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.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Would five weeks be a fair ban for Luke Parker?
The bump looks set to deny Parker an AFL return, having left Josh Smith with serious facial injuries.
Andrew Pridham with the drive-by!
How could you, Hughesy!
A few weeks ago, I dubbed Carlton and Geelong as the premiership frontrunners - at a time when they sat, respectively, fourth and first…
