SWANSBEST
13th June 2003, 08:16 AM
Walls' comments regarding possible changes to the list are very interesting.
Swans' improvers up to the mark so far
By Jessica Halloran
June 13 2003
They had little respect and, most thought, little talent. Four games into the season they'd lost three games and it seemed the doomsayers were right.
But as the Sydney Swans reach the mid-season break next week, many early presumptions have started to fade.
It seems coach Paul Roos has more to work with than first expected. His team has proved it can match and beat the best in competition, including Collingwood, Brisbane and Essendon. The Swans' 7-4 record looks great, as does their fourth spot on the ladder.
And players seemingly headed to other clubs or the football scrapheap may be destined to stay in the red and white jumper.
"I still think we are finding out a little bit more about the list . . . but we won't really be able to tell until the end of the year," Roos said. "We've found out more what they have been able to achieve, improve on and get better at.
"We started to have some concerns [early in the year with a 1-3 record], which is only natural . . . you are always hoping guys improve and push up and that's obviously happened."
But former Carlton premiership coach and player Robert Walls foresees big changes to the Swans list at the close of the season.
"There will be at least seven, eight or nine go from this year, that's part of the process," Walls said. "About a quarter of the list may be turned over.
"They'll probably recruit the best young talent you can get. They are a very happy group. I don't know if you'd upset the balance by bringing in a marquee player."
Roos said a line had not been put through anyone's name. Theoretically, there will be three spots to go at the end of the year to make way for the players picked up in the draft. And, as many inside AFL say, it is getting harder and harder to stay on a club list.
Walls said the Swans' success came down to factors such as accuracy in front of goal, demonstrated by Nick Davis's 20.4 so far this season, and Roos's giving his players the licence to play fast, high-risk football.
Walls noted that 15 players had contested every game - proof the Swans' management of players' fitness and recovery was working and that the team was thick with consistency.
"They are young, fit and quick," he said. "There's a large group who have played every game, they are simply just used to each other."
Roos said not many had been inconsistent.
"We are feeling comfortable this year, the 21- to 22-year-olds are improving," he said.
A team of improvers has had some big improvers.
Brett Kirk has shown probably the most remarkable surge in form. The dogged midfielder, almost discarded at the end of last season, has been a force for his side.
And opportunity has knocked for Jude Bolton. In the absence of Paul Kelly and Wayne Schwass in midfield, he has stepped up to the mark. He's been tough and hard and has played well, particularly in the win over Richmond.
Defender Andrew Schauble has again shown his versatility and importance to the team, playing solidly throughout the season.
An injury-free Rowan Warfe has indicated his form is also on the up. He played one of the better games of his career in the win over Essendon last week.
But while things are grand for the moment, with some saying the Swans are headed for the finals, there are always a few levellers to be faced.
Firstly, as most AFL coaches attest, this season has been a very even competition, with tight finishes a regular occurrence. So any lapse will hurt.
And, so far, the Swans have not been badly hit by injuries. Apart from the short breakdowns of Daryn Cresswell, Michael O'Loughlin and Jason Saddington and a serious knee injury to ruckman Stephen Doyle, they have not suffered a major blow.
Any injury that sidelined a key player such as Barry Hall or Adam Goodes would likely leave the Swans vulnerable.
http://http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/12/1055220710370.html
Swans' improvers up to the mark so far
By Jessica Halloran
June 13 2003
They had little respect and, most thought, little talent. Four games into the season they'd lost three games and it seemed the doomsayers were right.
But as the Sydney Swans reach the mid-season break next week, many early presumptions have started to fade.
It seems coach Paul Roos has more to work with than first expected. His team has proved it can match and beat the best in competition, including Collingwood, Brisbane and Essendon. The Swans' 7-4 record looks great, as does their fourth spot on the ladder.
And players seemingly headed to other clubs or the football scrapheap may be destined to stay in the red and white jumper.
"I still think we are finding out a little bit more about the list . . . but we won't really be able to tell until the end of the year," Roos said. "We've found out more what they have been able to achieve, improve on and get better at.
"We started to have some concerns [early in the year with a 1-3 record], which is only natural . . . you are always hoping guys improve and push up and that's obviously happened."
But former Carlton premiership coach and player Robert Walls foresees big changes to the Swans list at the close of the season.
"There will be at least seven, eight or nine go from this year, that's part of the process," Walls said. "About a quarter of the list may be turned over.
"They'll probably recruit the best young talent you can get. They are a very happy group. I don't know if you'd upset the balance by bringing in a marquee player."
Roos said a line had not been put through anyone's name. Theoretically, there will be three spots to go at the end of the year to make way for the players picked up in the draft. And, as many inside AFL say, it is getting harder and harder to stay on a club list.
Walls said the Swans' success came down to factors such as accuracy in front of goal, demonstrated by Nick Davis's 20.4 so far this season, and Roos's giving his players the licence to play fast, high-risk football.
Walls noted that 15 players had contested every game - proof the Swans' management of players' fitness and recovery was working and that the team was thick with consistency.
"They are young, fit and quick," he said. "There's a large group who have played every game, they are simply just used to each other."
Roos said not many had been inconsistent.
"We are feeling comfortable this year, the 21- to 22-year-olds are improving," he said.
A team of improvers has had some big improvers.
Brett Kirk has shown probably the most remarkable surge in form. The dogged midfielder, almost discarded at the end of last season, has been a force for his side.
And opportunity has knocked for Jude Bolton. In the absence of Paul Kelly and Wayne Schwass in midfield, he has stepped up to the mark. He's been tough and hard and has played well, particularly in the win over Richmond.
Defender Andrew Schauble has again shown his versatility and importance to the team, playing solidly throughout the season.
An injury-free Rowan Warfe has indicated his form is also on the up. He played one of the better games of his career in the win over Essendon last week.
But while things are grand for the moment, with some saying the Swans are headed for the finals, there are always a few levellers to be faced.
Firstly, as most AFL coaches attest, this season has been a very even competition, with tight finishes a regular occurrence. So any lapse will hurt.
And, so far, the Swans have not been badly hit by injuries. Apart from the short breakdowns of Daryn Cresswell, Michael O'Loughlin and Jason Saddington and a serious knee injury to ruckman Stephen Doyle, they have not suffered a major blow.
Any injury that sidelined a key player such as Barry Hall or Adam Goodes would likely leave the Swans vulnerable.
http://http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/12/1055220710370.html