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O'Keefe stays a Swan

October 20th 2008 02:14
SYDNEY forward Ryan O'Keefe will finish his career at the Swans after agreeing to a new four-year deal with the club.

O'Keefe, who originally rejected a new three-year deal to remain with Sydney, was unable to be traded back to his native Victoria after Hawthorn and the Swans were unable to come up with a suitable deal during trade week.

The 27-year-old's only other option then was to go into the pre-season draft in December but he risked being picked up by an interstate club with West Coast, Fremantle and Port Adelaide having picks two, three and four respectively.

With his chances of returning to Victoria slim, O'Keefe opted to remain with the Swans.


The deal is yet to be finalised but Sydney coach Paul Roos said on Monday that O'Keefe had come to an 'in-principle' agreement.

"We're really pleased Ryan has chosen to stay with the club," Roos said.

"We've always rated him as a quality player – an All-Australian – and we're delighted he will be lining up with us again next year."

"I think the last few weeks have been difficult for everyone so we are pleased that today's news provides some closure to the matter."

Roos admitted he was unimpressed that O'Keefe had gone through the media to first flag his desire to return to Melbourne but said the way the 164-game veteran handled things won't be held against him.

"There was no animosity at all between Ryan and the Swans or vice versa," he said.

"He was aware we were disappointed with the way the first part of it was handled but that's water under the bridge."

"That's all forgotten. I am confident he has put it all behind him as we have and he'll go on and play some more good footy with the club."

"But I will catch up with him at some stage this week because obviously he wants to make sure from my point of view there are no problems and there's certainly not."


"And I'll get a better understanding of why (he wanted to leave). I will talk through some of those issues and find out whether there's anything else we need to work on moving forward."




O'Keefe said he was glad that the contract saga is finally over and that he is looking forward to next season.'

"For my part I'm relieved and looking to repay the club and Swans supporters for the faith they have shown in me," O'Keefe said.

"Whilst I did have aspirations to move home to Melbourne, it wasn't to be and I'm more than happy to remain at the Swans, to be with my mates and to live in Sydney."

"I've moved on now and my focus is very much on next season and getting the best out of myself."


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Shaw a Swan

October 10th 2008 02:34
COLLINGWOOD midfielder Rhyce Shaw will play for Sydney next season after being traded to the Swans on the final day of the AFL’s annual trade week.

Sydney will receive Shaw and Collingwood's fourth-round selection in the draft (pick 61 overall), while the Magpies were given the Swans third-round selection (pick 46).

Meanwhile, the Pies have picked up Brisbane small forward Anthony Corrie in exchange for pick 93.

Farren Ray will play at St Kilda in 2009 after the Western Bulldogs agreed to trade the disgruntled 22-year-old, who was originally drafted by the Dogs with pick 4 in the 2003 national draft.

The Dogs receive the Saints second-round selection (pick 31 overall) in exchange for Ray and pick number 48.
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Swans rule out Lovett

October 7th 2008 08:34
SYDNEY has ruled itself out of the race for Essendon speedster Andrew Lovett.

It is believed that the Swans, who informed the Bombers on Tuesday they were no longer interested in securing Lovett, had concerns over the 25-year-old’s attitude.

Meanwhile, the future of Sydney forward Ryan O’Keefe remains in doubt after day two of the AFL's annual trade week.

Hawthorn met with O'Keefe's management on Tuesday but the Hawks are wavering over whether to offer their first round pick in exchange for the 27-year-old.

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Roos staying with Swans

October 4th 2008 05:06
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos has signed a two-year contract extension which will see him remain at the club until at least the end of the 2011 season.

Roos, the club's longest serving coach, made the announcement at the Swans' best-and-fairest dinner on Friday night.

He replaced Rodney Eade halfway through the 2002 season and guided the club to their first premiership in 72 years when they beat West Coast in 2005.

They also lost another grand final to the Eagles the following year.
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McVeigh claims Bob Skilton Medal

October 4th 2008 00:27
SYDNEY midfielder Jarrad McVeih has capped off a career-best season by claiming his first best-and-fairest award on Friday night.

McVeigh won with a total of 578 votes, ahead of the consistent Brett Kirk (568) and former
Adelaide Crow Martin Mattner (532).

For Kirk it was a remarkable sixth straight top two finish in the Swans' best and fairest award after he also finished runner-up in 2003, 2004 and 2006 as well as winning in 2005
and 2007.

McVeigh trailed Kirk by four votes going into the club's last match of the season - the semi-final loss to the Bulldogs - but McVeigh polled 25 votes in that match compared to just 11 for Kirk to claim the Bob Skilton Medal.

The 23-year-old played all 24 games this season and averaged just under 20 disposals and five marks per game as well as booting 32 goals.

The younger brother of Essendon star Mark polled votes in 20 of the 24 games he played this season while he polled the maximum 50 votes possible for any one match for his stellar performance in round 18 when he booted six goals in a losing side against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra.

Bob Skilton Medal voting
1. Jarrad McVeigh (578 points)
2. Brett Kirk (568 points)
3. Martin Mattner (532 points)
4. Jude Bolton (514 points)
5. Ryan O’Keefe (447 points)
6. Paul Bevan (419 points)
6. Tadhg Kennelly (419 points)
8. Darren Jolly (411 points)
9. Craig Bolton (384 points)
10. Jarred Moore (382 points)

Other award winners
Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award - Brett Kirk
Sydney Swans Rising Star Award - Kieren Jack and Craig Bird (tie)

Dennis Carroll Trophy for most improved - Jarred Moore

Barry Round Trophy for best clubman - Tadhg Kennelly

Paul Roos Award for best player in the finals - Barry Hall
John Yates Award for significant contribution to the promotion and development of the Sydney Swans and AFL in NSW - Colin Keeble
Life Members - Tadhg Kennelly, Barry Hall, Ryan O’Keefe, Phil Mullen, Stephen Brassel

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Barry gets another year

September 23rd 2008 21:39
SYDNEY defender Leo Barry has ended speculation that he was going to retire by agreeing to a final one-year contract with the club.

The 234-game veteran said he was looking forward to next season and believed he could still make a contribution to the team.

"I am excited about playing another year, given it is my last season I will go out and enjoy each game," Barry said.

"It was an easy decision in the end because I believe I can still make a contribution to the team. We have a good side but I understand it is going to be a bit of a transition year for some of the senior players."

Sydney coach Paul Roos said Barry will play an important role in helping develop the club’s young defenders.

"We are pleased Leo has agreed to one final year with the Sydney Swans and we still see him in our best 22 going into season 2009."

"Equally, we feel that Leo can help us as a senior player in helping develop our young defenders with an eye to the future in what is becoming a transition period for the club."
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Barry offered another year

September 19th 2008 11:39
VETERN Sydney defender Leo Barry has been offered a one-year contract extension.

Sydney coach Paul Roos said on Friday said the club accepted Barry to accept the offer.

"We spoke to Leo yesterday and we’re waiting to hear back from him as to whether he’s happy to keep going, as I think he will be," Roos said.

"We’re just waiting for feedback from him."

Barry, who made his debut in round 22, 1995, is the second longest-serving player on the Swans' list with 234 senior appearances.

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Everitt calls it quits

September 13th 2008 00:28
THE career of Sydney ruckman Peter Everitt came to an end following the Swans’ 37-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in the second semi-final at the MCG on Friday night.

An emotional Everitt told the Swans players after the game that he would retire.

The 34-year-old’s retirement is the second at the Swans with defender Ben Mathews announcing his exit from the game last week.

The 291-game veteran spent just two years with the Swans after playing 180 games with St Kilda and then 72 for the Hawks but said he would like to remain involved with the club.

"I was honoured to come up here (to Sydney) and have a couple of years with the Swans," he said.

“It didn't finish the way we would like but I wouldn't change it for the world and hopefully I can stay involved with the Swans in the future."

Sydney coach Paul Roos said Everitt gave his all during his short stint at the club.

"We thanked him for his effort in Sydney and we couldn't have been happier with him," Roos said.

"He has been outstanding for our club and for a guy to come here at that age and embrace our footy club the way he did was terrific."

Roos admitted his side let themselves down on Friday night through poor kicking in front of goal and said the Swans needed more midfielders if they hoped to become a legitimate premiership contender.

"Coming up against a team you knew was going to bounce back after last week, we had to take our chances," he said.

"We didn't take our chances early to put scoreboard pressure on them and then their belief grew."

"And we also knew that with a six day break compared to their seven day break, we had to maintain a gap on them when we were playing well because we knew they were going to come at us and when they did come at us in that third quarter we just weren't able to run with them."
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Swans still a force: Roos

September 7th 2008 00:12
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos believes his side is capable of having an impact in September following their 35-point win over the Kangaroos in the second elimination final at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

The critics have publicly questioned the ability of Sydney to pose a genuine threat in their sixth straight finals campaign but Roos said the win shows that the Swans are capable of making waves.

"I think at least we showed we're a better team than probably what we were given credit for this year, everyone sort of said (we were) too old and too slow and things like that," Roos said.

Roos admitted that his side will face a tough task when they play the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night in a cut-throat semi-final.

"A week's a long time in footy, we've got a tough game next week against the Bulldogs and generally the teams that lose in the first week of the finals come out and play very well the following week so we know it's going to be an enormous challenge," Roos said.

"The Bulldogs have beaten us twice this year already and they've got some very, very good players."

"But I think at least tonight, winning a final with (Patrick) Veszpremi and (Jarred) Moore and (Kieren) Jack and Marty Mattner coming from another club (Adelaide Crows) and obviously some young guys, it was really pleasing."

"We've got good players playing well, hopefully we've pulled up okay, I'm not too sure how the guys have pulled up, a couple cramped late in the game."

"But we've got some players in good form and we're playing well as a team so at least we (now) give ourselves an opportunity."

The Swans trailed at half-time but Roos said he was confident that his side would come away with the win.

"I felt at half-time we were a really good chance to win the game because we were only 10 points down and I thought we had a lot of improvement left at half-time but we needed everyone to dig in."
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Swans overrun Roos

September 6th 2008 13:08
SYDNEY has shown its not a spent force with a 35-point win over the Kangaroos in the second elimination final at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

The Swans trailed by 10 points at half-time but lifted in the second half, eventually prevailing 17.8 (110) to 11.9 (75).

The win means Sydney will now face the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night in a cut-throat semi-final.

Brett Kirk (23 possessions) was instrumental in the the Swans' second half revival. He received good support from Jarrad McVeigh (25 possessions) and Amon Buchanan (26 disposals) while Barry Hall, Adam Goodes and promising youngster Kieran Jack chimed in with three goals apiece.

For the Kangaroos, Shannon Grant was a busy contributor in his last match with 14 possessions and two goals. Daniel Wells and Brent Harvey were damaging early but went missing after half-time as the Swans took control of the contest.

The Roos started brightly, booting four unanswered goals in the first 20 minutes with Harvey booting two for the term.

Ryan O'Keefe kicked Sydney's only goal of the first term at the 26-minute mark as the Kangaroos took a 14-point lead into quarter-time.

The Swans should have been closer at the first change but they failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, booting a wasteful 1.5.

Goals to Jack and O'Keefe reduced the deficit to less than a goal but two majors from Grant late in the term ensured the Kangaroos kept their noses in front, taking a 10-point advantage into the main break.

Sydney came out firing in the third term, slamming on four goals in a stunning 11-minute burst to hit the front for the first time in the match.

North got a much needed goal through Nathan Thompson but the Swans hit back through Patrick Vesprezmi and Jack to skip out to a handy break.

The Roos refused to give in and kicked three goals in the last ten minutes with Ed Lower booting two to keep his side within striking distance heading into the final change, with the Swans holding a 14-point lead.

Lower had a chance to get his side even closer early in the final term but he failed to convert from just 30m out.

It proved to be a costly miss with majors from Hall, Jack, Jarrad Moore and Ted Richards putting the result beyond doubt.

SYDNEY: 1.5, 4.6, 12.7, 17.8 (110)
NORTH MELBOURNE: 4.1, 6.4, 10.5, 11.9 (75)
GOALS: Sydney: Hall 3, Jack 3, Goodes 3, O'Keefe 2, Moore 2, McVeigh, Veszpremi, Malceski, Richards,
North Melbourne: Harvey 2, Grant 2, Lower 2, Hale 2, Petrie, Thompson, Sinclair,
BEST: Sydney: McVeigh, O'Keefe, Kirk, Richards, Hall,
North Melbourne: Grant, Harvey, Wells,
INJURIES: Sydney:Nil
North Melbourne: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Craig Bird (groin) replaced in the Swans' matchday-22 by Patrick Veszpremi. For the Kangaroos, Lachlan Hansen was a late withdrawal with Gavin Urquhart inserted into the starting line-up.
UMPIRES: Vozzo, McBurney, Chamberlain.
CROWD: 19,127 at ANZ Stadium.
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Roos seeks clarification on tunnelling

September 2nd 2008 02:34
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos has contacted AFL umpires coach Rowan Sawers to seek assurance match officials have no problem with his side's defensive tactics.

Roos called Sawers after North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley accused Sydney defenders Craig Bolton and Leo Barry of tunnelling – or taking a player's legs out mid-air.

Laidley claimed the Swans used the controversial tactic when the clubs met in round six.

"I thought our key forwards were tunnelled and I thought their arms were taken (out of play)," Laidley said.

"We've spoken to the umpires' department this morning and they acknowledged that they probably missed some stuff.

"We just wanted to make them aware of it, going into this week's game. We've got some key forwards in pretty good form and we want to keep them in good form. We want to give them an opportunity to go and compete for the ball unimpeded."

Roos contacted Sawers to express concerns that Laidley's comments would influence the umpires in Saturday night's elimination final at ANZ Stadium.

"I rang Rowan to clarify what the rule is because tunnelling is such a strange term," Roos said.

"I got clarification as to what the rule is but according to Rowan they don't have any problems with anything specifically that our players do."

"We give away free kicks like every team does in terms of defenders so hopefully 'Hally' gets the free kicks if they're there and if there's a free kick against (Kangaroos forward) David Hale it should be paid as well."

"We don't have a problem with that at all."

"We just expect the game to be umpired as it normally does."
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Swans can cause some damage: Roos

August 31st 2008 04:30
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos believes his side is capable of causing some damage in the finals.

The Swans secured a home elimination final with a 61-point defeat of Brisbane at the SCG on Saturday night and will now meet either the Kangaroos or the Saints next weekend.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Roos said his side had shown enough in the win over the Lions to suggest they could trouble a few sides in September.

"Based on our game last week we were never going to do much damage playing like that," Roos said.

"I think if we play like we did tonight we can certainly do some damage."

"Every team bar probably the top-two, Geelong and Hawthorn, have had really up-and-down seasons."

"So it's good (to be in the finals), you're in the mix, teams have had reasonable form and then down patches and we've be exactly the same as probably six teams in the final eight, so hopefully we can play as well as we did tonight."
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Swans secure home final

August 30th 2008 12:23
SYDNEY will head into the first week of the finals with some confidence after thrashing Brisbane by 60 points at the SCG on Saturday night.

The Swans' 17.12 (114) to 6.17 (53) victory means they will host either St Kilda or North Melbourne in the first week of the finals.

Jarred Moore starred for Sydney with 22 possessions and four goals while Patrick Veszpremi was also impressive with four majors.

Jude Bolton and Jarred McVeigh were busy contributors in the middle while Nick Malceski generated plenty of run from defence with 27 touches and one goal.

For Brisbane, Simon Black (26 possessions) had the better of his duel with Brett Kirk while Bradd Dalziell (25 disposals) tried hard all night.

Moore kicked the first goal of the match at the two-minute mark before the opening term turned into a scrappy affair.

Brisbane had their chances but failed to captialise in front of goal, booting a wasteful 1.6 for the quarter.

The Lions were made to pay for their wastefulness with majors from Malceski and Veszpremi giving the Swans a nine-point lead at quarter-time.

Sydney kicked the first two goals of the second term and looked on course for an easy win.

However, Brisbane refused to be blown away and stuck with the Swans for the remainder of the term, with Sydney taking a 23-point advantage into the main break.

Daniel Bradshaw kicked the first goal of the second half to get the Lions back into the contest

But Sydney had all the answers, piling on the next four goals through Moore, Veszpremi, Ted Richards and Peter Everitt to put the result beyond doubt.

The Swans didn't take their foot off the pedal in the final stanza, booting five goals to one to cap off a much needed win.

SYDNEY: 3.3, 7.8, 12.9, 17.12 (114)
BRISBANE: 1.6, 3.9, 5.13, 6.17 (53)
GOALS: Sydney: Moore 4, Veszpremi 4, Jack 2, McVeigh 2, Malceski, Bird, Richards, Everitt, Hall,
Brisbane: Bradshaw 2, Selwood, Clouston, Henderson, Charman,
BEST: Sydney: Moore, Malceski, Veszpremi, McVeigh, Bird,
Brisbane: Dalziell, Black, Merrett, Selwood
INJURIES: Sydney:Nil
Brisbane: Nil
REPORTS: Jude Bolton for making high contact with Albert Proud in the 14th minute of the final term.
CHANGES: Ryan O'Keefe (virus) replaced in the Swans' matchday-22 by Patrick Veszpremi.
UMPIRES: McBurney, James, Chamberlain.
CROWD: at the SCG
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Swans on notice

August 25th 2008 08:02
SYDNEY has two weeks to show whether they are a spent force according to coach Paul Roos

The Swans have lost six of their past eight matches to drop to eighth place on the AFL ladder.

While a sixth straight finals appearance is guaranteed, Roos said his players needed to perform better against Brisbane this week and in the first week of the finals to prove that the club is still a genuine force.

"I think the next couple of weeks will tell. There's certainly some signs. I guess that's to be expected. You play in the finals series five or six years. I think you've got to give some credit to the group that even though we are not playing great footy at the moment, to make the finals six years in a row ... it's enormously challenging," he said.

Roos said some players will be rested this weekend but admitted it was important that his side go into the first week of the finals with a confidence boosting win under their belt.

"I think you've got to find the balance. We've got two weeks, this game's important on Saturday night, but more from the point of view of how we set up for the next final. We might need to rest some players," he said.

"We've got a week to sort ourselves out and get ourselves to a position where we are able to compete against St Kilda, or Adelaide, or Collingwood. That's the immediate challenge."

"We know it doesn't mean anything in terms of getting in or out of the finals. We've got to take the opportunity to rest some players with an important game the following week.
We need to take this week to get ready for the first week of the finals."



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