Go the Swannies!

The Sydney Swans, after a drought of over 70 years, have finally won the AFL grand final!

They beat, in an "epic, titanic struggle", the West Coast Eagles, who spent the first 17, 18 weeks of the season undefeated. The team to end their unbeaten streak was, of course Sydney.

I think the Swans had a team which lacked the talent and skill of the Eagles - the Eagles polled the top two in the Browlow Medal count - but for this, they made up with pure team work, aggression, and an insatiable desire to triumph against the odds. Infact its the qualities of the people, combined with the talent of the player that determines their selection in the team. This was highlighted in a report on Channel Ten before yesterdays grand final. Indeed the club was lampooned for turning down some highly talented players, but the vindiction of their decision is proved by these same players having disciplinary issues today.

Maybe it was destiny? They won in the death against Geelong, and then came back from behind against StKilda. Earlier in the season they were written of by the CEO of the AFL and a highly respected commentator.

But what can be said of the coach, Paul Roos? He took over mid-way through 2002 and won six of the remaining eigth games. As the board debated who was to be coach, the players and fans demanded it be Roos. And so it was, and how he has repaid that faith in him. In 2003 he took them to one game from the Grand Final, and last year, took them to the Finals Series. This time he took them all the way. He must have an unbeliveable coaching record, with an unbelivable coaching technique.