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Swans defy odds
By TIM MORRISSEY in Adelaide
September 8, 2003
IT was nothing short of miraculous.
A battered, bruised and injury-depleted Sydney Swans pulled off mission impossible yesterday beating minor premiers Port Adelaide by 12 points to position themselves one win away from a trip to the AFL grand final.
It was one of the most heroic and gutsiest wins against the odds in Swans history and one of the bravest victories Paul Roos has witnessed as both a coach and a player.
Not only did Sydney go into the game with four key players injured, they lost ruckman Stephen Doyle, defender Tadhg Kennelly and utility Brad Seymour all to injuries leaving them with just one able-bodied player on the interchange bench for most of the second half.
However, a brilliant seven-goals-to-one second quarter and a superb six-goal haul by Sydney's menacing centre-half forward Barry Hall set up the win.
But it was pure guts, determination and desperation Sydney showed in a tense, thrilling final quarter as Port Adelaide stormed home kicking 9.3 to 5.4 to erase a 40-point half-time deficit and get within two goals in the final minutes.
Against the odds the Swans simply held on for grim life to advance to a preliminary final at Telstra Stadium on Saturday week to play the winner of Friday night's Brisbane v Adelaide game at the Gabba.
"I'm in awe of the player group ? what they did today is beyond comprehension," said Roos afterwards.
"I was always confident we'd put in a good showing but then to lose three guys and basically have 19 guys for the second half and come out with the win was just outstanding."
When asked if it was the bravest performance he's ever been part of Roos whole-heartedly agreed.
"No doubt . . . no doubt," he said. "I've played 300-something games and I can't remember too many like that.
"You don't often get over the line when you're playing against a team at their home in these circumstances. I've got no doubt this is one of the best wins I've ever seen."
After setting the league ablaze in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year by defying the critics who overwhelmingly predicted Sydney would win the wooden spoon, the side has been cursed by injuries at the business end of the season.
No. 1 ruckman Jason Ball, key defender Jason Saddington, goal-kicking wizard Michael O'Loughlin and exciting young forward Ryan O'Keefe were all out of contention for the qualifying final.
The good news is that Doyle (ankle) and Kennelly (corked thigh) will be right for the preliminary finals, however, Seymour is out for the rest of the finals.
However, as the Swans have proved so many times this season this team is greater than the sum of its parts.
But when Hall kicked the first goal of the match with a set shot from 50m five minutes into the game everything else seemed to fall into place as Sydney dominated play out of the midfield with Adam Goodes very strong in the ruck (20 hitouts) setting the tone as the Swans went into the first break ahead 4.4 (28) to 3.2 (20).
They would have been a goal further in front if Hall hadn't missed a set shot directly in front from 40m but he more than made up for his blooper in the second quarter by kicking three majors as the Swans started tightening the screws.
Goodes continue to ruck like a man possessed and Leo Barry was fearless in the backline.
Frustration and panic had clearly set in for the home team as Sydney kicked 7.1 to Port Adelaide's 1.5 to produce a totally unexpected 11.5( 71) to 4.7 (31) half-time lead.
Port's history of choking in finals ? their record is now 1-7 since 1999 ? was destined to repeat itself.
By TIM MORRISSEY in Adelaide
September 8, 2003
IT was nothing short of miraculous.
A battered, bruised and injury-depleted Sydney Swans pulled off mission impossible yesterday beating minor premiers Port Adelaide by 12 points to position themselves one win away from a trip to the AFL grand final.
It was one of the most heroic and gutsiest wins against the odds in Swans history and one of the bravest victories Paul Roos has witnessed as both a coach and a player.
Not only did Sydney go into the game with four key players injured, they lost ruckman Stephen Doyle, defender Tadhg Kennelly and utility Brad Seymour all to injuries leaving them with just one able-bodied player on the interchange bench for most of the second half.
However, a brilliant seven-goals-to-one second quarter and a superb six-goal haul by Sydney's menacing centre-half forward Barry Hall set up the win.
But it was pure guts, determination and desperation Sydney showed in a tense, thrilling final quarter as Port Adelaide stormed home kicking 9.3 to 5.4 to erase a 40-point half-time deficit and get within two goals in the final minutes.
Against the odds the Swans simply held on for grim life to advance to a preliminary final at Telstra Stadium on Saturday week to play the winner of Friday night's Brisbane v Adelaide game at the Gabba.
"I'm in awe of the player group ? what they did today is beyond comprehension," said Roos afterwards.
"I was always confident we'd put in a good showing but then to lose three guys and basically have 19 guys for the second half and come out with the win was just outstanding."
When asked if it was the bravest performance he's ever been part of Roos whole-heartedly agreed.
"No doubt . . . no doubt," he said. "I've played 300-something games and I can't remember too many like that.
"You don't often get over the line when you're playing against a team at their home in these circumstances. I've got no doubt this is one of the best wins I've ever seen."
After setting the league ablaze in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year by defying the critics who overwhelmingly predicted Sydney would win the wooden spoon, the side has been cursed by injuries at the business end of the season.
No. 1 ruckman Jason Ball, key defender Jason Saddington, goal-kicking wizard Michael O'Loughlin and exciting young forward Ryan O'Keefe were all out of contention for the qualifying final.
The good news is that Doyle (ankle) and Kennelly (corked thigh) will be right for the preliminary finals, however, Seymour is out for the rest of the finals.
However, as the Swans have proved so many times this season this team is greater than the sum of its parts.
But when Hall kicked the first goal of the match with a set shot from 50m five minutes into the game everything else seemed to fall into place as Sydney dominated play out of the midfield with Adam Goodes very strong in the ruck (20 hitouts) setting the tone as the Swans went into the first break ahead 4.4 (28) to 3.2 (20).
They would have been a goal further in front if Hall hadn't missed a set shot directly in front from 40m but he more than made up for his blooper in the second quarter by kicking three majors as the Swans started tightening the screws.
Goodes continue to ruck like a man possessed and Leo Barry was fearless in the backline.
Frustration and panic had clearly set in for the home team as Sydney kicked 7.1 to Port Adelaide's 1.5 to produce a totally unexpected 11.5( 71) to 4.7 (31) half-time lead.
Port's history of choking in finals ? their record is now 1-7 since 1999 ? was destined to repeat itself.
