>>Australian Football League Thread<<

Swans find positives in LA
12:09:08 PM Mon 16 January, 2006
Angus Morgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

The Sydney Swans were a little disappointed with the result but generally pleased with the experience following the 48-point loss to the Kangaroos in the special exhibition match at UCLA in Los Angeles.

Most importantly, the players made it through relatively unscathed with only a couple of minor injuries, according to assistant coach Ross Lyon.

Led by Brady Rawlings, the Kangaroos held sway throughout the contest played in mild, breezy conditions on a playing surface roughly the same size as the SCG.

A five-goal second term was telling for the Kangaroos, who also managed three majors in the third quarter while holding the 2005 AFL premiers, captained by Jude Bolton, to a single point in that period before cruising to a 13.8 (86) to 6.2 (38) victory.

"We got smacked, really," Lyon said.

"A 48-point loss was probably not unexpected. They were young too but they didn't have the amount of young rookies and draftees playing that we had.

"We weren't unhappy with the way our boys competed and carried out instructions. We just wish we had used the ball a little better and been a bit smarter with our accountability."

Speaking from the after-match barbeque, Lyon said there had been plenty of positives to come from the exercise.

"As an experience for young players to come to a different country and get a taste for their culture and have a look around at a city like LA, it's been fantastic," he said.

"It helps develop their life skills and because we have so many young players at the club, they've spent a bit more time with the senior players than they normally would have.

"Going forward we think that's going to be a real bonus.

"To come to LA and play a game of Australian Rules footy, it's a great promotion for the game and as a club it brings us together and hopefully brings us some stimulus into the new season."

Lyon said Nick Malceski suffered a corked thigh and Sean Dempster corked his shoulder, but otherwise the Swans were none the worse for wear.

And he made special mention of the efforts of a couple of rookies.

"Kristin Thornton played really well on the half-back line. He really stood out as a young kid and played really well," he said.

"Paul Currie kicked three goals - he played forward out of the goalsquare. He's about six-foot three from the Northern Knights and played quite well, caught a couple of good balls."

Lyon said the playing group was looking forward to an evening out at a special INXS concert mindful that there's a recovery session scheduled for 0600 the following morning.

"There is a balance still. They are professional athletes, they've got to recover and look after themselves but at the same time they can enjoy the music of INXS."



> Swannies still hungover from September! hehe

VON wrote:

Sorry to disapoint but....
GEELONG!!! Go the cats!!

ah I remember now!
Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly are legends.