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It's been a tall order but Doyle is up again
By Jessica Halloran
April 8, 2004
Stephen Doyle is back - again. Frustration is a word synonymous with Doyle's football career, injuries allowing the 204-centimetre ruckman to string together just 20 games of football since debuting in 2000, and only four of them in a row.
So it was a very happy Doyle that fronted the cameras and microphones yesterday. He said his inspiration in fighting on was his teammate Heath James, who because of barrage of injuries played a measly five games in as many years, but who has since determinedly made his way back into the senior side.
"He's had a lot worse run than I have. Even I look to him and think 'well, if he can come back then anyone can come back'," Doyle said.
A knee injury in round one of 2003 sidelined him for the majority of the season. He admits his height helped him to keep his spot on Sydney's playing list.
"They have put a lot of faith in me and hopefully I can repay that faith. I think being tall helps maybe, floating down the forward line, [it] makes a bit of mismatch up," he said. "I think it's an advantage . . . where I don't have to be as fit as some players."
However, on fitness Doyle is in fine shape for his first senior hit out this year - he's lost a couple of kilograms and is feeling good.
"I have had three hits in the reserves, the first two were just playing down at full forward. I had a run for three quarters in the ruck on the weekend," Doyle said.
As for his goals this year, he aims for "just a bit of consistency in the seniors, yeah, [to] string a few games together".
Swans coach Paul Roos believes Doyle is better prepared going into this season than he has been in the past.
"He didn't have a big pre-season, so we needed him to play some games of footy," Roos said. "He's had three games in a row; he played well on the weekend [against Fremantle], played in the ruck for most of the game."
The coach said he is likely to ease Doyle into Saturday night's game against Geelong as a full forward, but may also play him in the ruck. It is the first time in a year that Roos has had the luxury of being able to combine Adam Goodes, Jason Ball and Doyle.
"To a certain degree it's a bit of experimentation," Roos said. "I've got no doubt they can all play together because they are such different style ruckmen, and with different style forwards it allows us to do a lot more with Adam as well.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how it evolves over the next two or three weeks."
Lewis Roberts-Thomson is likely to make way for Doyle. Forward Michael O'Loughlin is still a 50-50 chance after straining a hamstring and a decision will be made later this week.
"If he's pain-free on Friday, has no symptoms, then he'll definitely play Saturday night; if not then he'll miss," Roos said.
Matthew Nicks will also return from injury this week and play in the Swans reserves.
By Jessica Halloran
April 8, 2004
Stephen Doyle is back - again. Frustration is a word synonymous with Doyle's football career, injuries allowing the 204-centimetre ruckman to string together just 20 games of football since debuting in 2000, and only four of them in a row.
So it was a very happy Doyle that fronted the cameras and microphones yesterday. He said his inspiration in fighting on was his teammate Heath James, who because of barrage of injuries played a measly five games in as many years, but who has since determinedly made his way back into the senior side.
"He's had a lot worse run than I have. Even I look to him and think 'well, if he can come back then anyone can come back'," Doyle said.
A knee injury in round one of 2003 sidelined him for the majority of the season. He admits his height helped him to keep his spot on Sydney's playing list.
"They have put a lot of faith in me and hopefully I can repay that faith. I think being tall helps maybe, floating down the forward line, [it] makes a bit of mismatch up," he said. "I think it's an advantage . . . where I don't have to be as fit as some players."
However, on fitness Doyle is in fine shape for his first senior hit out this year - he's lost a couple of kilograms and is feeling good.
"I have had three hits in the reserves, the first two were just playing down at full forward. I had a run for three quarters in the ruck on the weekend," Doyle said.
As for his goals this year, he aims for "just a bit of consistency in the seniors, yeah, [to] string a few games together".
Swans coach Paul Roos believes Doyle is better prepared going into this season than he has been in the past.
"He didn't have a big pre-season, so we needed him to play some games of footy," Roos said. "He's had three games in a row; he played well on the weekend [against Fremantle], played in the ruck for most of the game."
The coach said he is likely to ease Doyle into Saturday night's game against Geelong as a full forward, but may also play him in the ruck. It is the first time in a year that Roos has had the luxury of being able to combine Adam Goodes, Jason Ball and Doyle.
"To a certain degree it's a bit of experimentation," Roos said. "I've got no doubt they can all play together because they are such different style ruckmen, and with different style forwards it allows us to do a lot more with Adam as well.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how it evolves over the next two or three weeks."
Lewis Roberts-Thomson is likely to make way for Doyle. Forward Michael O'Loughlin is still a 50-50 chance after straining a hamstring and a decision will be made later this week.
"If he's pain-free on Friday, has no symptoms, then he'll definitely play Saturday night; if not then he'll miss," Roos said.
Matthew Nicks will also return from injury this week and play in the Swans reserves.
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