Sydney Swans no longer the ugly ducklings
Roar Pro
By Justin Rodski, 19 Apr 2010 Justin Rodski is a Roar Pro
It’s been a fascinating first four rounds of the AFL season and a number of teams have shown much more improvement than expected. None more so than Sydney. It was only a couple of years ago AFL Chief Andrew Demetriou labelled Sydney’s game style “ugly.”
But from what we’ve seem so far this year, Sydney is anything but the ugly ducklings, and looking more like pretty swans floating around a top eight finish.
Are they even good enough to sneak into the top four?
The rejuvenation is largely due to what appears to be a much faster and more attacking game plan, some excellent recruiting, a great mix of youth and experience, and of course, never underestimating that famous Sydney culture.
Now I know its only early days, and the Swans still need to knock off a quality team before we can get too excited, but the next month will tell the story with games against Brisbane, Geelong and the Bulldogs.
But either way you have to admit in his final year as coach, Paul Roos has worked his magic yet again.
Waving his wand over several mature recruits from other clubs, Roos has an uncanny ability to help players thrive in the Sydney environment, and this year is no different.
The Swans have received a massive boost from smart and sensible recruiting that has filled all the holes left by retirements and departures. Mark Seaby and Shane Mumford have been revelations in the ruck, while Ben McGlyn, Josh Kennedy and Daniel Bradshaw are working well up forward alongside Adam Goodes.
The Swans aggressive trade week might have raised many eyebrows at the time but judging by the performances of all of the above, any doubters have been proven very wrong.
This year, the Swans are ranked fifth in the league for total points scored and while the stop, start stoppage football we’re used to seeing is still evident, it seems the emphasis has shifted to a more free flowing counter attack to allow greater scoring opportunities.
Leading the charge is a fit and healthy Nick Malceski, as well as the return of dashing Irishmen Tadhg Kennelly with Rhyce Shaw and Martin Mattner complimenting the running defence that is causing all sorts of headaches for opposition teams left flatfooted on the rebound or when a turnover occurs.
When you consider the Swans are ranked 1st in the league for least opponent disposals per game, this suggest the midfield is dominating too, and not allowing the opposition to gain possession. Ryan O’Keefe and the ever reliable Brett Kirk and Jude Bolton are providing enough pressure around the contest to not only cause turnovers but also restrict their opponents getting the footy. This is a major bonus!
You look at the young talent as well, Heath Grundy, Lewis Jetta and the carbon copy of Ryan O’Keefe, Dan Hannebury are all playing important roles. The clubs first pick in last year’s draft Gary Rohan can’t even get a game at the moment and that’s saying something!
As always, the culture and professionalism at Sydney also can’t be underestimated. Led from the front by Brett Kirk, you know the team will stay disciplined throughout the season.
For my mind, the Swans and Fremantle have been the biggest surprise packets to date, but while the Dockers young group has been exciting and daring, I cant help think they will struggle to maintain that level of intensity for the entire season.
Only time will now tell if the Swans will sink or swim, but they’ve certainly made a big enough splash to suggest finals football is a real possibility.
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The Crowd Says (15) | Page 1 of Comments
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LK said | April 19th 2010 @ 8:46am | Report comment
I reckon the Swans have been slowly evolving away from the style of 2005 for a little while. But the speed of change has been helped by getting players with pace to burn, like Jetta and McGlynn. You’re right, the true indication of the team will come in the rounds following the Eagles game. The Swans have also been blessed with few injuries so far, so the depth hasn’t been tested. Malceski hitting form has been a massive plus. I thought he was finished last year.
Redb said | April 19th 2010 @ 8:54am | Report comment
They took St Kilda to within an inch of victory as it stands only the Bris Lions are undefeated in the AFL with St Kilda.
The Swans are the real deal. 2010 is for Roosy – no other team plays for its coach like the Swans.
Malceski and Kennelly off half back have always been vital to the Swans success, throw in Jetta, a proven full forward in Bradshaw and you have an ultra compettive team.
They will need to beat Geelong to have premiership aspirations.
tfield said | April 19th 2010 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Good article Justin, I think the Swans are playing a niche brand of footy and what they are really excelling at is running out of the midfield and half back line. Nick Malceski and Taigh Kenelly are specialsts. What has impressed me is the quick integration of the Mumford, Seaby, Kennedy and McGlynn into the team. Its though they have been there for years.
Swans are a chance at the “8″ this year but I dont think they have the firepower in front of goal to match Brisbane, Saints, Geelong and the Magpies. They probably sit on the next rung of teams with Hawthorn, Bulldogs and possibly Carlton. Apart from Bradshaw they dont have a full fledged FF, however they are playing very tactically smart footy and there run and leads in and near the forward 50 is exceptional.
The test will be a team in the top 4.
JamesP said | April 19th 2010 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
Bradshaw was bought in as a replacement for Hall who went to the Western Buuldogs, and at this stage both moves have worked well for each club. Don’t underestimate the influence or the refreshed Irishman (Kenelly). Along with some great kids, the maturation of White, Jack & Co, as well as some handy trade recruits, they are well placed to finish in the 8 and perhaps host a home final if they finish 5th or 6th which will no doubt please the AFL in terms of increased interest for the Swans helping with the boradcast negotiations, as well as building momentum for GWS. (Of course they would be even more happy with Brisbane at the moment too).
Sydney fans have shown time and time again that they are ready to jump on the bandwagon when the team is winning. Membership is up on last year, and crowds and TV ratings should follow provided the team keeps winning….This is exactly the opposite of what was predicted for the Swans at the end of last season….
marty said | April 19th 2010 @ 9:29am | Report comment
The Swans havent beaten contenders yet and they should have beaten Tigers and Crows by at least 100 points. Bradshaw and White need to do more. In 4 weeks, they will be 4-4 and out of the top 8.. They have a tough draw having to play Lions, Cats and Bulldogs twice. And it was in 2005 the CEO called them ugly, not 2008.
Tom said | April 19th 2010 @ 9:43am | Report comment
Watching the game against the Kangaroos on Saturday, I didn’t get the impression I was watching a team that could challenge for the top four. Stop start sort of game. Lots of errors. Not a lot of intensity. Not a lot of inspiring play.
Not only have the Swans not beaten a top eight side, the teams they have beaten occupy spots 14, 15 and 16 on the ladder.
This probably has an impact on the ‘least opponent disposals per game’ stat.
The Swans should comfortably dispose of West Coast next week but I think they’ll find Brisbane, Geelong and Western out of their league.
JamesP said | April 19th 2010 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
Top 4 is a bit rich, but 6-8 is not out of the question. They did push St Kilda right to the edge (and that with a fit Reiwoldt and Koschitzke in the team).
Tom said | April 20th 2010 @ 9:09am | Report comment
Yeah, but they did that last year and finished 12th.
marty said | April 20th 2010 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Exactly. Paul Roos is never happy with an honorable loss. You have to look at Richmond for those. If you don’t get the 4 points, it means nothing.
Jetta and Hannberry look the goods.. They need to get in the gym and harden up.
Republican said | April 19th 2010 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
Not as ugly but still ugly.
Then I don’t see any evidence of other clubs being great exponents of attractive footy these days and the interpretation of the law certainly does nort encourage this in the main. The game continues to be dominated by flooding, negative defensive style footy with kicking across field or backwards and a complete over emphasis of the handball. Crickey we could change the branding from AFL to AHL I reckon.
Players are unable to kick straight from a set shot as well as rarely taking a two handed grab preferring to reach for the pill with one hand in knocking the ball on into play. Commentators go into absolute hyperbolic rapture whenever a player manages to remotely take a mark resembling a ‘speccy’.
The game HAS indeed degenerated into a dogs breaky of a specatcle to my eyes – sadly.
Matt said | April 19th 2010 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
our loss to the saints probably tells you more about how we’re travelling then the three wins to be honest. We have played three very ordinary teams so far however with margins of 43, 55 and 40 points we’re not just beating them we’re thrashing them which shows that we’ve definately improved from last years side which should put us in the mix for spots 5-8 on the ladder. we should beat the eagles at the scg next saturday and 4-1 is a mighty position to be in. the 5 games after that however are all quite tough, with the lions (h) cats (a) freo (h) dogs (a-canbera) hawks (a) (not 100% sure of the order but there’s the teams.) win 1 of those and we’re still in top 8 contention, 2 of those and we’ll be looking top 8 certainties, 3 or more and perhaps we are a top 4 side?
i don’t think we’re a top 4 side right now (and can’t be truly considered until we play the best teams) however the gap between saints, cats, dogs, pies and lions compared to the rest seems fairly significant. i’d put us in the mix with the teams on the next rung of the ladder so I’m confident we can make the top 8 and hopefully get a home final for week 1.
but whatever happens the new recruits look fantastic! and they’ve filled a big hole that we used to have (not enough good players aged 23-27.) we’ve also got some exciting young kids coming through (white, grundy, jetta, hannebury, rohan etc.) and the old heads are still playing as well as ever so i think the futures bright!
ac said | April 19th 2010 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
I hate to be a party pooper but if they could not have beat who they have beat (mmmm) then all is lost. They have had a dream start because the draw was a dream draw. I think a week or two might start testing them. My prediction is the Swans to come last in 2010 , I just have this feeling. Oh dear.
Redb said | April 20th 2010 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Not a party pooper ac, just off the mark completely.
Sydney will be Top 8 this year.
Dean said | April 20th 2010 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Ac please you are still living in 09. When I saw the recruiting combined with the swans ability to bring the best out of players (mainly because of the coach) I really believed the swan would be alot better than most people think and so did the AFL CEO. Top 8 absolutely. Top 4 I believe were again most don’t. The key will be if the swan can beat collingwood more then any other team. What we have to remember unlike a lot of the top 4 teams the swans still have alot of potential which needs to be realized and so they will improve alot more then most of the top 4 teams
Mak said | April 28th 2010 @ 9:11am | Report comment
ac, I recall a bunch of so called experts in 2003 also predicting a last (spoon) finish for the Bloods. Hmmm that was the year
we finished 3rd.