Heath James

[undy]

Nobody else is mentioning him (that I've seen), but he looked pretty classy again today. I reckon I he has been around so long that I can put him into my most improved category for 2004.

At the moment I'd also throw in Matthews (who may just have something on the statistician) and Fosdike (who may be getting some reflected glory from McVeigh, but who I think is a playing consistently well).

Andy

[redunderthebed]

i'm gettin' a bit peeved by the usual suspects who seem unable to give credit to the great form of Benny Matthews.
The guy has been the MOST CONSISTENT swans player for years and yet he rarely gets recognition on this site but continues to be among the top ten voted by his team mates.
What has the guy to do? Change clubs ?Still , i remember that Cressa got crapcanned as well...still made team 'best team ever'.(no, i don't think Benny will make this)

[Roscoe]

Agreed 100%. at times he can give me the @@@@s by taking a long
time to get rid of the ball, but he has been so consistent for a long time.

he is great at the stoppages and terrific at sweeping up across
half back

where is my arch rival p46 who loves to bag benny along with
crouch and leo

if people do not understand the value of ben then they have probably never played the game or do not understand the game

[midaro]

Re: Heath James

Originally posted by undy
...and Fosdike (who may be getting some reflected glory from McVeigh, but who I think is a playing consistently well).

I'm certain Fosdike was credited with some of McVeigh's posessions today. If the commentators are getting it wrong, the statisticians probably are too.

[Nico]

Heath James is developing into a top player. He has towelled up all opponents so far and just have a look at how well he backs up his team mates.

He has something that makes a great footballer. The absolute ability to keep his feet, and he never takes his eyes of the ball in a contest whether in the air or on the ground. Some of his recovery today was downright brilliant, and he always seems to create himself plenty of time to get rid of it.

Goodes is great at keeping his feet also, and when you can break away from a contest because of this, it opens up the field very quickly.

I suppose we will find out a bit more about his talents over the next 2 weeks as he comes up against Neitz and Lloyd.

[DST]

Re: Heath James

Originally posted by undy
At the moment I'd also throw in Matthews (who may just have something on the statistician) and Fosdike (who may be getting some reflected glory from McVeigh, but who I think is a playing consistently well).

Andy

I have said this before and I will say it again, "you can't teach a player how to find the ball" and in Matthews case he is a freak.

One of the best players in the comp at getting himself in the right position to either win the ball himself or be the receiving linkman.

Still can be a little slow in getting rid of it at times, but has improved his disposal heaps over the the years.

DST

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Nico
Heath James is developing into a top player. He has towelled up all opponents so far and just have a look at how well he backs up his team mates.

He was clutching at his leg in the last quarter and I thought "here we go again." But he managed to return.

After the game we could see the Swans players unwind after the game through a big glass window in the change rooms. Jamesy had ice packs strapped heavily to both one knee and the other thigh.

Hope he is OK.

JF

[SXP]

Ben Matthews was recognised by Dermot on cH 9 as BOG together with B Hall. It looks to me they are starting to recognise his contribution.

[TheHood]

Re: Heath James

Originally posted by undy
Nobody else is mentioning him (that I've seen), but he looked pretty classy again today. I reckon I he has been around so long that I can put him into my most improved category for 2004. Andy

I liked his game a lot. He is more athletic and flexible than I ever thought he would be. After all the hammies and the knee, I thought he'd be stiff as a board.

Does anyone remember that RWO was hoping, wishing , praying that Heath would become Dunk's successor?

It seemed more like a pipedream after all the lay-offs and when Roosy had him slotted at HF last season.

And NOW he has arrived!

[floppinab]

Jamesy had ice packs strapped heavily to both one knee and the other thigh.

As does half the team after any game these days to try and "manage" short and long term lumps and bumps.
Nothing to worry about

[sharpie]

Just a quickie about Benny Mathews. It is sometimes quite hard to see his contribution until you watch the Swans play a game without him. They dont control the ball around halfback anywhere near as well as when Benny is playing.

[EMJ]

Once again I agree with Sharpie it is hard to see how well a player does contribute until you see a replay and maybe after a few times.
Heath James is playing very well, very cool headed and calm and enjoy watching him play.
After the game I too saw through the glass at the players cooling down and Colles came up to James and pointed out the number of people who were watching him and he calmly turned and waved an acknowledgement - they are great players and great with the fans.

Colles was waving his tie as an acknowledgement of the club and players.
I hope he acknowledges Roos for the great coaching - compared to a job Wallace would not of done.

[penga]

not only do i like his defensive work; but he'll hurt teams going the other way, which adds another dimension to our rebound out of defence

[dazza]

HEATH JAMES AND THE SWANS

Hi Guys

I was unable to come down for the game to Canberra this year and it was a crackerjack of a game but I was really impressed by the way the Swans handled themselves during the game and never gave up.

This shows a steely resolve about them and I only hope that they continue the form that they keep doing for the whole year

They have a great defence and look out opposition teams when we have a forward line of Saddo Hall Goodes Schneider Davis and Oloughlin

Saddo looks good in the foirward line than the backline

Go the Swannies

[Old Royboy]

Originally posted by penga
not only do i like his defensive work; but he'll hurt teams going the other way, which adds another dimension to our rebound out of defence

Agree, this could be very important next game if Roos gives him Neitz. Wish Heath would start games better, he seems to start slow and get better and better as the game progresses. Has any-one noticed he walks on his toes? Has he always been like this or is it something to help the hammies?