7 March, Rouse Hill: Sydney vs Western Bulldogs

[Norris Lurker]

It was a good hitout for both teams, a good result for the Swans; and Bruce Purser Oval looked an absolute treat. It's going to be a sensational venue for the Sydney AFL.

For those who misses out, or for those who would like to re-live the action, I've now got a photo gallery online. Enjoy!!!

[Cant turn right]

Seriously Bevo must have a hearing problem. It was pretty funny when first Roos was yelling "Bevo BEVO!" and then the other coaching staff and players would join in and then the punters nearby were joining in but still it took him a while to respond. It must have happened 3 times in the second half.

[connolly]

It was a good hitout for both teams, a good result for the Swans; and Bruce Purser Oval looked an absolute treat. It's going to be a sensational venue for the Sydney AFL.

For those who misses out, or for those who would like to re-live the action, I've now got a photo gallery online. Enjoy!!!

Great photos and thanks. One small quibble. The caption on the Bevanator is a little brutal. How about "Bevo brings crowd to their feet courageously attempting a mark under pressure from the sniper Johnstone"

[connolly]

Seriously Bevo must have a hearing problem. It was pretty funny when first Roos was yelling "Bevo BEVO!" and then the other coaching staff and players would join in and then the punters nearby were joining in but still it took him a while to respond. It must have happened 3 times in the second half.

The kid is modest. Prossibly thought it was a chant from the BAS (Bevo Appreciation Society)?

[Cheer Squad]

had an excellent time go the mighty swans cant wait till the 18th of april

Don't you mean the 4th of April? That's our first game in Sydney.

[Primmy]

Waited until I had slept on it. Yep the ground was a treat, plenty to work with there. Thanks for all the chairs provided fellas. Facilities just fine for 3,500 people, AND an electronic scoreboard which hilariously posted us a goal kicked by the dogs. Unfortunately they corrected it. We will come back to this venue, no worries. And the parking fees were a whole $2.00!!! Loved it. Very smooth operation.

AFL Swans site has a terrific picture gallery, by a photographer with the best equipment and an eye for the game.

We found ourselves a spot just to the side of the bench, which was fine by us. How any of the boys could hear a bellow from the box at a distance of 200 metres plus fascinates me, but yep they could, mostly. You could also hear all the calls from the boys in play, which I am not privy to normally being up in the Noble Stand. BBB's voice would cut through the sound barrier like a bull elephant....anyway back to the game.

Jesse has learned to run...and he is quick, we might have a keeper there. Cheese played a much better style of game and he is also mighty quick and was tackling (work in progress but promising) so am happier with that.

Once Shaw, Teddy, et al swapped over for the kids and the dogs played a bit differently then the game got tighter, but to their credit the kids made the difference once they realised it was up to them in the last quarter and fought for the win. The rotations eliminated a lot of the seniors so couldn't rely on the seniors to make the difference, they had to do it themselves. And they did. Good coaching.

On a personal note, Lewie now looks like a senior player, Luke looks like Plugger! (bewildered the heck out of us for a moment), Crouchy looks sharp, Ves is a gem but his breathing is a worry (I think he forgets to when he runs), Kirky's last addition to the family is a girl, and he has the same colour skin as Goodsey at the moment - and that should be a lesson to anyone who needs one - Goodsey is a magnificent specimen and a delight to watch in action, Darren is a hard worker, really and truly, a hard worker, we should keep him, Shaw is quick and has slotted in to the Mattner and Mal back combination really well, Jude is a treasure (has anyone thought of cloning?). Big Craig was terrific, Little Craig is a good fit for number 14. Kris was jumping out of his skin.

Had a good night, the hundreds of children had a good night, the girls parading past the bench in shorts perhaps did not have as good a night as they hoped, and the poor bloke who tried to get Mal to sign his shirt during the game is tragic.

[sfan]

Great game, great atmosphere - nice little venue. Felt very country with a white picket fence.

The surface was great very green and smooth. 1st class

I thought Goodes looks like he has got bigger and stronger and at times played the 3rd man up in the ruck. Hall was solid and Shaw is a real find. Very classy with his disposal.

A great night out.

[j s]

Saw somw images on the AFL site with a bit of a report. The ground looked good surface wise..the evening looked great weather wise and LRT looks as dawky as ever....gotta love him.

The surface was excellent.
The weather was perfect - mild with no discernible breeze.

Spectating though was less than perfect. Apart from one hill on the eastern wing and an almost level area on the western side the surrounding area slopes down severely a few metres away from the fence. Most of that one spot was reserved for the official/vip areas. Two rows of plastic seats were laid out around the ground but the second row had limited visibilty through the first row. Reminded me of the fromnt rows of Manuka.

If they are serious about playing games like this there some sort of bleachers type seating is needed on the western wing (where there is sufficient level area). Something like they have on the eastern side at Manuka would do. Three or four rows over say 50m shouldn't cost all that much. Or maybe some earthworks to provide another small "hill" for viewing. Probably too late for that now though.

It was officially a sell-out (which I didn't realise - luckily Des had a spare ticket) but there were people handing tickets out near the entry gate.

P.S. Cyggy has been downsized by the economic conditions. Midfielder size now instead of ruckman.

[Cant turn right]

The surface was excellent.

If they are serious about playing games like this there some sort of bleachers type seating is needed on the western wing (where there is sufficient level area). Something like they have on the eastern side at Manuka would do. Three or four rows over say 50m shouldn't cost all that much. Or maybe some earthworks to provide another small "hill" for viewing. Probably too late for that now though.

The original plan was for a large grassed raised hill just the other side of the players area from what I understand but budget didn't allow in the end.

[Cheer Squad]

The weather was perfect - mild with no discernible breeze.

If they are serious about playing games like this there some sort of bleachers type seating is needed on the western wing (where there is sufficient level area).

The playing surface is quite exposed and there was some speculation last night what would happen in the event of really strong winds. That's something the East Coast Eagles will find out in due course.

I doubt the Swans will play there again once the new stadium in Blacktown opens this June, something I'm quite looking forward to. Last night served it's purpose for all concerned.

[Nico]

Alas, Melbournians were brought up on standing (not sitting) at ground level.

You get a far better appreciation of how tough it is in close, and the highly audible bone shaking whacks at speed help you understand why palyers come off bruised and battered.

You also get to appreciated the talking that goes on. It is one of the most underrated aspects of the game. Talking is one of the benchmarks of how a team is going. If the talk 'aint there then the team is likely to be going poorly. Kids at Auskick are taught very early on to learn their mates names and to talk the talk.

If you look at some of Geelong's freakish handpasses you will understand that they are handballing to a voice.

[Mountain Man]

As others report, a very good night all round - nice ground, reasonable facilities, beautiful night, easy access to the Mountains; and the Swans really fired up for a practice night.

The 1st half was quite exceptional, with the strongest (available) team going really well. Man on man, and pressure gave numerous turnovers, and a mounting score. Second half saw the first appearance of the 4 replacements - Thornton, Brabazon, O'Dwyer and Orreal - so essentially 22 played each half.

Being at ground level makes viewing a bit difficult, so my observations were from a pocket selected so that the sun was at my back when I arrived. It meant I had the defence in sight for the 1st quarter. Given the Dogs are not "tall", nonetheless, we were impressive. Bolton punched well; LRT was solid, and very mobile; Shaw and Mattner ran the wings and delivered well. Malceski was quite quiet, and played near the centre square. Richards always marks well. Crouch and Buchanan played as "smalls" - the former without great impact, and the latter with a lot of fumbles, and seemingly lack of effort.

In the 3rd quarter, Thornton played very well as the Shaw replacement; White and Grundy played cameos, and usefully. Ablett was (mostly) unobtrusive - does that mean he doesn't do a lot? - and unfortunately 2 of my favourites in Bevan and Jack were both quite unskilled at times.

I was disappointed not to see either Currie or Pyke. I thought the latter was very promising at Manuka; and a better '09 option than Orreal. But, in the 1st half taps from Jolly and White were cleared constantly to advantage. White can certainly leap. In the 2nd half Jolly and Orreal probably also won the day. A tribute also of course to Kirk, Bolton, Bird et al.

Finally, I watched Barlow from time to time. He was more active, and I also noted his good mark running with the ball. My criticism would be his one-pace. Compared with the wonderful Goodes who just explodes when he has/is close to the ball, Barlow seems to just jog/run without creating space for himself, or shutting it for opponents.

[AnnieH]

The surface was excellent.
The weather was perfect - mild with no discernible breeze.

Reminded me of the fromnt rows of Manuka.

JS????
Firstly, it's the front rows of Manuka.

Secondly, at Manuka, there's nowhere better to sit - right on top of the action!!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I was drooling over the amazing close in skills of Craig Bird. Quick clean hands and a quick mind more than make up for lack of pace. I'm looking for a big year from him.

Birds double balk goal in the second quarter was fantastic, although it was a little sobering to see how many in the crowd failed to appreciate it. I also retain high expectations of him.

[Jeffers1984]

Birds double balk goal in the second quarter was fantastic, although it was a little sobering to see how many in the crowd failed to appreciate it. I also retain high expectations of him.

saw that on the Sports Tonight highlights (wasn't at the game). What class is all i can say. He is really starting to look very comfortable out there.