Importance of Willo

[madswan]

I think we jumped to conclusions that willo is fading, the side performs so much better with him in it, we rarely play well when he is out.

[Nico]

Very important link man.

[Matt79]

Big fan of Willo and can play a number of roles. Defensive tagger or as Nico said a link man. We are a better side with him in it.

We may as well enjoy and support him as this year will surely be his Swansong (sorry could not resist).

[Sanecow]

When he's in form, there's no doubt he's important. But he's not in form.

[TheHood]

We missed him a lot against the Roos.

Fossy was fantastic though, he needs to take the Willo role all the way.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by TheHood
We missed him a lot against the Roos.

Fossy was fantastic though, he needs to take the Willo role all the way.

Fossie needs to learn to count while running.

[stellation]

Originally posted by ScottH
Fossie needs to learn to count while running.

I think he was just thrown off by looking to give to an option, just as he had almost run his full quota, then deciding not to. It did give an opportunity to explain a rule to my son, up until then he seemed to think it was okay to run as far as you want as long as you have bounced the ball once, so Nic can be thanked for that!

[ScottH]

Originally posted by stellation
I think he was just thrown off by looking to give to an option, just as he had almost run his full quota, then deciding not to. It did give an opportunity to explain a rule to my son, up until then he seemed to think it was okay to run as far as you want as long as you have bounced the ball once, so Nic can be thanked for that!

Did you further explain that running the required distance, then dancing on the spot is a free kick as well.

[stellation]

Originally posted by ScottH
Did you further explain that running the required distance, then dancing on the spot is a free kick as well.

That one was not quite so easy to explain. I think he gave away the free kick because they umpires thought "if you're gonna dance, do your jig!".

[ScottH]

Originally posted by stellation
That one was not quite so easy to explain. I think he gave away the free kick because they umpires thought "if you're gonna dance, do your jig!".

I think the umps confused him with Leo, and wondered why he wasn't running in circles.

[Dave]

Originally posted by ScottH
Did you further explain that running the required distance, then dancing on the spot is a free kick as well.

What a crock that free was...

[Go Swannies]

Back on the original topic - last year the Swans faded after Willo did his collarbone. He's out this week and we looked ordinary. I'd be interested to know our win/loss this season and last with and without Willo. He might be fading but, subjectively, I think he still provides about as much run into the forward line as Tiger.

[NMWBloods]

Last year, he played 19 games, and we won 14.

He missed rounds 5-11, and we went 4-3.

From rounds 12 onward, when he returned we went 12-3.

This year, he has missed two games - the one against Melbourne and the one against the Roos.

I'd also note that Willo was averaging 17 possessions per game last year, and 16 this year.

Our leading possession getters in the past season and a bit are:

J Bolton 19, 21 (2005, 2006)
Buchanan 17, 18
Fosdike 15, 16
Hall 15, 16
Kennelly 15, 16
Kirk 22, 18
O'Keefe 15, 19
Schneider 11, 16

[Go Swannies]

Thanks for that. Summary is: he's important though others are stepping up.

[j s]

The real reason Willo didn't play.....

Roosy didn't want him suspended for taking revenge for last years king-hit by Brady Rawlings.