FazSwans need to address accuracy big time
May 17th 2008 12:33
The Sydney Swans need to improve their accuracy in front of goal to avoid scenes like this
The Swans have suffered more than their fair share of critisim in previous seasons.
Whether it was the way they played their football or their tackling technique,The Swans were always a target for critisim.
Thankfully for them though, they have answered those critics with terrific composure in both attack and defence that has eventually allowed them to gain the respect they truly deserve.
When they won the premiership in 2005, The Swans were epitomised as the best drilled unit throughout the AFL. Paul Roos was the mastermind behind a unit that really knew what it was doing.
However, if there is anything that continues to linger over the Sydney side; it is undoubtly their inability to convert their wonderful pressure game into points.
The Swans have been among the lowest poinscoring sides in the competition these past couple of years.
Although that inability was protected by their marvelous defence, teams in this present day and age are now coming up with ways to unsettle the 2005 premiers.
Teams such as Geelong, The Bulldogs and Hawthorn are playing a brand of footy now that is really finding holes in Sydney's otherwise stiff defence.
The only way the Swans are going to get back to where they were three years ago is by scoring goals.
With a forward line containing the likes of Michael O'Loughlin, Barry Hall and Ryan O'Keefe, the Swans should have what it takes to unsettle most defences in the competition.
But most importantly, the players above all have the necessary class to convert opportunites into goals.
Unfortunetly, Sydney are yet to discover their accuracy in front of goal and it has cost them big time this season.
Their recent draw against the Kangaroos could've been avoided had simple opportunites by key players been converted.
Class players such as Brett Kirk and O'Loughlin all had decent chances to put that game to bed, but their insecurities in front of the posts cost them victory.
The following week against the Western Bulldogs was no different either.
The Bulldogs victory was based purely on the potency of their goalkicking. They were deadly accurate against the Swans last week scoring 18 goals with just 4 behinds, two of which were rushed mind you.
That performance alone showcased the immense importance of converting domination into points.
If the Swans are to be there late September, They really must find an antidote to their goalkicking woes this season.
This is where Barry Hall has been sorely missed.
Despite his initimidating presence,(that good and that bad), the full forward has always been one of the Swans most consistent goalkickers.
Despite a lean 2007, Hall has shown this year that he was back to his goalscoring prowess and that made things easier for the likes of O'Loughlin to convert aswell.
But with Hall gone for at least four more matches, The Swans must hope that O'loughlin and O'Keefe in particular find a way to address their inaccuracy in front of the posts.
The first step must be taken tomorrow when the Swans collide with the Bombers at ANZ stadium tomorrow afternoon.
If they fail in this department, opposition teams will pounce and and the Swans will have to prepare for more heartbreaking losses for the remainder of 2008.
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