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Hall bags six in Swans' big win
5:25:24 PM Sat 13 March, 2004
Sportal
Mercurial forward Michael O'Loughlin made his long-awaited return as the Sydney Swans scored a 52-point win over Essendon in their Wizard Regional Challenge match at Newcastle's No.1 Sportsground on Saturday.
The Swans, led by a six-goal haul from Barry Hall, outclassed a depleted but spirited Bombers line-up 6.3 9.9 13.11 17.14 (116) to 2.3 5.5 8.7 9.10 (64), but it was the successful return of O'Loughlin that pleased Sydney coach Paul Roos as much as his side's performance.
The former All Australian was playing his first match since suffering a hamstring injury in Sydney's round-22 clash against Melbourne last August.
O'Loughlin, playing on the ball, took the field 21 minutes into the second term. He collected his first possession six minutes later in a low-key return that Roos is confident will have his star forward primed for the season-opener against Brisbane at The Gabba in a fortnight.
"He is one of the few players we've probably got on our list that can afford to go into a season a little underdone in terms of football preparation because he is such a naturally talented player,'' Roos said.
"It was important to give him a run today but it just showed, I think, he's going to be pretty well right come round one.''
While the return of O'Loughlin delighted the 3405-strong crowd, the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Hall after he left the field late in the final term.
The robust full-forward proved a headache for the Bombers back line throughout the match as he outmuscled his opponents in a dominant display.
Hall, who kicked goals in the final minute of the first three quarters, benefited from a free-running Swans midfield which dominated a youthful Bombers outfit minus captain James Hird, full-forward Matthew Lloyd and experienced trio Mark Johnson, Mark Mercuri and Sean Wellman.
The Swans kicked six first-quarter goals to open a 19-point break. The Bombers kicked the first two goals of the second and third terms, but each time the Swans recovered to take back control and extend their lead.
Ryan O'Keefe, who kicked two goals, Nic Fosdike, Paul Williams and Adam Goodes, who enjoyed stints in the forward and back lines as well as the ruck, all played well in a performance Roos said was a satisfying finish to Sydney's pre-season.
"I think we got everything out of it we wanted to,'' Roos said of the match. "Most of the guys got good game time, most of the guys, individually, are in good form, and I think that's important.
"This week and last week were probably our two most important games in terms of personnel.
"Last week I thought we played OK and this week we played better and that's all you're looking for.''
In contrast, Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy was disappointed with his side's performance, but he was pleased with the efforts of youngsters Ben Haynes, Tristan Cartledge and and Kepler Bradley.
Haynes kicked two of Essendon's three goals for the second term in an outstanding first half display, while Bradley and Cartledge also kicked majors in the first half.
"I'm not really happy with today,'' Sheedy said of his side's performance.
"The Swans were very, very powerful. They played a very good, smart team game of ownership of the ball.
"They looked very good. They had a better side out there than they were probably going to, but it was good for us to have a look at them.''
SYDNEY SWANS: 6.3 9.9 13.11 17.14 (116)
ESSENDON: 2.3 5.5 8.7 9.10 (64)
Goals: Sydney: B Hall 6 M Powell 2 R O'Kefee 2 N Fosdike N Davis P Williams A Buchanan J Crouch A Goodes J Saddington.
Essendon: B Haynes 2 B Kepler D Rioli T Cartledge D Walsh J Winderlich A Welsh S Hunt.
Best: Sydney: B Hall N Fosdike R O'Kefee P Williams A Goodes T Kennelley.
Essendon: B Haynes D Peverill M Bolton A Ramanauskas S Lucas D Walsh.
Injuries: Essendon: D Rioli (ankle) M McVeigh (hamstring).
Umpires: S Wenn D Goldspink S Bryan.
Reports: Nil.
Crowd: 3,405 at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground.
5:25:24 PM Sat 13 March, 2004
Sportal
Mercurial forward Michael O'Loughlin made his long-awaited return as the Sydney Swans scored a 52-point win over Essendon in their Wizard Regional Challenge match at Newcastle's No.1 Sportsground on Saturday.
The Swans, led by a six-goal haul from Barry Hall, outclassed a depleted but spirited Bombers line-up 6.3 9.9 13.11 17.14 (116) to 2.3 5.5 8.7 9.10 (64), but it was the successful return of O'Loughlin that pleased Sydney coach Paul Roos as much as his side's performance.
The former All Australian was playing his first match since suffering a hamstring injury in Sydney's round-22 clash against Melbourne last August.
O'Loughlin, playing on the ball, took the field 21 minutes into the second term. He collected his first possession six minutes later in a low-key return that Roos is confident will have his star forward primed for the season-opener against Brisbane at The Gabba in a fortnight.
"He is one of the few players we've probably got on our list that can afford to go into a season a little underdone in terms of football preparation because he is such a naturally talented player,'' Roos said.
"It was important to give him a run today but it just showed, I think, he's going to be pretty well right come round one.''
While the return of O'Loughlin delighted the 3405-strong crowd, the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Hall after he left the field late in the final term.
The robust full-forward proved a headache for the Bombers back line throughout the match as he outmuscled his opponents in a dominant display.
Hall, who kicked goals in the final minute of the first three quarters, benefited from a free-running Swans midfield which dominated a youthful Bombers outfit minus captain James Hird, full-forward Matthew Lloyd and experienced trio Mark Johnson, Mark Mercuri and Sean Wellman.
The Swans kicked six first-quarter goals to open a 19-point break. The Bombers kicked the first two goals of the second and third terms, but each time the Swans recovered to take back control and extend their lead.
Ryan O'Keefe, who kicked two goals, Nic Fosdike, Paul Williams and Adam Goodes, who enjoyed stints in the forward and back lines as well as the ruck, all played well in a performance Roos said was a satisfying finish to Sydney's pre-season.
"I think we got everything out of it we wanted to,'' Roos said of the match. "Most of the guys got good game time, most of the guys, individually, are in good form, and I think that's important.
"This week and last week were probably our two most important games in terms of personnel.
"Last week I thought we played OK and this week we played better and that's all you're looking for.''
In contrast, Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy was disappointed with his side's performance, but he was pleased with the efforts of youngsters Ben Haynes, Tristan Cartledge and and Kepler Bradley.
Haynes kicked two of Essendon's three goals for the second term in an outstanding first half display, while Bradley and Cartledge also kicked majors in the first half.
"I'm not really happy with today,'' Sheedy said of his side's performance.
"The Swans were very, very powerful. They played a very good, smart team game of ownership of the ball.
"They looked very good. They had a better side out there than they were probably going to, but it was good for us to have a look at them.''
SYDNEY SWANS: 6.3 9.9 13.11 17.14 (116)
ESSENDON: 2.3 5.5 8.7 9.10 (64)
Goals: Sydney: B Hall 6 M Powell 2 R O'Kefee 2 N Fosdike N Davis P Williams A Buchanan J Crouch A Goodes J Saddington.
Essendon: B Haynes 2 B Kepler D Rioli T Cartledge D Walsh J Winderlich A Welsh S Hunt.
Best: Sydney: B Hall N Fosdike R O'Kefee P Williams A Goodes T Kennelley.
Essendon: B Haynes D Peverill M Bolton A Ramanauskas S Lucas D Walsh.
Injuries: Essendon: D Rioli (ankle) M McVeigh (hamstring).
Umpires: S Wenn D Goldspink S Bryan.
Reports: Nil.
Crowd: 3,405 at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground.
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