The Swans left footers

[johnno]

No way known that Nick Smith is going to moved from the backline. He is there to permanantly pick up the oppostions small forward. It would absolutely ridiculous for Roosy or Horse to play him on a wing or half back or half forward. He's there (in the backline) for the long haul and I wouldn't be surprised if he is made captain at some point...big call I know, but I just have a sneaky suspicion.

[liz]

No way known that Nick Smith is going to moved from the backline. He is there to permanantly pick up the oppostions small forward. It would absolutely ridiculous for Roosy or Horse to play him on a wing or half back or half forward.

Not sure why it would be absolutely ridiculous if

a) we have someone better equipped to play on small forwards (ie faster - Smith is reasonably nimble but not express and just because he hasn't yet been shown up by any small forwards doesn't mean it is inconceivable he won't in the future; and/or

b) Smith provides more value playing elsewhere. Specifically, at reserves level he has shown excellent prowess as a true onballer, playing in the centre square as a clearance merchant. He's not yet big enough (maybe not fit enough) to play this role at senior level but it is not inconceivable to believe he will move into this role in the medium term future.

[Primmy]

Was thinking the same thing myself.

Anyone?

Yep, hang on a bit, I kept a typed copy, will try and flupp it to the site.

[Primmy]

Found it. Dated March 2007. Told you I was a tragic.

*I AM handing over the column this week to a young man who I consider to
be one of the finest captains of any sport anywhere in the world.*

The Sydney Swans co-captain Brett Kirk made this speech at the club's
annual guernsey presentation in Sydney last Monday night. He was
welcoming the new draft picks and rookies to the Swans family:

"Swans. Graceful and dignified, their style has inspired artists for
centuries. They travel in large flocks and they trust each other.

Swans are excellent swimmers and strong fliers. They are friendly but
have a passion for the defence of their territory. Swans protect their
family fiercely.

Many indigenous cultures' beliefs are strong on animal symbols. These
symbols are referred to as "totem animals" or "power animals". They are
within you, you share a connection with them. Specific lessons come
through them to you. It is lessons learned, it is guidance, spirituality
and finding your path.

According to Native American tradition, it is not about choosing a
symbol totem animals ? it is more about being chosen.

Congratulations on being chosen to be a member of the Sydney Swans
football team.

Now the hard work begins, so on behalf of my blood brothers, I would
like to let you in on some things about OUR culture.

The Sydney Swans culture is the accumulation of many individuals
including the players, the coaches, the fitness staff, the
administration, the medical team, the trainers, the IT teams, the board,
our fans and supporters and the people that run the water on match day.

Our football club is a professional community and we have developed a
consensus about what is important. It's about the group's expectations,
not just an individual's expectations.

It's the way everyone goes about their business.

The Sydney Swans culture is never beyond your control. YOU choose to
help define it. You have to live it, believe it, participate and make it
internalised. At the Swans, we have established a secret society, a
group who are continuously communicating a clear and compelling rationale.

This secret society works to create and maintain a footballing
environment marked by loyalty, trust, accountability and open
communication. Players are inspired to work hard, produce their best
always and play their part.



We have moulded a club with high expectations.



The expectations are clear so every player knows what it required of
them. There is no place for mediocrity and no room for passengers. Egos
should be left at the door, or dig a hole and bury them. There are no
egos at the Sydney Swans Football Club.

Honesty is a major vertebra that makes up our backbone. Work to be
respected ? it is more important to be respected than liked. At the
Swans we want a group of respected footballers, where peers look upon us
as role models ? and when they look they find strong examples of what is
expected at OUR club and on the football field.

Remember, respect is not a right. Nor can it be demanded. It has to be
earned. It is challenging and hard-hitting at times, but it works.

AFL is a hard gig but it's a fortunate life. You have been given an
opportunity of a lifetime. There are thousands of people out there who
would love to be where you are right now.

Ability is what you're capable of doing, motivation determines what you
do and attitude determines how well you do it.

You will experience ups, downs, challenges, speed bumps, success,
sacrifice and adversity along the way but in our culture, here in our
family, we will stand beside you and support you in any way we can.



I am not going to make any pie-crust promises or fantastic predictions
that this year we will drink from the holy grail again ? but come
Saturday I can guarantee you this.

A disciplined team will take the field and we will compete in a hard
contested brand of footy where everyone knows their roles and carries it
out for the good of the team. There will be self-belief and trust and
EVERYONE is accountable. We will acknowledge our fans and sing our song
loud and proud.

Cheer, cheer, the red and the white."

That is a speech which could quite justifiably be made in any sports
arena in the world and be met with an ovation similar to the one Brett
Kirk received at the annual presentation dinner.



Brett Kirk
Inspirational ... Sydney Swans AFL co-captain Brett Kirk on the rocks
near Maroubra Beach in Sydney. / The Daily Telegraph

[johnno]

Not sure why it would be absolutely ridiculous if

a) we have someone better equipped to play on small forwards (ie faster - Smith is reasonably nimble but not express and just because he hasn't yet been shown up by any small forwards doesn't mean it is inconceivable he won't in the future; and/or

b) Smith provides more value playing elsewhere. Specifically, at reserves level he has shown excellent prowess as a true onballer, playing in the centre square as a clearance merchant. He's not yet big enough (maybe not fit enough) to play this role at senior level but it is not inconceivable to believe he will move into this role in the medium term future.

Being in Melbourne I have never got to see the ressies play, I can only go by from what I have seen. So far he is playing the small defensive role and is playing it very very well. The way we have drafted, we have an abundance of players/kids that we could rotate through the midfield. Finding a specialist small defender is a difficult thing to do, especially one who has excelled in the position as N.Smith has done thus far. All I'm really trying to say is...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Thanks Primmy............ i promise I didnt shed a tear !!

Thanks Liz for leaving it up there........

[liz]

Being in Melbourne I have never got to see the ressies play, I can only go by from what I have seen. So far he is playing the small defensive role and is playing it very very well. The way we have drafted, we have an abundance of players/kids that we could rotate through the midfield. Finding a specialist small defender is a difficult thing to do, especially one who has excelled in the position as N.Smith has done thus far. All I'm really trying to say is...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You don't need to have seen a player in the reserves to realise that very few players' careers are defined, position wise, by where they played in their first dozen or so senior games. Kirk, Goodes, McVeigh and O'Keefe are arguably 4 of our current best 5 players. All have significantly evolved in the roles they play since they debuted. Then throw in the player who probably makes up the 5th of that "best quintet", Craig Bolton. Even though he arrived at the club with a couple of seasons already under his belt, his role within the Swans set-up hasn't been a constant.

I'm not disagreeing with you on what Smith has done thus far - he has played that role commendably. But it is a long stretch from there to claim that it is ridiculous to contemplate his role might change at some point in the fuiture.

[Reggi]

Craig Bolton. Even though he arrived at the club with a couple of seasons already under his belt, his role within the Swans set-up hasn't been a constant.

.

Drafted to Brisbane as a half-forward

[johnno]

You don't need to have seen a player in the reserves to realise that very few players' careers are defined, position wise, by where they played in their first dozen or so senior games. Kirk, Goodes, McVeigh and O'Keefe are arguably 4 of our current best 5 players. All have significantly evolved in the roles they play since they debuted. Then throw in the player who probably makes up the 5th of that "best quintet", Craig Bolton. Even though he arrived at the club with a couple of seasons already under his belt, his role within the Swans set-up hasn't been a constant.

I'm not disagreeing with you on what Smith has done thus far - he has played that role commendably. But it is a long stretch from there to claim that it is ridiculous to contemplate his role might change at some point in the fuiture.

Kirk and Mcveigh have played the same role since beginning at the club, they've just matured as players as time has gone by and have become better players. Although I'm still not sure if McVeigh can shake a strong tag. Goodes and O'Keefe are different as they are class players who can play a variety of roles, there aren't many players in the AFL who can do this.

On your argument that a player could improve by playing him in different positions, or its best to play him in different positions to see where/what he is good at and where/what he is not good at, sure this might be ok to experiment, but it is also possible to ruin a players career by playing him out of his best position. For eg, I personally believe that Saddington's footy career was ruined by swans/blues coaches playing him OUT of his natural position. This guy started of as a winger, and a darn good one at that, then coaches started using him as a key position backman, just because he had a little height, playing on players like Carey, Rocca, Treadrea etc etc, and basically getting his arse handed to him week in week out playing against these guys, thus ruining a potentially magnificent career as a en elite wingman, the position he first began.

Sure, maybe Smith might be a good onballer, half forward flanker, goal sneak, whatever, but so far he has taken on the role of playing on the oppositions small forward and has done it well, he seems(to me) to be a natural playing this role. I just think(and this is my opinion) it would be silly to take him out of this position, especially if we dont have a ready made replacement.

[rojo]

Kirk and Mcveigh have played the same role since beginning at the club, they've just matured as players as time has gone by and have become better players. Although I'm still not sure if McVeigh can shake a strong tag. Goodes and O'Keefe are different as they are class players who can play a variety of roles, there aren't many players in the AFL who can do this.

On your argument that a player could improve by playing him in different positions, or its best to play him in different positions to see where/what he is good at and where/what he is not good at, sure this might be ok to experiment, but it is also possible to ruin a players career by playing him out of his best position. For eg, I personally believe that Saddington's footy career was ruined by swans/blues coaches playing him OUT of his natural position. This guy started of as a winger, and a darn good one at that, then coaches started using him as a key position backman, just because he had a little height, playing on players like Carey, Rocca, Treadrea etc etc, and basically getting his arse handed to him week in week out playing against these guys, thus ruining a potentially magnificent career as a en elite wingman, the position he first began.

Sure, maybe Smith might be a good onballer, half forward flanker, goal sneak, whatever, but so far he has taken on the role of playing on the oppositions small forward and has done it well, he seems(to me) to be a natural playing this role. I just think(and this is my opinion) it would be silly to take him out of this position, especially if we dont have a ready made replacement.

I agree with your thoughts on Saddington. And the same thing worries me a bit about Ed B.. He has been played in various roles and often, mostly, doesn't seem to know what he is doing. He may be one of those who needs to be allowed to gain confidence in one position, but he may not get the opportunity because of the needs of the team.

[liz]

Kirk and Mcveigh have played the same role since beginning at the club, they've just matured as players as time has gone by and have become better players.

We're going to have to agree to disagree on whether Kirk and McVeigh's roles have changed since they debuted. My view is that they have substantially changed. Eg - Did either spend even a smidgeon of time in at centre bounces during their first seasons?

[johnno]

We're going to have to agree to disagree on whether Kirk and McVeigh's roles have changed since they debuted. My view is that they have substantially changed. Eg - Did either spend even a smidgeon of time in at centre bounces during their first seasons?

I believe Kirk did, primarily as tagger who managed to not only shut down his direct opponent, but what set him apart form most taggers is that he got a hell of a lot of the ball himself. I remember those games very well.

Mcveigh, probably not. Sorry, what I should have said is that he started off as a midfielder, whether that be contesting centre bounces or not, I dont know, I'm sure at some point though, even early in his career he would have been thrown in to contest the centre bounce, just as part of the rotation that every club employs nowadays.

I use the term 'midfielder' in a very vague and general tone for this argument. I know there are different types of midfielders, but in my opinion, a midfielder is a midfielder, a defender is a defender and a forward is a forward. As I said earlier, we could throw N.Smith on the ball or down forward and we might unearth a gem, but what I like to believe is that we already have a gem of a small defender here, why would we want to ruin it?

[liz]

I believe Kirk did, primarily as tagger who managed to not only shut down his direct opponent, but what set him apart form most taggers is that he got a hell of a lot of the ball himself. I remember those games very well.

Back in 1999? My recollection is him playing as a bit part player, primarily off the bench and mostly as a HFF type. It was Roos who reinvented him as a centre square tagger in 2003, and for 2003 that was pretty much all he was. Since then he has substantially increased the amount of ball he won.

[Plugger46]

Back in 1999? My recollection is him playing as a bit part player, primarily off the bench and mostly as a HFF type. It was Roos who reinvented him as a centre square tagger in 2003, and for 2003 that was pretty much all he was. Since then he has substantially increased the amount of ball he won.

Yep, that's my recollection too. I vividly remember him playing on a HFF and being our only decent player (particularly after half time) in the 2001 EF against the Hawks.

[Mr Magoo]

Its all horses for courses. Most midfielders are bought to the club as midfielders but even then many start out in one of two ways . They either start on a flank or a pocket and then evolve into the midfield as there fitness level and ability to read the game increases with time or they start in the midfield but with limited game time. There is no magic formula in this regard but it would be silly to pigeonhole Smith without even giving him the chance to play a position that he has handled quite proficiently at reserves level.

With taller guys like Barlow there is often a fair bit more experimentation as to what is the ideal position as there is a feeling that their is a longer maturity process and that eventually they may grow into a key position role. Look at Goodes, logically he should have been a key position CHF or CHB but early on he just couldnt handle those roles and in fact himself looked like he might become one of those wasted talents but the change to the ruck rover type role was his making and now due to maturity he easily holds down a CHF type role.

It really is up to the player to put their hand up and adapt to the role given or to make the most of any opportunity given. Barlow hasnt exactly been thrust into a key position yet so its hard to say he has been compromised like Saddington was but maybe a key position is exactly what he needs.