Leo Barry

[NMWBloods]

Depends on whether you're one point up or one point down.

[Bear]

Either or - still maybe costing us a chance at lining up for goal. Look that is the way Hally and Leo play and I believe (at times) it is to set play up - hold it as long as you can, draw the player and create a loose man.

If a minority of supporters can't think outside of the basics of up and down football and appreciate the things that Leo brings to our team then you shouldn't have to bang your head against a brick wall trying to convince them.

Put simply, and in the words of Paul Roos... "Leo is one of the elite backmen in the AFL".

There are so many reasons for this, but don't bother justifying what you, I and the SSFC know.

[ROK Lobster]

If a minority of supporters can't think outside of the basics of up and down football and appreciate the things that Leo brings to our team then you shouldn't have to bang your head against a brick wall trying to convince them.

Put simply, and in the words of Paul Roos... "Leo is one of the elite backmen in the AFL".

There are so many reasons for this, but don't bother justifying what you, I and the SSFC know.

I'm not sure that anyone is saying that Leo does not bring something to the team that is highly valued. I think the issue is that Leo often @@@@s it up by running himself into a corner, and handballing to a player in a worse spot. I agree with Nico, that he does lack vision. I don't agree with Liz (but will watch more closely) because I think he is a pretty good kick, albeit on his left. That said, I too love his runs and he is one of my favourite players. It is just that, for all his creativity, his runs end in a stoppage about as often as they set up an attack.

I am not sure why it is considered that if someone finds some fault in what he does that they do not appreciate what he brings to the club

[NMWBloods]

I'm not sure that anyone is saying that Leo does not bring something to the team that is highly valued. I think the issue is that Leo often @@@@s it up by running himself into a corner, and handballing to a player in a worse spot. I agree with Nico, that he does lack vision. I don't agree with Liz (but will watch more closely) because I think he is a pretty good kick, albeit on his left. That said, I too love his runs and he is one of my favourite players. It is just that, for all his creativity, his runs end in a stoppage about as often as they set up an attack.

I am not sure why it is considered that if someone finds some fault in what he does that they do not appreciate what he brings to the club

It seems to be the way that any criticism seems to be taken personally and I don't see why they need to resort to personal digs to make their point.

I think Barry brought a lot to the club, most particularly in 2003-5. He struggled a bit in 2006, but was generally okay. I think he is going to be found wanting this year for a variety of reasons. That happens to every player eventually and they have to retire. My view is that he will reach that point by the end of this year.

In my view his mad dashes out of the backline haven't really provided a great deal of rebound for us for a long time (partly because of his defensive role). Even when he did do them you never quite knew where the ball would go or how effective it would be. I'm really not sure if he can be a rebounding player any more. I didn't see a lot of drive coming from him on Saturday.

I don't think he's a liability or should be axed now. I just think his best is well past him and because of the nature of his game, his decline could be more rapid than normal.

[big bear]

Leo has always had a hard job by playing on taller and heavier opponents. He has done an admirable job by playing well above his size. As he gets older his speed and decision making are not what they used to be. A loyal servant of our club who maybe should find a new role. Voegels could make a fullback.

[footy head]

2 games into the season is too soon to put the boot into a "loyal servant of the team"... but one of the brutal realities of well-paid professional sport is that some players try to play on too long, and the tough decisions end up being made for them.

That said, I think Leo's got a few more leaps left in him!

[Gary]

I am intrigued by the different emphasis of posts.
Leo will always be a Sydney legend for what he brought to the team, but it was always a quirky brilliance, unpredictable, never free of risk, often high. For a good time he got away with it & we loved him because the balance generally fell the right way.
The FB role has gradually worn him out. Last year was IMO largely marginal...pace waining...constantly beaten on the lead when the "short" excuse is not relevant, & this year more of the same. I'd love to see him / us squeeze out another year or two...but IMO he is not up to it. Perhaps we can place him up the ground a little, but I really think the pace & decision making aspects weigh against this at this stage.
Always a legend...maybe past it...but I hope I'm wrong. Based on other saga's he will be given plenty more time for us to watch events unfold...hopefully to his & team benefit.

[Industrial Fan]

No matter what the situation with Leo, if he doesnt bounce during his run(no matter how outlandish it may seem), he will turn it over or produce a stoppage.

[Eala ?ireann]

Barry was horrendous against the Eagles. I think good, large forwards have found him out and know how he plays his footy. I think there should at least be a Plan B for Barry when he's getting stuffed. Roos often seems to leave him where he is. He is capable of stunning footy, but when he comes up against a smart, large forward he gets beaten.

If the 50 is too crowded too he seems to lack mental agility and often sells a teammate into difficulty with a hospital handball. Move him out and let him run.

In general our style of footy is hard to bloody watch anyway when it isn't flowing well. Damn hard to watch!

[Tuco]

Thought Leo's game against Richmond was pretty good. He's one of those barometer players. If the team is in a trough he's usually struggling. But when our run from the backline is at its best he always seems to have a hand in eveything. It's rare that we play well and he doesn't. It has happened. But rarely.

Too early to read much of anything into his form for the year. But in the brief moments when we've looked on song he's been in there creating for us.

[Industrial Fan]

when he comes up against a smart, large forward he gets beaten.

I hope you're not referring to Quentin "Is my head sore from bashing it into a wall?" aka Knucklescraper Lynch?

[Bear]

As usual Leo was involved in most of our creative switches and runs from the backline.

Proved again why he is such an integral part of a successful Swans team.

[NMWBloods]

I thought he played okay, but there was little I saw him do that we couldn't eventually get another half back flanker to do, and probably better now too.

[Bear]

But what you think and what the football department and coach thinks are poles apart.

[NMWBloods]

But what you think and what the football department and coach thinks are poles apart.

Oh really - thanks so much for that...