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By RAY KERSHLER and TIM MORRISSEY
30jul03
YOUNGSTER Lewis Roberts-Thomson looms as the logical replacement for Jason Ball as Sydney evaluate the fallout of the damage to their top ruckman.
The Swans will try to limit any extra workload on Adam Goodes and keep a keen eye on 19-year-old Roberts-Thomson, who will train this week after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Another alternative, James Meiklejohn, is fit after a cheekbone injury but lacks the match fitness of Roberts-Thomson, while Steven Doyle, who would be first pick as Ball's replacement, is still three matches away from a return from his knee injury.
Swans coach Paul Roos said yesterday he hoped to keep Goodes playing his 50-50 role for the Swans, where the athletic player alternates positions and taking ruck duties for about half the match.
Although Goodes enjoys the freedom in the ruck, where he is not subject to man-on-man marking, Roos does not want to overwork one of the Swans' 2003 stars.
Sunday's match against Adelaide is crucial for both teams as pressure builds at the top of the ladder. Sydney, in second place with 12 wins, and Adelaide, fourth with 11 wins, have tough matches between now and the finals.
While Roos remains low-key about his team's finals prospects, a former Sydney captain has joined those who see a buoyant future for the team.
Dennis Carroll believes the Swans of 2003 can emulate the 1996 grand final side if they snare a home final.
With no team putting their hand up as the clear premiership favourite, Carroll, who skippered the Swans from 1986 to '92 during the Tom Hafey and Col Kinnear coaching reigns, believes Sydney have the potential to go all the way.
"A home final is critical for our chances," Carroll said.
"After that anything is possible and it's a very even competition.
"They're going to make the finals so it's just a matter of where they finish up in the eight.
"If they end up with a home final then anything can happen and I don't think that's putting too much pressure on anyone.
"But the position the Swans are in right now gives them a great opportunity."
The Swans are already locked in to play their first final at the 83,000-seat Telstra Stadium, with the venue for a second home final yet to be decided.
In 1996, the Swans finished minor premiers. They beat Hawthorn in the first round of the finals at the SCG and followed that up with a thrilling one-point victory over Essendon to advance to the grand final, where they lost to the Kangaroos.
Carroll credits coach Roos for the stunning performance of the team most critics predicted would win the wooden spoon this season.
And with this young Sydney side lacking finals experience, the former captain agrees with Roos' approach that has him constantly watering down any talk of playing September football.
AFL investigations officer John Coburn has found there is insufficient evidence to lay any charges from Sunday's clash between Carlton and Collingwood at the MCG.
There was no conclusive video footage of separate incidents which caused Carlton fullback Mick Martyn and Collingwood onballer Brodie Holland to leave the ground under the blood rule.
Coburn also ruled that the halftime clash involving a large number of players from both sides didn't constitute a melee.
ST KILDA goalsneak Stephen Milne has been suspended for one week after being found guilty by the AFL tribunal of striking Adelaide's Andrew McLeod.
By RAY KERSHLER and TIM MORRISSEY
30jul03
YOUNGSTER Lewis Roberts-Thomson looms as the logical replacement for Jason Ball as Sydney evaluate the fallout of the damage to their top ruckman.
The Swans will try to limit any extra workload on Adam Goodes and keep a keen eye on 19-year-old Roberts-Thomson, who will train this week after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Another alternative, James Meiklejohn, is fit after a cheekbone injury but lacks the match fitness of Roberts-Thomson, while Steven Doyle, who would be first pick as Ball's replacement, is still three matches away from a return from his knee injury.
Swans coach Paul Roos said yesterday he hoped to keep Goodes playing his 50-50 role for the Swans, where the athletic player alternates positions and taking ruck duties for about half the match.
Although Goodes enjoys the freedom in the ruck, where he is not subject to man-on-man marking, Roos does not want to overwork one of the Swans' 2003 stars.
Sunday's match against Adelaide is crucial for both teams as pressure builds at the top of the ladder. Sydney, in second place with 12 wins, and Adelaide, fourth with 11 wins, have tough matches between now and the finals.
While Roos remains low-key about his team's finals prospects, a former Sydney captain has joined those who see a buoyant future for the team.
Dennis Carroll believes the Swans of 2003 can emulate the 1996 grand final side if they snare a home final.
With no team putting their hand up as the clear premiership favourite, Carroll, who skippered the Swans from 1986 to '92 during the Tom Hafey and Col Kinnear coaching reigns, believes Sydney have the potential to go all the way.
"A home final is critical for our chances," Carroll said.
"After that anything is possible and it's a very even competition.
"They're going to make the finals so it's just a matter of where they finish up in the eight.
"If they end up with a home final then anything can happen and I don't think that's putting too much pressure on anyone.
"But the position the Swans are in right now gives them a great opportunity."
The Swans are already locked in to play their first final at the 83,000-seat Telstra Stadium, with the venue for a second home final yet to be decided.
In 1996, the Swans finished minor premiers. They beat Hawthorn in the first round of the finals at the SCG and followed that up with a thrilling one-point victory over Essendon to advance to the grand final, where they lost to the Kangaroos.
Carroll credits coach Roos for the stunning performance of the team most critics predicted would win the wooden spoon this season.
And with this young Sydney side lacking finals experience, the former captain agrees with Roos' approach that has him constantly watering down any talk of playing September football.
AFL investigations officer John Coburn has found there is insufficient evidence to lay any charges from Sunday's clash between Carlton and Collingwood at the MCG.
There was no conclusive video footage of separate incidents which caused Carlton fullback Mick Martyn and Collingwood onballer Brodie Holland to leave the ground under the blood rule.
Coburn also ruled that the halftime clash involving a large number of players from both sides didn't constitute a melee.
ST KILDA goalsneak Stephen Milne has been suspended for one week after being found guilty by the AFL tribunal of striking Adelaide's Andrew McLeod.
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