SWANSBEST
12th March 2003, 03:45 PM
[URL]http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,
Soul-less Swans begin new era
By MICHELANGELO RUCCI
12mar03
SYDNEY has lost its heart. No Paul Kelly, the soul of the Swans in the '90s. No Tony Lockett, who is definitely retired this time. No Andrew Dunkley in defence. No Wayne Schwass unleashing his grunt in the midfield. And Rodney Eade is no longer reinventing the game from the coach's bench.
"We are venturing into a new era at the club," says new Sydney captain Stuart Maxfield.
It will be one of significant substance given the new thinking ? built on meaningful thought ? from new coach Paul Roos, the interim coach kept with substantial public support last season when the Swans appeared to be preparing to be Terry Wallace's next project.
Roos is a realist ? a man who has put the long-term future of the Swans, a valuable franchise in the AFL's strategic planning, ahead of his own ambitions. He also intends to follow the Kevin Keegan coaching philosophy ? make sure the fans are always entertained.
"We are developing a young side, a side that will stumble and sometimes fall along the way, but all the while we'll be looking to play an exciting brand of footy, no matter what," says Roos.
"I've continued to reiterate along the way there won't be any miracles and it's important for everyone to understand where we are headed. I'm really urging everyone to be patient ? and enjoy the ride," adds the pragmatic Roos.
Perhaps the names on the Sydney list are not billboard material that was Kelly and Lockett ? and that is always a worry in a showbusiness town such as Sydney where sporting teams live and die by on-field success.
But Roos is determined to build a solid team which succeeds and builds loyalty from a Sydney public handing its hearts to the Swans rather than individuals.
Still, Sydney and Roos must rely on certain individuals to carry the Swans while the young players develop the club's future.
Midfielder Paul Williams can't do it all alone.
Barry Hall now has the goalfront to himself. He must kick goals ? and spend more time on the field rather than in the grandstands at the pleasure of the AFL tribunal.
Adam Goodes, Jared Crouch, Matthew Nicks, Jason Saddington and Michael O'Loughlin have done their apprenticeship and have to lead the club to its new era.
Jason Ball carries high expectations to lead the Sydney ruck unit in his comeback season after missing all of last year recuperating from surgery to stitch back the tendon which tore off his groin.
And Roos will hope he has no ugly duckling before he reveals the new Swans.
Soul-less Swans begin new era
By MICHELANGELO RUCCI
12mar03
SYDNEY has lost its heart. No Paul Kelly, the soul of the Swans in the '90s. No Tony Lockett, who is definitely retired this time. No Andrew Dunkley in defence. No Wayne Schwass unleashing his grunt in the midfield. And Rodney Eade is no longer reinventing the game from the coach's bench.
"We are venturing into a new era at the club," says new Sydney captain Stuart Maxfield.
It will be one of significant substance given the new thinking ? built on meaningful thought ? from new coach Paul Roos, the interim coach kept with substantial public support last season when the Swans appeared to be preparing to be Terry Wallace's next project.
Roos is a realist ? a man who has put the long-term future of the Swans, a valuable franchise in the AFL's strategic planning, ahead of his own ambitions. He also intends to follow the Kevin Keegan coaching philosophy ? make sure the fans are always entertained.
"We are developing a young side, a side that will stumble and sometimes fall along the way, but all the while we'll be looking to play an exciting brand of footy, no matter what," says Roos.
"I've continued to reiterate along the way there won't be any miracles and it's important for everyone to understand where we are headed. I'm really urging everyone to be patient ? and enjoy the ride," adds the pragmatic Roos.
Perhaps the names on the Sydney list are not billboard material that was Kelly and Lockett ? and that is always a worry in a showbusiness town such as Sydney where sporting teams live and die by on-field success.
But Roos is determined to build a solid team which succeeds and builds loyalty from a Sydney public handing its hearts to the Swans rather than individuals.
Still, Sydney and Roos must rely on certain individuals to carry the Swans while the young players develop the club's future.
Midfielder Paul Williams can't do it all alone.
Barry Hall now has the goalfront to himself. He must kick goals ? and spend more time on the field rather than in the grandstands at the pleasure of the AFL tribunal.
Adam Goodes, Jared Crouch, Matthew Nicks, Jason Saddington and Michael O'Loughlin have done their apprenticeship and have to lead the club to its new era.
Jason Ball carries high expectations to lead the Sydney ruck unit in his comeback season after missing all of last year recuperating from surgery to stitch back the tendon which tore off his groin.
And Roos will hope he has no ugly duckling before he reveals the new Swans.