Goodes ponders a return to ruckwork - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Goodes ponders a return to ruckwork

By Greg Buckle 26/04/2005 06:05:58 PM Comments (0)

Sydney coach Paul Roos has asked Adam Goodes to put aside his mental scars and return to the gladiatorial role of centre-bounce ruckman for Saturday night's clash with the unbeaten West Coast in Perth.

Roos is also preparing to give Irish recruit Tadhg Kennelly a more prominent role in midfield as the Swans grapple with selection dramas for their match against the AFL's pacesetters.

With tall timber Stephen Doyle and Jason Ball already unavailable because of injury, the Swans are desperately hoping their decision to contest a misconduct charge laid against ruckman Darren Jolly does not backfire at an AFL Tribunal hearing on Wednesday.

The 10th-placed Swans opted not to accept a one-week ban for Jolly. The former Demon is facing a two-week suspension if he is found guilty of kneeing Melbourne's Simon Godfrey.

While admitting having Jolly to start in the ruck is his Plan A, Roos says he is struggling for a Plan B.

"Obviously we will front up and someone will take the centre bounce. I'm not sure who it will be at this stage," Roos said.

Goodes and key defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson are the obvious alternatives and both spent some time in the ruck in last week's 34-point loss to Melbourne at the SCG.

"I did ask Adam today how he feels mentally about doing that sort of thing," Roos said.

"Ultimately it's probably going to be up to the player himself, along with me.

"If he comes back to me and said "I really want to go in the centre bounces" then you have to take that into consideration.

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