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O'Loughlin ready for take-off
By Tim Morrissey
May 13, 2004
MICHAEL O'Loughlin is booked on a flight for Perth tonight - the strongest indication yet that the Swans goal-kicking wizard will finally play his first game in six weeks.
The good news comes after O'Loughlin made it through yesterday's main practice session without any problems from his troublesome right hamstring, which has sidelined the flashy forward since round two.
The much-anticipated return of the 27-year-old Sydney star is a major boost for the struggling Swans desperate to end their three-game losing streak going into Saturday's clash against the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval.
"[O'Loughlin] was in my office [Tuesday] morning jumping up and down ready to play," Swans coach Paul Roos said.
"That's probably good enough for me to pick him."
O'Loughlin, along with several key players including Barry Hall and Paul Williams will travel to Perth tomorrow ahead of the bulk of the team.
"We do that with a lot of our guys who maybe have bad backs or injury problems," said Roos, who needs any edge he can get despite West Coast - with a 2-7 win-loss record - having their own problems.
Roos is predicting two or three changes to the team that bumbled their way through last Sunday's 13-point loss to Richmond at the SCG.
But he has ruled out a major overhaul to the list for the Eagles game.
"There's probably a couple of spots up for grabs that we will finalise based on medical, and based on how we feel blokes are going," said Roos.
"It's not a reflection of the guys' form but different opposition and the different size of the ground becomes a factor as well. When you play on a small ground you can probably get away with bigger type players.
"Over there [Subiaco Oval] is a massive ground so you need a fair bit of run."
That could mean Swans giant ruckman Stephen Doyle is still underdone in the match fitness and touch department after missing most of the pre-season and the opening two games of the season.
Roos also admitted there are a number of key players who aren't playing to their potential.
But he doesn't believe that is the reason behind the Richmond loss which he described as Sydney's worst performance of the year.
"Certainly there are some guys who aren't in great form but in the cold hard light of the day we probably just didn't take our chances early," said Roos reflecting Sydney's 31-to-16 first half advantage for inside 50s against Richmond.
"If you are up by four or five goals the game takes a different complexion.
"That's where you've got to be careful and that's what Monday is all about - making you understand why you lose the game."
The short turn around from the Richmond game meant Roos didn't have a chance to take out his frustrations on the training field, which can be a good thing.
"Sometimes it's good to have a short week particularly when you come off a loss," said Roos.
"We still have time to do our normal review of the game but we are aware that we have to get on a plane on Friday."
By Tim Morrissey
May 13, 2004
MICHAEL O'Loughlin is booked on a flight for Perth tonight - the strongest indication yet that the Swans goal-kicking wizard will finally play his first game in six weeks.
The good news comes after O'Loughlin made it through yesterday's main practice session without any problems from his troublesome right hamstring, which has sidelined the flashy forward since round two.
The much-anticipated return of the 27-year-old Sydney star is a major boost for the struggling Swans desperate to end their three-game losing streak going into Saturday's clash against the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval.
"[O'Loughlin] was in my office [Tuesday] morning jumping up and down ready to play," Swans coach Paul Roos said.
"That's probably good enough for me to pick him."
O'Loughlin, along with several key players including Barry Hall and Paul Williams will travel to Perth tomorrow ahead of the bulk of the team.
"We do that with a lot of our guys who maybe have bad backs or injury problems," said Roos, who needs any edge he can get despite West Coast - with a 2-7 win-loss record - having their own problems.
Roos is predicting two or three changes to the team that bumbled their way through last Sunday's 13-point loss to Richmond at the SCG.
But he has ruled out a major overhaul to the list for the Eagles game.
"There's probably a couple of spots up for grabs that we will finalise based on medical, and based on how we feel blokes are going," said Roos.
"It's not a reflection of the guys' form but different opposition and the different size of the ground becomes a factor as well. When you play on a small ground you can probably get away with bigger type players.
"Over there [Subiaco Oval] is a massive ground so you need a fair bit of run."
That could mean Swans giant ruckman Stephen Doyle is still underdone in the match fitness and touch department after missing most of the pre-season and the opening two games of the season.
Roos also admitted there are a number of key players who aren't playing to their potential.
But he doesn't believe that is the reason behind the Richmond loss which he described as Sydney's worst performance of the year.
"Certainly there are some guys who aren't in great form but in the cold hard light of the day we probably just didn't take our chances early," said Roos reflecting Sydney's 31-to-16 first half advantage for inside 50s against Richmond.
"If you are up by four or five goals the game takes a different complexion.
"That's where you've got to be careful and that's what Monday is all about - making you understand why you lose the game."
The short turn around from the Richmond game meant Roos didn't have a chance to take out his frustrations on the training field, which can be a good thing.
"Sometimes it's good to have a short week particularly when you come off a loss," said Roos.
"We still have time to do our normal review of the game but we are aware that we have to get on a plane on Friday."
