Leo Barry

[Bear]

Originally posted by Mark
There were more than a couple i think you will find.

It is only the usual few who want to trade everyone !

Seem to remember one who wanted both Goodes and Leo gone not that long ago, care to admit who you are ?

To clarify. 12 months ago a few more started coming around, but 18-24 months ago there was only two.

[Bart]

Originally posted by Bear
To clarify. 12 months ago a few more started coming around, but 18-24 months ago there was only two.

Cmon Bear, don't be holier than thou. There can't be one person on this board who could put their hand up and say they've never questioned a single player's inclusion in the side who eventually came good. Name an established Swans player, and you'll find a thread in deepest RWO cyberspace where someone has had a go. If someone can say that they've stuck by every maligned player who has since come good and at the same time farewelled every eventual hack that left the club and shed a tear for every player who DID make it after leaving us, you should be working in our recruitment dept.

We're fans. It's our job to react so, but also be big enough to say, glad I got that wrong.

[Charlie]

Well, I was one who questioned Adam Goodes.

It was early 2002, and he had developed very little in two years. Eade was seriously close to dropping him.

I suggested that if he did not improve between then and the end of the season, we should consider trading him, as I should his market value was higher than his real value.

That's all. I was more than happy that he did improve.

[NMWBloods]

I find these "I told you so" threads really annoying.

Also, if you are having a go at specific people, perhaps say who they are.

[chammond]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I find these "I told you so" threads really annoying.

Also, if you are having a go at specific people, perhaps say who they are.

Aha! So it was you . . .

I knew you were wrong.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by chammond
Aha! So it was you . . .

I knew you were wrong.

What was me?

What Mark said? No.

Calling for Barry to be dropped and saying he was a dumb footballer? No.

I remember the OOF thread - it was about unforced errors, which are very costly and something we've seen from more players this year than last actually. So many people didn't seem to understand the concept of an unforced error and that regular ones should not be committed by AFL players.

This is something Barry rarely does these days, but was something he used to do more often. This is one of the key improvements to his game - his runs may be heart-in-mouth stuff, but he doesn't turn it over or make poor disposal errors these days nearly so much. He often used to run too far and get himself in trouble or put someone else under pressure - this happens far less often noways.

I do recall P46 calling Barry a dumb footballer and possibly should not be in the side, but please don't equate that to the OOF thread as it was quite different.

I talked about the possibility of trading Goodes early in 2002 when he was performing terribly and about to be dropped to the reserves. I said that he was wasting his talent and if he didn't improve by the end of the year we should consider trading him.

I don't recall ever saying we should trade Barry.

[ScottH]

If we can get Leo off the crack b4 a game he will be a "Super Star". LMAO

[liz]

I struggle to remember exactly who - or how many - thought what two weeks ago, let alone two years ago.

But two years ago, Leo was probably in the middle of his injury break, caused by a ruptured spleen. My memory of the "common view" at the time was how courageous he was and how much we would miss him. I also recall amazement at how quickly he recovered from such a serious condition and how well he played on his return.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by lizz
I struggle to remember exactly who - or how many - thought what two weeks ago, let alone two years ago.

But two years ago, Leo was probably in the middle of his injury break, caused by a ruptured spleen. My memory of the "common view" at the time was how courageous he was and how much we would miss him. I also recall amazement at how quickly he recovered from such a serious condition and how well he played on his return.

Absolutely. Leo's courage has never been questioned right from his opening season, he became "Leapin'" (apostrophe city here).

Looking back now for the first time on his career and his inability to actually glove the screamer he always promised to take, I wonder why it took so long to concede that he was actually a backman-in-waiting.

To me Leo was always in our top 22, however he has certainly gotten better and cemented that theory.

His game on Fraser was one of the best individual FB performances I have ever seen in light of his opposition on that day.

Fraser had been delivering Plugger type numbers leading up to that game. Imagine a backman destroying the Great Man and not only that, setting up the win and leading the possessions on the ground.

Leo is only goingo to get better as we get more assistance down back too.

[sharpie]

Leo struggled during the first few games of the season playing on a flank when opposition coaches managed to take him a long way back out of the action.

I think playing at FB has been an awesome learning experience for him. He is as far back out of the action as you can get now, but his rebounding has improved significantly. I think he has learnt how to handle running off a key forward superbly.

I cant wait until we get Schauble back at FB, freeing up Leo to go back to a flank, where he can wreak havoc charging up the ground, and playing 3rd man up at marking contests.

[Wardy]

Leapin Leo is fantastic!!!

On a previous thread of matching players with songs someone suggested that Leo's theme should be "The Time Warp" ( its just a jump to the left and with a step to the right..............................)

So so true - I think of that every time he gets the ball now - even though sometimes he tests your nerves with his actions, he gets out and moves the ball on - excellent!

And Dennis Commetti loves him too!

[stellation]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Would be a great stat to check, but I've never seen it. I doubt if it is recorded (of course it would be if this was an American game!!).

Okey dokey, then I am going to try and record them this weekend... of course accurate stats collection is entirely dependent on my son going to sleep before the game starts.