Reggi
24th April 2004, 12:47 PM
Sydney's height makes it Lions' main threat
24 April 2004 Herald Sun
IT TURNED out to be the defining moment of the year for the clubs carrying the names of Australia's two biggest cities.
Major threat: Adam Goodes, flying over Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands, has taken his talent to new heights.
It was Round 5 last year, when Sydney hosted Melbourne at the SCG in the second feature on an expanded Anzac Day program.
The Swans, who went into the game at 1-3, trailed by 20 points at three-quarter time in a low-scoring, uninspiring encounter.
A long season loomed for the Swans and Paul Roos after their exciting honeymoon late in 2002.
For reasons that remain obscure, after spending three quarters scoring seven goals, they kicked 10 in the last to win by 24 points.
It was the first of four wins in a row and 14 from 20. Melbourne, which had won two out of four to that point, won just three more for the year.
Explain that and you will be perusing massive offers to coach at AFL level next year.
This year, both Sydney and Melbourne have three wins from four starts. Both are unbeaten since Round 1.
Collingwood and Essendon have earned main billing on Anzac Day, but the purists will be more interested in events at the SCG tonight.
Pity Channel 10's senior crew can't stop off in Sydney rather than head to Brisbane; another unexpected bonus for Fox Footy subscribers.
I have a growing suspicion Sydney is Brisbane's major threat this year. We will have a better idea in eight days' time after it has faced the Demons and then Essendon in Melbourne.
The Swans would be unbeaten and joint ladder leader but for Jason Ball's shank with a set shot that could have brought victory at the Gabba in Round 1.
When Michael O'Loughlin and Andrew Schauble return, both from hamstring trouble, the Swans will be at their best, and they already have a formidable look about them.
Sydney's best 22 contains 11 players who stand 190cm or more. It is so rich in height and marking power, it can afford to play Adam Goodes as a roaming half-forward, even on a wing or half-back when required.
Goodes (194cm), Jason Saddington (193cm), and Tadhg Kennelly, Michael O'Loughlin and Craig Bolton (190cm) are all permanent or regular flankers in the best team. The Swans already have Brisbane's respect.
They beat the champs at the SCG and the Gabba in the home-and-away series last year, and were only three points down at three-quarter time in a preliminary final before being blown away.
Yet their most impressive performance so far this year was the stunning comeback against the Kangaroos in Canberra last weekend.
The Roos regard themselves as entrenched in the national capital as the Howard Government, and would have been even more secure after racing to a 25-point lead in the first quarter.
They were 10 goals behind at three-quarter time and went down by 51 points.
That's power.
Talking of power, Melbourne defused Port at the MCG last Saturday in a performance that has convinced its followers the on-off cycle of even and odd years will continue this season.
The Demons have made a remarkable comeback after a shameful opening round, when they were beaten by 49 points by Hawthorn, which hasn't won a game since.
Finally, the players are playing with the urgency that has typified coach Neale Daniher's demeanour of recent months.
Daniher is coaching for his career and has convinced his players and the bulk of the supporter group the club is fighting for its future.
The response has been heartening and powerful.
Melbourne kicked 20 goals against Richmond, 12.25 against the Bulldogs and 18 goals against Port Adelaide.
Sydney represents the perfect test of the rejuvenated Demons.
The Swans have won the past four encounters with Melbourne, two at the SCG and two at the MCG, and all by four goals or more.
Tonight's game is at Telstra Stadium, where the Swans won two from four last year.
Melbourne has as much prior knowledge of Telstra Stadium as it does of Yankee Stadium, but the Demons are enjoying their success and no longer care who or where they play.
The sign of growing maturity in the group is a win without Travis Johnstone, Peter Vardy and Daniel Ward, and that Peter Walsh and Troy Broadbridge have been dropped after doing little wrong last week.
Walsh, Nathan Carroll, Ryan Ferguson, Nick Smith and Luke Williams all played the last couple of games last year; none is in tonight's 22.
While David Neitz remains the most influential member of the group, Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, Jeff White and Adem Yze are all playing better this year.
The inclusion of Jared Rivers and Aaron Davey and more opportunities for Paul Wheatley haven't hurt, either.
A win in Sydney would provide huge impetus, with games against Carlton, West Coast (MCG), Geelong and the Kangaroos to follow.
It would also announce the Demons as genuine contenders. It is, though, 2004; we wouldn't be surprised.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,%255E20123,00.html
24 April 2004 Herald Sun
IT TURNED out to be the defining moment of the year for the clubs carrying the names of Australia's two biggest cities.
Major threat: Adam Goodes, flying over Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands, has taken his talent to new heights.
It was Round 5 last year, when Sydney hosted Melbourne at the SCG in the second feature on an expanded Anzac Day program.
The Swans, who went into the game at 1-3, trailed by 20 points at three-quarter time in a low-scoring, uninspiring encounter.
A long season loomed for the Swans and Paul Roos after their exciting honeymoon late in 2002.
For reasons that remain obscure, after spending three quarters scoring seven goals, they kicked 10 in the last to win by 24 points.
It was the first of four wins in a row and 14 from 20. Melbourne, which had won two out of four to that point, won just three more for the year.
Explain that and you will be perusing massive offers to coach at AFL level next year.
This year, both Sydney and Melbourne have three wins from four starts. Both are unbeaten since Round 1.
Collingwood and Essendon have earned main billing on Anzac Day, but the purists will be more interested in events at the SCG tonight.
Pity Channel 10's senior crew can't stop off in Sydney rather than head to Brisbane; another unexpected bonus for Fox Footy subscribers.
I have a growing suspicion Sydney is Brisbane's major threat this year. We will have a better idea in eight days' time after it has faced the Demons and then Essendon in Melbourne.
The Swans would be unbeaten and joint ladder leader but for Jason Ball's shank with a set shot that could have brought victory at the Gabba in Round 1.
When Michael O'Loughlin and Andrew Schauble return, both from hamstring trouble, the Swans will be at their best, and they already have a formidable look about them.
Sydney's best 22 contains 11 players who stand 190cm or more. It is so rich in height and marking power, it can afford to play Adam Goodes as a roaming half-forward, even on a wing or half-back when required.
Goodes (194cm), Jason Saddington (193cm), and Tadhg Kennelly, Michael O'Loughlin and Craig Bolton (190cm) are all permanent or regular flankers in the best team. The Swans already have Brisbane's respect.
They beat the champs at the SCG and the Gabba in the home-and-away series last year, and were only three points down at three-quarter time in a preliminary final before being blown away.
Yet their most impressive performance so far this year was the stunning comeback against the Kangaroos in Canberra last weekend.
The Roos regard themselves as entrenched in the national capital as the Howard Government, and would have been even more secure after racing to a 25-point lead in the first quarter.
They were 10 goals behind at three-quarter time and went down by 51 points.
That's power.
Talking of power, Melbourne defused Port at the MCG last Saturday in a performance that has convinced its followers the on-off cycle of even and odd years will continue this season.
The Demons have made a remarkable comeback after a shameful opening round, when they were beaten by 49 points by Hawthorn, which hasn't won a game since.
Finally, the players are playing with the urgency that has typified coach Neale Daniher's demeanour of recent months.
Daniher is coaching for his career and has convinced his players and the bulk of the supporter group the club is fighting for its future.
The response has been heartening and powerful.
Melbourne kicked 20 goals against Richmond, 12.25 against the Bulldogs and 18 goals against Port Adelaide.
Sydney represents the perfect test of the rejuvenated Demons.
The Swans have won the past four encounters with Melbourne, two at the SCG and two at the MCG, and all by four goals or more.
Tonight's game is at Telstra Stadium, where the Swans won two from four last year.
Melbourne has as much prior knowledge of Telstra Stadium as it does of Yankee Stadium, but the Demons are enjoying their success and no longer care who or where they play.
The sign of growing maturity in the group is a win without Travis Johnstone, Peter Vardy and Daniel Ward, and that Peter Walsh and Troy Broadbridge have been dropped after doing little wrong last week.
Walsh, Nathan Carroll, Ryan Ferguson, Nick Smith and Luke Williams all played the last couple of games last year; none is in tonight's 22.
While David Neitz remains the most influential member of the group, Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, Jeff White and Adem Yze are all playing better this year.
The inclusion of Jared Rivers and Aaron Davey and more opportunities for Paul Wheatley haven't hurt, either.
A win in Sydney would provide huge impetus, with games against Carlton, West Coast (MCG), Geelong and the Kangaroos to follow.
It would also announce the Demons as genuine contenders. It is, though, 2004; we wouldn't be surprised.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,%255E20123,00.html