This week, the Swans reserves headed out to Homebush to take on UWS at Spotless Stadium. Three weeks ago, we took on the same opponent at the same venue, and on that occasion we suffered a fairly comprehensive loss to the UWS side.
What we were looking for as coaches this week was an improved performance and we wanted to see how much the boys had learnt from that first hit-out. We wanted to see how much the boys had listened in their team meetings both when we reviewed the earlier practice match and when we previewed this coming match and we also wanted to see if they could better execute our game plan and stop what the UWS team wanted to do.
A big focus for the development coaches is the ability of the players to play consistent football both as individuals as well as as a team. While there are players out there who are regular senior footballers based on talent, there are also players out there who earn a senior game because they can be trusted to play at a consistent level each game, rather than playing one great game followed by a couple of poor ones.
In our game this week, UWS got off to the better start. They were harder and cleaner and it paid dividends for them, with them kicking the first couple of goals for the match. We did manage to settle when our rucks started to give our midfielders the first use of the ball. Those players then combined well with our forwards to see us just eight points down at the first change. At the first break, the message was simple: ‘Win the ball in close and work hard to find a man’, which was what we did in the second half of the opening term.
One of the focus areas from last week’s game against the Brisbane Lions reserves was to improve our accuracy in front of goal. For the next two quarters, we managed to do just that by kicking 4.2 in both the second and third quarters, while UWS kicked 1.6 and 2.7 in the same two terms. This improvement in our accuracy as well as the pressure our defenders were putting on their forward line had us leading by 13 points at the final change.
Unfortunately, not everything went to plan in the final term and UWS managed to run over us in the final term to post an eight-point win. Despite the loss, the match saw some big improvements in some of the areas we spoke about in the lead up to the game, but we know there is still work to be done as players and coaches.
As development coaches, we are constantly working to improve the skills and football knowledge of our players. We are also working with the club’s fitness staff to bring them physically up to an AFL standard, and also with our club dietitian to make sure our players are fueled up and hydrated enough come game day. It can take a little while for our first-year players to get a handle of these areas, and the weekend’s result tells us that we still have some work to do when it comes to holding onto a lead late in the game and holding our structures when the pressure is on and we’re exhausted. Having a great food and hydrating plan before, during and after the match is an important part of what helps footballers achieve success on the field.
We hope to make the necessary improvements ahead of this Sunday’s match against Queanbeyan, which will be played as a curtain raiser match to the Swans clash with North Melbourne at the SCG.
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.
Swans Reserves Player of the Week – Dan Robinson
This weekend’s game was yet another good game from Dan, who was also one of our best performers over the pre-season.
He’s been our most consistent inside midfielder in our first two matches and continues to show poise in contested situations.
Dan’s offensive spread was also good, but in the coming weeks we’d like to see him work on his opponent awareness to help him take his game to the next level.
Key stats: 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 10 clearances.
George Hewett
We were able to get more game time into George this week, which saw him play 70 minutes. As soon as he came on the ground in the second quarter, he made an impact by getting his hands on the ball on numerous occasions and moving it forward. He also showed, on several occasions, that he has time and space and terrific awareness in traffic.
Key Stats: 22 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight clearances one goal.
Shane Biggs
Due to Shane’s interrupted pre-season, we have had to manage his game time over the last few weeks. This week, however, he played over 95 per cent of the match and is now nearing full fitness. He found plenty of the ball down back and was able to provide run, and also distributed the ball very well by foot.
Key Stats: 28 disposals, eight marks and 16 handball receives
Jake Lloyd
This week’s match was another solid performance from Jake. He continues to find plenty of the ball and usually uses it to advantage. His stoppage work and offensive spread was also a strength of his game this week.
Key Stats: 30 disposals, three tackles, one goal.
Patrick Mitchell
Special mention must go to our International Rookie, Patrick Mitchell, who kicked his first goal this week. Patty kicked his first goal in his football career in the second quarter of Sunday’s game after taking a nice mark inside forward 50 – and didn’t the boys love it! It has been and will continue to be a steep learning curve for Patty but in just his third game of AFL he has shown steady improvement. He has shown he has good physical presence on field and his distribution by hand has also been good.
Key Stats: Seven disposals, five hit outs and one goal.
