We lost

[Old Royboy]

I nearly didn?t go tonight but was very pleased that I did. I mainly concentrated on the kids, and Liz was right, it is very hard to tell them apart. Close up they look so young ? Brabazon in particular looks like he?s just out of nappies, but more important, he looks like he?s a good footballer too. For me the surprise was the quality of the rookies: this kid Paul Currie can play. In addition to his banana goal from the boundary he beat Lovitt-Murray pointless in a one on one marking contest and kicked the goal. Simon Phillips is definitely the runt of the litter, but knows how to find the ball AND what to do with it. Kieren Jack has bulked up a lot this year, he knows how to find the ball too but only has a left foot. Noticed his old man in the players stand ? wearing a bloody Balmain RL jumper.

Vogel?s performance in defence and Teddy Richards shoving it right up the plumber?s hooter was icing on the cake.

I wondered where Earl Shaw was, but some of his Blue Mountains mates on the train home told me he had groin surgery in the off season.

It?s hard to draw conclusions from a practice match but I came away feeling that there is nothing wrong with our depth and that it could be a long cold winter for bomber fans.

[j s]

Originally posted by Provost
LRT was in great form, I think Baz has given him some training in aggression because he showed a little tonight.

Had some monumental clangers early in the game (unless I mistook another blondie for him).

I've heard that Bazza worked him over during practice game at the Gong. Bruised all over afterwards. That should toughen him up.

He's presumably heavier and stronger this year too!

[cruiser]

Originally posted by Old Royboy
it could be a long cold winter for bomber fans.

he he he

I just heard on Ch 10's Sports Tonight that the crowd was 8000, which is excellent given the negative publicity generated by Roos for the game. Once upon a time (thankfully almost a long time ago now), 8000 was a good crowd for a home game at the SCG.

[satchmopugdog]

Maybe Tadhg was just trying to show everyone the bruises!

[punter257]

2006 sounds very promising after tonights effort - we're a monty for the flag if we could win it last year

[blinddog]

How big was the Nth Sydney crowd

[katie-scarlett]

I'm glad Superted got a few kicks in.
Shut the "that's why we gave you away!" calls from those lovely bomber fans :roll:

& I agree, LRT was way more aggresive!
Got in more than a few bitchslaps.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by satchmopugdog
I don't care about missing the game. I think I have met Mr. Right.

[connolly]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Yeah credit where it is due here. Spriggs played very well.

I know its very early days but did those who attended the game last night notice any influence of the rule changes by:
- creating an even greater advantage for quicker and fitter players
- exposing the Bombers abysmal lack of pace?
Could this be Spriggs year (cometh the man etc) Whilst Spriggs is possibly the least regarded player on RWO since the elevation of LRT to sainthood and football immortality, is this necessarily a bad thing for an emerging swan?

[satchmopugdog]

Oh my gosh...I've sobered up!!! I wish I went to the game.

[dimelb]

Thanks for the reports, especially Liz and Jeffers, Big Al and Royboy. The Age and Fox reports don't have anything like the Swan focus we want.
It's sounding good for our chances at a repeat performance this season - and really encouraging that the youngsters had a red hot go at a more experienced outfit.

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by satchmopugdog
Oh my gosh...I've sobered up!!! I wish I went to the game.

Hee Hee
Now that's funny.

Looks like good old Righty is still out there

[swansrock4eva]

Originally posted by jimmyconnolly
I know its very early days but did those who attended the game last night notice any influence of the rule changes by:
- creating an even greater advantage for quicker and fitter players
- exposing the Bombers abysmal lack of pace?
Could this be Spriggs year (cometh the man etc) Whilst Spriggs is possibly the least regarded player on RWO since the elevation of LRT to sainthood and football immortality, is this necessarily a bad thing for an emerging swan?

Didn't really notice that per se, but I did actually like the quick kick-in rule - it's good to watch and also forces the players to think a little quicker. I thought the Swans were a little better at it than the bombers, but I think we'll have to watch the next few games to really get any proper idea of its impact.

And if the Essendon Seniors can only win by 19 points over our reserves, bring on Round 1!

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by satchmopugdog
Oh my gosh...I've sobered up!!! I wish I went to the game.

So he isn't Mr Right?

[Old Royboy]

It was evident that almost all kick offs were taken very quickly and resulted in an uncontested mark. I thought our kids were pretty good at ensuring there was somebody close enough to prevent the receiver from playing on and thus allowing the midfielders to man up or flood. But North Sydney Oval is only the size of a handkerchief and the effect could be much greater on a normal playing arena.