Former Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos believes the team has yet to reach its full potential, despite an impressive nine-game winning streak that has placed them three games clear at the top of the ladder. Speaking on ABC’s AFL Daily podcast, Roos highlighted the Swans’ resilience, showcased by their comeback victory against the Crows in Adelaide, where Joel Amartey delivered a stellar performance with nine goals.
Roos emphasized that the Swans have considerable room for growth, noting their tendency to fall behind early in games. He pointed out that the team often finds itself trailing by multiple goals at the quarter-time mark, yet consistently manages to turn the game around. This ability to recover from slow starts, according to Roos, indicates that Sydney has not yet displayed its best football, making their potential even more formidable.
The Swans’ current winning streak began after a narrow defeat to Richmond in round four. Despite frequently starting games on the back foot, such as a 29-point deficit against Geelong in round 14, they have managed to secure victories in all subsequent matches. This resilience and ability to finish strong have been key to their success this season.
A significant factor in the Swans’ recent performances has been the emergence of forward Joel Amartey. Following the retirement of Lance Franklin, Amartey has stepped up, more than doubling his career goal tally this season. In the game against Adelaide, Amartey was initially quiet but exploded in the later quarters to score 9.1, demonstrating his growing influence in the team.
Roos praised the development within the team, particularly highlighting how the absence of a single dominant forward, like Franklin, has diversified their attacking options. He mentioned that this spread of goal-scoring threats, combined with strong performances from players like Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, and Errol Gulden, has made Sydney a more unpredictable and challenging team to play against.
As the Swans look ahead to the second half of the season, Roos is optimistic about their prospects. He believes that the team’s depth, combined with their current form and potential for further improvement, positions them well to continue their dominance in the AFL. With a robust system in place and emerging talents like Amartey coming to the fore, Sydney appears poised for continued success.
