Tweet
Undermanned Roos bring Swans down to earth
By Martin Blake
March 6, 2004
Sydney's Leo Barry takes a big leap over Kangaroo Corey Jones yesterday, but the marking attempt was not paid at Optus Oval.
Pictures: Sebastian Costanzo
The Kangaroos drew on their eclectic mix of youth and experience to defeat Sydney in a practice match at Optus Oval yesterday.
The Roos, missing gun midfielder Brent Harvey, Jess Sinclair, Daniel Wells and Leigh Colbert, still had the measure of the Swans, winning by 23 points.
The only dampener on the win was the injury to forward Daniel Motlop, who left the field in the second quarter clutching his left shoulder after falling awkwardly.
The Swans also lost full-back Andrew Schauble, whose wild kick at a loose ball in the final quarter not only missed embarrassingly, but left him with a hamstring tear that will put him in doubt for his club's opening-round encounter with the Brisbane Lions.
Forwards Corey Brown and Daniel Petrie were outstanding for the Roos yesterday, while Leigh Brown's unique ability to play almost any position was valuable.
Brown could be seen taking centre bounces as the No. 1 ruckman at times, yet twice he stooped to trap the ball below his knees and snap important goals.
The Roos also would have been encouraged by the performance of rookie Chad Jones, an athletic half-forward who was dangerous throughout the game.
Across half-back, Glenn Archer was almost impassable, while Anthony Stevens was prolific through midfield in his customary bullocking way.
The Swans have had a subdued pre-season after their tremendous 2003, but in fairness, they were missing Adam Goodes, Michael O'Loughlin and Adam Schneider yesterday and have not yet put anything approaching a full-strength team on the park.
The bonus for Paul Roos's team yesterday was that ruck-forward Jason Ball completed his first game since round 17 last year, when he ripped a tendon in his left shoulder.
Ball came on and off the bench and moved freely; his value to the Swans is in the fact that when he plays, it allows Sydney to use Goodes as a forward or in myriad roles.
Paul Williams, Jared Crouch and Jude Bolton worked tirelessly in the midfield and Barry Hall managed three goals in the key forward post, but Goodes's absence was felt keenly.
Next Saturday, the Swans go to Newcastle to meet the loser of tonight's Wizard Cup semi-final to complete their preparations for the regular season.
KANGAROOS - 4.4 9.7 11.13 13.16 (94)
SYDNEY - 4.4 7.5 10.5 11.5 (71)
GOALS - Kangaroos: Corey Jones 2, Brown 2, Harris 2, Motlop, Fisher, McKernan, Petrie, Chad Jones, S Harvey, Firrito. Sydney: Hall 3, Williams 2, O'Keefe, J Bolton, Crouch, James, Sundqvist, Powell.
BEST - Kangaroos: Corey Jones, Brown, Petrie, Chad Jones, Stevens, Archer. Sydney: Crouch, J Bolton, Williams, Buchanan, Barry.
INJURIES - Kangaroos: D Motlop (shoulder). Sydney: Schauble (hamstring).
CROWD: about 700 at Optus Oval.
By Martin Blake
March 6, 2004
Sydney's Leo Barry takes a big leap over Kangaroo Corey Jones yesterday, but the marking attempt was not paid at Optus Oval.
Pictures: Sebastian Costanzo
The Kangaroos drew on their eclectic mix of youth and experience to defeat Sydney in a practice match at Optus Oval yesterday.
The Roos, missing gun midfielder Brent Harvey, Jess Sinclair, Daniel Wells and Leigh Colbert, still had the measure of the Swans, winning by 23 points.
The only dampener on the win was the injury to forward Daniel Motlop, who left the field in the second quarter clutching his left shoulder after falling awkwardly.
The Swans also lost full-back Andrew Schauble, whose wild kick at a loose ball in the final quarter not only missed embarrassingly, but left him with a hamstring tear that will put him in doubt for his club's opening-round encounter with the Brisbane Lions.
Forwards Corey Brown and Daniel Petrie were outstanding for the Roos yesterday, while Leigh Brown's unique ability to play almost any position was valuable.
Brown could be seen taking centre bounces as the No. 1 ruckman at times, yet twice he stooped to trap the ball below his knees and snap important goals.
The Roos also would have been encouraged by the performance of rookie Chad Jones, an athletic half-forward who was dangerous throughout the game.
Across half-back, Glenn Archer was almost impassable, while Anthony Stevens was prolific through midfield in his customary bullocking way.
The Swans have had a subdued pre-season after their tremendous 2003, but in fairness, they were missing Adam Goodes, Michael O'Loughlin and Adam Schneider yesterday and have not yet put anything approaching a full-strength team on the park.
The bonus for Paul Roos's team yesterday was that ruck-forward Jason Ball completed his first game since round 17 last year, when he ripped a tendon in his left shoulder.
Ball came on and off the bench and moved freely; his value to the Swans is in the fact that when he plays, it allows Sydney to use Goodes as a forward or in myriad roles.
Paul Williams, Jared Crouch and Jude Bolton worked tirelessly in the midfield and Barry Hall managed three goals in the key forward post, but Goodes's absence was felt keenly.
Next Saturday, the Swans go to Newcastle to meet the loser of tonight's Wizard Cup semi-final to complete their preparations for the regular season.
KANGAROOS - 4.4 9.7 11.13 13.16 (94)
SYDNEY - 4.4 7.5 10.5 11.5 (71)
GOALS - Kangaroos: Corey Jones 2, Brown 2, Harris 2, Motlop, Fisher, McKernan, Petrie, Chad Jones, S Harvey, Firrito. Sydney: Hall 3, Williams 2, O'Keefe, J Bolton, Crouch, James, Sundqvist, Powell.
BEST - Kangaroos: Corey Jones, Brown, Petrie, Chad Jones, Stevens, Archer. Sydney: Crouch, J Bolton, Williams, Buchanan, Barry.
INJURIES - Kangaroos: D Motlop (shoulder). Sydney: Schauble (hamstring).
CROWD: about 700 at Optus Oval.
Comment