Swans chat Mystery : Why can't Gazza get more touches

[Hotpotato]

The vast majority of Swans supporters like Gary Rohan a lot. He?s overcome adversity and heartache. When he?s displayed on the team list on the big screen at the SCG, he gets stronger applause than many others.

When we win, he?s often done something mercurial and miraculous to help .

When we lose, he?s closely examined for his output and many want him dropped or even traded.

Why doesn?t he get more possessions in general play in 120 mins of footy.

Is it just a mystery ?

Can we telegraph ways to help him get more involved ?

[longmile]

He just doesnt position himself where he needs to is my reading. Never seems to be in the thick of play or in a position that'll set him up. Does he have a problem reading play?

[Aprilbr]

He certainly seems to go missing in big games. Unfortunately he has developed quite a reputation for that. It?s a real shame as he has undoubted athletic talent and is a very popular player amongst his team mates.


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[stevoswan]

He just doesnt position himself where he needs to is my reading. Never seems to be in the thick of play or in a position that'll set him up. Does he have a problem reading play?

I think he does and this, coupled with a propensity to be waiting on the outside (often in the wrong spot) to be in a position to do what he does best, sprint away hopefully into open space, sees him ultimately having little influence and low possessions. In turn, he is chasing a lot so then occasionally his speed allows him to execute a chase down tackle and it looks great but it just doesn't happen enough. The thing which probably keeps him in the publics eye is when he does something great, it's often spectacular and mercurial and memorable.....add to that what he's been through and he is easy to love.

[Markwebbos]

Is he unfit? Jetta spent an off-season training with Kizza to get himself fit. I wonder if Gaz needs to do something similar? He feels a bit like Towers - put him on the ball where he won't go missing, if he's got the tank for it!

[AB Swannie]

The problem with the Towers comparison is contested ball. Towers will fight in and under a pack to win his own ball. Rohan just doesn?t do this and is waiting for someone to give him the ball rather than get it himself. As a junior, Rohan never got big numbers either.

[Doctor J.]

The problem with the Towers comparison is contested ball. Towers will fight in and under a pack to win his own ball. Rohan just doesn?t do this and is waiting for someone to give him the ball rather than get it himself. As a junior, Rohan never got big numbers either.

For this reason, give me Towers over Rohan any day. That says a lot about how much Rohan has dropped in form. He is a liability, and opposition defenders can basically ignore him, knowing that he will have no influence on the game because he doesn't win the hard ball and wont compete for it.

[dimelb]

I'm pretty sure that the coaches have this in mind, and they have produced ways for Gary to increase his impact, such as filling in for the ruckman or becoming an outside midfielder now and then. I'm sure it's not a lack of courage or willingness - if anything he can attack the ball carrier like a kamikazi pilot.

I'm with those who think he does not have a natural capacity to read the play in the way some of our more junior players do - Olly or Hayward for instance. If I were delegating the coaches (just as well I'm not) I'd put Stevie J onto him to help him see the game with a different pair of eyes. The puzzling thing is that he is capable of brilliant, dazzling football: the last two minutes against Essendon which no-one who saw would ever forget, and this season's nominations for mark of the year and goal of the year. I don't believe that dropping him is the answer.

[barry]

Outside players have always been a luxury only the best teams can afford. Never really worked at the swans. Its why we let Jetta go.

[Plugger46]

No tank. He's exhausted after one big effort and then you don't see him for an hour.

[Markwebbos]

Outside players have always been a luxury only the best teams can afford. Never really worked at the swans. Its why we let Jetta go.

Interesting choice of words Barry. I have a strong recollection that Lloyd was then groomed as Jetta’s replacement.

[KTigers]

Interestingly, Rohan & Lloyd have both played 106 games. Rohan is averaging 10 possessions a game, and Lloyd just under 23.
Rohan has actually kicked 96 goals, Lloyd only 26, but he has played as a back mostly. There can't be many players getting to a
hundred games getting so little of the ball their entire career, so perhaps he has some incriminating photos of Longmire.