Hopes high Rohan will settle in forward line after breakthrough game for Swans
Andrew Wu
SMH, July 12

Gary Rohan's career-best match is the trigger the Sydney forward needs to be a consistent game breaker.

That's the view of senior Swans assistant coach Stuart Dew, who is buoyed by the considerable growth he has seen in Rohan's game during the club's spectacular revival.

Rohan can be one of the Swans' most exciting players but a raft of injuries and wildly fluctuating levels of self-belief have prevented him from consistently showing his best.

The speedster, however, has shown signs in the past month he may be about to realise the potential that enticed the club to secure him with pick six in the 2009 draft.

While Rohan's headline moment was his after-the-siren winner against Essendon, he also kicked the sealer against Richmond a month ago and last week booted five against Gold Coast.

He was also influential early against Melbourne but blotted his game with three behinds.

"He's had real consistent patches, last year he was consistent but what sticks in your memory is when game's on the line he can do some key plays for us," Dew said. "People will remember his mark against Essendon in years to come but he has done that a fair few times." 

Red means 'go' for Gary
Ben Horne
Daily Telegraph, July 12

HE’S the man with too much pace for stats to even measure, or for science to explain.

Sydney forward Gary Rohan is living proof that in footy, no matter what the percentages tell you, there’s no substitute for speed.

Rohan has been instrumental in the Swans’ back-from-the-dead resurgence over the past five weeks. His extraordinary athleticism and speed have offered a whole new dimension to Lance Franklin’s forward line.

However, if you look for proof of his impact on the numbers sheet, it disappears into thin air quicker than his footsteps in front of goal.

AFL stats provider Champion Data rates Rohan’s output over the past month as “above average’’ in key areas. However, in no category does the flaming redhead light up the charts and scream ‘‘elite’’.

The modern game is analysed to within an inch of its life but still there is no quantifying raw, blinding speed and the impact it can have when it matters.

In recent Sydney derbies, the Swans have been left crushed by the young Giants’ pace up the field, but a fit and firing Rohan shapes as a potentially match-defining counterbalance. 

Tippett in from the cold at Swans
Ben Horne
Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, July 12

SYDNEY coach John Longmire has declared forgotten man Kurt Tippett can still play a major role for the Swans this year.

The troubled ruckman has not played since the loss to Hawthorn in Round 10 and since being dumped from the senior team, he has been nursing an ankle injury on the sidelines as his teammates have surged up the ladder.

Tippett is an outside chance to return in the NEAFL this weekend and if he does, coach Longmire says the club would begin to map his return to the top in time for a possible finals appearance.

It’s clear the club still has faith he can be a crucial player in big matches.

Form and fitness concerns sparked debate the Swans might try and trade one of their biggest money signings in recent years, however Longmire has reassured Tippett he remains part of their long-term plans.

“We see him really contributing this year and coming back when he gets his ankle right and playing a part for this season,” said Longmire.

“We’ll see if he’s able to train this week. We originally planned last week to see how he goes at training this week.

“He’s obviously had this ankle injury for a number of weeks now, when he was playing as well as when he’s not playing. We’re confident that when he gets that rested and recovered and strengthened to the level he’s able to do, then you’ll see performances go from there.” 

Tigers star chasing U14 Swans Academy spot
Mike Driscoll
Illawarra Mercury, July 11

Northern Districts Tigers junior Jeremy Woodford is driven to become the best player he can be as he chases a spot in the Sydney Swans under 14s Academy squad for 2018.

The 13-year-old is putting in the effort at the Swans Academy, and is vying for selection in the Swans Academy Under 14 team to play in the upcoming State Carnival, against teams from the Greater Western Sydney Giants Academy.

Jeremy trains at North Dalton Park each week under the guidance of Northern Districts Tigers senior coach Leigh Forsyth, plus travels to Sydney to attend Academy sessions with other talented Under 14 players.

It’s a big commitment for the 13-year-old and his family but he is relishing the opportunities.

And all his coaches are impressed with his attitude and his development in 2017, including Forsyth.

"He has a great attitude, is very focused, and is always willing to listen and learn,’’ said Forsyth.