Blast from the (recent) past

[liz]

I just flicked over to the Fox Footy Channel to find the final quarter of the SCG 2000 game against Collingwood in progress. It was the game that was tight all night and that Rocca pinched in the dying seconds for the Pies.

There were a few "strange" sites - such as Benny Mathews running around in the no 36 guernsey, and Willo looking very out of place wearing black and white (though he kicked 2.5 that night, missing some pretty straightforward set shots, so maybe his heart was already in the right place). The Sydney team included the likes of Brett Allison, Robbie Ahmat and Jon Stevens, while Roos and Plugger were both commentating.

The thing that really struck me from watching just 20 minutes of the game (and made me realise how quickly memories can fade) was just how smart, as footballers, Cressa, Schwass and Dunks were. This was a tight tussle and not that skilful or free flowing, but the way they positioned their bodies in contests, and won the ball when it looked like they had no hope, was so so impressive.

A really "smart" midfielder of that ilk is probably something we're lacking at the moment. Hopefully it is something that one or two of the current crop will develop as they get older - after all, these three were seasoned, wily footballers by 2000. Williams is probably the closest at the moment, but adding someone with the nous of Schwass at his best to the endurance, discipline and running power, which I think our midfield set-up does have in abundance, could be just what is needed.

[chammond]

The 2001 game v WCE was on last night - the one where we were 7 goals in front and the Eagles made a charge in the last quarter (sound familiar?).

I'd forgotten how much Schwass and Cresswell got involved in the game, all over the ground. And I'd forgotten just how tough Dunkley was . . . he just crashed into any contest he could get to.

But the best bit was watching Goodes take marks in the forward line, go back, and kick straight through the goals. No hesitation, no looking to pass, no silly handballs . . . just lead out, take a mark, kick a goal. He made it look easy.

[footyhead]

Re: Blast from the (recent) past

Originally posted by liz
I just flicked over to the Fox Footy Channel to find the final quarter of the SCG 2000 game against Collingwood in progress. It was the game that was tight all night and that Rocca pinched in the dying seconds for the Pies.

There were a few "strange" sites - such as Benny Mathews running around in the no 36 guernsey, and Willo looking very out of place wearing black and white (though he kicked 2.5 that night, missing some pretty straightforward set shots, so maybe his heart was already in the right place). The Sydney team included the likes of Brett Allison, Robbie Ahmat and Jon Stevens, while Roos and Plugger were both commentating.

The thing that really struck me from watching just 20 minutes of the game (and made me realise how quickly memories can fade) was just how smart, as footballers, Cressa, Schwass and Dunks were. This was a tight tussle and not that skilful or free flowing, but the way they positioned their bodies in contests, and won the ball when it looked like they had no hope, was so so impressive.

A really "smart" midfielder of that ilk is probably something we're lacking at the moment. Hopefully it is something that one or two of the current crop will develop as they get older - after all, these three were seasoned, wily footballers by 2000. Williams is probably the closest at the moment, but adding someone with the nous of Schwass at his best to the endurance, discipline and running power, which I think our midfield set-up does have in abundance, could be just what is needed.

glad you finally agree that the midfield is where we need the most improvment, liz.
all those people saying that Bolton is worth $350,ooo + really need to get a grip.

[footyhead]

Originally posted by chammond


But the best bit was watching Goodes take marks in the forward line, go back, and kick straight through the goals. No hesitation, no looking to pass, no silly handballs . . . just lead out, take a mark, kick a goal. He made it look easy.

What happend ? do we need a knew goal kicking coach ?

[liz]

Re: Re: Blast from the (recent) past

Originally posted by footyhead
glad you finally agree that the midfield is where we need the most improvment, liz.
all those people saying that Bolton is worth $350,ooo + really need to get a grip.

I think most posters here seem to agree the midfield is where improvement is needed, and having been saying so for a while. I know I have.

However, that is not mutually exclusive with Bolton being "worth" $350k, which is something driven by market forces and the context of what footballers of his ilk get paid.

NB - I'm am not trying to say he either is or isn't worth that amount. Just pointing out that it is largely independent of how much improvement is required in our midfield.

[Rod_]

Agreed - improvement in middle is needed - perhaps a good tap ruckman (Jolly) and some fit players (Fosdike and Spriggs) May make a difference?

Rod_

[Old Royboy]

The blast from the slightly further past I caught was Swans v Geelong R2, 1995

Highlights/Lowlights:

A younger Peter Hatley already hogging the TV cameras.
The cheersquad on the Brewongle concourse
The tiny crowd ? Brewongle / Churchill stands looked empty
The shocking decision making of our players (Ed Considine where are you?)
The beautiful skills of Mark Bayes
Luff and Stafford absolutely butchering a goal as only they could.
Luff 6 goals!!
Paul Roos benched for most of the last quarter!
Kelly BOG (according to umpires anyway)

But worst of all ?

Dudded of a win by a marginal umpiring decision to G. Abllett.

Some things never change.

I got right into the game as I hadn?t seen it before. (Still a Royboy in 95) The old Rank Arena nearly got my foot though it at the end.

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by Old Royboy
I got right into the game as I hadn?t seen it before. (Still a Royboy in 95) The old Rank Arena nearly got my foot though it at the end.

That would have been interesting to explain ... how you destroyed your telly because of the result of a football game played nearly ten years ago.

[The Boot]

Was tempted to start a thread just like this yesterday! Thanks Liz! Yes, now being on holiday in our fair capital I have been now able to surf Foxtel freely, and have marked down all the Swans games, and then get online to see what the final result was.

That Geelong match had Luffy kicking a career best 6 goals (man, he was a ball magnet). To see past champions such as Bayes and Ablett SNR in his final days calmly going about their business.

Oh, and a certain Mr P.Roos who always knew where to be. Right time right place.

The other thing that struck me was - now that we are nearing a decade between games - was how many names I'd forgotten. A few remain .. but very few.

[Nico]

Originally posted by chammond
The 2001 game v WCE was on last night - the one where we were 7 goals in front and the Eagles made a charge in the last quarter (sound familiar?).

I'd forgotten how much Schwass and Cresswell got involved in the game, all over the ground. And I'd forgotten just how tough Dunkley was . . . he just crashed into any contest he could get to.

But the best bit was watching Goodes take marks in the forward line, go back, and kick straight through the goals. No hesitation, no looking to pass, no silly handballs . . . just lead out, take a mark, kick a goal. He made it look easy.

I too watched this game in part. What struck me is how much Crouch has improved his game. I was a critic of his for taking the short steps when entering a contested ball situation. He did that a couple of times last night which made me wince, but boy how he has changed under Roos. Really hard at it in any contest and fearless. Whereas he had a habit of making sure he was second to the ball, then laying a tackle, he now makes the ball his object regardless of the consequences. Schneider could take a leaf out of the Crouch manual.

[The Undertaker]

Originally posted by Old Royboy
The blast from the slightly further past I caught was Swans v Geelong R2, 1995

Highlights/Lowlights:

A younger Peter Hatley already hogging the TV cameras.
The cheersquad on the Brewongle concourse
The tiny crowd ? Brewongle / Churchill stands looked empty
The shocking decision making of our players (Ed Considine where are you?)
The beautiful skills of Mark Bayes
Luff and Stafford absolutely butchering a goal as only they could.
Luff 6 goals!!
Paul Roos benched for most of the last quarter!
Kelly BOG (according to umpires anyway)

But worst of all ?

Dudded of a win by a marginal umpiring decision to G. Abllett.

Some things never change.

I got right into the game as I hadn?t seen it before. (Still a Royboy in 95) The old Rank Arena nearly got my foot though it at the end.

I tuned in the other night and watched it.It was one of the very many games we bloody lose whenever we are on the Fox Footy Channel(during this summer)The only game ive seen that we actually friggin win was a game the other night against West Coast in 2001@Subiaco.

[satchmopugdog]

I watch a game every night from my collection of tapes and DVDS and the ones that I've been watching lately to take my mind off the traumas of bringing up two teenage girls on my own and about to turn 49 tomorrow have shown how Kirk has that ability to use his body to create space. He's not as flashy as Schwatta but his hands are becoming quicker each year and he creates space with strategic nudges etc. Maybe I'm watching them too often and need to get a life!!!

[chammond]

Originally posted by satchmopugdog
I watch a game every night from my collection of tapes and DVDS and the ones that I've been watching lately to take my mind off the traumas of bringing up two teenage girls on my own and about to turn 49 tomorrow have shown how Kirk has that ability to use his body to create space. He's not as flashy as Schwatta but his hands are becoming quicker each year and he creates space with strategic nudges etc. Maybe I'm watching them too often and need to get a life!!!

You are not alone . .

I too have teenage daughters . . . . I turn 50 on Saturday . . . . and I relax by watching old Swans tapes??

And I agree that the Kirk of 2004 bears no resemblance to the Kirk of 2001 . . . a whole different class of footballer.

I doubt that you need a life . . . it appears that you may have too many already.

[footyhead]

maybe you two should do some private messaging. You seem to have a lot in common. Teenage daughters, a passion for the Swans, midlife crisis's.
Wow you could realy help each other out.
Wouldn't it be good if you both complemented each other with your old Swans libraries to !!
One could show his and then .... could show... !

[satchmopugdog]

Thank you footyhead. I laughed out loud. But is he as good in the garden as NobNob.
Last night I watched the 2003 final against Port (after all it was my birthday) and I felt like ringing all you lot up to see what you were watching. I think I had better take a christmas break!!!!!!