Big Three Have Something To Fear As The Swans Step It Up
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday June 16, 2008
ANY given season is supposed to be like a marathon, with a tight-knit pack gradually reduced to a handful of contenders. This one has been more like a conga line.
At first, there was only Geelong, talent-laden premiers provoking thoughts - here at least - that they might go through the season undefeated. Instead of invincible, they have been merely excellent with yesterday's tough 59-point victory over Port Adelaide without star full-back Matthew Scarlett another increment in what has been a measured campaign.Hawthorn quickly stepped up and put a hand on the Cats' shoulders, the depth and toughness of their well-regimented midfield perfectly complemented by the brilliance of forward Lance Franklin. Their belated round-17 meeting with the Cats is still considered by some a grand final rehearsal.But perhaps not by those who saw the Western Bulldogs crush the Hawks two weeks ago - that formline made even more impressive by Saturday's 63-point destruction of Brisbane. At the very least, a duet became a threesome. Particularly with Jason Akermanis putting on the moves.Now, after a fifth consecutive Sydney victory - the latest a tradesmanlike performance over the dispirited Saints - will the Big Three become a Big Four? At the very least, with Barry Hall making a successful return, we can say the Swans are heading for the dance floor. It remains to be seen if they can tack on to the talented trio or will be left grasping at air.Despite winning their past five matches impressively - a sequence likely to be stretched further against strugglers Melbourne at Manuka Oval next Sunday - there are a couple of reasons to wonder if the Swans are just serious nuisance value for the tearaway leaders or legitimate contenders.Sydney's draw has proven far more kind than it might have seemed at the start of the season. Four of their eight wins have have been against the season's two great disappointments, Port Adelaide and West Coast, although the Swans had to dig deeper than Andrew Denton to get the four points at both AAMI Stadium and Subiaco.At the same time, the Swans' sole win over a top-eight team was their 17-point victory over Brisbane at the Gabba in round three and they fell well short in their two biggest tests so far - a 42-point loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium in which they were blown away in the final stages and an 18-point loss to the Bulldogs at home.However, where Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs laid their cards on the table from the first week, there is a clear sense that the Swans are again building gradually towards September. If nothing else, their performances are providing the most impressive example yet of their unequalled ability to rebuild from one season to the next while remaining ultra-competitive.Coach Paul Roos has been lauded - and often vilified - for his mastery with the whiteboard. But, this season, it has been the dividends reaped from a sustained investment of faith in players less highly rated outside the clubroom doors that have been vital to the Swans' resurgence.Jarrad McVeigh, a favourite whipping boy of some Swans supporters, shone again on Saturday night. Defender Paul Bevan, another popular scapegoat, continues to fly under the radar during a career-best season. It is the improvement of experienced second-tier players such as that, as much as the inclusion of youngsters Kieren Jack, Craig Bird and Jarred Moore, that is complementing the outstanding performances of proven stars Brett Kirk, Adam Goodes, Craig Bolton and others.Where most teams would have suffered from the long-term loss of a player with Barry Hall's presence and ability, the Swans have benefited. During Hall's absence, the confidence of Michael O'Loughlin and Ryan O'Keefe clearly grew with their extra responsibility. At the same time, Hall's motivation and fitness should benefit from his enforced layoff. He returned looking fresh and sharp on Saturday night.Importantly, in what still shapes as a tight scramble for the important fourth spot, results are going the Swans' way. Adelaide's very best could not beat Hawthorn despite potential All-Australian defender Nathan Bock keeping Franklin to just one goal. Collingwood's second abject loss to traditional rivals Carlton yesterday severely damaged their top-four chances.That left the Swans alone in fourth spot with still daylight between them an the three frontrunners. But it is now a gap that, on performance if not ladder position, they now look capable of bridging.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald