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Roos: Swans won't alter tactics
By NIKKI TUGWELL AFL Writer
March 30, 2004
SWANS coach Paul Roos has defended the methodical high-possession tactics ? used to counter Brisbane's flooding on Saturday ? that were branded negative and criticised for detracting from the spectacle of the game.
Roos also indicated yesterday that Nick Davis would miss at least three weeks with a hip injury while Adam Schneider is available and Tadgh Kennelly is a 50/50 chance to play Fremantle on Sunday.
Last season the Swans employed the keepings-off tactics that trouble the Lions, which are most effective when the ball is transferred quickly downfield, and barely raised an eyebrow.
While the absence of fleet-footed Tadgh Kennelly ? who provides much of the run out of defence with Leo Barry ? had some impact, the Swans' instructions not to blindly bomb long into the forward line combined with the Lions' flooding to slow the game.
The tactics are designed to give the Swans forwards a high percentage shot at goal and contributed to their phenomenal conversion rate of 64 per cent last year.
"The reason we played the way we did is because Brisbane play the way they do," Roos said.
"Certainly our tactics won't change from last year and they didn't on the weekend and last year's preliminary final was played pretty much exactly the same."
The Swans defeated the Lions in Sydney and Brisbane last season and gave them a scare in the preliminary final.
By halftime on Saturday night the dominant Swans had 30 more marks and almost 50 more disposals and didn't allow the Lions to play their game. Sydney led by 19 points at the main change but strayed from the plan in the third quarter, missed opportunities and allowed the Lions to dictate terms.
"The times that we did go in long, which was the third quarter, we kicked it straight to them," Roos said.
"You just can't kick it to a contest against Brisbane because they get numbers back.
"Sometimes they have 14 or 15 players inside our 50m so we're not going to kick it straight down their throats. That's what Brisbane want you to do."
Davis sustained a grade two hip flexor tear on his right-hand kicking side in the act of booting his fourth goal on Saturday night. Adam Goodes is sound after an ankle twinge in the third term.
"I was confident Davo was going to have a good season and he started off extremely well," Roos said. "Hopefully Schneids will be back this week."
Fremantle are backing up from a 47-point win against Carlton.
By NIKKI TUGWELL AFL Writer
March 30, 2004
SWANS coach Paul Roos has defended the methodical high-possession tactics ? used to counter Brisbane's flooding on Saturday ? that were branded negative and criticised for detracting from the spectacle of the game.
Roos also indicated yesterday that Nick Davis would miss at least three weeks with a hip injury while Adam Schneider is available and Tadgh Kennelly is a 50/50 chance to play Fremantle on Sunday.
Last season the Swans employed the keepings-off tactics that trouble the Lions, which are most effective when the ball is transferred quickly downfield, and barely raised an eyebrow.
While the absence of fleet-footed Tadgh Kennelly ? who provides much of the run out of defence with Leo Barry ? had some impact, the Swans' instructions not to blindly bomb long into the forward line combined with the Lions' flooding to slow the game.
The tactics are designed to give the Swans forwards a high percentage shot at goal and contributed to their phenomenal conversion rate of 64 per cent last year.
"The reason we played the way we did is because Brisbane play the way they do," Roos said.
"Certainly our tactics won't change from last year and they didn't on the weekend and last year's preliminary final was played pretty much exactly the same."
The Swans defeated the Lions in Sydney and Brisbane last season and gave them a scare in the preliminary final.
By halftime on Saturday night the dominant Swans had 30 more marks and almost 50 more disposals and didn't allow the Lions to play their game. Sydney led by 19 points at the main change but strayed from the plan in the third quarter, missed opportunities and allowed the Lions to dictate terms.
"The times that we did go in long, which was the third quarter, we kicked it straight to them," Roos said.
"You just can't kick it to a contest against Brisbane because they get numbers back.
"Sometimes they have 14 or 15 players inside our 50m so we're not going to kick it straight down their throats. That's what Brisbane want you to do."
Davis sustained a grade two hip flexor tear on his right-hand kicking side in the act of booting his fourth goal on Saturday night. Adam Goodes is sound after an ankle twinge in the third term.
"I was confident Davo was going to have a good season and he started off extremely well," Roos said. "Hopefully Schneids will be back this week."
Fremantle are backing up from a 47-point win against Carlton.
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