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2003 Report Card: Sydney Swans
4:45:44 PM Tue 7 October, 2003
Samantha Lane
afl.com.au
2003 record: 15 wins, 9 losses ? 4th
2002 record 9 wins, 12 losses, 1 draw ? 11th
What went right: Written off by many critics at the start of the season, the reality at the end of the year couldn?t be further from the truth. Not only did Sydney make its first preliminary final since 1996, the side made a lasting impression on critics with its competitive, unselfish and exciting brand of play.
A hardworking band of midfielders in Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton, Ben Mathews and Jared Couch helped propel the side to its wins, and Tadhg Kennelly had a great season playing across half-back. Senior members of the team Daryn Cresswell and Stuart Maxfield continued to provide, but most significantly, the entire club appeared to flourish under the guidance of Paul Roos, who took over from Rodney Eade as coach at round 13 last season. Roos has given his players licence to back themselves and they appear to be relishing it.
Twenty-three-year-old Adam Goodes won the Brownlow Medal in a three-way tie after a brilliant season, and it seems the sky is the limit for the burgeoning champion. Youngsters Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Adam Schneider and Ryan O?Keefe all made an impact in 2003, meaning the club?s youth stocks are healthy.
What went wrong: Sydney was dealt its fair share of injuries, particularly at the pointy end of the season. Ruckman Jason Ball was struck down by a shoulder injury in round 17, key defender Jason Saddington (knee) had an interrupted season before returning for the preliminary final, and forward Michael O?Loughlin (hamstring) suffered a serious hamstring injury in round 22.
But to the club?s credit, the gaps were covered well. Stephen Doyle returned for the last three matches of the season, while key position prospect Roberts-Thomson successfully shouldered responsibility in his d?but season.
Who stepped up: Kirk and Jude Bolton were rewarded for their excellent seasons with second and third placings in the club?s best-and-fairest award. Kirk in particular, made a huge impact as a tagger and was unlucky to miss on All-Australian selection. Bolton, 23, was voted the club?s most improved player at the best-and-fairest count in his fifth season.
Barry Hall made a concerted effort to keep himself out of the umpires? books by controlling his aggression and played every match in his second year with the club. Hall became one of the Swans? genuine leaders, and teamed with O?Loughlin to form a potent forward set-up. Leo Barry also enjoyed an excellent season, rebounding from a life-threatening injury to his spleen in early 2002.
Missing in Action: It?s been five years since tough defender Brad Seymour has managed more than 14 matches in a season. The 27-year-old was hampered by achilles, shoulder and ankle problems in 2002, and was restricted to just two games this year by calf and hamstring complaints. He played in round 22 and in the Swans? first qualifying final against Port, before a knee injury ended his season.
Daniel McPherson retired after ten years at the club, but couldn?t cut it in his final year after managing just three games.
Rising Star: Teenager Schneider didn?t miss a game in his d?but season, and kicked 30 goals for his club. Often proving a difficult player for opponents to match, Schneider?s speed made him a very important player for his side. He finished fifth in the competition?s National Rising Star award.
Best win: The Swans? defeat of Port Adelaide in the qualifying final was among the best of the season and in the club?s history. The implications for the minor premier were enormous, but it was also a brilliant demonstration of the Swans? grittiness regardless of injuries or expectations.
Worst loss: Sydney?s heaviest loss all year came in its last game ? a 44-point loss to Brisbane in the preliminary final. The second worse was in round four against Hawthorn, which triumphed by 42 points at the MCG. In both cases the games were tight until the last quarter, when Sydney?s opponents kicked away to comprehensive victories.
The Swans? 17-point loss to Hawthorn at the SCG in round 19 was considered a genuine upset and jeopardised the club?s top-four prospects. After a narrow loss to Adelaide the week before it was an uncharacteristically flat performance from Sydney, which was eight goals down midway through the third term.
Shopping List: It?s unlikely the Swans list will be revamped greatly over the summer, although a key defender would be handy. The club would be eager to add some pace to its midfield. Only two retirements to date in Cresswell and McPherson.
What the coach says: ?It?s difficult to answer now (whether we will have the same team next year), they have been fantastic and you would like to give the group another chance, but you have to make smart decisions and moving forward.
?We can see why teams pick Port (to win) and pick Brisbane and pick Collingwood and pick the other teams and we don?t have a major problem with that. I think the game today just showed that if we?ve got 22 fit players who really dig in and have a go and play good footy we can win.
?In a year that we generally went in thinking it would be re-building, we generally thought it was going to be a tough season and we didn?t know where we were going to finish. And there?s always the concern, when you?re in Sydney, that you try to keep the code ticking over and making sure people are interested.?
Roos after the team?s triumph over Port Adelaide in the first qualifying final.
What we say: Sydney?s potential is boundless, and was typified by its qualifying final win over Port Adelaide, which it achieved without three of its key position players.
However it?s important that the side consolidates next season and remembers how tough and determined it needed to be as a top-four side.
Opponents will perhaps have found ways to curb Sydney?s running game in 2004, and the club will need to keep developing contingency strategies when its ultimate game plan is quelled. Making the finals next year will be a minimum expectation.
Suggested membership motto for 2004: Get on board, these Swans can fly.
4:45:44 PM Tue 7 October, 2003
Samantha Lane
afl.com.au
2003 record: 15 wins, 9 losses ? 4th
2002 record 9 wins, 12 losses, 1 draw ? 11th
What went right: Written off by many critics at the start of the season, the reality at the end of the year couldn?t be further from the truth. Not only did Sydney make its first preliminary final since 1996, the side made a lasting impression on critics with its competitive, unselfish and exciting brand of play.
A hardworking band of midfielders in Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton, Ben Mathews and Jared Couch helped propel the side to its wins, and Tadhg Kennelly had a great season playing across half-back. Senior members of the team Daryn Cresswell and Stuart Maxfield continued to provide, but most significantly, the entire club appeared to flourish under the guidance of Paul Roos, who took over from Rodney Eade as coach at round 13 last season. Roos has given his players licence to back themselves and they appear to be relishing it.
Twenty-three-year-old Adam Goodes won the Brownlow Medal in a three-way tie after a brilliant season, and it seems the sky is the limit for the burgeoning champion. Youngsters Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Adam Schneider and Ryan O?Keefe all made an impact in 2003, meaning the club?s youth stocks are healthy.
What went wrong: Sydney was dealt its fair share of injuries, particularly at the pointy end of the season. Ruckman Jason Ball was struck down by a shoulder injury in round 17, key defender Jason Saddington (knee) had an interrupted season before returning for the preliminary final, and forward Michael O?Loughlin (hamstring) suffered a serious hamstring injury in round 22.
But to the club?s credit, the gaps were covered well. Stephen Doyle returned for the last three matches of the season, while key position prospect Roberts-Thomson successfully shouldered responsibility in his d?but season.
Who stepped up: Kirk and Jude Bolton were rewarded for their excellent seasons with second and third placings in the club?s best-and-fairest award. Kirk in particular, made a huge impact as a tagger and was unlucky to miss on All-Australian selection. Bolton, 23, was voted the club?s most improved player at the best-and-fairest count in his fifth season.
Barry Hall made a concerted effort to keep himself out of the umpires? books by controlling his aggression and played every match in his second year with the club. Hall became one of the Swans? genuine leaders, and teamed with O?Loughlin to form a potent forward set-up. Leo Barry also enjoyed an excellent season, rebounding from a life-threatening injury to his spleen in early 2002.
Missing in Action: It?s been five years since tough defender Brad Seymour has managed more than 14 matches in a season. The 27-year-old was hampered by achilles, shoulder and ankle problems in 2002, and was restricted to just two games this year by calf and hamstring complaints. He played in round 22 and in the Swans? first qualifying final against Port, before a knee injury ended his season.
Daniel McPherson retired after ten years at the club, but couldn?t cut it in his final year after managing just three games.
Rising Star: Teenager Schneider didn?t miss a game in his d?but season, and kicked 30 goals for his club. Often proving a difficult player for opponents to match, Schneider?s speed made him a very important player for his side. He finished fifth in the competition?s National Rising Star award.
Best win: The Swans? defeat of Port Adelaide in the qualifying final was among the best of the season and in the club?s history. The implications for the minor premier were enormous, but it was also a brilliant demonstration of the Swans? grittiness regardless of injuries or expectations.
Worst loss: Sydney?s heaviest loss all year came in its last game ? a 44-point loss to Brisbane in the preliminary final. The second worse was in round four against Hawthorn, which triumphed by 42 points at the MCG. In both cases the games were tight until the last quarter, when Sydney?s opponents kicked away to comprehensive victories.
The Swans? 17-point loss to Hawthorn at the SCG in round 19 was considered a genuine upset and jeopardised the club?s top-four prospects. After a narrow loss to Adelaide the week before it was an uncharacteristically flat performance from Sydney, which was eight goals down midway through the third term.
Shopping List: It?s unlikely the Swans list will be revamped greatly over the summer, although a key defender would be handy. The club would be eager to add some pace to its midfield. Only two retirements to date in Cresswell and McPherson.
What the coach says: ?It?s difficult to answer now (whether we will have the same team next year), they have been fantastic and you would like to give the group another chance, but you have to make smart decisions and moving forward.
?We can see why teams pick Port (to win) and pick Brisbane and pick Collingwood and pick the other teams and we don?t have a major problem with that. I think the game today just showed that if we?ve got 22 fit players who really dig in and have a go and play good footy we can win.
?In a year that we generally went in thinking it would be re-building, we generally thought it was going to be a tough season and we didn?t know where we were going to finish. And there?s always the concern, when you?re in Sydney, that you try to keep the code ticking over and making sure people are interested.?
Roos after the team?s triumph over Port Adelaide in the first qualifying final.
What we say: Sydney?s potential is boundless, and was typified by its qualifying final win over Port Adelaide, which it achieved without three of its key position players.
However it?s important that the side consolidates next season and remembers how tough and determined it needed to be as a top-four side.
Opponents will perhaps have found ways to curb Sydney?s running game in 2004, and the club will need to keep developing contingency strategies when its ultimate game plan is quelled. Making the finals next year will be a minimum expectation.
Suggested membership motto for 2004: Get on board, these Swans can fly.
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