The ANZAC Day weekend started with the long trek up to Mackay in north Queensland on Thursday morning. With plenty of rain forecast, the weather was true to form with heavy downpours on arrival making the ground waterlogged for our training run in the afternoon. With terrific facilities at the hotel where we were staying, we were hoping for a break in the weather so the ground could recover in time for the start of the game the next day. Waking up Friday morning, the weather looked more promising with the sun beaming down and not a rain cloud in sight.
It is always an honour to play on ANZAC Day and the boys were excited and looking forward to the challenge of playing the Brisbane Lions reserves on this historic occasion. With a schedule 1.30pm start, we arrived at Harrup Park just before midday and the conditions were just about perfect – the only problem was that the ground was still very much waterlogged, which made for heavy and slippery conditions. It was always going to be a day of congestion around the ball and so it proved with numerous stoppages throughout the game.
The game started very much like our last contest, with the boys able to create scoreboard pressure by kicking early goals. Tim Membrey was once again prominent up forward and kicked two first quarter goals. Our first quarter was impressive as we managed to control the play with some good ball movement through the middle of the ground and inside our forward 50.
To the Lions’ credit, they fought back well to make it a tough contest and made us work hard for the win. Inaccurate kicking in the third quarter by the Lions allowed us to keep our noses in front on the scoreboard going into the final quarter. Some poor decision making, a drop in intensity around the ball and a more determined opponent in the third term meant a response was needed from the guys at the start of the last, and they didn’t disappoint. The boys got on the scoreboard early to swing the momentum back in our favour, which put our noses in front at a critical time. But the Lions wouldn’t go away, challenging again and kicking two goals late in the last to get within a point at the final siren. Rest assured that when that siren went, there was a huge sigh of relief in the coaches’ box.
After a solid start to the season, we now have our first scheduled bye this weekend, so it will be a good chance for players to get over any niggles they may have and tackle the next block of games head on. It will no doubt be a solid week on the track and the boys are already looking forward to playing the UWS Giants at ANZ Stadium in a fortnight.
Player Focus:
Each week, the Sydney Swans development coaches, Josh Francou, Jared Crouch and Nick Davis will highlight the performances of some of the Swans’ NEAFL players.
These players are those who contributed well on game day, made improvements or played a significant role for the Swans.
NEAFL Player of the Week – Shane Biggs
Shane has been one of our most consistent performers in the first five rounds of the NEAFL season with his ball use by foot a standout feature of his game. He continues to provide plenty of run and carry from defence and also defends well in one-on-one situations.
Key Stats: 24 disposals, three marks
Tom Mitchell
It was a workman-like game from Tom. The wet and heavy conditions suited him perfectly and his hardness around the football was noticeable. He was able to find plenty of the ball in congestion and was able to distribute it by hand to advantage on most occasions.
Key Stats: 32 disposals, 22 handballs, four tackles
Harrison Marsh
Harrison was solid again. Playing forward and on-ball for the first half, he was able to use his strengths in the conditions and get his hands on the ball. After half-time he was moved to the half-back line where he showed good game sense by dropping off to assist at times and good composure when he had the ball.
Key Stats: 14 disposals, two marks, two intercepts
Dan Robinson
It was a pleasing game again for Dan. With more time spent forward in recent weeks, he was able to kick two important goals and look threatening on a number of occasions – especially in the first half. He continues to show poise in traffic and usually uses the ball to his team mates’ advantage.
Key Stats: 28 disposals 4 tackles 2 goals
Aliir Aliir
Aliir had a solid game. Whilst there are areas of the defensive side of his game he needs to continually focus on, Aliir’s ability to spoil, read the play to intercept, show poise under pressure and use it to advantage were pleasing. He will be looking to build on this in the coming weeks.
Key Stats: 14 disposals, six tackles, eight spoils
