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Sydney's problems not beyond fixing
By Rodney Eade
May 23, 2004
The Swans are doing a Greg Chappell at the moment: the form's not too bad, it's just that they've come away from the past few outings empty-handed. The problem is that if losing becomes a habit, then confidence levels can be eroded. Coach Paul Roos will hope Sydney gets a confidence boost today with a good win against Hawthorn.
There are three main areas that have affected Sydney's fortunes this year. Firstly, injuries, particularly hamstring strains, to some key players: Michael O'Loughlin, Andrew Schauble, Adam Schneider, Tadhg Kennelly and Nick Davis.
Schauble's absence is significant, as he is the one defender who can compete with the opposition's main key forward. This has meant the under-sized Craig Bolton or inexperienced Heath James have been given these roles. At times, Leo Barry has taken a key forward, such as Matthew Lloyd, and this has stymied his run. Last year, he often played on the third or fourth most dangerous forward, giving him scope to chance his arm.
Secondly, Sydney's game plan has come under scrutiny, with rival teams implementing tactics to limit the run from defence. Last year, when Roos was asked if the Swans were getting under other teams' guards, his response was right on the mark. He said if that was the case, then teams and coaches were not preparing properly.
After 12 months, opposition teams have worked out that most of the Swans' thrust forward is generated from its run out of defence. Opposition teams have previously played a spare man in defence to block Barry Hall's space. It was a pointless exercise. Fremantle attempted to do so in round two, and the Dockers were smashed.
Like the Dockers, Port Adelaide and a few other teams, Sydney tries to find a loose man to kick to in defence. The Swans do this by spreading well to create space. Unlike the Dockers, Sydney prefers to play on quickly and transfer the ball rapidly to its talented forwards. Now, however, teams are manning up any loose Swan players, forcing Sydney to go along. They also attempt to block the corridor, forcing Sydney wide.
At times, when the Swans are held up, they try to manufacture a target by "forcing" the pass. It's a highly risky option. With the ball not coming out as often or as quickly as last year, this puts more pressure on Sydney's under-sized defence.
The third factor is the form of its key players. Quite a few Swans have failed to match their stellar form of last year. Hall has improved and is enjoying a great season. For seven rounds, Adam Goodes did not have the same effect on games as he did in 2003, due mainly to a positional change. He has performed best as an around-the-ground follower.
With Jason Ball and Stephen Doyle in the ruck, it is logical for Goodes to play as a key forward, but this does not come naturally to him, and he is still learning to play that role.
Jude Bolton is suffering from the closer attention that comes with greater respect from the opposition. He benefited last year by having Daryn Cresswell in the team. Bolton is a hard-working player with plenty of courage, and once he learns to cope with being tagged, he will improve quickly.
Brett Kirk has been solid without quite reaching the heights of last year. His biggest asset is his ability to find the ball, especially at stoppages. Teams are quite prepared for his opponent to play away from such situations.
Leo Barry was superb in 2003, but, as mentioned, is hampered by Schauble's absence.
Teams have worked out that, despite his strong running, he rarely passes the ball off. Instead, he often attempts to barge his way through a tackle, which is becoming predictable.
Schneider's injury robbed the Swans of a crumbing forward who can kick goals. These are worth their weight in gold, and he not only has great goal sense, but can make something out of nothing.
Today's game against Hawthorn should provide a good gauge on where the Swans are at, and you could even say that their season is in the balance.
The Hawks won both encounters last year by controlling the stoppages and cutting Sydney's run from defence.
Should the Swans lose, they would be no chance for the top four, and would have a fight on their hands to make the final eight. Win and confidence will return.
Throw Schauble back into the mix, help some key players regain their touch, make a slight modification to the game plan, and there's every chance that Sydney will enjoy a strong second half of the season
By Rodney Eade
May 23, 2004
The Swans are doing a Greg Chappell at the moment: the form's not too bad, it's just that they've come away from the past few outings empty-handed. The problem is that if losing becomes a habit, then confidence levels can be eroded. Coach Paul Roos will hope Sydney gets a confidence boost today with a good win against Hawthorn.
There are three main areas that have affected Sydney's fortunes this year. Firstly, injuries, particularly hamstring strains, to some key players: Michael O'Loughlin, Andrew Schauble, Adam Schneider, Tadhg Kennelly and Nick Davis.
Schauble's absence is significant, as he is the one defender who can compete with the opposition's main key forward. This has meant the under-sized Craig Bolton or inexperienced Heath James have been given these roles. At times, Leo Barry has taken a key forward, such as Matthew Lloyd, and this has stymied his run. Last year, he often played on the third or fourth most dangerous forward, giving him scope to chance his arm.
Secondly, Sydney's game plan has come under scrutiny, with rival teams implementing tactics to limit the run from defence. Last year, when Roos was asked if the Swans were getting under other teams' guards, his response was right on the mark. He said if that was the case, then teams and coaches were not preparing properly.
After 12 months, opposition teams have worked out that most of the Swans' thrust forward is generated from its run out of defence. Opposition teams have previously played a spare man in defence to block Barry Hall's space. It was a pointless exercise. Fremantle attempted to do so in round two, and the Dockers were smashed.
Like the Dockers, Port Adelaide and a few other teams, Sydney tries to find a loose man to kick to in defence. The Swans do this by spreading well to create space. Unlike the Dockers, Sydney prefers to play on quickly and transfer the ball rapidly to its talented forwards. Now, however, teams are manning up any loose Swan players, forcing Sydney to go along. They also attempt to block the corridor, forcing Sydney wide.
At times, when the Swans are held up, they try to manufacture a target by "forcing" the pass. It's a highly risky option. With the ball not coming out as often or as quickly as last year, this puts more pressure on Sydney's under-sized defence.
The third factor is the form of its key players. Quite a few Swans have failed to match their stellar form of last year. Hall has improved and is enjoying a great season. For seven rounds, Adam Goodes did not have the same effect on games as he did in 2003, due mainly to a positional change. He has performed best as an around-the-ground follower.
With Jason Ball and Stephen Doyle in the ruck, it is logical for Goodes to play as a key forward, but this does not come naturally to him, and he is still learning to play that role.
Jude Bolton is suffering from the closer attention that comes with greater respect from the opposition. He benefited last year by having Daryn Cresswell in the team. Bolton is a hard-working player with plenty of courage, and once he learns to cope with being tagged, he will improve quickly.
Brett Kirk has been solid without quite reaching the heights of last year. His biggest asset is his ability to find the ball, especially at stoppages. Teams are quite prepared for his opponent to play away from such situations.
Leo Barry was superb in 2003, but, as mentioned, is hampered by Schauble's absence.
Teams have worked out that, despite his strong running, he rarely passes the ball off. Instead, he often attempts to barge his way through a tackle, which is becoming predictable.
Schneider's injury robbed the Swans of a crumbing forward who can kick goals. These are worth their weight in gold, and he not only has great goal sense, but can make something out of nothing.
Today's game against Hawthorn should provide a good gauge on where the Swans are at, and you could even say that their season is in the balance.
The Hawks won both encounters last year by controlling the stoppages and cutting Sydney's run from defence.
Should the Swans lose, they would be no chance for the top four, and would have a fight on their hands to make the final eight. Win and confidence will return.
Throw Schauble back into the mix, help some key players regain their touch, make a slight modification to the game plan, and there's every chance that Sydney will enjoy a strong second half of the season