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Judgment day
By TIM MORRISSEY
19aug03
AT least four Swans, probably more, will be cut from this year's successful team list no matter how deep Sydney go into the AFL finals.
Swans coach Paul Roos and the club's general manager of football operations Andrew Ireland have warned tough decisions will be made, leaving several disappointed players to contemplate their futures after this already successful rebuilding season.
The Swans' performances, as a team and individually, in the last two games of the home and away season will not only determine how long they last in September but who will and who won't be around next year.
"Depending on what happens over the next four to five to six weeks, I still think we've got a fair bit of a gap to close on the top teams," Roos said.
"That's where you've still got to make hard decisions, so for some of the players it's a pretty crucial period before the regular season finishes . . . it's a pretty crucial time for a lot of the guys."
Roos refused to mention any names but added: "Probably none pop up immediately because at the moment when you're playing well and winning games we don't really assess the list on a weekly basis.
"What I'm suggesting though is that at the end of the year we can't get too carried away, even in a rebuilding year, given how well we've gone we still have to be mindful of where we are trying to get to.
"We still might have to make some pretty tough decisions."
After their phenomenal come-from-behind 14-point victory over dual reigning premiers Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday, the irrepressible Swans cannot be discounted as contenders for the flag. A win over Collingwood in their blockbuster clash at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night, followed by a defeat of lowly Melbourne at the MCG in the final round, would put the Swans on target to steal second spot on the ladder, guaranteeing them the double chance and two home finals.
That would give the Swans the best opportunity to match the Sydney team of 1996 and advance to the grand final. But not even going all the way will stop the Swans overhaul their list.
"The fact is there will have to be some change to our list," Ireland said. "The AFL draft is compulsory. You haven't got the option not to participate so you must select three players.
"So it's inevitable with the way our list is going, especially with Heath James getting in the side and Amon Buchanan and Josh Thewlis still to come back from the injury list.
"So yes, there are going to be some disappointed players."
Ireland has been diligently working through the list re-signing Adam Goodes and Jason Saddington to long-term deals early in the season and more recently forward Michael O'Loughlin.
He also has re-signed 2003 Rising Star candidate Adam Schneider and promising rookie Mark Powell recently and is in negotiations with the club's third emerging young gun, Lewis Roberts-Thomson.
"He's a NSW boy, he lives in Mosman so I can't see Lewie going too far away," Roos said.
"He has enough trouble getting over to this side of the Eastern Suburbs to be able to get down to Melbourne or anywhere else . . . I'd be staggered if he turns up in another jumper next year."
By TIM MORRISSEY
19aug03
AT least four Swans, probably more, will be cut from this year's successful team list no matter how deep Sydney go into the AFL finals.
Swans coach Paul Roos and the club's general manager of football operations Andrew Ireland have warned tough decisions will be made, leaving several disappointed players to contemplate their futures after this already successful rebuilding season.
The Swans' performances, as a team and individually, in the last two games of the home and away season will not only determine how long they last in September but who will and who won't be around next year.
"Depending on what happens over the next four to five to six weeks, I still think we've got a fair bit of a gap to close on the top teams," Roos said.
"That's where you've still got to make hard decisions, so for some of the players it's a pretty crucial period before the regular season finishes . . . it's a pretty crucial time for a lot of the guys."
Roos refused to mention any names but added: "Probably none pop up immediately because at the moment when you're playing well and winning games we don't really assess the list on a weekly basis.
"What I'm suggesting though is that at the end of the year we can't get too carried away, even in a rebuilding year, given how well we've gone we still have to be mindful of where we are trying to get to.
"We still might have to make some pretty tough decisions."
After their phenomenal come-from-behind 14-point victory over dual reigning premiers Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday, the irrepressible Swans cannot be discounted as contenders for the flag. A win over Collingwood in their blockbuster clash at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night, followed by a defeat of lowly Melbourne at the MCG in the final round, would put the Swans on target to steal second spot on the ladder, guaranteeing them the double chance and two home finals.
That would give the Swans the best opportunity to match the Sydney team of 1996 and advance to the grand final. But not even going all the way will stop the Swans overhaul their list.
"The fact is there will have to be some change to our list," Ireland said. "The AFL draft is compulsory. You haven't got the option not to participate so you must select three players.
"So it's inevitable with the way our list is going, especially with Heath James getting in the side and Amon Buchanan and Josh Thewlis still to come back from the injury list.
"So yes, there are going to be some disappointed players."
Ireland has been diligently working through the list re-signing Adam Goodes and Jason Saddington to long-term deals early in the season and more recently forward Michael O'Loughlin.
He also has re-signed 2003 Rising Star candidate Adam Schneider and promising rookie Mark Powell recently and is in negotiations with the club's third emerging young gun, Lewis Roberts-Thomson.
"He's a NSW boy, he lives in Mosman so I can't see Lewie going too far away," Roos said.
"He has enough trouble getting over to this side of the Eastern Suburbs to be able to get down to Melbourne or anywhere else . . . I'd be staggered if he turns up in another jumper next year."
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