July 13, 2006
Paul Williams Pain is Simon Phillips Gain
Well with the forced retirement of Paul Williams though injury, the Swans have been able to put Willo on the long term injury list and elevate a rookie listed player to the senior list to take his place for the rest of the season. The lucky rookie is Simon Phillips.
But in a surprise twist not only has Phillips been lucky enough to get the call up to the senior list for the remaining 8 Rounds of the season (plus hopefully as many finals as we play) but he has been sent over to Perth this week with the rest of the team in view to making his senior debut against the Eagles
"We told him last night. We brought him into the room and told him he was elevated and that he was playing the Eagles. "He was reasonably shocked I would suggest."
He will most likely play in place of the lackluster Nick Davis who most likely will get the chop this week at the selection table and play a few weeks in the ACTAFL as a bit of a wake up call to not only him, but a few of the underperforming topliners like him (read, O'Keefe, Kirk, Jude Bolton, Barry, Jolly and Hall).
Back to Phillips he isn't really a midfielder and isn't really a Nick Davis type forward pocket (nor for that matter a Adam Schneider one either), but according to Roos the kid add's some much needed zip to the side and he plays alot like Aaron Davey of the Demons.
Simon has mainly been used as a small crumbing forward," Roos added."Though not in the same class, but in terms of how he plays, he is a little bit like Aaron Davey, (Andrew) Lovett and Stephen Milne, that type of really quick, hard-working, running sort of small forward.
"So that is generally the mould of player he is in and the role he has been playing in the seconds."
So if he turns anything like half the player Davey is, then we might be onto a keeper. Brave move, lets hope it works for this kids sake.
Posted by robbieando at 01:55 AM | Comments (1)
July 12, 2006
Paul Williams Retires With Immediate Effect
In a Sad Day for the Club Paul Williams has been forced into an early retirement due injury with immediate effect. He requires season ending shoulder surgery and having already made the call that he would retire at seasons end this therefore is the end of a 300 plus game career that he'll remembered for at two clubs for giving his all.
“Paul broke his clavicle (collarbone) and it never healed completely,” Swans doctor Nathan Gibbs said.“It was pinned when Paul first broke it and the pin actually broke and as a consequence the clavicle has refractured.
“To his credit Paul has continued to play but it has now reached the stage where there is no improvement and surgery is required.”
This has certainly come as a shock because it was only just over three weeks ago that he made his decision to call it a day at seasons end, so to play on the last three game with the injury much of taken alot out of him.
Swans coach Paul Roos said; “As I said a few weeks back Paul has been an outstanding servant to AFL and I really feel for him in that he won’t have the chance to been seen off the way he should be as a player.
He certainly will be missed.
PAUL WILLIAMS - FACT FILE
Age: 33
Drafted: Collingwood 1989 (Pick #70) from North Hobart
Debut: 1991 Collingwood – 2001 Sydney Swans
Games: 306 (189 Collingwood, 117 Sydney Swans)
Goals: 306
Honours: Sydney Swans Club Champion 2001, 2002, AFL All Australian 2003, Sydney Swans Premiership side 2005.
Posted by robbieando at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)
July 08, 2006
Malceski Returns
After 5 weeks out due to a hamstring injury gained in the match against the Hawks in Round 9, rookie of the year stand out - Nick Malceski makes his long awaited return from said injury in the 2nds against Belconnen tomorrow.
As I'm sure many Swans fans will atest too this kid was a major reason for a early season 6 game winning streak and its been clear by the Swans play in the 4 matches without him that we aren't the same side. He'll most likely take 2 or 3 weeks to regard form and fitness in the twos before making his senior comeback against either the Tigers in Round 16 or Port Adelaide in Round 17.
Can't come soon enough.
Posted by robbieando at 06:29 PM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2006
Now THATS Confidence!!!
Seems I'm not the only one who thinks we are facing the fortnight from hell in the coming weeks when we face Adelaide at home followed by a nice old trip to Perth to visit the locals (who I'm sure will be pleased to see us after last September) and the match against West Coast. Michael O'Loughlin hasn't let last night's win go to his head and has come out with this series of quotes which I think sum up the next fortnight.
"I know if we show up like we did in those first three quarters we will get smacked."
and
"Adelaide and West Coast are the best teams in the competition at the moment. They've got some great players and we've got our work cut out for us."
and
"If we rock up and are not prepared to play Swans footy and Bloods footy we might as well stay home because we will lose."
Yep you heard right we might as well send out 18 training cones because somehow I don't think we'll show up to play. But hey that's just my feeling.
Posted by robbieando at 12:07 AM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2006
The Run Is Over
It had to end some time but to be honest no one was expecting it to be this week and like this. Therefore a shoulder injury picked up late in the match against Collingwood, number 194 in a row since his debut against Collingwood in Round 7 of 1998 meant the long running streak of Jared Crouch is over and with it any hope his had of braking the All-Time AFL record held by Jim Stynes.
Still to play this many games in a row is amazing considering the amount of time he has taken injuries into games, (some requiring last minute jabs just to play) most famously last years Grand Final and of course his race against time to be fit to play Round One last year after braking his Collarbone in the International Rules Series against Ireland which failed to heal at first requiring a second op.
No doubt the rest will do him good and he'll be back and pissing off small forwards and Aker alike for years to come.
Posted by robbieando at 12:20 AM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2006
Lockett Enters Hall of Fame
As if anyone doubted this wasn't going to happen but Tony Lockett, the VFL/AFL Greatest All Time Goalkicker has been been selected to the Australian Football Hall of Fame at the first time of eligibly along with 7 others including 1978 South Melbourne Best and Fairest winner John Murphy.
Tony Lockett
Played 183 games for St Kilda, 1983-94, kicking 898 goals.
Played 98 games for Sydney, 1995-99 and 2002, kicking 462 goals.
Played 5 games for Victoria, kicking 19 goals.
St Kilda Best and Fairest 1987, 1991.
Sydney Best and Fairest 1995.
Brownlow Medallist 1987.
EJ Whitten Medallist 1995.
Coleman Medallist 1987, 1991, 1996, 1998.
All Australian 1987, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998.
Club Leading Goalkicker 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999.
St Kilda Team of the Century (full forward).
Sydney Team of the Century (full forward).
Number One All-Time VFL / AFL Leading goalkicker.
John Murphy
Played 214 games for Fitzroy, 1967-77, kicking 326 goals.
Played 23 games for South Melbourne, 1978-79, kicking 40 goals.
Played 9 games for North Melbourne, 1979-80, kicking 8 goals.
Played 11 games for Victoria, kicking 11 goals.
Fitzroy Best and Fairest 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1977.
South Melbourne Best and Fairest 1978.
Fitzroy captain 1973-77.
Fitzroy leading goalkicker 1971, 1976.
South Melbourne leading goalkicker 1978.
Fitzroy Team of the Century (centre).
Posted by robbieando at 01:11 AM | Comments (0)
Paul Williams Calls It a Day.
In somewhat sad news for the club, but at the same time not totally unexpected news, Paul Williams has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.
He has cited moving back to Melbourne as a major reason for the decision but also felt he didn't want to play on for another season and harm what is a fantasic playing career by going on that one season longer.
"It is time for me to go back to Melbourne as my kids are missing their grandparents, so there are a few family reasons as well as footy reasons," said Williams
and
"I have always said to Roosy that some guys play a year too long and I definitely didn't want to be one of those. Perhaps I might have been able to play on again next year, but not at the level I wanted to."
Last year, after 294 matches, the most of any player in VFL/AFL history he finally tasted premiership glory. Besides that match he rates the 12-point victory over premiership favourites Port Adelaide in the 2003 qualifying final as a standout match.
"I tend to think back to the games that have meant the most, but other than the significance of the grand final last year, the belief and the character that the boys showed in that final in Adelaide against Port was the stepping-stone to where the group is now," he said.
Paul has been a fantastic for this club and certainly was worth the 1st Round Pick we gave up to get him. Off the field he has opened up his home to young players just new to the club and made them feel welcome and did this when he was going though the hard personal times. That show the make up of Paul Williams. His leadersip was such that he was considered for the captaincy in 2003 to take over from Paul Kelly after just 2 season with the club.
He will be missed.
PAUL WILLIAMS - FACT FILE
AGE: 33
DRAFTED: Collingwood 1989 (Pick #70) from North Hobart
DEBUT: 1991 Collingwood – 2001 Sydney Swans
GAMES: 303 (189 Collingwood, 114 Sydney Swans)
GOALS: 305
HONOURS: Sydney Swans Club Champion 2001, 2002. All Australian 2003. Sydney Swans Premiership side 2005.
Posted by robbieando at 12:56 AM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2006
Paul Kelly Steps Down From Club Board
While not totally out of the blue, it certainly is a bit of a shock to see him go after such a successful year on the board. But I guess his personal business matters back in Wagga Wagga are far more important than taking up a seat on the club board he feels is better served by someone else coming in and doing the job.
I certainly wish Kel the best in the future and thank him for the hard work over the last year on the board (which if you didn't know by now won us a flag) and of course his sure fire Hall of Fame career for the club as captain before that.
So I guess its to the election boxes we go in a years time.
Posted by robbieando at 06:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2006
Team News For Round One
Well according to the following article in today's Australian "Recruits bolster new-look Swans" it appears that the Swans will head into our first match as defending Premiers without 4 members of the success side from last September.
Swans coach Paul Roos said yesterday he was not expecting Paul Bevan and Sean Dempster to play against the Bombers at Telstra Dome and predicted a round three return at best for Tadhg Kennelly after a shoulder injury. Bevan and Dempster have hamstring injuries.
While the retirement of Jason Ball meant we would always have lost at least one of the 22, pre season injuries to Tadhg Kennelly, Sean Dempster and Paul Bevan has resulted in more senior openings than expected. New recuit Paul Chambers (who beats out the returning Stephen Doyle, who'll be left in Canberra to gain form and prove fitness) will take over the spot left by Ball's retirement to start the season and Ted Richards will play against his former side after impressing in each of the practice matches.
The third and fourth spots will go down to Luke Vogels (who has stood out during the pre season in a key defensive role) and one of either Jarrad McVeigh, Nich Malceski or Jarred Moore to add some extra grunt to the midfield, with Malceski my favoured pick but McVeigh getting praise from the coaching staff making him look just as likely.
Other than those four selection decisions I fail to see any other changes to the Grand Final line up, save a late minute injury during training (touch wood).
Everything is in readyness, lets get this party started.
Posted by robbieando at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2006
Holy S@#%
Well at least we now know why Tadhg didn't play against the Bombers last weekend. Turns out he injuried his shoulder at training and the club forgot to inform anyone about it until yesterday.
Kennelly withdrew virtually unnoticed from last Friday's practice match against Essendon at Princes Park and is not named on Sydney's injury list. Coach Paul Roos confirmed the Irishman sustained the injury at training last Thursday."He definitely won't play round one or two. Maybe he will be back for round three," Roos said. "Until he has the surgery we won't be 100 per cent sure.
Well seeing the club's usual standards when reporting the length of injuries, expect him to be out until midseason.
Damn it.
Posted by robbieando at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2006
Newcastle Match 18/3 vs St Kilda
Reports are that next weeks NAB Challenge match will be against St Kilda in Newcastle as already reported (the venue, not team) so I guess this comfirms the remainer of our pre season.
Posted by robbieando at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2006
At Least He Is Honest
Ah, Pre Season puff pieces, don't you just love them?
Normally they use the "I've worked really hard in the off-season" line and try to apply it to every player on the senior list that they can. Sometimes they work and make you believe that said player is in for a big year (a la Jarrad Moore's puff piece a few weeks back about him being fitter).
Therefore it stand to figure that for the players at the other end of the extreme it is hard to make it believable. So when the player in question is David Spriggs you better believe laughs are in store and this piece certainly delivered.
"I am confident that I can use my strengths to beat my opponent by using my pace to get away and my endurance to out-run anyone."
That is true and most Swans fans don't question your ability to do that David. It's what you do with the ball once in the open that has people questioning you spot on the list.
"My skills have let me down in the past but you can't worry about your weaknesses as otherwise you can get yourself in trouble, you just work on them at training."
Well at least your honest and can admit that you have a problem. That's the first step I believe, but heck you better worry about it because you need to do more than "just work on them at training".
Let's just hope this puff piece doesn't lead to regular senior football from Spriggs going on his form from Saturday.
Posted by robbieando at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)
Swans vs Bombers - This Friday
NAB Challenge Friday March 3, 4pmEssendon v Sydney (Princess Park, Carlton)
As stated below the Swans are to play Essendon this week in a Practice Match at Princess Park. Game is at 4pm for those of you living in Melbourne. Swansblog.com will provide a full match report as I'll be attending the match. Looking forward to my first Swans match since the Grand Final victory.
Other info of note, normal season rules will apply and most of our senior group will come back into the side, with those having played over the past few weeks rested.
Posted by robbieando at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2006
How to Blow Money the Easy Way Vol 1.0
File this one away under "people with too much money, not enough sense"
Sports Acumen, the first betting outlet to post a market on the pre-season competition, has the Swans on the fifth line of betting at $10.
Seems to me that Sports Acumen are going make a fair amount of cash if people are dump enough to bet upon the Swans winning the NAB Cup ON THE FIFTH LINE OF BETTING. Hello, that means the Swans would have to win Round One with a team of kids lucky enough to share a pube amoungst them.
I'll never know why some "professional gamblers" don't ever read into history and the way a club intends to treats the pre-season. Pretty dumb to bet on us to win the NAB Cup if you ask me.
Posted by robbieando at 08:04 PM | Comments (0)
February 11, 2006
Success Brings the Rewards
For many years people said a Swans Premiership would make us millions in memberships and sponsorships and the acticle above clearly proves that point, concidering the club have already surpassed last year's membership figure of around 25,000 and are on track to surpass the all-time record of around 31,000 set in 1998 and reach the club target of 35,000 members this with 40,000 in the following few years.
Good quotes also from the article in regards to our finances include
Swans chief executive Myles Baron-Hay is confident the club will also sell out its corporate suites and boxes for the entire season "for the first time in a very long time", and increase sponsorship revenue by 20 per cent.
and
Sydney's guernsey is already worth close to $3 million and the famous red and white jumper the most valued in the AFL before Collingwood's strip.
So despite not making a huge profit for last season we are on track to create enough revenue to post a million dollar plus profit this coming season if things keep going the way they are and the teams form keeps the club in the top 4.
Also from the article we have a pointer as to whom might not be lining up this Friday Night against Essendon and North in the NAB Cup a week later.
Barry Hall, Leo Barry, Michael O'Loughlin, Nick Davis, Paul Williams, Tadhg Kennelly, Adam Goodes and other frontliners are unlikely to play against the Kangaroos in the first round of the NAB Cup in Canberra on February 25, regardless of availability.
and
Gerard Healy endorsed the Swans' policy. "It is common sense if Roosy is playing his young guys early to give them as much exposure as possible," Healy said.
Posted by robbieando at 05:50 PM | Comments (0)
Oops......
Just an Irishman doing what all Irishmen like to do and that is an ill-timed prank. Why so surprised then? Yes poorly timed but not worthy of the fuss it has created. Still at least the club took the correct course of action, Tadhg admits he did the wrong thing at the wrong place at the wrong time and things should be left at that.
Still very funny though.
Posted by robbieando at 05:41 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2006
Swans Community Camp in Wollongong
For the second year in a row the Swans are heading off to Wollongong to hold their AFL Community Camp. For those in the area interested in getting involved here is the calender of events and link to more info off the Swans site.
Tuesday Feb 7
4.30pm – 5.30pm - NAB AFL Auskick clinic & Community BBQ @ Stuart Park, North Wollongong
7.30pm – 9pm - Community Forums @ Illawarra Master Builders Club
Wednesday Feb 8
9am – 11am - Training @ Wollongong University No. 3 Oval
Thursday Feb 9
7.30pm – 9.30pm - Fundraising Dinner @ Illawarra Master Builders Club
Friday Feb 9
10am – 12pm - Training @ Wollongong University No. 3 Oval
For the record the Swans won't be the only club holding their community camp in NSW, with Carlton off to Newcastle to promote the code in Rugby League's heartland (brave move on their behalf), the Kangaroos normal stop in their second home base of Canberra and Collingwood as per usual going to "Western" Sydney to make sure their players don't have to "rough" if for a few days away from a 5 star hotels they can't do without.
I would like Collingwood's effort in Western Sydney more if they did more than promote just themselves rather than promote the code which should be the aim of these clinics. They would be better served in regional Victoria or even Alice Springs where they have supporters who would forfill their goals for the week.
Its Little wonder so few kids turn up to their clinics (Memo Ed, its because your nobodies in Sydney).
Posted by robbieando at 06:02 PM | Comments (0)
News Roundup - 6/2
Not much in the news over the weekend and the Monday papers save a few minor article's that border on puff pieces, still they do have some useful tidbits in them relating to the Swans.
First off we have "O'Loughlin training in summer most irregular"
Basically stating what we already know about the pre-seasons notable lack of injuries and players trying overcome injuries. Still I love the borderline joking coming from the club regarding Magic taking part in training, something we haven't seen in 4 years.
"The coaches are all panicking. Every time we see Mick running we say 'what are you doing? Go and put the blanket on, hit the rocking chair, put the telly on and drink some chicken soup'.
I say all he needs to complete the image is a phone to make crank calls to Channel 9 when he hears "noughty" words on one of their shows.
Still the next quote is to the point
"It's something of an unknown - it just doesn't seem right."
Lets hope its not going to be a case of Karma with our injury free run snapped during the season and we see injury upon injury. Then again I doubt that will happen after all we have the best backroom staff in the comp and I'm cross fingers, toes and touching wood.
Next quote from the same article
Apart from a minor quadriceps strain to Craig Bolton, the rest of the Swans squad is on the training track.
As said already not something we don't already know, but with C-Bolt I guess that rules him out of the first few matches of the pre-season at least.
On to AFL honors Paul Williams and Andrew Ireland have been honored with AFL Life Membership for their service to the game.
* The AFL announced it was admitting 10 new life members at its next annual general meeting.Seven qualified automatically during the 2005 AFL season by reaching 300 games of service: Melbourne coach and former Essendon captain Neale Daniher, Western Bulldogs pair Rohan Smith and Scott West, Adelaide's Mark Ricciuto, the Kangaroos' Glenn Archer, Geelong's Peter Riccardi and Sydney's Paul Williams.
Former players and administrators Ross Smith and Andrew Ireland were also admitted along with West Coast coaching staff member Robert Wiley.
Well earnt in both cases without a doubt.
Onto news out of the club and we have the news that both Jason Ball and Stuart Maxfield will both join the football department on a part-time basis. Stu will join the recuiting department, while Ball will help out the young ruckmen develop.
"Stuey is going to work in our recruiting area," Roos told sydneyswans.com.au."It is an area we are keen to improve, and it is obviously an area that becomes more and more important with the draft and the salary cap and all those sorts of things.
and
Ball - who works full-time in Sydney as a stockbroker - has been asked to work with some up-and-comers at training and in individual video sessions.
No doubt good news to have these two still involved around the club to impart their expirence to the younger kids.
Posted by robbieando at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2006
Swans Fully Fit, Firing and Readt to Go
"This year we've had less players getting operations, so there's probably at least half a dozen senior players that are a fair way ahead of where they were last year," Roos said. "Leo Barry is probably a month ahead, Benny Matthews a month ahead, Mick O'Loughlin is probably three months ahead. We are definitely ahead of where we have been the previous year."
and
Even Michael O'Loughlin, who has rarely played pre-season games in past years due to ongoing fitness issues, is poised to play a couple of practice matches.
and
Roos will stick to his policy of recent years and keep several of his senior players out of the first couple of pre-season games, against Essendon at North Sydney Oval on February 17 and the Swans' initial NAB Cup fixture against the Kangaroos at Manuka Oval eight days later.
This is good news to read on three fronts.
1) We are going to be heading to the premiership defense with a fitter squad than last seasons premiership winning squad and thats with 3 weeks less time to prepare to boot.
2) We are going to stick to our guns regarding the NAB Cup and Practice Matches and slowly bring the senior players back into action, rather than go all out and win matches when they don't count for much.
3) Magic is going to be fit to play BEFORE Round One for the first time under Paul Roos (Cross fingers, touch wood and all that). He always has been the spark to get us going early in a season when he returns from his interupted pre seasons, so imagine what he and the team will be like with him fully fit and firing in Round One.
All in all pretty positive news to be reading at this stage of the pre season.
Posted by robbieando at 05:53 PM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2006
Colless Honoured for Services to Football
AFL pioneer in Sydney receives Award
Swans Chairman Richard Colless has been honoured in the Australia Day awards. Colless, Swans chairman since 1994 (the longest current serving chairman in the AFL) has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). He received the honour for his service to Australian Rules football through initiatives to develop the code nationally and in leadership roles with the Swans and Eagles football clubs.
Now while I have been an outspoken critic of Colless in the past and still to this day not his biggest fan (but hey a premiership isn't enough to keep me happy for ever more I guess), I can only tip my hat to the man because this honour is well earnt because of what he has turned this club into despite the knocks delievered by critics and fans such as myself. Also his work for AFLNSW as Chairman until he quit on principle in face of the AFL's spineless backdown to Eddie can only be rated so highly.
Several years ago he stoked the fires with an infamous one-fingered gesture towards Collingwood president Eddie McGuire on ABC television. The gesture dominated news for months and added to Colless's reputation as a leader capable to walk the talk.
This alone means the AM is well overdue.
Conratulations Richard.
Posted by robbieando at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
Nick Davis - Hero for All Men
In a slightly different and certainly funnier piece of pre-season news, it turns out that Nick Davis got more than he bargined for at Sydney Airport when he returned for the Swans trip to the US.
Nick suffers double women trouble
But a shock is what 25-year-old Davis got as, Robyn Freeman and another unnamed girlfriend from "last season" who he has since got back with, turned up to meet their man on Sunday night.
Turns out Freeman is the Pre Season girlfriend with the un-named second women being the in-season love interest.
"I'd arranged for my new girlfriend to pick me up," Davis said. "She's actually my old girlfriend from last season and we decided to get back together."
Personally I think this Freeman women needs to get over her loss and move on with life. After all what kind of women feels this bitter and twisted that they need to sell a story like this to the media.
No doubt people will knock Davis because of this and question his committment like they do (normally bitter and twished Collingwood fans, speaking of which Ms Freeman you would happen to support them would you?) but all long as he plays good football and performs act of skill and magic like in the last quarter of the final against the Cats then he can do whatever the hell he likes.
Posted by robbieando at 07:41 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2005
2006 Full Player List and Numbers
The club has allocated the newly listed Sydney Swans players' their guernsey numbers for season 2006. The club has kept up with the retirement of the number 14 in honor of Paul Kelly and Bob Skilton, while number 11 will be rested for this season at the very least in honor of retired club captain Stuart Maxfield. Other than that no major changes other than Nick Malceski taking over Ben Fixter's number 9 jumper and Andrew Ericksen taking up the poisoned number 18 jumper last worn by Heath James.
Full List below:
1. Barry Hall (c)
2. Nick Davis
3. Jarrad McVeigh
4. Ben Mathews
5. Ryan O’Keefe
6. Craig Bolton
7. Josh Willoughby
8. David Spriggs
9. Nick Malceski
10. Paul Williams
12. Nic Fosdike
13. Adam Schneider
15. Stephen Doyle
16. Darren Jolly
17. Tadhg Kennelly
18. Andrew Ericksen
19. Michael O’Loughlin
20. Luke Ablett
21. Leo Barry (c)
22. Matthew Laidlaw
23. Paul Chambers
24. Jude Bolton
25. Ted Richards
26. Sean Dempster
27. Kristin Thornton
28. Jared Crouch
29. Jonathan Simpkin*
30. Lewis Roberts-Thomson
31. Brett Kirk (c)
32. Amon Buchanan
33. Jarred Moore
34. Ryan Brabazon
35. James Wall*
36. Tim Schmidt
37. Adam Goodes
38. Luke Vogels
39. Heath Grundy
40. Paul Currie*
41. Ed Barlow*
42. Paul Bevan
43. Stefan Garrubba*
44. Matthew Davis
45. Earl Shaw
46. Sam Rowe*
47. Simon Phillips*
48. Kieran Jack*
49. Adam Prior*
*denotes Rookie Listed Player
Posted by robbieando at 01:05 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2005
Swans to be Lead to the Power of Three
The Swans have made the unprecedented move of naming three captains for next season, Premiership Captain Barry Hall, Captain Blood Brett Kirk and Grand Final Hero Leo Barry. In a way this move appears to allow each man to be captain of each secton of the ground that he petrol, be it Leo in defence to Kirk in the centre.
It's a another brave move by the Swans coaching staff in the captaincy area after last years rotational captaincy between Round 7 and 22 which saw 7 players rotate turns as club captain before the club made the decision to name Barry Hall as the club captain for the finals series and allowed him to go down in Club history as our fourth premiership captain.
Now I'm was never a fan of the idea of co-captains when St Kilda, Brisbane and Geelong took the step in the mid 90's and I can't say I've changed my view now the Swans have gone down this path, but if we could make the rotational captaincy work and win a flag in the process, I'm sure 3 co-captains can work for us just as well.
Heck sure beats Ben Mathews being due to be captain of the Grand Final under the rotational policy.
Posted by robbieando at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2005
National Draft Selections
Our picks, not a bad bunch considering the lateness of the picks we had but I would of loved a tall. Still these are good kids that add even more depth to our midfield for the future.
Profiles:
Matthew Laidlaw
Details:
Club: Carey Grammar/Oakleigh
DOB: 9 February 1987 Hgt: 186cm Wgt: 81kg
Position: Midfield/Flanker
Natural Foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Testing 2004
AFL Draft Camp 2005
TAC Stats:
2004: 6 games, 0 goals, average 11.8 PPG
2005: 10 games, 7 goals, average 24.8 PPG
Background:
Matthew combined school footy at Carey Grammar with his Oakleigh Chargers commitments in 2004. Despite only playing six matches in the TAC Cup he received an invite to Victorian Screening. Starting out as a medium sized defender, he has worked up to the midfield this year and is the ideal side for that position at the next level. This year he doubled his average possessions when playing for the Chargers and was named in their best seven out of ten times. His overhead marking cannot be underestimated, he is a terrific mark for his height.
Strengths:
- very strong overhead
- has the pace to play on smaller opponents as well
- makes good decisions with the footy in his hands
- strong over the footy
- is a good reader of the play
Weaknesses:
- only an ordinary beep test pre-season, and at draft camp was again below average in the beep test and was the slowest of the medium mids in the 3km run.
- not as much exposure in the TAC Cup and missed the championships due to focusing on school footy.
Kristin Thornton
Details:
Club: Peel Thunder
DOB: 5 March 1988 Hgt:183cm Wgt: 71kg
Position: Midfielder
Natural Foot: Right
Honours:
Pel Thunder Colts B&F 2005
WA State Under 18 representative
AFL Draft Camp 2005
Draft Camp:
Beep Test: 14.6 (equal 4th)
Background:
Younger brother of 2005 West Coast rookie Ashley. Kristin came to Melbourne to play in the National under 18 carnival mid year. While he only played two matches and wasn't a stand out player, he did push his name forward with a terrific season in the WAFL Colts and impressive draft camp figures.
Strengths:
- Good skills
- Performed well at draft camp
- Bottom age and could go high next year if not taken this year/value pick
Weaknesses:
- Skinny frame/development time needed
Ryan Brabazon
Details:
Club: Peel Thunder
DOB: 26 December 1986 Hgt:180cm Wgt: 71kg
Position: Midfielder
Natural Foot:
He has improved significantly in all those areas except recovery agility and there has even been a little improvement in that. What we have now is a kid with borderline acceptable pace who gets a fair share of his own ball, routinely looks for options (regardless of pressure), gets much greater value from his disposals, and thinks his way out of trouble. In short, he now earns most of his possessions and he makes the opposition pay for most of them
- Was regularly tagged in Colts yet still bolted away with both the Clarke Medal (B&F) and the Coaches Award, despite not playing every game. Voted BOG 4 times. 27d in Reserves '05 debut R20 206/8/05 and 19d in his other Reserves game. I don't normally read too much into B&F awards (if anything, the Coaches Award is of greater interest to me). However, Brabazon's awards are tangible evidence of his improvement this year and, in particular his consistency and impact. Last year he got just 2 votes, being a 5th best in each of 2 games.
Strengths:
- Quick hands.
- Genuinely dual-sided. Economical kicking style.
- Routinely displays terrific vision, even under pressure.
- Shows poise and looks for options, even under pressure.
- Evasion skills have lifted a notch.
- Has a bit of a knack for stealing the ball from an opponent.
- Generally fairly good above the knee, even under great pressure.
- Excellent endurance.
- Quite a good leap, although he plays small.
- Covers enormous ground.
- Usually does 2nd efforts.
- Shows courage.
- Team orientated. Leadership potential.
Weakness
- Pace
- Which AFL role and what versatility?
- Ability to add weight
OTHER STUFF:
- From rural WA (Nth Albany).
- Colts all '04.
- Colts captain '05. 20 Colts games plus 2 Reserves games late '05. 27d in Reserves '05 debut R20 206/8/05 and 19d in his other Res game.
- Winner 2005 WAFL Colts B&F for comp (5 votes ahead of Gribble). Also easy winner of '05 Coaches Award (Colts)
Posted by robbieando at 08:06 AM | Comments (2)
October 28, 2005
Final Primary List Lodgement
The Sydney Swans have today finalised its Primary List leading into the National Draft with the delisting of Ben Fixter and Jarrad Sundqvist and the elevation to the Senior List of rookies Heath Grundy, Earl Shaw and Luke Vogels.
While Benny's de-listing had been known thanks to him popping up at Brisbane training this week, the de-listing of Sunny and elevating three rookies certainly surprised me to say the least. Can understand that Sunny has had plenty of time to prove himself but felt he was worth another year at the least because of his talent and size.
Sad to see them go (but there is every chance we'll re-draft one of them, like we have the past two seasons with Heath James and of course famously Amon Buchanan) and I wish them all the best, in particlar Sunny because he was a real down to earth guy and took the time to chat with you.
The rookies that were elevated, well what can I say about them except that they certainly add much needed size to our senior list.
Posted by robbieando at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)
Swans Blog Summer Update
Long time no post I know, but never fear I plan to over this long weekend to start writing up my season 2005 report card, name my 2005 player of the year and start work on my Phantom Draft which is moving from RWO to here after 3 years of getting it wrong badly, I certainly expect this trend to continue.
No major news from the Swans to report other than Ben Fixter is training with the Brisbane Lions after being delisted, but as of yet no offical word has come from the club so I don't know the full reasoning given behind this.
Amon Buchanan, Nick Davis and Ryan O'Keefe all were picked and played for Australia in the International Rules series which didn't feature Tadhg Kennelly for the Irish who is back home injured. He must be enjoying his stay at home because reports out of Ireland that he wants to head home at the end of next year when his contract is up, keep popping up.
Other that the only other news is that all injured players are comming along well and Ryan O'Keefe is close to re-signing a 3 year deal in the comming weeks.
Anyway until next time, keep on enjoying that Premiership feeling.
Posted by robbieando at 01:16 PM | Comments (1)
October 07, 2005
Trade Deadline News
On the last day of dealing the Swans added no extra players via a trade, but managed to ship Jason Saddington to Carlton for Pick 52 and Mark Powell to North for pick 62.
Not much I can say except, gee we must not rate the draft that much.
Posted by robbieando at 06:12 PM | Comments (0)
October 06, 2005
Ted Richards, Now A Swan
In the Swans second deal in as many days the Swans have trade our first round pick (number 19 overall) for Ted Richards of Essendon and in doing so beating out the attempts of 5 other clubs in the race for the young defenders services. The Swans also swapped their 3rd Round Selection (number 51 overall) for Essendon's fourth selection (number 55 overall).
As I have stated, Richards adds much needed height to our defence and allows the club to take a punt on a young defender in the draft without worrying whether to play him or not, if injuries hit. Also the trading of our first three selections pretty much ends the Peter Everitt chase and more than certainly means Saddo and Powell are out the door tomorrow in exchange for draft picks in the 25-50 range.
I do a final update on all the trade deadline news tomorrow night.
Posted by robbieando at 09:29 PM | Comments (1)
October 05, 2005
Swans Land Their First Trade
The Swans today landed their first major piece of the trade period by claiming Paul Chambers from Geelong for our 2nd Round Draft Pick, number 35 overall, and in doing so forfilled their aim to trade for an expirenced ruckman to fill the void left by Jason Ball's retirement.
While the news all week has been pointing towards the Swans looking to do a deal with the Hawks for Peter Everitt, the Swans seem to be either getting a backup plan in place and still hope to make a deal which would likely see Stephen Doyle leave the club or they have decided that the Hawks won't deal and have given up.
I think the latter is the more likely but if we still miss out on Everitt a ruck department of Jolly, Chambers, Doyle and Eriksen should be good enough to repeat the feats of this year. With that out of the way, talk moves to the key positions and Teds Richards name again came up with a deal which saw a stright swap between Sydney and Essendon for Richards in return for Saddo.
The wheels are turning......
Posted by robbieando at 10:04 PM | Comments (1)
October 04, 2005
2006 Fixture Released
Here is the Swans fixture for the 2006 season where we must defend our premiership (God I love saying that). Pretty good draw we got there with only the one trip to Perth and Adelaide again. Essendon has lost its place at Telstra Stadium in place of Geelong. Now lets bring it on.
Round 1 - Essendon vs. Sydney (TD) Saturday Night
Round 2 - Sydney vs. Port Adelaide (SCG) Sunday Afternoon
Round 3 - Carlton vs. Sydney (TD) Saturday Night
Round 4 - Sydney vs. Melbourne (SCG) Sunday Afternoon
Round 5 - Sydney vs. Geelong (TS) Saturday Night
Round 6 - Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney (Gabba) Sunday
Round 7 - Richmond vs. Sydney (TD) Saturday Afternoon
Round 8 - Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 9 - Hawthorn vs. Sydney (MCG) Saturday Night
Round 10 - Kangaroos vs. Sydney (Manuka) Sunday
Round 11 - Sydney vs. St. Kilda (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 12 - Sydney vs. Collingwood (TS) Saturday Night
Round 13 - Sydney vs. Fremantle (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 14 - Sydney vs. Adelaide (SCG) Sunday
Round 15 - West Coast vs. Sydney (Subi) Saturday Night
Round 16 - Sydney vs. Richmond (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 17 - Port Adelaide vs. Sydney (AAMI) Saturday Night
Round 18 - Sydney vs. Essendon (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 19 - Melbourne vs. Sydney (MCG) Saturday Afternoon
Round 20 - Geelong vs. Sydney (Skilled) Saturday Afternoon
Round 21 - Sydney vs. Brisbane Lions (TS) Saturday Night
Round 22 - Sydney vs. Carlton (SCG) Sunday Afternoon
Posted by robbieando at 08:01 PM | Comments (2)
October 01, 2005
Kirk Takes Home the Bobby
In a Best and Fairest win that sums up the Swans season, Brett Kirk ran away with the Bob Skilton Medal to upset the favoured Barry Hall 575 votes to 501. Craig Bolton capped a magnificent year with 482 votes to take the third place and show how under-rated he is. Amon Buchanan finished fourth with 442 votes.
When handing out the award named in his honor Bob Skilton said the midfielder "optimises what football is about" believing that from the time he came to the club in 1999 "if we have ever had a better player, then I haven't seen him."
For Kirk this goes to show how far he has come as a player since been rejected by the Swans in our Grand Final year of 1996 only to turn up on our rookie list 3 years later and earn a full time spot on the senior list 2000. Since then he has turned himself into one of the game premier inside midfielders, after being first used in a tagging role that in time allowed him to become an International Rules representative in 2003 and 2004, Best and Fairest runner up also in 2003 and 2004 and gain All-Australian selection in 2004. Those honors, plus this year gain a premiership medal, Best and Fairest win and a run with the captaincy make his story one of the best in a long time to come out of football.
Other awards from the night included:
Player of the Finals Series: Jared Crouch
Rising Star: Sean Dempster
Most Improved: Amon Buchanan and Luke Ablett
Players' Player: Barry Hall
Best Clubman: Jude Bolton
Sydney Gas One Percenter Award: Amon Buchanan
Life Memberships: Paul Roos (Premiership Winning Coach), Adam Goodes (150 Games), Ben Mathews (150 Games), John Gerahty (Club Director) and Graeme Cox (Service to the Club)
Posted by robbieando at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 30, 2005
Player Retirements
As every season finishes so to does the careers of many players who finally admit defeat to the stresses of their body's and this year is no different for the Swans who have so far seen 5 players call it quits. As sad as it is, such retirements allow this list to grow even further (who would of thought the Swans would bearly feel the effects of the retirements of Kelly, Dunkley and Cresswell) and with this year retirements already at 5 it means the Swans are in a position that they don't have to trade or delist anyone they want to keep.
So far I've brought up the retirements of Matthew Nicks and Jason Ball on this site, but in the days since the Swans win in the Grand Final a week ago we have seen Heath James, Andrew Schauble and Stuart Maxfield also call it a day due to injury. It's always hard to say goodbye to players who have done so much for a club from being the club captain, winning Best and Fairest awards to playing key roles in a our first premiership win in 72 years.
To those who have retired, thank you and best of luck.
Posted by robbieando at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)
Sydney Salutes Their Winners
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Sydney today in celebration of the Swans first premiership since moving to Sydney in 1982 and first premiership for the club since 1933 which broke the longest premiership droughts in VFL/AFL history. The streets of Sydney were covered in red and white from buildings, people, cars and the ticketape that flutted down from the sky (so to speak).
As the cars with the players in the back moved up George Street which is the main thoroughfare of the city, the crowd got bigger and bigger, as people took every possible means to get close to their heroes.
"It's a magnificent feeling to be back in your home city and know everyone's come out to support us," Jude Bolton said. "You don't realise the enormity of it until something like this."
The parade continued to the steps of Sydney's historic Town Hall - where the sandstone pillars were draped with red and white flags - and the city's Mayor presented the team with the keys to the City of Sydney.
Posted by robbieando at 06:45 PM | Comments (1)
September 21, 2005
Kill Me Now
Well the umpiring appointments are in and thanks to the AFL's hate directed at the Swans thanks to the egg in face result of us even making the Grand Final, let me just say things couldn't be any worse than the 3 field umpires that we got "stuck" with.
Darren Goldspink, Scott McLaren and Brett Allen have all been rewarded with Grand Final's and the chance to do something they all have a history of enjoying to do. Allen did last year's GF, but Goldspink and McLaren thought their chances of ever umpiring the big one had past one with Goldspink not doing one since 2000 and McLaren's last being in 2001.
Still we shall overcome
Posted by robbieando at 09:45 AM | Comments (1)
Hall Cleared to Play
Well after a four day mini drama that the Swans could of done without the Swans finally can start to plan for a Grand Final knowing that they will have Barry Hall free and available to play come Saturday. Thanks to the AFL's stupid "Points" system, Hall was given a two match ban on Monday which if acepted would be lowered to 1 match thanks to a 25% discount.
Thankfully the club had the balls to stick by Barry and made sure they got the points awarded on Monday downgraded at the Tribunal last night by agruing that the hit was "in play" and not "behind play" as the Match Review Panel said it was on Monday, thus ensuring that Hall plays the match come Saturday despite pleading guilty.
Anyway with threats and talk of legal action though the court if need be the Swans can now focus on the Grand Final and not have the important planing days of Wednesday and Thursday ruined by the a destrackion like in 1996 with Andrew Dunkley.
Posted by robbieando at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2005
Umpire Appointments for Prelim Final
Well the news is very, very, very bad. If you thought getting Goldspink last week was bad (not that he impacted on the match) this week in what is the Swans most important match for many a year, we not only get Goldspink again, but get smacked around with McLaren joining him and (the dog of Subiaco) McInerney getting rewarded for screwing us over against West Coast with the emergency gig.
Still I thought last week we were goners, this week I just let it be. Anyway here is the list:
ST.KILDA vs SYDNEY
UNIFORM: YELLOW
FIELD:
#2- Michael Vozzo
#11- Scott McLaren
#32- Darren Goldspink
EMERGENCY:
#30- Shane McInerney
BOUNDARY:
Amin Chehade
Mark Thomson
Darren Wilson
GOAL:
Craig Clark
Andrew Curtis
EMERGENCY GOAL:
Steve Stirling
Posted by robbieando at 04:08 PM | Comments (1)
August 30, 2005
Swans Sign Up New Jumper Sponsor
Don't worry the club will still have QBE on board and on front of the jumper, but come this Friday, the club will boast the CitiBank logo on the back of our jumper (pictured above). Of course I have no issue with this because it means more money to the club and thats a good thing.
Posted by robbieando at 12:21 AM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2005
Maxfield Done for the Year
Well for the second time in the past week the club has decided to make a common sense decision and not attempt to rush back former captain Stuart Maxfield from his knee injury in the hope he could get a proper send off in the finals. After one and a half matches back in the reserves it was clear that Maxfield just wasn't up to the level required to be worthy of a spot in the senior team.
While the motive is honorable for a player who has given his all over 200 games for the club over the past 10 seasons, it was clear that Stewie was past his best and struggling to regain fitness.
The club line is:
Maxfield has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following discussions with coaching and medical staff which decided he needed immediate arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee.
A decision on whether he plays on next season will be made at a later date as no doubt Stewie thinks he can play senior AFL football again and whats to see if he can get his knee right before making any final decision. If he decides to play on he'll be moved onto the veterans list in place of the retired Matthew Nicks and given time to prove his form and fitness. But thats all up to Stewie and I trust he'll make the right call regardless of what that call is.
Posted by robbieando at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2005
Barry Hall to Lead Swans into Finals Battle
So common sense has finally taken place within the walls of Driver Ave, with the club deciding to drop the rotation of the captaincy for the finals series that "could" of resulted in Ben Mathews leading the club into a Grand Final.
While the move has turned out to be better than expected and exposed players to a leadership role they might never of been exposed to, the fact the club could of been lead by Ben Mathews in a Grand Final meant the club had to re-think the policy and yesterday Paul Roos hinted that Barry Hall was all but going to be the captain come the final.
“I got some feedback from the leadership group today and they were reasonably keen for just one guy to do it during the finals,?
and
“I suppose as coach I am probably the one that makes the decisions but I will take this feedback, get feedback from the other coaches and we will make a decision next week.?
Clearly the club and leadership group saw Barry Hall was the perfect option for captain during the finals and is sure to be a captain that spreads fear into the hearts of the teams we will come up against in the coming weeks.
Posted by robbieando at 06:51 PM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2005
Injury List After Round 21
Not much change to the injury list this week except for the slight corky to Jason Ball's thigh, which shouldn't keep him out this week if we really want him to play(and if it was my decision I would play him) and the injuries to Malceski and Spriggs in the reserves who were unlikely to make it back into the senior side for finals anyway.
Still here is the full updated list:
Jason Ball (Thigh) Test
Nick Malceski (Calf) 1-2 weeks
David Spriggs (Hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Ben Fixter (Lower leg) 2 weeks
Andrew Ericksen (Wrist) 2 weeks
Matthew Davis (Groin) Season
Matthew Nicks (Knee) Season
Stefan Garrubba (Shoulder) Season
Stephen Doyle (Ankle) Season
All I can say to it is, "at least we aren't St Kilda."
Posted by robbieando at 09:17 PM | Comments (0)
O'Keefe Cleared to Play
Just as I expected in my match report, the AFL's Match Review Panel cleared Ryan O'Keefe of a striking charge against Jess Sinclair. So no doubt the club is breathing a sigh of relief. The panel ruled that O'Keefe
Pushed his arm back to break contact with Sinclair after marking the ball, ruling the contact only minimal and to Sinclair's chest.
No doubt he was lucky that the charge didn't cop any points and was thrown out, but still it show the stupid nature of the "new" reporting system when the emergancy umpire can report a player, yet the controling umpire who was only a few metres away at the time saw nothing wrong with it.
Ah well, I've come to expect that out of Troy Pannell who has taken a clear dislike to us of late.
Posted by robbieando at 09:05 PM | Comments (1)
August 09, 2005
Nicks Calls It A Day
Well that pretty much makes the injury list I posted earlier today useless then.
Matthew Nicks has today retired from football after a 175 game career with the Sydney Swans. The retirement was brought upon after struggling to overcome a knee stress fracture over the past few months since dropping out of the senior side. He retires short of the 200 game club but does retire with Swans Club Life Membership and a 11 year career which saw him play some pretty handy football off Half Back and from time to time in his later days up forward.
As sad as this news is, it was painfully clear that Matthew was never going to be able to regain his spot in the side this year, nor re-gain the fitness required to make an impact like he once did if he went on next year, which was doubtful anyway.
I'll remember him best for his goals in his first match against Collingwood in Round 22 1995 which help sink Collingwood's finals hopes, his effort to keep Phil Matera kickless in last years finals win over West Coast, his bag of 7 goals against St Kilda in 2001 and of course his relationship with Home and Away "star" Tammin Sursok.
Posted by robbieando at 08:08 PM | Comments (0)
Injury List After Round 19
Not much change to the list this week with Maxfield and Nicks close to full fitness.
Stuart Maxfield (Knee) Test
Matthew Nicks (Knee) Test
Earl Shaw (Hamstring) Test
Andrew Ericksen (Wrist) 5 weeks
Stefan Garrubba (Shoulder) Season
Stephen Doyle (Ankle) Season
Different story for the Lions who are without 11 senior listed players and look to be without most of their tall options.
Posted by robbieando at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2005
Magic and Goodes named to Indigenous Team of the Century
No surprise to read today that Magic and Goodes were both named to the ITOTC - Goodes at Centre Half Back and Magic at Full Forward.
Team as follows:
B: Chris L Johnson Darryl White Bill Dempsey
HB:Gavin Wanganeen Adam Goodes Norm McDonald
C: Peter Matera Maurice Rioli Michael Long
HF: Nicky Winmar Stephen Michael Syd Jackson
F: Chris Lewis Michael O’Loughlin Jim Krakouer
Foll: Graham Farmer (c) Andrew McLeod Barry Cable
Int: Michael McLean Byron Pickett Michael Graham David Kantilla Ted Kilmurray Peter Burgoyne
Coach – Barry Cable
Umpire – Glenn James
Posted by robbieando at 07:42 PM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2005
Swans Injury List After Round 17
Well here is the injury list for this week pretty early and without Leo on it after he sat out most of the last quarter. So no doubt that means he'll miss this week then
Not much change from last week except for Fosdike being the player closest to senior selection named on it. Plus as I pointed out last week an injury to Jolly or Ball would really fuck us up, with all our ruckmen not in the senior team on the injury list. Oh well, we got to a Prelim Final with just Goodes and LRT in 03.
Nic Fosdike (Quad) Test
Tim Schmidt (Hamstring) Test
Earl Shaw (Hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Matthew Nicks (Knee) 1-2 weeks
David Spriggs (Knee) 1-2 weeks
Mark Powell (Buttock) 1-2 weeks
Andrew Ericksen (Thumb/ Wrist) 3-5 weeks
Stuart Maxfield (Knee) Indefinite
Stephen Doyle (Ankle) Season
Posted by robbieando at 08:01 PM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2005
Final Team Selections for Round 17 vs West Coast
As promised I'm back to give you the final team selections for this Sunday match against West Coast. The Swans have made no changes as expected to last weekend's side, while the Eagles have made two changes bringing Ashley Sampi in for the suspenened Gardiner while giving a first game to Matt Rosa who comes in for Damien Adkins.
Anyway here are the final benches and emergencies for the game:
SYDNEY
Int: Ball, Fosdike, Malceski, Schneider
Emg: Saddington, Moore, McVeigh
No Change
WEST COAST
Int: Butler, Nicoski, Rosa, Selwood
Emg: Jones, Morton, Graham
In's: Sampi, Rosa
Out's: Gardiner (susp), Adkins
NEW: Matt Rosa (North Ballarat)
Posted by robbieando at 09:06 PM | Comments (0)
QBE Extend Swans Partnership Into 21st Year
If the news of a near sell out for a match is good news, then the news that the Club's Major Sponsor in QBE Insurance has extended their sponsorship of the club into a 21st year is the best news this club could get short of winning a premiership.
The QBE-Sydney Swans partnership extended article on the Swans Official Site is music to the ears of the club off field team. According to Swans Club CEO Myles Baron-Hay,
“It was a clear demonstration of what a wonderful partner we have in QBE and how supportive they really are. They have certainly been with us through thick and thin and their support of the Club has never faltered.?
and
“When you talk about partnerships they don’t come any better than this. 21 continuous years – QBE’s ongoing support of the Club has been steadfast and quite remarkable.
You can only nod and agree with such statements. Since becoming the club's major sponsor at the end of the 1987 season, QBE has become the second longest serving major club sponsor in the AFL behind Ford's long term committment to Geelong. They also were willing to tip money into the club in October 1992 when our spot in the League was not assured and they have helped not only the club in its role as a major sponsor, but other areas such as funding the club Cheer Squad.
This is just another further sign (if one was ever needed) that the Swans as a team have come a long, long, long, long way since the dark day's of the early 90's.
Posted by robbieando at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)
Sunday's Match Almost a Sell Out
According to this article as of 10am this morning only 3960 tickets were available for sale to the general public for this Sunday's blockbuster against West Coast.
Not a bad effort indeed and hopefully with news of more sales since 10am making the amount of tickets available even less, we should be battling it out with West Coast in front of a 35,000 plus crowd with it hopefully pushing over the 40,000 mark for the first time since 1999 at the SCG if most of the SCG Trust Members show up.
Hopefully they do and team does the business on the field for the large crowd.
Posted by robbieando at 06:34 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2005
Jude Bolton - The Swans Next Captain
As if this wasn't already known but since Goodes has had his two weeks as captain of the Swans, the time has come for the 6th and final captain to get his 2 weeks as the club's on field leader and that is Jude Bolton for the matches against the teams that currently sit 1st and 2nd in West Coast and Adelaide.
Jude has always been my long term pick to one day lead the Swans and while the next two weeks isn't on a full time basis, I'm sure Jude will give a good account of himself over the next fortnight and give the coaching staff a hard time to select next year's captain out of the already impressive field of Hall, Goodes and Kirk.
Anyway here are some article's on Jude's shot at the captaincy.
Bolton primed for Eagles challenge - Official AFL Site
"I am really looking forward to the opportunity to captain the boys at the SCG in front of a big crowd against a top team," Bolton said. "It is an amazing honour, its something you always look up to as a kid so it's just a fantastic thing to get the opportunity for two weeks. "Hopefully I can lead by example and set the tone out on the ground."
Well good luck to Jude, because he and the team sure will need it over the next few weeks.
Posted by robbieando at 12:49 PM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2005
Injury List After Round 16
Well the injury list this week has grown from what it was last week and besides Shaw and Ericksen being added to the list not much impact will be felt from this list, unless we have another run of injuries to our ruck group like we did early in the season. But I'm sure we'll cope if we do. We did last time and Goodes and LRT can ruck well enough to win us a final (did in 03).
Anyway here is the list for this week
Heath James (Ankle) Test
Earl Shaw (Hamstring) 2 weeks
Mark Powell (Buttock) 2 weeks
Matthew Nicks (Knee) 2 weeks
David Spriggs (Knee) 2-3 weeks
Andrew Ericksen (Thumb) 4-6 weeks
Stuart Maxfield (Knee) Indefinite
Stephen Doyle (Ankle) Season
Posted by robbieando at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2005
Jude Bolton Accepts $2400 Fine for Ump Bump
According to the last paragraph in this article on the Swans Official Site, Jude Bolton accepted a small fine for a bump on an umpire during Saturday Night's game.
Meanwhile, midfielder Jude Bolton has accepted an early plea of a $2,400 fine for making negligent contact with umpire Shaun Ryan at the SCG on Saturday night.
Not earth shattering news I agree, but just think what would of happened to J-Bolt if this had happened 3 or 4 years ago. Thank god the AFL tribunal saw sense and stopped suspending player for minor bumps on umpires.
Posted by robbieando at 05:52 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2005
Swans Injury List After Round 15
As our injury list get's smaller and smaller our team is pretty much set for the rest of the season, with the likes of Schauble, Saddington and Malceski looking like pushing for a place in the senior side.
Josh Willoughby (Groin) Test
David Spriggs (Knee) 1-2 weeks
Matthew Nicks (Knee) 3-4 weeks
Stuart Maxfield (Knee) Indefinite
Stephen Doyle (Ankle) Season
Posted by robbieando at 03:58 PM | Comments (0)
July 06, 2005
Injury List After Round 14
Well since I last did an injury list things weren't looking too good, but save for the Maxfield and Doyle long term injuries we already knew about, things look much better going into the last 8 matches of the season. Only real worry is Leo Barry and Andrew Schauble, but it seems both should be available for selection this week (Leo, the seniors and Schaubs, the Magoos).
Anyway here is the list:
Sydney
Leo Barry (knee) TEST
Ben Fixter (quad) TEST
Andrew Schauble (calf) TEST
David Spriggs (knee) 2-3 Weeks
Stuart Maxfield (knee) Indefinite
Stephen Doyle (ankle) Season
Posted by robbieando at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)
Not Happy Jan
Apology to Swans, Saints - Swans Official Site
The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAA) has issued a public apology to AFL clubs St Kilda and Sydney for stating incorrectly in their 2005 report into the financial state of the league's 16 clubs that the financial future of both clubs was uncertain.The ICAA apologised to the Saints and the Swans on their official website www.icaa.org.au for stating that both clubs received qualified audit opinions "because there was significant uncertainty that each club would be able to continue as a going concern."
That's a huge mistake to make and one has to wonder how that news went down at Swans headquarters yesterday. I know I wouldn't be happy. But then again when you consider the role the ICAA had in the downfall of "One Tel" and "HIH", is this really that surprising????
Still at least its only a mistake and not factual, otherwise one would have to wonder about how this club is run.
Posted by robbieando at 07:23 PM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2005
And the Next Captain Is.................
Adam Goodes
"Goodes Ready To Lead" - Swans Official Site
Goodes's number is up for Swans - Sydney Morning Herald
So after two weeks of Ben Mathews we have come to our second last captain under the rotation captaincy system and for the next fortnight we see Goodes put forward his case for the job full time when the club names its captain for 2006 in late November, early December.
Out of the six players used under this policy, Goodes is one of the favoured long term options in the eyes of many. For me so far only Kirk and Hall did themselves a long term benefit and I believe that Goodes and Jude Bolton (who will take over the captaincy for the matches against West Coast and Adelaide) will join them in the final showdown when the decision is finally made.
I stand by my choice of Jude Bolton, but of the captains so far Barry Hall is the clear favourite at the minute.
Posted by robbieando at 07:06 PM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2005
Surgery for Maxfield
On a less brighter note, former club captain Stuart Maxfield needs to have Surgery for his knee injury, thus ruling him out of playing his 300th game this season.
According to The Age article - Surgery for Maxfield Maxfield will miss only one or two months.
Maxfield has not played since Sydney's round-six clash with West Coast, after which scans revealed a stress fracture in his left knee. It was hoped the injury would keep Maxfield sidelined for only between four and six weeks, but club doctor Nathan Gibbs said yesterday the surgery was now necessary or the season would be over before the injury settled.
Hopefully he can get back for the end of the season, but I think its time he calls it a day, because even before this injury his lack of form was hurting the club more than it was helping us. So lets hope he can get back to full health, play a few games towards the end of the season and we as a club can reward him a send off worthy of any club great that has gone before him. It's just a pity he would have to go out that way if he decides to go that way.
Posted by robbieando at 08:13 PM | Comments (0)
Paul Williams re-signs for 2006
Well thats at least his playing future settled until towards the end of next season and after his game against Freo first match back, you can see why this is such good news. We are that much better a side with him in it than him out of it. Anyway for those who want to read up on the news can follow this link: Williams sticks for 2006
Posted by robbieando at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2005
The Captain for the next two weeks is.......
..........Ben Mathews.
Excuse me if I don't seem too over-joyed at this news but after the captaincy the past two matches from Hall, Mathews as captain is a bit of a let down. Still I wish him all the best and hopefully he can keep up with the personal form his has shown the past two weeks and put himself in with a chance to become captain long term.
Posted by robbieando at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2005
News Roundup - Wed 15/6
Ah what a difference a fortnight makes. From being dismissed as a team on the way down that is playing a boring style of football to stay in touch of the finals to a team that looks well in the race for a spot in the top four at seasons end and its no surprise that this has happened as the team is close to its best 22 and playing a more attacking style of football.
Take a look at the Herald Sun article Roos says there's plenty of room to improve and you can see that the Swans plan is starting to come into effect. Maybe people (including myself) had been too quick to dismiss the Swans after the effort against St Kilda, but things are starting to roll and with an easy few matches ahead, the Swans could have a spot in the September action wrapped up before a tough run of games in late July, early August.
Despite the upturn in results the news hasn't started to appear with the only other major article of note this week that isn't match reports being the Herald Sun article about plans for the Swans to play the Kangaroos in LA next season - LA next stop for game
Great news if it happens but come on, North have been trying to get this match up for the past three years and fail everytime it looks like happening.
Oh well that it for today. Watch out for my midseason player reports over the coming week and half and for more news roundups
Posted by robbieando at 07:29 PM | Comments (0)
June 06, 2005
Paul Roos elected to Hall Of Fame
About time too considering he has been eligable since 2001. Still while he didn't make the Hall for his deeds with the Swans late in his career, he certainly made himself even more electable because of his time as a player with us.
While he has taken a few hits over the past few months, no one can say he should be there. He also joins quite a strong list of people in the Hall of Fame with connections to the Swans.
Posted by robbieando at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2005
News Update - Thurs 2/6
Well seeing as there hasn't been an update all week and alot of stuff has been thrown at us by the media as a result of our style of play and in particular our effort last Saturday I have decided to throw together all the news in this one update.
We start with the joke article of the week from The Age and heck it happenens to be written my the biggest joke for a reporter in the AFL - Caroline Wilson. Swans off the menu in Sydney is a beat up of the biggest kind and basically turns a non issue into something that its not.
On Saturday night between 8.45 and 9pm The Iron Chef rated better than St Kilda-Sydney
Basically this is the quote that the entire article is based around, the fact the Swans vs Saints match on Channel 10 got out rated in Sydney by a cooking show on SBS. Now of course if you read only that quote you'll understand the problem Ms Wilson is bringing up, however before people start going crazy I'll inform you of a little fact Ms Wilson failed to include in the article - the fact that between 8.45pm and 9pm, the telecast was at Half Time and the results that ensured were because of people flicking between the channels.
Ms Wilson also failed to include the fact that when the game was being played Channel 10's coverage out rated SBS - 130,000 viewers to 86,000 viewers. Also failed to add that the average for Swans games played on a Saturday Night on Channel 10 in Sydney average 130,000. So basically the fact people decided to flick channels for a 15 minute period while the Swans game was at half time was the basis for Ms Wilson to write the joke article of the week.
Anyway now we move onto more serious matters and that is the style of the Swans play. We start with Robert Walls article in The Age on Tuesday called The ugly Swans. Basically Walls hits the nail on the head with his article in particular his summing up of the Swans gameplan:
There is no excitement about this team. When did it last spring a selection surprise? It doesn't attack. It waits for the opposition to act. Then it reacts to counterattack with 16 of its players in the defensive half. A series of mostly backward handballs will free someone up to receive the ball out wide on the wing. This player will wait for Hall to lead to the boundary line. They are plays that have become as painful as they are predictable.
Even better than I can put it. When in doubt - handpass backwards. If still in doubt turn the ball over.
Problem with what is being said is that Roos is unwilling to change. The media is calling for change and the clubs own supporters are calling for a change. The man is crazy if he thinks the club is capable of winning a flag with this style of play that is unsuitable to finals time and most important of all is worthless when the Swans don't have the players with the talent to pull it off.
Sad thing is he won't change and according to the Herald Sun article - Roos and ugly Swans he thinks that even with a team full of Chris Judd's we'll still play this way.
"Our style won't change when we get better players, no disrespect to our own players, if we get perhaps elite players . . . (like a) Chris Judd," Roos said.
God I really fear the next few years at this club. Even more when players are forced to accept the blame for the way they have been told to play. Yes they are the ones who should deliever once on the ground, but by not allowing them to play an attacking style of play, least of trust them not to be beaten, its starting to eat away at the confidence of the players.
Articles such as It's our fault, says Swan make me sick. How must Hall be feeling when he is forced to accept the blame for something that wasn't his doing?
Shithouse I bet.
Posted by robbieando at 05:09 PM | Comments (4)
May 24, 2005
Swans Injury List
Well it keeps getting smaller and the good news is that Willo and Davis are close to returns within the next fortnight.
SYDNEY
Paul Williams (collarbone) test
Heath James (calf) test
Nick Davis (hamstring) 1 week
Nic Fosdike (knee) 1-2 weeks
Ben Fixter (quadriceps) 2-3 weeks
Stuart Maxfield (knee) 2-3 weeks
Stephen Doyle (ankle) season
Posted by robbieando at 09:59 PM | Comments (1)
News Roundup - Tuesday 24/5
Its been a while since I did one of these but never fear I'll try and keep up to date as much as possible from now on. Anyway onto the round up and we begin with Garry Lyon's article in today's Herald on this season's "Surprise packets". For Swans fans he has quite rightly singled out the improved performances Luke Ablett so far this season.
With his penetrating kicking, and developing powers of concentration and discipline, there are good signs that there will be life after Paul Williams when the champion No. 10 decides his time is up.
Lyon is certainly right about that. Ablett, Kirk and Jude are certainly a good base to build a premiership winning midfielder from. Just need a few of the kids (Moore, McVeigh, Willoughby and Malceski) to develop into the players we hope they will become and maybe a matchwinner or two to fill in the pieces.
On to the Luke Vogels story and in The Australian there is an article that has Paul Roos claiming that they are more players out there like him who just need a chance.
Roos said the Swans had decided to tweak their recruiting strategy at the end of last year by looking for unwanted AFL players, VFL players and talented country footballers.
and
"I have no doubt there has to be more Luke Vogels out there, but it is very hard for clubs to take the more experienced players because you may only get three picks in the draft," Roos said. "There is no doubt in my mind there are a lot of players out there who could potentially play AFL football that are now 21 or 22."
Hmmmmmm somebody has been reading a bit too much Moneyball. Still very valid point to make. Just better not turn it into a major focus of recuiting, the Under 18 system is still the primary way to get the talented players into the club. The Vogels model (ie. putting them on the rookie list first) is a fine way to go about this process of mature aged players.
Finally we finish with Richard Hinds opinion article in the SMH, Swans must meet greater expectations. Now while the point he is trying to get across is correct (we MUST win on Saturday Night), I just think some of his reasoning is a little misguided and in some cases wrong.
The Swans have won their past three games without injured ruckmen Jason Ball and Stephen Doyle (and without Darren Jolly on Sunday)
While it is true we have won without Doyle and Ball, we also lost without them so they aren't a key performance factor and Jolly didn't miss Sunday's game - it was the Essendon game to begin with. The most important factor about the ruck he failed to note was Goodes moving back into the middle. That has played a KEY role in our wins of late. heck I think it was Goodes who turned the match in our favour in the second quarter by burning Mitch Hahn in the ruck and proving the point that no one in the league can match up to Goodes when he plays in the ruck.
with creative defender Leo Barry sometimes asked to play on opponents 15 centimetres taller and with Tadhg Kennelly struggling to find his best form
Leo has played on taller opponents for the best part of the last two seasons, him playing there has had an impact on our style of play since 2003, but in the 3 losses in a row he kept us in matches by the same token. With the Kennelly line, well that just wrong. Yes he was out of form up until 3 weeks ago, but since then his drive off half back has been important and against Port he was a major reason why we won, hardly struggling.
Now as I said I have nothing against the article, the topic is correct we need to win this week but the reasoning and lack of research turned a good topic into a poorly written article that hardly gets the issue addressed.
Anyway thats it for today.
Posted by robbieando at 09:24 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2005
Final Changes for Weekend
To counter the Bulldogs pace in their forward line the Swans have dropped Schauble and LRT so that we don't get caught out by it. Seem a stupid call, but if it works as Roos plans it to (ie. tricks Eade into sending Grant down forward and thus allowing Hall and Magic to roam free up forward) then it could be a master stroke.
In Schauble and LRT's place comes Nicks and Willo. However Willo is to be given until match time to prove his fitness and if he is to pull out and allow the injury another week to heal, then I suspect Roos to bring in Schauble. Might be a wise move.
Will be an interesting match with Roos wanting to pull one over his old boss, while the nature of the Swans play (ie - the flooding) effect on the so far free moving Bulldogs is another factor you can't ignore.
Still at the end of the day if the Swans want to make the finals, this is the kind of match they MUST win otherwise there would be no point to it. Going to be a difficult match but we should be able to contain the Bulldogs to put up win number 5 for the season.
Posted by robbieando at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2005
Leo Barry - The next fortnights captain
After such a good performance yesterday on Tredrea it seems as if Barry has been rewarded with the chance to lead the side over the next two weeks against the Bulldogs and St Kilda.
Good luck to him.
Posted by robbieando at 07:08 PM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2005
Final Line Up Changes
Well the final team is in and finally Spriggs has been dropped and in his place come McVeigh.
In: McVeigh and Jolly
Out: Spriggs and Davis (inj)
Int: McVeigh Saddington Moore Buchanan
Emg: Spriggs Malceski Schneider
Posted by robbieando at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2005
News Roundup - Thur 12/5
Well today's round up basically will focus on the club's stupid decision to go with 6 captains for the rest of the season. We start with the SMH and its article Why Swans chose six captains. Poor Roosy, he again proves that he is the king of the cop out with a stupid statement like this,
"If someone asked me to, I couldn't rank them, but that wasn't the main reason," he said. "I just thought that we didn't need to do it [select just one]. They are very close. And we don't need to be rushed. I think it's a terrific opportunity for the club and those six players.
No need to be rushed hey??? Well I can think of many reasons why you should of, but then again I guess when you cop out of answering tough questions your never going to admit that this decision could send the wrong message to the playing list and even one of the group of 6. I would of thought that while this season was still alive, making a call on one player and standing behind them would of been the way to go, but with the Swans you know.........
Onto The Australian and if you wanted proof how much a joke the captaincy has become at the club this season, Captaincy quirk founded on six appeal, kind of proves it.
IN the past 32 years seven men have had their names engraved on the honour board as captain of the Swans.
Well that means that in this one season we'll have had as many captains as we have had in the past 32 years, now THATS a joke.
Anyway onto the Herald Sun and its basically more of the same with Swans mix it up.
In the only other news item today, it appears that the Swans have followed the lead of many other clubs in allowing their players to use No-Doz caffeine tablets. According to Swans stars on caffeine tablets in the Daily Telegraph the Club Doctor Nathan Gibbs admitted that
"They [caffeine tablets] are available to anyone that wants them," Gibbs said.
Now I don't know what to think on this one and its not really up to be to decide if this is right or wrong. However I will say I hope that the club knows what its doing and makes sure those who are using them are not badly effected by them.
Anyway thats all for now, Team lineups later tonight.
Posted by robbieando at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2005
The New Club Captains
Better allow for a lot of room on the club Honor Board to list this year's Captain's after the Swans decided today to go with a "leadership team" by naming 6 players who will get at least two matches each as captain this year.
So therefore, your club captains are now
Brett Kirk
Barry Hall
Adam Goodes
Jude Bolton
Leo Barry
and
Ben Mathews
Any further proof that this club doesn't view this season with any further hope for success has just been given. First of all what a kick in the teeth for Kirk, clearly the club doesn't believe he is capable of doing the job for the rest of the year at least and basically have ruled him out of being named the full time captain next year.
Second of all, Ben Mathews as captain - Now there's something I wished I never would see. We get rid of one under-performing captain and replace him with another.
Now thats a joke.
The other four, well I think its clear that the club view them as the best options and I think it will come down to Jude and Goodes.
Anyway, here is the article from the Club's site.
"We had individual discussions with all members of the leadership group and they were very encouraging and enthusiastic about the rotational system,? said Swans coach Paul Roos.
Kirk will lead the team again this week for those who haven't stopped laughing.
Posted by robbieando at 05:41 PM | Comments (1)
May 10, 2005
Injury List after Round 7
Jason Ball (Hamstring) Test
Stuart Maxfield (Knee) 1 week
Heath James (Calf) 1 week
Ben Fixter (Quad) 1 week
Nic Fosdike (Knee) 2-3 weeks
Nick Davis (Hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Paul Williams (Collarbone) 3-4 weeks
Stephen Doyle (Ankle) Season
Well Maxfield and Davis join the happy band of Injury Room junkies and it appears that Willo's hoped for early return seems unlikely. At least Ball should be able to play this week and we also get Jolly back from suspension.
Posted by robbieando at 07:25 PM | Comments (0)
May 07, 2005
Swans WIN, I repeat SWANS WIN
After 3 weeks we finally have our 3rd win on the board. Still much improvement is needed if we are to get better. Should of won by 6 goals not 6 points and our kicking and pressure from the midfield is still weak as piss. Davis did his hammy and will miss the next few weeks.
Still an improvement on the past 3 weeks and certainly not boring football. But things must keep on going.
Match Report, sometime tomorrow
Posted by robbieando at 11:56 PM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2005
News Roundup - Fri 6/5
Well we have alot to get though today, so lets start with the major topic on everyone's mind - Stuart Maxfield standing down as captain of the club. I'll start with the Herald Sun report, Maxfield puts his kids before captaincy.
"So in terms of my strength as a leader around the place a lot of it has been off-field; if I'm unable to be around the place then I can't perform those duties to the best of my abilities."
We then move onto The Age, with Sydney or the push, Maxfield a captain no more and the SMH with Maxfield steps down, Swans look for someone to step up.
Basically I've said all that can be said, but I still think Stuart made the right call. Now he can focus on his game more and finish his career with a BANG.
On to his replacement and we have an article from the Swans Official Site called Kirk hopes to inspire. Clearly Kirk is best pleased with the honour thanks to the following quote,
"Growing up as a kid I barracked for the Swans so to captain this week will be a huge buzz."
Despite the decision on who becomes the full time captain next week I think Kirk has it in the bag, thanks to his two guess roles so far this season.
On to the last article of the day and its written by Paul Roos in his weekly article for the Daily Telegraph.
It disappointed everyone around the club that we were labelled by a person in Andrew's position. But let us forget that. We would like to think we are adult enough to get on with the massive job we have here in Sydney.
Good call.
To that end I'm urging everyone to get behind your Swans on Saturday night - because we are indeed YOUR Swans. The Sydney Swans.So come on Sydney, get behind the Swans.
Send the most powerful message of all to those who love to have a crack at us and speak with your feet on Saturday night.
Pretty passionate stuff
Posted by robbieando at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)
May 05, 2005
Breaking News - Maxfield Steps Down as Captain
According to Melbourne radio station SEN and afl.com.au, Stuart Maxfield has stepped down as club captain and been replaced as captain by Brett Kirk for this weeks match, with a final decision on who becomes the new full time captain sometime next week, with Hall, Goodes and Kirk in the mix.
Sad that Stuart had to step down in this way, but his family comes first and he needs to put ALL his focus into that. I think its the right call.
Posted by robbieando at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 04, 2005
News Roundup - Wed 4/5
Well I'll start today with the going spat between the Swans and the AFL. It seems as though Roos has decided to take some action upon the AFL and has pulled out of his committment to speak to 25 AFL big wigs on the State of the game in NSW.
"I think Paul feels seriously that he's a major supporter of the AFL in this market, and I think he feels this (the Demetriou criticism) was entirely inappropriate and unfair," Colless said.
Good call Roosy.
Depsite the boring nature of our play at the moment you needed to take action against the AFL for the unfair comments from Demetriou, who should of known better. I couldn't think of a better way to show the AFL than to pull out of a meeting that is of an important nature.
Still on to the news that after yesterday's reports that Club Captain Stuart Maxfield is spending half the week in Melbourne to be close to his kids, there has been pressure put upon him to step aside as Captain. In The Age we read that Swans skipper may have to quit.
Roos admitted he had asked Maxfield about the captaincy on Monday and would wait for his captain's decision when he returns to Sydney tomorrow.
"I must admit I haven't thought too clearly through it (the captaincy)," Roos said. "It's been the priority to get his family life in order. Now it's probably stage two in terms of where we go with the captaincy."
This debate is hotting up according to Watson calls on Maxfield to stand down as Swans captain in the Sydney Morning Herald.
But the thought of a club captain being away from his team for half the week brought criticism from many quarters yesterday, with several commentators, including former Essendon captain Tim Watson, calling for Maxfield to step down.
Now I have no problem with Stu, spending time in Melbourne during the week because his family HAS to come first, but at the same time the Swans need a captain who is available in Sydney during the week for media and promotional reasons. Having said that, I think its not the time to change captains and unless Stu decides on his own to step down then let allow him to get his family life in order during the week and captain the Swans on the weekend, until such time as he feels he isn't up to it.
Anyway onto the good news of the day and thats the return of Adam Goodes to being a full time ruckman. Roosy has seen the light and has taken his lumps to go back on his word not to use Goodes in the ruck again. I think this is good news and a step forward. But on to the articles. Goodes news bad news for vertically challenged Swans in the SMH details Goodes return to the ruck but also the back news of Doyle being out for the season. Still I liked this quote and proves Roos is trying to change thing around.
"I came away with the fact that whilst we have probably tried to protect him and play him elsewhere, I think he plays his best football as a ruckman," Roos said. "Having Goodesy in the ruck provides us with an attacking option that we haven't had and I think he enjoys his footy more in the ruck."
Goodes is back in the circle game in The Australian is the other article on the matter.
Well thats it for now.
Posted by robbieando at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2005
News Roundup - Tue 3/5
Well today's news in regards to the Swans is more on Andrew Demetriou's stupid, crazy and out of line comments that the Swans played "not particularly attractive football". Now don't get me wrong, I agree the Swans style of play is poor and what was said was fair, but what I have a problem with is the fact Demetriou picked us out, when other clubs style of play is also poor and simular to ours.
Still today's papers have had a field day with this issue and instead of commenting on each one, I'm going to provide a link to each one and say that this is something that the club must fight back over. However that doesn't seem likely when Roos makes comments like:
"Clearly we're an easy target at the moment . . . it's not up to me to come back and say something. My job is to coach the team."
Ah well at least he is getting some pressure put upon him and his style by the media.
Swans stay out of brawl - Herald Sun
Melbourne is out to get us: Roos - Fox Sports/Daily Telegraph
Swans respond to AFL comments - Swans Official Site
Criticism may damage game in NSW: Swans - Swans Official Site
Sydney stands by coach - The Age
The other issue the has cropped up in the fact that the club has decided to allow club captain Stuart Maxfield to live in Melbourne for 3 days each week. Don't know what to think on this one, except I think it might be a good idea to have Stuart step down as captain and just allow him to focus on his game and family.
Same deal as before links below.
Swans OK Maxfield fly-in captaincy - Fox Sports/The Australian
Maxfield to reconsider captaincy - Fox Sports/AAP
Also in the article above the bottom part of the article gives us the good news of the day and proof that Roos is changing his ways.
Midfielder Jarred Moore will make his debut against the Bombers
That's great news.
Also here is a link to an article in today's The Age by Rohan Connolly called Pressure on Swans. A very good read.
That is all and remember "Less is Moore" (Anyone who guesses where that quote comes from, ie which TV Show wins a DVD of the Swans win over Port in the 2003 finals)
Posted by robbieando at 08:29 PM | Comments (1)
Injury Update
Well before I do the news round up, I use the Injury update to report on the worse news of the day and thats the news that Doyle's season has been closed down and we won't see him again until 2006.No news report link yet so, I leave that until tomorrow. Still here is the injury list after Round 6 and the normal suspects are on it.
SYDNEY
Mark Powell (foot) test
Ben Mathews (foot) test
Jarrad Sundqvist (ankle) 1 week
Heath James (calf) 1 week
Nic Fosdike (knee) 2 weeks
Jason Ball (hamstring) test
Ben Fixter (quad) 1-2 weeks
Paul Williams (collarbone) 3-4 weeks
Stephen Doyle (ankle) season
Posted by robbieando at 08:15 PM | Comments (0)
April 29, 2005
News Roundup - Fri 29/4
Well the end to the week from Hell is only a day away and already today we have seen the Jolly appeal rejected, so I don't have much hope for tomorrow, but I've seen this club do stranger things amd a win isn't out of the question knowing this club. But anyway on to the news roundup and we start today with the shocking news (no really) that former club clown Warwick Capper played two matches in 1986 including a final on drugs.
"We used to get these tablets called `briquettes', which were speed tablets. A friend who also played for the Swans and I thought we would try them before two games including the 1986 qualifying final. I was standing on heads in the first half, but after halftime it was a big downer and I couldn't sleep for 2 1/2 days. Fortunately, there was no drug testing in those days because we would have been off the radar."
Well I always though Capper was High during our matches in the 80's but not in that style. Oh well nothing with him surprises me anymore and when I heard the news last night, I went "yep that explains it".
Anyway on to the Jolly appeal preview in the Daily Telegraph and the whole outcome of two weeks for a love tap while, Fevola gets two for an eye gouge has reportingly upset the Swans official's and to be honest I don't think any reasonable people (thus ruling out the entire AFL tribunal set up) can disagree with that.
As to who replaces Jolly in the line up, well according to Roos in the SMH, expect Schauble to come into the side and Goodes and LRT to take up the ruck duties with other talls helping out where possible.
Asked if Schauble would be the replacement if Jolly's appeal was unsuccessful, Roos said: "I would think so."This would most likely mean that without Jolly, Lewis Roberts-Thomson would move from defence to the ruck, with Schauble moving to the backline.
Seems like the right idea to me for once is coming out of the club this week.
JOY
On to the match and the result of Goodes moving into the ruck has West Coast nervous, as if its some sort of world changing event (I hope it is, but come onnnnnnnn)
"We've just got to be wary of that because I think he's a very good runner around the ground."As good a form as Cox is in and Seaby's getting into that good form, we've just got to watch Goodes."
Well maybe we can get the rest of the team to wear Goodes facemasks and then maybe we have ourselves a shot at winning....
....nah didn't think so either.
Posted by robbieando at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
Jolly's 2 Weeks Stand
Appeal has been rejected and he'll miss the Eagles and Bomber matches. Ah, shoot.
Posted by robbieando at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2005
News Roundup - Thurs 28/4 vol 2
A bit of a late news update before the teams for Saturday Night come in and for the Swans the first piece is good news for once. After braking his collarbone 2 weeks ago, it was thought that Paul Williams would miss 2 months, but in news from tonights training session it seems that he could be back after 6 weeks to ease our injury woes.
The other article is on the Jolly trial (if seems like one) and how Roos thinks the appeal is worth the punt
Thats all for know. Off to do a rain dance in the hope of rain for Saturday Night's match (who would of thought?)
Posted by robbieando at 08:04 PM | Comments (0)
News Roundup - Thurs 28/4
I start today's roundup with Roosy's latest ploy to get the team to play well, so according to the Daily Telegraph, in a bid to 'gee' up the team ahead of this weeks trip West, Roos has quoted Lions captain Michael Voss in a bid to inspire the Swans
"You are always doing different things that's why I read the Michael Voss article to the players to show them that there other clubs going through a difficult time," Roos said.
Certainly out of left field, but very true in point and hopefully it works.
Now we have more on the Jolly trip to the tribunal we had last night and from the sound of things we should have a good case in our appeal, which the club has decided to go ahead with Jolly appeals on four grounds.
The Swans have appealed on the four grounds there was an error in law, that the decision was so unreasonable that no Tribunal acting reasonably could have come to that decision, the classification of the offence was manifestly excessive and also the sanction imposed was manifestly excessive.
I have a good feeling about this, because how can James Hird get off nearly braking a player in two and Jolly gets two weeks for what amounts to a love tap. Appeal is 10am tomorrow, so Jolly will most likely be named in the side tonight and remove