstar]

I know this is going to sound absurd but for mine its Goodes. You would not believe how many arguments I have had in Melbourne Pub’s with regard to the pure brilliants that is Adam Goodes.

He is apparently a protected species that is looked after by the AFL and the umpiring department oh and he should never have won a Brownlow.

I remember going to the footy with a Richmond supporter at the MCG a few years ago he was one of those people! That day Goodes played one of the best games I have seen. At the end of the game my mate said to me “man I had no appreciation of how great that bloke really is, I take it all back”.

 

[.Shotties.]

Nick "he's a fringe player in an average side" Smith. From a supporter of a team who routinely gets taken apart by small forwards no less.

 

[Swanee]

Having not been able to attend many football matches for a few years now, I wont enter any names as I really arent aware of the Swans players that are under-rated by opposing teams supporters. But I must admit, I used to under rate LRT. He reminded me of Ishmael in the movie 'Kingpin', played by Randy Quaid, in fact he still does. But I no longer under rate him, especially after his performance in the 05 Grand Final, and many games since. But, when I do get to see a game on TV over here, I still have to remind myself that I'm not watching Ishmael running around in our Swans colours.

 

[tombomb]

I know this is going to sound absurd but for mine its Goodes. You would not believe how many arguments I have had in Melbourne Pub’s with regard to the pure brilliants that is Adam Goodes.

Smith and Richards are obvious ones, especially smith. But I agree about Goodes. In all the 'best players in the league lists' he is usually somewhere from 8-15. He has been a dominant player since 2003, plays the occassional poor game ... but they are getting less common. Seeing him live is like watching an adult against kids.

 

[cmpower]

sorry to but in guys, but i think mcglynn is a very very underrated player.

 

[S120]

I think that's an excellent call actually. Never hear anyone giving him a pump up from outside the club.

So underrated he doesn't even attain a place as most underrated at the club!

 

[legend166]

I think Nick Smith gets mentioned so much in 'underrated' discussions he's properly rated now.

I think LRTs career as a whole is underrated.

 

[scottwade]

I think Josh Kennedy is probably still underrated by everyone (including myself).

23 yo, leading clearance player in the AFL in 2011, top 3 in the B&F the 2 years he has been with the club.

Just goes about his job week in week out, in an unobtrusive, but highly effective manner. Often when I list my best players after the game and he'll be 5th or 6th, then I look at the stats and the replay and realise that yet again I've underrated him.

As for others I think Goodes is finally being given his due recognition, after many years of being a supposed 'umpires pet' and I actually think Smith is fairly well acknowledged for the job he does.

So for an underrated player by external supporters my pick is Mumford.
I think Swans fans recognise his importance, but outside the club he is still seen by many as an overweight bullocking Mick Nolan type ruckman.
A second tier ruckman if you will.

 

[SOPH_CROSS]

Sexy Smith he just goes in does his what hes told to do does it and normally comes out on top will lead this club in a few years

 

[Tippett2Goal]

Ignoring those that under-rate because they have nfi who a player is...

I vote Mattner based on last year.

More knowledgeable people of allot of teams rate Smith, and JPK
Richards was criminally under-rated last year, but still think Mattner was moreso.

 

[baja]

On league teams Dermie just said Reid's biggest asset is his run and jump at the ball, but a decent CHB wouldnt let it happen, he is 19 FFS and held the position all year, cant wait till he adds a few kgs!

All the panel were excited about Rohan.

 

[S120]

Reid's big improvement as a power forward will come when he has put on that extra kilos necessary for him to be able to wrestle with and out-muscle key defenders in marking contests. As has been said, he runs and jumps at the ball and clunks them with his bucket hands but at 19 yo (not surprisingly of course) he gets beaten in strength contests.

 

[MF]

On league teams Dermie just said Reid's biggest asset is his run and jump at the ball, but a decent CHB wouldnt let it happen, he is 19 FFS and held the position all year, cant wait till he adds a few kgs!

I'd say his pack marking is his strong point. Particularly when you consider his age and weight.