Loss of Kennelly end of an era for Swans
Roar Guru By jimbo, 31 Jan 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- AFL, Andrew Demetriou, grand final, Ireland, Melbourne, Michael Voss, Nick Davis, Paul Roos, Swans, Sydney Swans, Tadhg Kennelly
The news that Sydney Swans’ player Tadhg Kennelly has made the decision to bring down the curtain on his AFL career and return to Ireland is going to be a big loss for the team.
Not being a true AFL fan, the Swans AFL flag win in 2005 brought with it some interest in “our very own Sydney AFL team.”
It was pleasing to see the Sydney side get up against a very talented Perth side and the player that has always impressed me the most was Tadhg Kennelly.
The 27 year old Irishman returns home for family reasons, to fulfil a dream to play in an All-Ireland final, and emulate a feat that was achieved by his late father.
As usual, Paul Roos was philosophical and full of praise for Kennelly.
“As a Club we knew Tadhg was going to go at the end of this season and we accepted that and were respectful of Tadhg’s decision. Based on the last two years and Tadhg’s genuine concern for his body, the injury problems he has had with his groin, shoulders and knees, it has fast-tracked that decision by six months.
“We have always known that family commitments back home and also a burning desire to play for his county Kerry and follow in the footsteps of his late father Tim Kennelly, would one day take him back.
“Tadhg’s contribution to the Swans has been sensational and led to our Premiership win in 2005,” Roos added.
“The sacrifices he has made to play with us, leaving his family and friends, have been extraordinary.
“His competitive drive has allowed him to become a star player of the AFL and will miss him but obviously respect his decision, will continue to support him and he will always be welcome back at the Football Club.”
Roos has had some other concerns with player movements in the off season.
The commitment of Hall and O’Keefe to the Swans came into question after the star forwards expressed a desire to leave the club.
At the same time, Nick Davis was training in Brisbane hoping to impress new Lions coach Michael Voss and resurrect his AFL career in the Sunshine State.
Swans coach Paul Roos was non-plussed about the player movements, saying: “That’s just the way footy is now, and the players understand that’s the way sometimes things work.”
With Kennelly and Davis leaving and Hall and O’Keefe both linked to Melbourne clubs during a stormy off-season, there was speculation that cracks are appearing in the Swans’ much-heralded squad that took out the 2005 premiership and 2006 Grand Final campaigns.
After more than 25 years in Sydney and only one premiership victory, the Swans have also been a financial burden on themselves and the AFL and are unable to make a profit in the very large, but difficult to crack Sydney sporting market.
Sydney’s woes are about to get even worse according to Swan’s chairman Richard Colless who believes that the AFL is still “a long way from being in a position to have a second team in Sydney.”
Colless was responding to comments by AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, who vowed to establish an eighteenth licence for a second Sydney club by 2010.
“In fairness to Andrew, I didn’t hear what he had to say, but I’d be absolutely staggered if he was talking about a second team in Sydney by 2010,” Colless said.
“What we are very concerned about — and I think any thinking person would be, and I put the AFL in this category — is relocating a team or starting a team would require massive capital injection, then competing with the Swans in what is still a pretty modest market, and ending up with two financially challenged clubs. That’s the essence of the issue.
One way or the other, it’s going to be a new era for the AFL and the Swans in Sydney.
Is it the start of a downward correction in the Sydney AFL futures market or does a renovated and refurbished SCG, the spiritual home of the Swans, signify the start of a rejuvenated Swan’s squad who are hoping to put all the bad news behind them, get on with playing the game and making another serious attempt at winning the AFL Premiership in 2009?
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- AFL, Andrew Demetriou, grand final, Ireland, Melbourne, Michael Voss, Nick Davis, Paul Roos, Swans, Sydney Swans, Tadhg Kennelly
February 1st 2009 @ 1:09pm
Albert Ross said | February 1st 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
This cut ‘n’ paste from News giveaways in Blacktown:
“Construction of the $30-million purpose-built AFL cricket facility at Blacktown Olympic Park currently on time to finish in May.
The facility includes two ovals, a 1500 seat grandstand, indoor/outdoor practice areas and room for up to 10,000 spectators for when Sydney’s second AFL team kicks off in 2012.”
Can someone please explain how a professional AFL: side is going to be sustainable with a 10k capacity ground??
February 1st 2009 @ 1:14pm
Dave said | February 1st 2009 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
In other words after 27 years and amazingly successful onfield performance in recent decade or so Swans are going backwards off the field.
FMN
ERRR…seems to be a number of ifs, buts and speculation on your part…AFL havent finalised when new team going in or have they??
February 1st 2009 @ 5:58pm
The 1 and Only Master said | February 1st 2009 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
Dave,
‘Compare the Swans figures to those of Sydney’s soccer team, and tell me which code is in trouble. Sydney’s soccer team cant even pull 10,000 to a game, that is truly pathetic.
Maybe they could play out of Blacktowns 10,000 seat stadium, wouldn’t look so bad for them then.
The swans crowds were solid again last year, I don’t know what soccer propaganda you’ve been reading.
February 1st 2009 @ 6:18pm
Forgetmenot said | February 1st 2009 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Albert,
The Black town ground will host games against smaller supported clubs like Melbourne and Fremantle when they play in Sydney. The larger games would be played at ANZ Stadium.
Dave,
The Swans can only grow football in Sydney (and NSW) so much before they need help doing it.
No the AFL has not finalised the date of either the GCFC or the Western Sydney team. They do not want to commit themselves to a date and have to take half measures. They are taking it slowly andmaking sure the ground work is complete before starting up the new team.
February 1st 2009 @ 8:13pm
Michael C said | February 1st 2009 @ 8:13pm | Report comment
Dave -
if that impact was the best that the NRL centenary season can have on the Swans – - then, I reckon the Swannies are looking pretty healthy going forward.
(something about raining on a parade I think?)
February 1st 2009 @ 9:00pm
Forgetmenot said | February 1st 2009 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
MC,
talking about impacts of the NRL on AFL business.
What do you think that the NRLs new marketing strategy to get members will have on the Swans.
I feel that in the long run it will change the membership culture existing in Sydney and eventually give Sydney a much larger membership base, as people learn of the benefits.
February 1st 2009 @ 9:20pm
Dave said | February 1st 2009 @ 9:20pm | Report comment
The One in Denial
Only AFL propaganda alive in Melbourne.
So now we compare a 4 year old team vs a 27 year old team…yeah good work.
Lets go back to the Swans early years and compare…put the post up some time ago…after 4 years the Swans were averaging 10,137 per game and that with $millions thrown at it by the AFL/VFL. Gee SFC are averaging over 12,000 after 4 years and missed the finals. Short memory obviously but come back to me in 27 years and we’ll compare again.
February 1st 2009 @ 10:49pm
Michael C said | February 1st 2009 @ 10:49pm | Report comment
Dave -
and yet, just as MVFC represents a far longer and broader history of soccer in Melb than Rugby League has for Storm to represent,
so too, SFC in Sydney relative to the Swans…….granted, on those comparisons, the Swans have been around 2.5 ish times longer than Storm. Nevertheless, you can NOT just say Swans vs SFC and only compare the time in existance measure.
SFC after all are the ONLY representative in the largest city of the country that just happens to be the soccer heartland of the country in the state that is the soccer heartland of the country. Sydney Swans are a isolated club in ‘enemy territory’ in more ways than one.
re the 27 years thing………I guess……..that’s the whole point. We’re all just crapping on and only time will tell. Cheers.
February 2nd 2009 @ 6:39am
Redb said | February 2nd 2009 @ 6:39am | Report comment
Firstly, all the best to Tadgh Kennelly, one of the best midfielders the Swans have had and a genuine pleasure to watch unlike some of the other stop start rubbish the Swans play these days. Kennelly was creative, he’d find the ball, pick an option and then deliver to a team mate usually set up a goal opportuntity. He was a powerful half back and centre weapon for the Swans and they’ll miss him. Having climbed the mountain in AFL football in 2005 and with his body starting to fail, it’s the right move and I hope he fulfils his dream of playing in the All Ireland final for his County.
The AFL is looking at 2012 for the start date of the Western Sydney team, not 2010. However, I think seeing as they have not yet to give the green light to the new Gold Coast team and there is is still every chance the AFL will, the AFL has still delayed the licence decision to look at all options due to the global financial crisis and what will be known as the world-wide depression (in a years time). My point is, if they need to seriously consider the Gold Coast, which looks a no brainer to me, then Western Sydney’s licence timetable, which I think is too soon, will probably be delayed 3-5 years and that’s a good thing.
As for the comments about the Swans and 27 years, blah.. blah…, the Swans have done OK, they have rusted on fans in a city that does not get rusted on. The first 10 years were a joke as the Swans became a plaything and lost big money. It wasn’t until Barassi came in the mid 1990s that things started to turn around. But, the AFL like the NRL with the Storm just dropped the team in and forgot about building at grass roots level. The AFL has also constantly stuffed up it’s PR and continues to not understand the FICKLE Sydney market.
Still, I’m sure if you did the stats the Swans crowd averages are in the top rung in Sydney for clubs and that is no mean feat.
As for 2009, the Swans will continue to decline in terms of on field performance, crowds, ratings, it will take a couple of years to re-build. They need to sack Paul Roos and bring in some youth.
Good luck Tadgh you are a class act.
Redb
February 2nd 2009 @ 9:03am
The 1 and Only Master said | February 2nd 2009 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Dave
Are you suggesting millions of $$$$$ haven’t been thrown at SFC and the A-League in general.
Get a grip mate.