Swans 'can't compete' at the moment

[Bas]

Official Website of the Australian Football League > NEWS ARTICLE > Swans 'can't compete' at the moment

""SYDNEY Swans coach Paul Roos believes his side "can't compete" with the competition's stronger outfits at the moment, owing to a lack of consistency across an entire game of football. ""

Did he just realise today?

If paul is a bit slow on the uptake, could he please watch videos of the last three Collingwood losses to work out how to beat them. Whilst he's at that how about the Geelong defeat to magpis video as well.

Another Rooism.....

[reigning premier]

I actually thought today was the first time we have competed.

Ignoring a pathetic 2nd quarter, we were more than competitive.

Playing with at least two of our top ten players out, I was pretty happy with the endeavour today.

Seems strange that now Roos comes out with such statements. Would of been more accurate last week.

[liz]

No. he's been saying a variation of this for much of the season.

I think what we saw today was what we had a right to expect. The Dogs are a very good side and, while not at their best today, showed why they are one of the only three teams this year with a shot at winning the flag. Some people hate the concept of "honourable loss" but we were just beaten by a better team today. The intensity was decent for 3 of the 4 quarters, the skills weren't good enough but there were some good bits of play too.

The experts reckoned this was the year the Swans were going to bottom out. No-one thought we were capable of matching it with the best teams. So it has proved to be, but if you bottom out and still are sitting in the top 4 with 4 rounds left, it's hardly wrist slitting material.

Vez showed today it's not going to take him long to find his feet at the top level. I can't see him playing much more reserves footy. Bird has steadily progressed all year and today played his best game (one horrid handball aside). Jack continues to look like a long-termer.

Plus over the season O'Dwyer, Smith, Brabazon, White have all had a taste of it and haven't been disgraced, and we just have to hope that at least a couple of them develop into solid senior players.

[barry]

Only saw the 2nd half, but it was very incouraging I thought. New kids look promising.

Goodes is the key to Sydney's finals chances. But other are stepping up. I think we will win 3 or our next 4 and hold 4th spot.

[Legs Akimbo]

In some ways, I am happy that injury has forced the selection committee's hand.

Our current ladder position is flattering and we are unlikely to finish top 4. Our chances of wining in September, vanishingly small.

However, considering the talent they've introduced this year, I think it's been a great season. I've said it before and I'll say it again (apologies to Reggi), as long as the compete hard and develop our next generation, I am happy, irrespective of ladder position.

[Xie Shan]

However, considering the talent they've introduced this year, I think it's been a great season. I've said it before and I'll say it again (apologies to Reggi), as long as the compete hard and develop our next generation, I am happy, irrespective of ladder position.

Yep, that's been a positive from this season for me too. I've really enjoyed watching some of the younger guys play. Vez was a breath of fresh air today.

[Bas]

In some ways, I am happy that injury has forced the selection committee's hand.

Injuries have done what the match committee wouldn't.

At least that has been positive.

[DST]

We have blooded Bird, White, Brabazon, Vespa, Smith, O'Dwyer and given extended runs to Moore and Jack.

Lost Thornton (who would have debuted) and Barlow, Schmidt, Laidlaw, DOK and Meredith have all not been able to play due to injuries.

Currie looks promising in the reserves for next year and by all reports both Murphy and Orreal look very capable.

Our two traded players in Mattner and Playfair have been good sound buys.

With all of that we have still managed to be sitting fourth and if we can win 3 of our last games probably will finish fourth.

All up, happy where we at present and hopefully we can hold fourth and win a couple of finals.

DST

[liz]

Injuries have done what the match committee wouldn't.

At least that has been positive.

That might have been a fair criticism in years gone by but not this year. Bird, Jack and Moore have been given extended runs at the expense of Matthews. Fosdike has been made to earn his (eventual recall) and has managed to re-injure himself when very close to getting back.

And while it's great to see the youngsters get some chances and generally handle themselves well, who doesn't want to see fit versions of Malceski, O'Loughlin, Goodes and Barry back in the team?

[Bas]

That might have been a fair criticism in years gone by but not this year. Bird, Jack and Moore have been given extended runs at the expense of Matthews.

Good point. ? have forgotten that.

[Lohengrin]

Swans haven't been able to compete with the strongest teams for most of the past two seasons. Hopefully the new blood coming through and finding a key forward somehow will mean we will again within a few years.

[barry]

We have blooded Bird, White, Brabazon, Vespa, Smith, O'Dwyer and given extended runs to Moore and Jack.

Lost Thornton (who would have debuted) and Barlow, Schmidt, Laidlaw, DOK and Meredith have all not been able to play due to injuries.

Currie looks promising in the reserves for next year and by all reports both Murphy and Orreal look very capable.

Our two traded players in Mattner and Playfair have been good sound buys.

With all of that we have still managed to be sitting fourth and if we can win 3 of our last games probably will finish fourth.

All up, happy where we at present and hopefully we can hold fourth and win a couple of finals.

DST

I agree. Its been a good year, and we'd still be the best chance of 4th from all the contenders around us. Just because we are there, and other have to rely on us losing.

All these young names sound good, but I dont see a real key position forward coming through to replace Hall. Someone to straighten us up and provide a target. We will have to go the big poach soon. Thats why I wasnt suprised about the talk about Fev.

[barry]

Swans haven't been able to compete with the strongest teams for most of the past two seasons. Hopefully the new blood coming through and finding a key forward somehow will mean we will again within a few years.

Thats rubish. We havent been able to compete with Geelong, but no one has.

Our games with Hawthorn and Bulldogs have been very close. Sure we havent snatched a win, but in finals, and with a full list, we'd go in confident.

Basically its Geelong's flag unless they fall over. They said that about the Eagles in 2005 too.

[Lohengrin]

Thats rubish. We havent been able to compete with Geelong, but no one has.

Our games with Hawthorn and Bulldogs have been very close. Sure we havent snatched a win, but in finals, and with a full list, we'd go in confident.

Our record against top teams in the past two seasons hasn't been very good. We have played top 8 teams 16 times in the past two seasons for 4 wins, 1 draw and 11 losses. Three of those wins came last year (Haw x 2 and Port) and the other one was against StKilda this year.

[swansrule100]

our scorelines against the top teams dont tell the full story usually.
The swans are excellent at minimising the damage, i think too much of the gameplan revolves around preventing a big loss, instead of going for a win.