Danny
08-03-2005, 08:21 PM
He returns this week in Newcastle......at half back.
Goodes to make good at half back
March 8, 2005 - 6:34PM
SMH
Sydney coach Paul Roos believes Adam Goodes will become known as one of the great AFL utilities.
Roos rated Goodes a similar footballer to versatile Essendon captain James Hird, who has admirably filled every position across the field with devastating effect.
Goodes, who played in the ruck and centre half forward during his Brownlow year in 2003, has been told to make the centre half back position his own this season, but Roos also wants him to keep backing his natural attacking instincts.
It is his running game which drew heavy criticism last year after he got caught off his man at the tail end of the season.
"Goodes is one player you cannot pigeon hole. I like to think he can become a really good centre half back, I'm sure he could," said Roos.
"He is still learning no doubt. Certainly at times he gets lost there, but he is a ruckman and all due respect to ruckmen, they're not used to picking someone up.
"It is change in mindset for him. He is more than capable of doing it.
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"I'm confident if we leave him there he will develop into it."
Roos believes Goodes is developing into a Hird type player capable of being thrown anywhere on the field to fulfill a specific role.
"We are still coming to terms of what he can do and he is the type of player that can play any number of positions," he said.
"As the game flows the other way we can throw him into ruck rover or full forward, he is such a talented player.
"At the end of his career you could look back at Goodes as a James Hird or Anthony Koutoufides type player and not really define exactly what his position was over the preceding 10 or 12 years."
Goodes' arrival to the Swans half-back line completes a deadly trio with All-Australian Leo Barry and impressive Irishman Tadhg Kennelly.
Goodes cannot wait to sink his teeth into the role but knows he will have to wait his turn if he is to sneak forward.
"I think if your going into any season without a defined role and knowing your place in the team then your lost," said Goodes.
"Knowing I'm starting down back is a good basis for my game. Knowing I just have to beat an opponent and not have to worry about getting a kick myself.
"I have something to prove to my team mates, they are the only ones I care about.
"Tadhg and Leo are proven runners, I will have to do my time and let them do their thing before they give me a chance."
The 25-year-old Goodes will make his return from offseason knee surgery in the Wizard Regional Challenge match against Collingwood at Newcastle on Saturday.
Roos is looking to give him at least 60 minutes of game time on Saturday plus a further run in the Canberra league next week to ensure he has enough match fitness for Sydney's AFL season opener against Hawthorn on March 27.
"I am not holding back at all. I will play the practice match flat out and training last week was flat out and (the knee) is close enough to 100 per cent without match fitness," said Goodes.
"Mentally I am better than both the previous years and physically I am getting to 2003."
Goodes to make good at half back
March 8, 2005 - 6:34PM
SMH
Sydney coach Paul Roos believes Adam Goodes will become known as one of the great AFL utilities.
Roos rated Goodes a similar footballer to versatile Essendon captain James Hird, who has admirably filled every position across the field with devastating effect.
Goodes, who played in the ruck and centre half forward during his Brownlow year in 2003, has been told to make the centre half back position his own this season, but Roos also wants him to keep backing his natural attacking instincts.
It is his running game which drew heavy criticism last year after he got caught off his man at the tail end of the season.
"Goodes is one player you cannot pigeon hole. I like to think he can become a really good centre half back, I'm sure he could," said Roos.
"He is still learning no doubt. Certainly at times he gets lost there, but he is a ruckman and all due respect to ruckmen, they're not used to picking someone up.
"It is change in mindset for him. He is more than capable of doing it.
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"I'm confident if we leave him there he will develop into it."
Roos believes Goodes is developing into a Hird type player capable of being thrown anywhere on the field to fulfill a specific role.
"We are still coming to terms of what he can do and he is the type of player that can play any number of positions," he said.
"As the game flows the other way we can throw him into ruck rover or full forward, he is such a talented player.
"At the end of his career you could look back at Goodes as a James Hird or Anthony Koutoufides type player and not really define exactly what his position was over the preceding 10 or 12 years."
Goodes' arrival to the Swans half-back line completes a deadly trio with All-Australian Leo Barry and impressive Irishman Tadhg Kennelly.
Goodes cannot wait to sink his teeth into the role but knows he will have to wait his turn if he is to sneak forward.
"I think if your going into any season without a defined role and knowing your place in the team then your lost," said Goodes.
"Knowing I'm starting down back is a good basis for my game. Knowing I just have to beat an opponent and not have to worry about getting a kick myself.
"I have something to prove to my team mates, they are the only ones I care about.
"Tadhg and Leo are proven runners, I will have to do my time and let them do their thing before they give me a chance."
The 25-year-old Goodes will make his return from offseason knee surgery in the Wizard Regional Challenge match against Collingwood at Newcastle on Saturday.
Roos is looking to give him at least 60 minutes of game time on Saturday plus a further run in the Canberra league next week to ensure he has enough match fitness for Sydney's AFL season opener against Hawthorn on March 27.
"I am not holding back at all. I will play the practice match flat out and training last week was flat out and (the knee) is close enough to 100 per cent without match fitness," said Goodes.
"Mentally I am better than both the previous years and physically I am getting to 2003."