Roos - the coach who changed the game

[liz]

We're probably going to see a few articles of this ilk over the next few months. Nothing overly insightful or different in this one, but good enough to bring that warm and fuzzy feeling to those of us who think he's the best thing since sliced bread.

Coach changed the game - and won a few, too

[ShockOfHair]

Nice to see him being recognised. Plus a photo of him with his polo shirt tucked in.

[Goal Sneak]

I hate it when the premiership team has terms like "modest talent" used to describe it. Sure Roos did a lot with players who were not gifted footballers, and used his game plan to work with what he had, but they had help from the likes of Goodes, Hall, O'Loughlin, Bolton, Barry, O'Keefe, Williams, Ball, Davis, Kennelly, just to name a few.

It was a damn talented side. The midfield may not have been as silky or fast as some of the others going around but both the forward and defensive lines were stacked.

[Big Al]

Roos - the coach who changed the game

I hate it when the premiership team has terms like "modest talent" used to describe it. Sure Roos did a lot with players who were not gifted footballers, and used his game plan to work with what he had, but they had help from the likes of Goodes, Hall, O'Loughlin, Bolton, Barry, O'Keefe, Williams, Ball, Davis, Kennelly, just to name a few.

It was a damn talented side. The midfield may not have been as silky or fast as some of the others going around but both the forward and defensive lines were stacked.

I love it when they descibe us as having modest talent. It means the premiership was an even better achievement.

[Bas]

The article didn't mention the singing dog. Very disappointing.

[Reggi]

I hate it when the premiership team has terms like "modest talent" used to describe it. Sure Roos did a lot with players who were not gifted footballers, and used his game plan to work with what he had, but they had help from the likes of Goodes, Hall, O'Loughlin, Bolton, Barry, O'Keefe, Williams, Ball, Davis, Kennelly, just to name a few.

It was a damn talented side. The midfield may not have been as silky or fast as some of the others going around but both the forward and defensive lines were stacked.

All Australians
Leo Barry
Brett Kirk
Adam Goodes
Barry Hall
Craig Bolton
Ryan O'Keefe
Paul Williams

Unlucky - Darren Jolly

National representatives
Amon Buchanan
Nick Davis
Nic Fosdike
Jude Bolton
Tadg Kennelly

The thing is most Premiership sides have star studded midfields, we had a star studded backline and forward line, but everyone compares midfields and it was not the best. But the only two players that are not 'star' players are Dempster and Bevan really, most others were very good. Other than Magpies in 1990 I don't know how many teams would have that many AA players (of course until this current Gellong side)

I mean wow compare it to the 1993 Bombers who (the worst premiership side in my lifetime) were full of duds

[dimelb]

Good article, although I agree that the talent on tap in 2005 was a bit better than modest in some positions.
An item Niall could have added is the focus on the contested ball. He picks Geelong out as developing a more fluent game style to beat the stoppages, and others have taken this up too, most notably the Bulldogs imo, but these days the best teams pride themselves on their hardness at the ball. Geelong does this very well, as does St Kilda, and they have both grunt and flair. Another legacy Roos (and his assistants) will leave is a group of youngsters who can combine those qualities.

[TheHood]

All Australians
not 'star' players are Dempster and Bevan really, most others were very good.

What about Benny Matthews?

[Go Swannies]

What about Benny Matthews?

I have a niggling memory that the coaches voted him as one of our most valuable players for that finals series. Or is my memory faulty - it's getting to be a long time ago?

[Captain]

That was Crouch.

Crouch >>>> Mathews

[Go Swannies]

That was Crouch.

Crouch >>>> Mathews

I remember Crouch won it but I though Benny was up among the top in voting - and that was used by conspiracy theorists for years as his "premiership credits".

[Doctor]

Niall refers to the players as "good but not supremely gifted". That doesn't seem unfair to me.

[ShockOfHair]

All Australians
Leo Barry
Brett Kirk
Adam Goodes
Barry Hall
Craig Bolton
Ryan O'Keefe
Paul Williams

Unlucky - Darren Jolly

National representatives
Amon Buchanan
Nick Davis
Nic Fosdike
Jude Bolton
Tadg Kennelly

The thing is most Premiership sides have star studded midfields, we had a star studded backline and forward line, but everyone compares midfields and it was not the best. But the only two players that are not 'star' players are Dempster and Bevan really, most others were very good. Other than Magpies in 1990 I don't know how many teams would have that many AA players (of course until this current Gellong side)

I mean wow compare it to the 1993 Bombers who (the worst premiership side in my lifetime) were full of duds

Wasn't Mickey O AA?

He shoulda been.

[aardvark]

Wasn't Mickey O AA?

He shoulda been.

Yep 1997 and 2000

[KirkysSocks]

Ask anyone outside victoria and they rate the 2005 team.

Ask anyone in victoria and they have no respect for the 2005 team, some even going as far as saying it was a terrible GF.