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After a season on the sidelines, it's knees-up times for Doyle
By Jessica Halloran
August 29, 2003
The Swans have added height to their line-up to face Melbourne tomorrow with the addition of ruckman Stephen Doyle, back after injuring his knee in March.
Doyle will boost Sydney's ruck stocks after the experienced Jason Ball (shoulder) suffered a season-ending injury last month.
Ball, being used as a ruck and midfield coach, said Doyle's addition to the side also helped Sydney's attack.
"His return is very important," Ball said. "He lacks a bit of match fitness but standing at six foot eight he can go up forward and kick a goal. You need a fairly good player to play on him.
"He jumps pretty well and makes quite a contest. He's a traditional tap ruckman who runs straight in and up, he gets his knee up well.
"He can also play [as] a tall forward so he can free up Barry Hall and Mick O'Loughlin.
"We don't have the chance to play him in the twos to warm up because we have to treat every game as our last."
In the Swans' round-one win over Carlton, Doyle left the ground with a knee injury after kicking his second goal. He had an arthroscopy but his return to the game was delayed by tendonitis in his knee.
Like Ball, Doyle has spent frustrating time watching the team and is eager to return to the firsts at the MCG tomorrow.
"The midfield is going well, even without Bally," Doyle said. "Goodesy [Adam Goodes] is making a good contest, as have James Meiklejohn and Lewis Roberts-Thomson - they are doing well.
"We realise we're not going to win the tap as much without Bally so we have been playing a bit more defensively."
The 203cm Doyle performed well in the reserves, kicking two goals last weekend against the Wagga Tigers.
"I felt pretty good. I played about half a game, mostly up forward," he said.
Brad Seymour, who has not played a senior game this year, has also been added to the side after some consistent performances in the Swans reserves. His adaptability means he can play up forward or down back.
Brodie Holland has been warned he will be expelled from Collingwood if he continues to strike opponents, reports AAP.
By Jessica Halloran
August 29, 2003
The Swans have added height to their line-up to face Melbourne tomorrow with the addition of ruckman Stephen Doyle, back after injuring his knee in March.
Doyle will boost Sydney's ruck stocks after the experienced Jason Ball (shoulder) suffered a season-ending injury last month.
Ball, being used as a ruck and midfield coach, said Doyle's addition to the side also helped Sydney's attack.
"His return is very important," Ball said. "He lacks a bit of match fitness but standing at six foot eight he can go up forward and kick a goal. You need a fairly good player to play on him.
"He jumps pretty well and makes quite a contest. He's a traditional tap ruckman who runs straight in and up, he gets his knee up well.
"He can also play [as] a tall forward so he can free up Barry Hall and Mick O'Loughlin.
"We don't have the chance to play him in the twos to warm up because we have to treat every game as our last."
In the Swans' round-one win over Carlton, Doyle left the ground with a knee injury after kicking his second goal. He had an arthroscopy but his return to the game was delayed by tendonitis in his knee.
Like Ball, Doyle has spent frustrating time watching the team and is eager to return to the firsts at the MCG tomorrow.
"The midfield is going well, even without Bally," Doyle said. "Goodesy [Adam Goodes] is making a good contest, as have James Meiklejohn and Lewis Roberts-Thomson - they are doing well.
"We realise we're not going to win the tap as much without Bally so we have been playing a bit more defensively."
The 203cm Doyle performed well in the reserves, kicking two goals last weekend against the Wagga Tigers.
"I felt pretty good. I played about half a game, mostly up forward," he said.
Brad Seymour, who has not played a senior game this year, has also been added to the side after some consistent performances in the Swans reserves. His adaptability means he can play up forward or down back.
Brodie Holland has been warned he will be expelled from Collingwood if he continues to strike opponents, reports AAP.
