OldDarkNavys.net - Preview Swans v Carlton

Preview Swans v Carlton - The Opposition View

Opposition Preview

By Des Lee - Red & White Online March 26 2003
The Swans have had a mixed pre-season so far – Wins against Melbourne and Richmond weigh in against a practice match loss to Carlton and a thumping win to Brisbane in round one of the Wizard Cup.

New coach Paul Roos has already stated his preference of using the pre-season matches to see just what his young charges are capable of.

The loss to Carlton will not weigh too heavily on Roos’ mind as he prepares for this weekend’s clash at Stadium Australia. The Swans were
experimenting with rookies and up against a Carlton side desperate to restore credibility.

The pleasing result from the last couple of weeks has been Jason Ball’s progress, not so much his form, but the fact that he has not been injured yet! Sydney sorely missed Ball last season after he was forced to sit it out with a recurring injury. The sight of the ex-West Coast ruckman taking great defensive marks and competing strongly at
ruck-contests must have been a source of great relief to Roos and co, especially since they will enter 2003 with one ruckman less than
anticipated (Ricky Mott having been delisted pre-season). For the benefit of ODN readers who might not have had the opportunity to follow the progress of Sydney players, here is my list of players to watch at Homebush on Saturday night:

Adam Goodes – Adam will be called up to plug a few holes this year. His main responsibility will be to provide a contest in the middle – He seems to lose concentration more easily when forced to play a key position. Look for him to drift anywhere from halfback to half-forward at various points during the night.

Paul Williams – The battle between the Swans midfield led by Williams and Maxfield and the likes of Camporeale, Ratten and Koutoufides will
be intriguing. Paul Williams racked up his second consecutive Club Champion award in 2002 and does not seem to have lost anything in the
off-season, if his form lately is anything to go by.

Adam Schneider – If selected to make his debut on Saturday night, Schneider is definitely going to be a player to keep an eye on. Has uncanny ball sense and pace, almost has a touch of arrogance in the way he attacks the ball. Capable of scoring and delivering stylishly.

Barry Hall – How will the Sensitive New Age Barry go in 2003? Apparently he has given up the grog and has pledged to play a full 22 rounds this season. Was quite strange to see him run 50m to break up an incident between Mark Powell and Richmond’s Greg Tivendale a couple of weekends ago. If he can continue to keep his head, he will challenge strongly for the Coleman.

Nick Davis – Has class and will be desperate to prove his worth to Sydney after moving out of Eddie McGuire’s clutches before the 2003 season.

In general, the Sydney forward line has plenty of options, provided the aging midfield of Cresswell, Maxfield and Williams can get the ball to them. Schauble and Saddington have to fill the void left by Andrew Dunkley at fullback, which will not be an easy task at all.

Carlton will not be the easybeats they were last season, and the Swans will have to be right on their game to win. The difference in potential
between Sydney’s absolute best performance and the absolute worst is so great that it’s sometimes hard to pick “which team” will turn up. Paul Roos’ job is to improve consistency this year.

Des’ tip – Sydney by 10 points – The match will be scrappy in the first half, but open up again towards the end.

By Des Lee (http://redandwhiteonline.com)