Roosy

[Mug Punter]

I really enjoyed watching the Tigers v Demons today.

The Demons are unrecognisable from the team from last year and are well on the way to winning the 6 games that many pundits set as the target for their season to be deemed a success.

There was a lot of rubbish on here by some of the less educated posters bagging Roosy when he signed. Stupid stuff like how he was over-rated and that the only reason he was so successful was because of Longmire and Lyon being his assistants.

I know it is early days but surely Roosy is well on his way to silencing any doubters as to his abilities.

Personally I think it is great seeing that proud club regain some credibility and today at times they played some exciting footy

[ShockOfHair]

I enjoyed that game, too. I'm actually surprised people were surprised that they won. Roos and his coaching staff have given these guys a simple game plan and a lot of confidence. Amazing how well Jack Watts is playing now he's got some adult direction around him. He was brilliant in the last quarter.

Plus, always good to see Richmond lose.

Hardwick's finished.

[Mug Punter]

Hardwick was my smokey to win the sack race this year and he'd have to be odds on now.

The great thing re the Dees is that they have improved with essentially the same list, no AFL concessions just some shrewd drafting and better management of their list.

I remember Roosy on the couch saying that their list actually isn't that bad and if you look at it, they actually have a bit of talent there. Dawes is playing well and I just love the way that Jeremy Howe plays. In Nathan Jones, Tyson and Viney they have three genuine A graders in midfield.

6 wins and a percentage above 75% would be probably mark them as the comp's biggest improvers (shows how dire they were last season) - it's early days but you'd probably back them in to maybe exceed that slightly

Brisbane are looking even worse than the Dees were last year, without the latent talent on the list. It's hard to see a road back for them

[Meg]

Melbourne may not have got draft concessions but didn't they get $1.45m last year in special assistance from the AFL to assist in restructuring their football department and management? I assume that's how they were able to make Roos an offer he couldn't refuse. I'm not being critical, the comp is better for a stronger Demons team. But for the same reason now the AFL may need to assist Brisbane.

[bloodsbigot]

To be honest, I think Roos isn't a technically gifted coach on match-day, rather he's good at building a club and building things behind the scenes. Instilling confidence... organizing... media relations etc. Can't deny he has a very good sports brain.

I love the guy. Now that he's left, we will most likely get Josh Dunkley in a father-son pick.

[Matt80]

To be honest, I think Roos isn't a technically gifted coach on match-day, rather he's good at building a club and building things behind the scenes. Instilling confidence... organizing... media relations etc. Can't deny he has a very good sports brain.

I love the guy. Now that he's left, we will most likely get Josh Dunkley in a father-son pick.

Is there issues with Roos and the Dunkley family? I don't know the history. Can you outline the history for me?

[bloodsbigot]

Is there issues with Roos and the Dunkley family? I don't know the history. Can you outline the history for me?

Don't know myself. Just read an article about Roos and Dunkley not having a good relationship.

[Meg]

"It is understood Dunkley's animosity towards the Swans stems from the decision by then coach Paul Roos to end his stellar career at the end of 2002 as part of a rebuilding process following the Rodney Eade era."

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/swans-embroiled-in-father-sydney-swans-embroiled-in-father-son-spat-that-could-cost-them-andrew-dunkleys-talented-son-joshson-spat/story-e6frf9jf-1226577393183

[swanspant12]

Still my favourite coach I've seen under the bloods. Roosy was always a terrific bloke at the hall of fame functions, gave time to the supporters and never let the club down in his actions on and off the field. He got the best out of players who were on the fringe and is a master tactician IMO. I love seeing the demons win mainly for the fact Roosy is coaching them!

[liz]

"It is understood Dunkley's animosity towards the Swans stems from the decision by then coach Paul Roos to end his stellar career at the end of 2002 as part of a rebuilding process following the Rodney Eade era."

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/...-1226577393183

I have never quite understood that. Was it actually Roosy's call, or a broader club decision?

At the time Dunks played his farewell game, Roos was just the caretaker coach and moves were afoot to install Terry Wallace as coach for the next season. It was only after that last game of the season that the groundswell of support for Roos, both from the playing group and public, grew to a point where the club decided to take notice. I find it unlikely that, in that position, Roosy would have been in a position to individually determine whether Dunks was welcome on the list the following season.

[Swansongster]

Still my favourite coach I've seen under the bloods. Roosy was always a terrific bloke at the hall of fame functions, gave time to the supporters and never let the club down in his actions on and off the field. He got the best out of players who were on the fringe and is a master tactician IMO. I love seeing the demons win mainly for the fact Roosy is coaching them!

I will always remember the 2006 post-grand final meet-the-fans day at Albert Park when the boys and Roos were walking around signing autographs and saying thanks to the adoring throng.

Says me: "Paul, Paul ... (he turns around and my reverent eyes meet his proud and smiling ones) ... I just wanna say thanks for building a team we can be proud of".

Says Roos: (Big smile and genuine hand shake) "No worries mate. They're a good bunch of boys. It's been fun."

Always a legend for mine. Really glad he is making progress with the "Grand Old Flag". It's been said before but I think AFL is a better place with the Dees up, about and competitive.

[Meg]

I have never quite understood that. Was it actually Roosy's call, or a broader club decision?

At the time Dunks played his farewell game, Roos was just the caretaker coach and moves were afoot to install Terry Wallace as coach for the next season. It was only after that last game of the season that the groundswell of support for Roos, both from the playing group and public, grew to a point where the club decided to take notice. I find it unlikely that, in that position, Roosy would have been in a position to individually determine whether Dunks was welcome on the list the following season.

What you say sounds reasonable Liz, but then many relationships break down for irrational reasons, misunderstandings, misinformation and poor communication.

[BSA5]

To be honest, I think Roos isn't a technically gifted coach on match-day, rather he's good at building a club and building things behind the scenes. Instilling confidence... organizing... media relations etc. Can't deny he has a very good sports brain.

I love the guy. Now that he's left, we will most likely get Josh Dunkley in a father-son pick.

Agree with this completely, which is why I think he's an excellent pickup for the Dees. Need to build the club before you worry about match-day stuff. Don't get me wrong, being a great and flexible tactician is a very nice cherry on top, but if the players don't care enough or don't have to confidence to stick to your gameplan then it's useless. See Carlton under Mick Malthouse, for example. Mick's a brilliant gameday coach but that doesn't do a thing if the team isn't all there upstairs.

[ernie koala]

I find Roos to be a little disingenuous, I never liked his double speak. Say one thing, then do another.

But as bloodsbigot says, he's a great club builder and he's done a wonderful job with the Dees so far.

This year is the first time in over 10 years that the Dees are worth tuning in to. It was a win full of spirit from the' Red and the Blues', really enjoyed it.

[bloodsbigot]

Agree with this completely, which is why I think he's an excellent pickup for the Dees. Need to build the club before you worry about match-day stuff. Don't get me wrong, being a great and flexible tactician is a very nice cherry on top, but if the players don't care enough or don't have to confidence to stick to your gameplan then it's useless. See Carlton under Mick Malthouse, for example. Mick's a brilliant gameday coach but that doesn't do a thing if the team isn't all there upstairs.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing regarding Mick. Roos was always out-coached by Mick since 2005, but look at what happens when he goes to a basketcase club.

I think that Paul Roos (As well as Maxfield, apparently) has created a legacy that will last a while.

On that note... the Sydney Swans wiki lists Maxfield as an assistant coach. Is this true? I wasn't aware of it. It'd be great if he could continue at the club for a while. Every time the bloods culture is mentioned Maxfield's name keeps popping up and was an integral part of it. Probably the swans greatest forgotten hero.