Canadian Mike Pyke has certainly carved a niche for himself in the Sydney Swans team.
Formerly an international rugby player, Pyke came to the Swans in 2009 and was picked to play his first game very early in his first season due to injuries to the Swans big men.
Pyke’s role then was simply to give a contest and he did that reasonably well. Over the next three seasons Pyke was a regular call-up to cover for injuries to Mumford and Seaby. As he learnt the game he became more than useful.
In 2012 Pyke really broke through to become a regular selection. He began to win the hit out contests and added strong marking up forward to his game, kicking a few handy goals along the way.
His best performance came in the 2012 grand final.
In 2013 Pyke is a regular, playing as a second ruckman and a tall target up forward. His ruck work is definitely his strong suit but his skills in marking and kicking have made him a very dangerous player.
After Round 13 Kurt Tippett will become available for selection. Tippett is earmarked for the same role in the Sydney team that Pyke currently fills. A tall target up forward, handy goal-kicker and a second ruckman.
But does Tippett come straight into the starting line-up? I have my doubts.
Pyke certainly does not deserve to be dropped on current form. So if Tippett wants to replace Pyke he will have to earn his spot.
Tippett will definitely need some game time in the reserves so I wouldn’t expect to see him before Round 15 anyway.
How else could Tippett fit into the Swans team? He could take Sam Reid’s place and play as the permanent tall forward option.
Reid has lots of potential but has not cemented his spot yet.
The other option is to drop Mumford, have Pyke play as the number one ruckman and bring Tippett in to fill Pyke’s present role. This is a big risk as Mumford is one of the best and most experienced ruckmen in the league.
In short, Tippett is no certainty to walk into the Swans best 22 come Round 13. Or Round 15 for that matter.
If Pyke and Mumford maintain their form and Reid hits his straps then Tippett might not even get a game.
I have to wonder in the circumstances whether the Swans really needed to recruit Tippett in the first place.
Andrew Sertori
Roar Rookie
Tippett plays as he frees up Reid, goodes can be freed up to run around, it has no affect on Pyke or Mumford. I doubt tippett takes a ruck tap unless others are injured.
allblackfan
Guest
I just found out the AFL game is back to back with a warriors game.
TW
Guest
Next Tuesday sees the Swans and the Saints head for Wellington NZ to prepare for their Anzac Day clash at Westpac Stadium. Ticket sales still ticking over for an expected crowd of about 20,000. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-18/more-than-20000-expected-for-nz-clash
JBtoo
Guest
I hope Tippett gives Sydney the same value he gave Adelaide last year; which is to say, sweet FA.
Strummer Jones
Guest
Agree. Put simply, LRT has moved to the backline in place of Johnson and Tippett more or less comes in for him. Whilst an admirable attempt, this was not really an article worth writing about.
Maggie
Guest
"Goodes has been playing on his reputation for a while now". Christo, did you watch the 2012 grand final?? The Swans would not have won if Goodes had left the ground, as any mere mortal would have done with the serious knee injury he received in the second quarter. As a result of that knee injury Goodes had a late start to the 2013 pre-season training and hence a slow start to the full season. But he was starting to hit form in the second half last week. So no, there is no spot for Tippett as a replacement for Goodes.
Not-a-fan-of-Crows
Guest
For so long as the Swans keep winning, and the Crows keep losing, let's keep Tippett in the seconds. That will go down very well in that little place called Adelaide.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Goodes has been playing on his reputation for a while now, so (thinking medium term) if Goodes were not to be in the team any more then there is an obvious spot for Tippett right there. Future planning and all that...
Matt F
Roar Guru
$1.5m a year? That wage gets bigger by the week! I think you'll find it's $1.5m over two years (or a bit over $1.5m)
Michael
Guest
Tippet in for Everitt. End of story.
Strummer Jones
Guest
I can hear the coaching staff speak now "You know that bloke we paid $900k a season for, maybe we might keep him in the 2nds and let him earn his spot. He hasn't proven himself yet, which is why he is our highest paid player"
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Tippett's $1.5 m p/ year contract says he walks back in at the expense of someone!
Ash
Guest
Exactly.what Matt F said, Need to do a bit more research Andy . For the bulk of last season the Swans played 4 talls up forward: Reid, Goodes, Pyke/ Mumford and LRT. LRT has gone back to cover Johnson's spot so Tippett will take that 4th tall position and a fringe player will be dropped.
Matt F
Roar Guru
It's true that Pyke was the obvious candidate to make way but he definitely holds his spot on merit based on the first few rounds. He's probably been better than Mumford over the first 3 rounds. However Tippett is still needed. Our key forwards really haven't had a major impact this season so Tippett is needed up front. Johnson's injury has actually made it quite easy. LRT can go back and play as the third tall defender so that leaves LRT's role from last year free (forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck if needed.) From the 22 who took the field against North the most likely one to make way would be Everitt
LK
Guest
What about Tippett takes Goodes position in the forward line, Goodes plays in midfield and one of the midfielders (Parker or Bird) drops out? I can understand why the Swans went after Tippett, they don't really have a key forward who can dominate games the way Tippett can. Key forwards who are 25 years old, 2m tall and have performed in finals aren't on the open maket very often. Having a key forward like Tippett also allows the Swans to tweek their game plan and not rely on the same style of play that won them the flag in 2012.