Tweet
Still boasting the Goodes
03 March 2004 Herald Sun
Mike Sheahan
NO ONE, from Bob Carr or Bob Skilton down, dared predict a top-four finish for Sydney in 2003.
Those of us dealing in logic rather than hope tipped the Swans to struggle.
OK, some of us thought they might finish bottom.
A month into the season, with one win from four starts, the prophets of doom looked to be on the money.
Deep into September, deep into a preliminary final at Telstra Stadium, the Swans were three points down against Brisbane in the fight for a Grand Final berth.
While teams can't actually play above themselves, Sydney played at its peak for the best part of six months.
As many as 10 players produced career-best seasons, from Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes down.
Barry Hall was another, Leo Barry, Brett Kirk, Jude and Craig Bolton, too.
Eleven players played all 24 games, three others missed just one. No other club had more than seven players for every week.
Then there was Sydney's accuracy in front of goal. The Swans kicked 343.240. That's a conversion rate of 58 per cent; that's good. Brisbane's figures were 394.340 (53 per cent).
No club got even close to Sydney's efficiency rate.
The doubters say it was fluky and won't happen again.
The Swans would say they have blokes who can kick straight: Hall (64.35), Michael O'Loughlin (41.20), Nick Davis (32.19) and Adam Schneider (30.23).
Team rules might be a factor, too. The Swans seem to minimise risks kicking for goal, preferring to square the ball if they're not confident of converting. Possession is too important these days simply to blaze away in hope.
While reservations persist about Sydney, the Swans seem to be in good shape.
Goodes and Hall have become elite players, Goodes and Paul Williams made the All-Australian team, Leo Barry should have; Hall and Kirk had to be in the mix.
The expected return of Jason Ball to rucking duties might make Goodes even more dangerous.
Ball is critically important and was a big loss after dislocating his shoulder in Round 17.
In 2002, when the Swans finished 11th, Ball didn't play a game because of a groin injury. The previous year, when he finished fourth in the best-and-fairest, they finished seventh.
Sydney kept personnel changes to a minimum over summer. Daryn Cresswell was the best of those who retired or moved elsewhere, while the newcomers were youngsters.
The Swans went close to securing Daniel Bradshaw from Brisbane before he decided to stay with the Lions. An ex-Lion, Craig Bolton, was a major success story last year.
He managed only 29 games in three seasons with Brisbane, but played all 24 games last year, finishing sixth in the best-and-fairest.
He played tall and short, spending time in defence and the midfield. He might share centre half-back this year with Lewis Roberts-Thomson, tall enough to play ruck, talented enough to play key position.
Of the newcomers, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski and Mark Powell look prospects.
McVeigh, younger brother of Essendon's Mark, is skilled and an excellent runner. The Bombers were keen to get him to Windy Hill; this time, Sydney hung on to local talent.
Fourteen players on the Sydney list, rookies included, have links with Sydney clubs, New South Wales towns or the NSW/ACT under-18 team, a healthy development.
While the Swans have had a lengthy injury list between seasons, they should start the season at full strength.
O'Loughlin, perhaps the major concern, is on track to start against Brisbane in Round 1. His 41 goals came from 16 games. He was flying when he ripped a hamstring in Round 22 against Melbourne, when he kicked five goals.
Hall, O'Loughlin, Davis and Schneider kicked 167 goals between them, an excellent return from a quartet.
The Swans play with the confidence cultivated by a coach who believes footballers perform better when they feel good about themselves.
The self-belief was such they beat Brisbane (twice), Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
We saw enough last year to know this group can play exciting, winning footy.
Twelve games in Sydney (nine SCG, three Telstra Stadium) is handy, too.
Likely finish: 6-8.
03 March 2004 Herald Sun
Mike Sheahan
NO ONE, from Bob Carr or Bob Skilton down, dared predict a top-four finish for Sydney in 2003.
Those of us dealing in logic rather than hope tipped the Swans to struggle.
OK, some of us thought they might finish bottom.
A month into the season, with one win from four starts, the prophets of doom looked to be on the money.
Deep into September, deep into a preliminary final at Telstra Stadium, the Swans were three points down against Brisbane in the fight for a Grand Final berth.
While teams can't actually play above themselves, Sydney played at its peak for the best part of six months.
As many as 10 players produced career-best seasons, from Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes down.
Barry Hall was another, Leo Barry, Brett Kirk, Jude and Craig Bolton, too.
Eleven players played all 24 games, three others missed just one. No other club had more than seven players for every week.
Then there was Sydney's accuracy in front of goal. The Swans kicked 343.240. That's a conversion rate of 58 per cent; that's good. Brisbane's figures were 394.340 (53 per cent).
No club got even close to Sydney's efficiency rate.
The doubters say it was fluky and won't happen again.
The Swans would say they have blokes who can kick straight: Hall (64.35), Michael O'Loughlin (41.20), Nick Davis (32.19) and Adam Schneider (30.23).
Team rules might be a factor, too. The Swans seem to minimise risks kicking for goal, preferring to square the ball if they're not confident of converting. Possession is too important these days simply to blaze away in hope.
While reservations persist about Sydney, the Swans seem to be in good shape.
Goodes and Hall have become elite players, Goodes and Paul Williams made the All-Australian team, Leo Barry should have; Hall and Kirk had to be in the mix.
The expected return of Jason Ball to rucking duties might make Goodes even more dangerous.
Ball is critically important and was a big loss after dislocating his shoulder in Round 17.
In 2002, when the Swans finished 11th, Ball didn't play a game because of a groin injury. The previous year, when he finished fourth in the best-and-fairest, they finished seventh.
Sydney kept personnel changes to a minimum over summer. Daryn Cresswell was the best of those who retired or moved elsewhere, while the newcomers were youngsters.
The Swans went close to securing Daniel Bradshaw from Brisbane before he decided to stay with the Lions. An ex-Lion, Craig Bolton, was a major success story last year.
He managed only 29 games in three seasons with Brisbane, but played all 24 games last year, finishing sixth in the best-and-fairest.
He played tall and short, spending time in defence and the midfield. He might share centre half-back this year with Lewis Roberts-Thomson, tall enough to play ruck, talented enough to play key position.
Of the newcomers, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski and Mark Powell look prospects.
McVeigh, younger brother of Essendon's Mark, is skilled and an excellent runner. The Bombers were keen to get him to Windy Hill; this time, Sydney hung on to local talent.
Fourteen players on the Sydney list, rookies included, have links with Sydney clubs, New South Wales towns or the NSW/ACT under-18 team, a healthy development.
While the Swans have had a lengthy injury list between seasons, they should start the season at full strength.
O'Loughlin, perhaps the major concern, is on track to start against Brisbane in Round 1. His 41 goals came from 16 games. He was flying when he ripped a hamstring in Round 22 against Melbourne, when he kicked five goals.
Hall, O'Loughlin, Davis and Schneider kicked 167 goals between them, an excellent return from a quartet.
The Swans play with the confidence cultivated by a coach who believes footballers perform better when they feel good about themselves.
The self-belief was such they beat Brisbane (twice), Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
We saw enough last year to know this group can play exciting, winning footy.
Twelve games in Sydney (nine SCG, three Telstra Stadium) is handy, too.
Likely finish: 6-8.
Comment