FootyGoss :: Club News - Sydney [Swans look to ruffle feathers]

Swans look to ruffle feathers

By Mr Dandalooa

New year. New players. New outlook.

Confidence is in the air in locker rooms throughout the AFL with the pre-season cup a precursor to how your team is likely to perform in season 2010.

But don’t get fooled by the hype.

The Sydney Swans in the past seven years have seen their run for the pre-season cut short early by first round exits, but they did go on to win the premiership in 2005.

That in itself was an amazing feat considering their last trophy occurred some 73 years before that.

Sydney coach Paul Roos is keen to get the Swans camp off to a good start this year, getting the boys into training over summer earlier than usual.

With former Eagle Mark Seaby providing a solid frame to the Swans this year, alongside new recruit Shane Mumford from Geelong, Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn, there are some new faces amongst the old.

Tadhg Kennelly, who spent 2009 playing Gaelic football in Ireland and was a 2005 premiership half-back, will lace up for the Swans again.

FootyGoss understands Roos has been impressed so far by draft picks Lewis Jetta, Byron Sumner, and Gary Rohan as well rookie Henry Playfair.

This will be Roos’ final season as coach and he seems to betaking his eight season at the helm with renewed vigour and confidence.

He said the club has been “biting and scratching”, determined to give the youngsters a go, with training so advanced this year affording the club more options.

But h Roos admits that using the inexperienced young blokes can get the blood boiling with frustration, which trickles to more senior players too.
Despite this, and not making the finals last year for the first time since 2002, Roos is confident of the club’s preparedness this season.

He said, after all, it is his last chance for a win.