Congratulations "ROK" 250 games on Sunday.

Sketi

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This great little video and some articles were doing the rounds on afl.com.au earlier in the week, but I thought it deserved his own thread here;

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/multimedia/tabid/8664/contentid/474868/default.aspx - Career highlights

What a fantastic contributor Ryan has been to our club over the last decade. Couldn't have more of a fitting nickname. One of the hardest workers in the league and he seems to have hit a new gear this season too which is really impressive for someone his age. Really hope we can show up and get a win for him on Sunday, because he deserves it.

 

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As I posted in another thread, he started off the year quite poorly but jeez his output over the past month or so has been fantastic. Great durability as well, he and Goodes hardly missed a game between them for 7-8 years
 

AG

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Big fan of ROK, so hopefully he makes it 300. Still think he is underrated on this board. Could retire an AA, B&F, 300 gamer, premiership player. One of the best and most consistent to pull on the red and white.
 

baja

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Yep agree what a champ and a great role model to the younger guys. Prepares like a machine he is the ultimate professional (he weighs every food portion).. I was gonna smear his surfboard with tuna oil when the Hawthorn talk was join on but Im very happy he has stayed a Swan for life, a true club great. Gotta love the ROK..
 

SM

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Round 5 against the Hawks he came out in the first and blew everyone away and I brought him into DT because I knew he was back, and once he finds his form it's hard for him to lose it. Super consistent player, and if as he says he plays on for another year or two, he could increase our amazing statistic of premiership players playing 300 games for us after none for so long.
 

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S120

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To have transformed his game so well is a major credit to him. There were very few half forwards who were more effective than he was during the middle of the 2000's. Effectively played a CHF role by pushing up past the flanks to the wings and would be nearly impossible to outmark on the run. Vice like hands when taking marks.

Has become a majorly consistent inside midfielder by stacking on the muscle and, as AG says, probably still underrated by Swans fans (and the wider AFL landscape) as a whole. Similar to Jude, many of us thought he would be spending more and more time up forward this year until his retirement but he has put pay to that.
 

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#13
Possibly the hardest worker in the side, very happy he remained a Swan and hopefully will be there for a couple more years yet. Cannot put a price on professionalism
 

SM

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Another aspect about him that goes unnoticed is he's only been reported once in his career and from memory the report was quickly thrown out. Would have to be one of the cleanest players going around.
 

FLYINV

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None of us will likely be around towards the end of the century, but ROK and few of his 05/06 colleagues have certainly put themselves in pole position for a spot in the next Swans Team of the Century. The standards they've set, and the culture they've developed I hope will stand the test of time, and be the foundation for sustained success for our club.

I've been a big fan of Ryan's ever since high school when he, and the Scott twins, really flew the flag for St Kevins College in the AFL.
 
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You can just see the love for the man when your at a game and Roky gets his hands on it and even the quiet guy sitting next to you who's said nothing all day manages a "c'mon Rok!"... He's one of those true professionals who just cannot be hated by anyone. As has been said, he's a very clean type of player who works his guts out on and off the park. He seems like a kind of leader that leads by example as good as any. Roky, Kirky, Goodsey, Bolts, MickeyO, Tadhg, StueyM and 2005 co. will always be a special bunch of players in my heart & mind. Great work Roky pebbles!! Lots of bigtime man love to you!! Rok on!!!
 
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Though sometimes I'm not his biggest fan in the world, he has been fantastic for the club and it's amazing he's reached 250 playing like he is. Has also become our new plan B when he switches to loose man in defence, and steadied a few games back there for a win.

With that highlight video, how is the torp not in there? One of the best moments of his career and it's a no show :(
 

nicky1995

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You can just see the love for the man when your at a game and Roky gets his hands on it and even the quiet guy sitting next to you who's said nothing all day manages a "c'mon Rok!"... He's one of those true professionals who just cannot be hated by anyone. As has been said, he's a very clean type of player who works his guts out on and off the park. He seems like a kind of leader that leads by example as good as any. Roky, Kirky, Goodsey, Bolts, MickeyO, Tadhg, StueyM and 2005 co. will always be a special bunch of players in my heart & mind. Great work Roky pebbles!! Lots of bigtime man love to you!! Rok on!!!
Good post Got the Goodes, I agree those players mentioned are "Special". ROK has been an extremely professional player with a huge engine and I hope respected by all his peers.
 

Swanee

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Though sometimes I'm not his biggest fan in the world, he has been fantastic for the club and it's amazing he's reached 250 playing like he is. Has also become our new plan B when he switches to loose man in defence, and steadied a few games back there for a win.

With that highlight video, how is the torp not in there? One of the best moments of his career and it's a no show :(
Just wondering how you can not be one of his biggest fans in the world?
 
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#20
Just wondering how you can not be one of his biggest fans in the world?
I think for someone with his experience, his disposal efficiency can be absolutely abhorrent by foot. Whether in close or in space. Seems to have lifted lately but a while ago every second game I'd rage about it.
 

FLYINV

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I think for someone with his experience, his disposal efficiency can be absolutely abhorrent by foot. Whether in close or in space. Seems to have lifted lately but a while ago every second game I'd rage about it.
Yeah I remember that for a period when he was getting accustomed to being a specialist midfielder he used to just throw the ball on his boot to get it forward and turn it over 50% of the time. I'm guessing with more inside experience he's developed some composure in tight.
 

CAS79

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I think for someone with his experience, his disposal efficiency can be absolutely abhorrent by foot. Whether in close or in space. Seems to have lifted lately but a while ago every second game I'd rage about it.
For anyone doubting it last year O'Keefe led the turnover by foot ratio in the club. This year that stat has become unavailable but I'd say it is more likely to be Hanners or Mattner.
 
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