TonyK
CibbuanoSwans right in the mix
June 2nd 2008 00:38
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos has declared the premiership race wide open following his side's impressive 82-point thrashing of Richmond at the SCG on Sunday.
The Swans, who currently boast the best percentage in the AFL, are just two premiership points outside the top four.
Roos said the depth of his side, which will be bolstered by the return of Barry Hall in a fortnight, is the strongest it has ever been.
"Being up in Sydney is out of sight, out of mind, which is good," Roos said yesterday.
"Probably the balance (of our team) is as good as it's been. Six-and-a-half wins is pretty good without Hally and without Tadhg (Kennelly) for a while and (Nick) Malceski."
The Swans, who were tipped by most pundits to struggle this year, have been reinvigorated by new recruits Marty Mattner and Henry Playfair, while youngsters Kieren Jack, Craig Bird and Jarred Moore have all had an impact.
Richmond coach Terry Wallace was impressed with what he saw and expected Sydney to challenge for a premiership again this year.
"They're the best team we've played at this point in time," he said.
"I think they're an extremely professional unit. They're going to be right in the mix again this year."
Roos said it was important for his side to continue to work hard and improve given the eveness of the competition.
"All the 16 coaches would say it is a very open competition and you just have to keep working hard and improving," he said.
"We played the Bulldogs who we rate pretty highly and they beat us, we got close to them and did OK. We have played Geelong and they are a good team, but the competition is even."
The Swans, who currently boast the best percentage in the AFL, are just two premiership points outside the top four.
Roos said the depth of his side, which will be bolstered by the return of Barry Hall in a fortnight, is the strongest it has ever been.
"Being up in Sydney is out of sight, out of mind, which is good," Roos said yesterday.
"Probably the balance (of our team) is as good as it's been. Six-and-a-half wins is pretty good without Hally and without Tadhg (Kennelly) for a while and (Nick) Malceski."
The Swans, who were tipped by most pundits to struggle this year, have been reinvigorated by new recruits Marty Mattner and Henry Playfair, while youngsters Kieren Jack, Craig Bird and Jarred Moore have all had an impact.
Richmond coach Terry Wallace was impressed with what he saw and expected Sydney to challenge for a premiership again this year.
"They're the best team we've played at this point in time," he said.
"I think they're an extremely professional unit. They're going to be right in the mix again this year."
Roos said it was important for his side to continue to work hard and improve given the eveness of the competition.
"All the 16 coaches would say it is a very open competition and you just have to keep working hard and improving," he said.
"We played the Bulldogs who we rate pretty highly and they beat us, we got close to them and did OK. We have played Geelong and they are a good team, but the competition is even."
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