- Joined
- Mar 20, 2007
- Posts
- 31,806
- Reaction score
- 31,363
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Win-loss: 6-5 (LWWLWLLWWLW)
The run home:
Round 12 - Collingwood (Telstra Stadium)
Round 13 - Geelong (Skilled Stadium)
Round 14 - Fremantle (SCG)
Round 15 - Carlton (SCG)
Round 16 - West Coast (Subiaco)
Round 17 - Richmond (SCG)
Round 18 - Melbourne (Manuka Oval)
Round 19 - St Kilda (Telstra Stadium)
Round 20 - Brisbane (Gabba)
Round 21 - Collingwood (MCG)
Round 22 - Hawthorn (SCG)
Ladder position: 7th
Leading possession winner: Brett Kirk (241)
Leading goalkicker: Barry Hall (22)
Season so far
The Swans might have been a little inconsistent but they aren’t in bad shape at all.
In fact, this season’s campaign is starting to look remarkably similar to those of recent years.
We’ve seen in the past couple of seasons how Paul Roos’ men haven’t looked a million dollars at the half-way stage, but they’ve powered towards the finish line.
While the form of a couple of big names in the early part of the season has been a concern, the fact the Swans are seventh and the likes of Barry Hall and Adam Goodes are yet to approach anywhere near top gear is an ominous sign for rival clubs.
Twin towers Darren Jolly and Spida Everitt appear to have formed a neat partnership in the ruck, and if they can continue their supremacy in the second half of the season the Swans might have that extra zip that left them just short in 2006.
Best win A toss-up between the Swans’ round-nine triumph over the Western Bulldogs and their most recent victory, the round-11 struggle against the Hawks.
To the neutral observer the win over the Doggies might have looked far prettier and more polished, but those who have watched the Swans longer and closer would know the result against Hawthorn might have meant more.
Not only was it achieved against a top-four side playing on its home turf and in red-hot form, but it was finals-type footy.
The Swans went in on the back of a one-point loss to Essendon and with a 5-5 record, so another defeat6 heading into the split round simply would have been unacceptable.
Returning to the MCG, Roos’ men lifted to record their seventh win from their past eight encounters at the ground, drawing on their experience in the tight clash to outlast the young Hawks and perhaps set up their own season.
Best goal so farWhen his side needs him to deliver, co-captain Leo Barry knows what’s required.
The Swans were peppering the goals in the final term in round three against Brisbane but with little success. Barry lifted all his teammates when he gathered on the wing, dodged two opponents, took a bounce and kicked truly from outside 50m.
His goal not only brought the home fans to their feet, but levelled the scores. The Swans would not be headed again as they bolted clear of the Lions to record a convincing win.
Best and fairest leaders With agroupsuch as the Swans where each player is so focused on the teamethos, it must sometimes be difficult for the coaching staff to give votes after matches.
While it has been an up-and-down ride so far this year, there have been some regularly consistent performers who, although perhaps not big ball-winners, would no doubt be polling well in the club awards.
Reliable defenders Craig Bolton and Leo Barry have had terrific years down back, Ben Mathews has performed some admirable run-with roles while the emergence of Nick Malceski has been a real highlight for the club in 2007.
Inspirational co-captain Brett Kirk continues to lead by example and do plenty of the tough stuff while winning his share of the footy.
Ryan O’Keefe’s enormous engine has allowed him to get to plenty of contests and, more often than not, win plenty of possessions for his side in another impressive season so far.
Surprise packet
Nick Malceski. Everyone knew he was a good player, but just how important he’s become to the Swans was impossible to predict.
He’s shown this year with his run and piercing, penetrating left boot just what a player he can be.
And now, with Tadhg Kennelly succumbing to a knee injury for the second time this season, he’ll become the centre of even more attention from opposition clubs. But, so far at least, Malceski has risen to every challenge.
Coaches' award (one-percenter player)
Jude Bolton continues to lead by example for his teammates, tackling, smothering and throwing himself into every contest with seemingly no regard for his own welfare.
Second-half story linesCan the Swans finally gather some momentum or will their up-and-down form continue? History suggests they will string some wins together at some stage, but the question is when?
Will big, bad Barry regain his bustle? Will Adam Goodes re-discover his Brownlow Medal-winning form? If the pair can hit their straps at the same time, their rivals had better look out.
Can Spida’s legs carry the Swans that extra step? Some have said the former Hawk ruckman arrived in Sydney a year too late. But if Peter Everitt helps the Swans to a Grand Final appearance – and a premiership – then the big man was surely worth the wait.
The run home:
Round 12 - Collingwood (Telstra Stadium)
Round 13 - Geelong (Skilled Stadium)
Round 14 - Fremantle (SCG)
Round 15 - Carlton (SCG)
Round 16 - West Coast (Subiaco)
Round 17 - Richmond (SCG)
Round 18 - Melbourne (Manuka Oval)
Round 19 - St Kilda (Telstra Stadium)
Round 20 - Brisbane (Gabba)
Round 21 - Collingwood (MCG)
Round 22 - Hawthorn (SCG)
Ladder position: 7th
Leading possession winner: Brett Kirk (241)
Leading goalkicker: Barry Hall (22)
Season so far
The Swans might have been a little inconsistent but they aren’t in bad shape at all.
In fact, this season’s campaign is starting to look remarkably similar to those of recent years.
We’ve seen in the past couple of seasons how Paul Roos’ men haven’t looked a million dollars at the half-way stage, but they’ve powered towards the finish line.
While the form of a couple of big names in the early part of the season has been a concern, the fact the Swans are seventh and the likes of Barry Hall and Adam Goodes are yet to approach anywhere near top gear is an ominous sign for rival clubs.
Twin towers Darren Jolly and Spida Everitt appear to have formed a neat partnership in the ruck, and if they can continue their supremacy in the second half of the season the Swans might have that extra zip that left them just short in 2006.
Best win A toss-up between the Swans’ round-nine triumph over the Western Bulldogs and their most recent victory, the round-11 struggle against the Hawks.
To the neutral observer the win over the Doggies might have looked far prettier and more polished, but those who have watched the Swans longer and closer would know the result against Hawthorn might have meant more.
Not only was it achieved against a top-four side playing on its home turf and in red-hot form, but it was finals-type footy.
The Swans went in on the back of a one-point loss to Essendon and with a 5-5 record, so another defeat6 heading into the split round simply would have been unacceptable.
Returning to the MCG, Roos’ men lifted to record their seventh win from their past eight encounters at the ground, drawing on their experience in the tight clash to outlast the young Hawks and perhaps set up their own season.
Best goal so farWhen his side needs him to deliver, co-captain Leo Barry knows what’s required.
The Swans were peppering the goals in the final term in round three against Brisbane but with little success. Barry lifted all his teammates when he gathered on the wing, dodged two opponents, took a bounce and kicked truly from outside 50m.
His goal not only brought the home fans to their feet, but levelled the scores. The Swans would not be headed again as they bolted clear of the Lions to record a convincing win.
Best and fairest leaders With agroupsuch as the Swans where each player is so focused on the teamethos, it must sometimes be difficult for the coaching staff to give votes after matches.
While it has been an up-and-down ride so far this year, there have been some regularly consistent performers who, although perhaps not big ball-winners, would no doubt be polling well in the club awards.
Reliable defenders Craig Bolton and Leo Barry have had terrific years down back, Ben Mathews has performed some admirable run-with roles while the emergence of Nick Malceski has been a real highlight for the club in 2007.
Inspirational co-captain Brett Kirk continues to lead by example and do plenty of the tough stuff while winning his share of the footy.
Ryan O’Keefe’s enormous engine has allowed him to get to plenty of contests and, more often than not, win plenty of possessions for his side in another impressive season so far.
Surprise packet
Nick Malceski. Everyone knew he was a good player, but just how important he’s become to the Swans was impossible to predict.
He’s shown this year with his run and piercing, penetrating left boot just what a player he can be.
And now, with Tadhg Kennelly succumbing to a knee injury for the second time this season, he’ll become the centre of even more attention from opposition clubs. But, so far at least, Malceski has risen to every challenge.
Coaches' award (one-percenter player)
Jude Bolton continues to lead by example for his teammates, tackling, smothering and throwing himself into every contest with seemingly no regard for his own welfare.
Second-half story linesCan the Swans finally gather some momentum or will their up-and-down form continue? History suggests they will string some wins together at some stage, but the question is when?
Will big, bad Barry regain his bustle? Will Adam Goodes re-discover his Brownlow Medal-winning form? If the pair can hit their straps at the same time, their rivals had better look out.
Can Spida’s legs carry the Swans that extra step? Some have said the former Hawk ruckman arrived in Sydney a year too late. But if Peter Everitt helps the Swans to a Grand Final appearance – and a premiership – then the big man was surely worth the wait.
)
Was he trying to troll that we are only a "B" ?
