VFL Round 20

[Dark Beanie]

Pies vs Sydney (Away)

Friday 9 August @ 2.05pm. Venue Tramway Oval, Sydney

Match centre:

https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/6560

Telecast via VFL website or app

Ladder: Pies 20th (3 wins, 13 losses, 75.2%) Sydney 14th (7 wins, 1 draw, 8 losses, 103.1%)

Team selection:

B: R. McInnes (26), C. Dean (43), J. Ryan (24)
HB: O. Markov (37), T. Jiath (19), H. DeMattia (13)
C: H. Mahoney (72), E. Allan (16), W. Parker (45)
HF: N. Krueger (15), J. Longmire (57), J. Eyre (34)
F: A. Johnson (40), B. Crocker (47), H. Harrison (36)
R: B. Dowling (73), L. Sullivan (33), F. Macrae (18)
INT: O. Warburton (80)*, R. Sparkes (51), C. Willis (64), S. Glover (50), C. Lane (48)

EMG: C. Mulvogue (68), T. Wilson (56), R. Penny (62), J. Tomasiello (61), P. Farrant (68), C. Willis (64), J. Hartman (70)

IN: B. Dowling, H. Harrison, N. Krueger, O. Markov, W. Parker, L. Sullivan

OUT: B. Frampton (AFL), H. Kennedy (foot), I. Smit (concussion), C. Mulvogue, A. Seivers, T. Wilson

NEW: Boston Dowling, 19, 205cm, Old Trinity/Oakleigh Chargers/Shepparton/Murray Bushrangers

Could be some late changes to the team with Krueger, Parker and Sullivan emergencies for the AFL later in the evening.

Smit still under concussion protocols so Boston Dowling gets his first run in the ruck for the Pies.
Will be interesting to see how he goes as he missed a bit of footy earlier in the year due to a stress fracture in his back.

[The Black and White Lion]

Dowling looks very light for a ruck. Needs to add some grunt and mongrel and another 10kg to his frame.

Didn’t see it but the commentators called HH going to rooms with a leg injury. Nice first goals from Ash and Glover

[The Black and White Lion]

Swans 3.4 22 Pies 2.2 14 at 1/4 time

Macrae Ryan and Dean looked strong in the contest, quick kicks from packs and marking. A speccy from Glover the highlight, if only he took the mark on top of the fwd pack 50out in the pocket.

[The Black and White Lion]

Swans 3.6 24 Pies 5.3 33 at half time
I missed it but looks like a good quarter from the Pies holding the swans goalless in the second. Looks like Harry D, Sullivan, Will Parker, Campbell Lane and Tom Wilson all had a lot of the ball. Keep it up VFL Pies

[The Black and White Lion]

Unfortunately we've lost Double H, Johnson and Eyre to injury in the first half. Double H could be a hammy. Concussion for Ash and maybe a back / rib / hip injury for Eyre both after heavy clashes.

Pies tried hard in the 3rd but the swans 5 goals to 1 and we're back to having no connection in the forward line. Kreuger unable to mark, Pies generally unable to hit a target in the front half by foot or hand and Crocker unable to catch a handpass and run into an open goal. Sullivan getting a few clearances but they are dump kicks to the swans.

the injury to Eyre has meant we've sent him from CHF to FB playing on Ladhams, alongside Charlie Dean on Hambling.

McInnes spending a lot of time in the middle but seems to be playing more a defensive role without really marking anyone or being accountable. he's generally 5 to 10m from the nearest swan and his teammates still don't send it his way. One good clearance from McInnes HB then however, busted two tackles, ran out the front of the pack, bounced and put it out in favour with a Pies mark and goal resulting. Well done Reef!

Swans kicking away in the last as the pies back to 2024 consistency. I recall why Crocker was so maligned in his first stint with the AFL Pies. His head is always a few seconds ahead of the ball but unfortunately his body is the same time behind.

[SLORT]

Unfortunately we've lost Double H, Johnson and Eyre to injury in the first half. Double H could be a hammy. Concussion for Ash and maybe a back / rib / hip injury for Eyre both after heavy clashes.

McInnes spending a lot of time in the middle but seems to be playing more a defensive role without really marking anyone or being accountable...

Such a depressing year for injuries. Was hoping Eyre could string a few together.
Interesting on Reef, was thinking today that maybe we should try to turn him into a Nick Blakey...probably wishful thinking.

[Pies2016]

Final scores. Swans 11.8 ( 74 ) defeat Pies 6 .9 ( 45 )
I didn’t see enough of it to pass comment on individuals performances but the Swans gained the ascendency out of the middle, where Ladhams ( who played seniors last week ) totally dominated our ring in ruckman for the day.
Although we had a good number of AFL listed players available ( 14 ) we had no Smit, Steene or Begg, so we were smashed in the ruck. Probably also worth noting, the Swans had 15 AFL listed players on the ground for them today.
As already posted, we lost Harrison early in the first quarter and both Johnson ( head knock ) and Eyre ( not sure ) in the second quarter. We looked ok behind the ball with Jaith, Ryan and Parker but had no targets or any cohesion forward of centre ( especially after the injuries ) Crocker had numerous chances late but couldn’t convert and Krueger was kept quiet for the entire game. Reef was played everywhere, not sure if it was out of necessity or just trying to find a position that works for him. He was generally solid but had a couple half hearted efforts he’s like again late in the game.
I only watched half the game ( 1st and last ) and it was pretty scrappy throughout. The Swans did all the damage in the third quarter and ultimately that quarter was pretty much the difference in the game. I imagine the end of the season can’t come quick enough for the players but the next couple months ( and I’m talking off season as opposed to pre season ) is when these fringe players can really set themselves up to take the next step. It’s up to them.

[The Black and White Lion]

Yeah wasn’t much of a spectacle, especially after half time for the pies.

Sad news I thought HH had hurt his hamstring but Fly called it an ACL in his presser last night. An awful way to end what was a promising season for double H. No doubt the First Carlton game was his highlight for the year. Hopefully he has a avoided an ACL but if not I hope he can overcome the injury with as much gusto as Dan McStay has and relaunch in the back half of 2025.

[Jezza]

FT = Sydney 11.8.74 defeated Collingwood 6.9.45

Goals: Johnson 2, Wilson 1, Willis 1, Glover 1, DeMattia 1
Disposals: Macrae 29, Sullivan 26, Lane 23, DeMattia 23, Allan 23, Ryan 21, Wilson 19, Parker 19, Jiath 19
AF Points: DeMattia 107, Sullivan 98, Lane 93, Allan 92, Macrae 88, Parker 85, Ryan 82, Wilson 80, Glover 66

[Jezza]

Clearances: Macrae 7, Allan 5, Sullivan 4, McInnes 4, DeMattia 4
Tackles: Allan 8, Sparkes 7, DeMattia 7, Sullivan 5, Willis 4
Marks: Parker 10, Lane 7, Wilson 6, Sullivan 5, Markov 5

[Dark Beanie]

Thanks everyone for the match updates.

Disapointing result but seems to be typical of the way the VFL season has gone this year.