Robert Walls

[CureTheSane]

Lots of sooking when he made the comments about the Swans a couple of months ago, but I think last night he showed that he calls it as he sees it.

I actually agree with most of what he's said about the Swans.
Roo's comments about lack of personal seemed like a bit of a cop out to me.

Not saying it's easy to get ANY result when coaching a team, but, jeez, if we manage to play like that week in week out, we are a huge chance....

[Mike_B]

The game against St Kilda when Walls gave it to us was easily our wosrt game for the year. Considering he hadn't watched much of us before then, it was no surprise what he said. Since then, we have been playing much better footy, and he admitted that we are playing better when we move it on quickly, and with our confidence up, we do look good.

IMHO last night's game was our best performance for the year. Even though there were 2 x 2 goal quarters, the 2nd quarter the intensity was still up, and they had to rally in the 4th to not get overrun - closest to a full 4 quarter effort we've had all year.

[Dave]

Interesting to hear the Ox on Sportsworld say this morning that he thinks the Swans are the next form team after the WCE.

[Mark]

Anyone notice the "chill" in the air when he asked Roos a question post match ?

I think Roosy is less than impressed with him, Walls was very sheepish !

[Old Royboy]

I know the guy comes across as an idiot sometimes, but he does call it as he sees it. In 2003 he was the only Melbourne journo (Jim Main doesn?t count) to pick Sydney to make the finals.

He?s certainly not as up himself as he appears; a couple of years ago I got upgraded and found myself sitting next to him and Quartermain on a Melb ? Sydney flight. He is a genuine footy fanatic and was happy to talk about the Swans for the whole trip. I?ll be interested to see what he has to say for himself tonight.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Dave
Interesting to hear the Ox on Sportsworld say this morning that he thinks the Swans are the next form team after the WCE.

Unfortunately every time I hear that I get disappointed!!

Adelaide and StKilda are in decent form too, and Geelong may be recovering.

[Snowy]

Walls often makes valid points but he shouldn't base them on a team's latest showing that he happened to watch. He needs to form a view based on a number of games, factors. For example Pavlich has had a ripping season yet he bagged him after the one poor game he had against Richmond.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by Mark
Anyone notice the "chill" in the air when he asked Roos a question post match ?

I think Roosy is less than impressed with him, Walls was very sheepish !

I certainly did and nearly started a Post on this earlier.

Last I heard, Wallsy left a message on Roosy's mobile that hasn't been returned!

I that frank exchange on Saturday night might have been the first stepping stone to reconciliation. Lets face it, if Wallsy hadn't of accused Roosy of coaching for his career, then the artlcle would have been balanced.

Roosy isn't the type to harbour these things for long and the footy community is pretty small, they will hug again I am sure.

Not so sure Wallsy and Cam Mooney will be hugging again (refer to OTC).

[giant]

Despite Roosy's protestations to the contrary, I think Walls is right that the game plan has changed (or at least been tweaked). Hall is clearly staying closer to goals & they are using Goodes to fill in the gap between him & half back - which means Hall doesnt have to go to the wing to get a kick.

I've also noticed we are going much more direct from the kick in & generally going much more often down the corridor.

Walls is a prat - but sometimes even the prats get it rite.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by giant
Despite Roosy's protestations to the contrary, I think Walls is right that the game plan has changed (or at least been tweaked). Hall is clearly staying closer to goals & they are using Goodes to fill in the gap between him & half back - which means Hall doesnt have to go to the wing to get a kick.

IMHO O'Keefe returning to form has also allowed Hall to stay closer to goal. Goodes seems to be able to roam wherever he likes, while O'Keefe is our key link man pushing back almost to the D50 and then using his long kick to move the ball forward quite quickly allowing Hall and MOL to have more one-out contests.

[Bear]

Originally posted by giant
Despite Roosy's protestations to the contrary, I think Walls is right that the game plan has changed (or at least been tweaked). Hall is clearly staying closer to goals & they are using Goodes to fill in the gap between him & half back - which means Hall doesnt have to go to the wing to get a kick.

I've also noticed we are going much more direct from the kick in & generally going much more often down the corridor.

Walls is a prat - but sometimes even the prats get it rite.

Absolutely, and a big thanks goes to Walls for putting the pressure on Roos to take a good hard look. Roos was clearly under pressure for the first time in his coaching career - a good thing.

Let's face it, Walls was dead right - when we play a stop-start chip along the boundary line game we generally don't score and lose, when we play to our potential with direct football we generally win.

[Mark]

Originally posted by Bear
Absolutely, and a big thanks goes to Walls for putting the pressure on Roos to take a good hard look. Roos was clearly under pressure for the first time in his coaching career - a good thing.

Let's face it, Walls was dead right - when we play a stop-start chip along the boundary line game we generally don't score and lose, when we play to our potential with direct football we generally win.

Pretty much agree with all of that. However, saying Roos was coaching for himself was a bit personal and unnecessary. Also Roos does have a point when he mentions personnel and form.

We are still playing pretty much the same way, just quicker with less mistakes

[giant]

Walls also came to the party late, as he often does. I don't think anything he said other than the personal crap hadnt been said by many others before him - including the AFL CEO.

[TheHood]

Anyone got the stats on who has been sending the ball inside 50 for 2005?

Love to see the break down since the Carlton game too. I reckon Goodesy and O'Keefe have been doing a lot more than early in the season where it was left to Jude and Kirky.

[giant]

Originally posted by TheHood
Anyone got the stats on who has been sending the ball inside 50 for 2005?

Love to see the break down since the Carlton game too. I reckon Goodesy and O'Keefe have been doing a lot more than early in the season where it was left to Jude and Kirky.

Ablett also has been improving here - but agree the "new" Goodes & ROK have been key.