Paul Roos (Australian rules footballer)
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This article is about the Australian rules football player. For the South African rugby player, see: Paul Roos (South Africa).
Paul Roos (born 27 June 1963) is a former Australian rules football player in the VFL/AFL and now a coach in the Australian Football League.
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[edit] Playing career
Roos grew up in the Melbourne suburbs of Donvale, playing junior football with Beverley Hills Football Club in East Doncaster. He attended Donvale High School from 1975 until 1981.
Roos played the majority of his career with the Fitzroy Football Club in the centre half-back position. Roos captained Fitzroy 122 times in seasons 1988-1990 and 1992-1994 during difficult times of the constant threat of merger and relocation.
During his playing career at Fitzroy, he was selected as an All-Australian in 1991 and 1992 (as captain). He also represented Victoria in State of Origin as captain.
He finished his career at the Sydney Swans with 87 games and 19 goals during seasons 1995-1998. While Roos was at the Swans, he was one of the Sydney's best in the 1996 Grand Final loss to North Melbourne. He again qualified as an All-Australian in 1996 and 1997.
Roos has played more AFL/VFL games wearing the number 1 jumper than any other player - every one of his 356 games at Fitzroy and Sydney.
In his playing days, he was often cheered by supporters with a deep rolling roar of "ROOOOOOS!". This was so distinctive that even fans outside the ground could be in no doubt who was making the play at the time.
[edit] Coaching career
[edit] USA
When his career ended, the former AFL great spent some time in the United States. Roos coached the national side to victory over Canada. He is often credited as one of the key people in the success of the fledgeling United States Australian Football League, establishing networks with key people in the US.
[edit] Sydney Swans
Returning to Australia and the Swans, Roos then became an assistant coach to Rodney Eade. Part-way through the 2002 season, with the Swans' record getting worse by the week, it was obvious that Eade had to go. The club administration started the search for a new coach, and it is widely believed that negotiations with Terry Wallace were at an advanced stage. Nevertheless, when Eade finally went with several games of the minor round still to be played, Roos was appointed acting coach for the remainder of the season, a move hugely popular with Swans fans, who remembered his great contribution to the club as a player.
As acting coach, Roos immediately transformed the dis-spirited Swans players. Several who had struggled under Eade blossomed under his leadership. Surprisingly, the Swans won most of their remaining games that year, and the fans soon let it be known who they wanted as coach by reviving the famous "ROOOOS" call. Despite this, the club administration continued their talks with Wallace (and perhaps others). Finally however, they were unable to ignore the players' own support for Roos, when, after a win late in the season, all the players surrounded Roos on the field and, unprecedentedly, themselves joined in the "ROOOOS" call. The administrators knew when they were beaten, and appointed Roos coach for 2003 (despite reportedly having to pay Wallace a considerable amount to unwind their almost-concluded deal with him).
As coach, Roos has guided the Swans to four successive finals appearances, in 2003 (preliminary final), 2004 (semi-final), 2005 (Grand Final winners) and 2006 (Grand Final runners-up).
[edit] 2005 premiership season
In 2005, Roos' coaching style was criticised by AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, who referred to the Swans' defensive and negative style of play (presumably the tactics of flooding, and retaining possession through short chip kicks). Demetriou went as far as to claim that the Swans would never win a premiership playing such an unattractive style of footy. As a result of Demetriou's criticisms, the Swans were labelled by the media, especially in Melbourne, as the ugly ducklings.
Roos and his Swans were condemned for the way they played against St. Kilda in Round 10, 2005, with most media, led by Andrew Demetriou, describing them as "disgusting" and "ugly". There was also claims the Swans "misbehaved" during the match. The Swans lost the match 15.11.(101) to 8.10.(58) [1], a result which appeared to be the turning point in the Swans' season, but gained revenge in the preliminary final with a 96-65 win, denying the Saints a shot at their 2nd premiership. Coincidentally, in the Grand Final, they also kicked 8.10.(58), this time winning against the West Coast Eagles.
Roos proved his critics wrong by leading the Swans to their first premiership in 72 years, with a hard-fought win against the West Coast Eagles in the most thrilling Grand Final for a number of years. Many believe that the AFL's change of rules for the 2006 season was in direct response to the Swans' style of play, but this was later denied by the AFL.
In the 2006 pre-season, Roos briefly returned to the US with his Swans side for an exhibition match against the Kangaroos at UCLA, and suggested that this should become an annual event.
| Preceded by Greg Williams |
Leigh Matthews Trophy 1986 |
Succeeded by Tony Lockett |
| Preceded by Matt Rendell |
Fitzroy FC captain 1988-1990 |
Succeeded by Richard Osborne |
| Preceded by Richard Osborne |
Fitzroy FC captain 1992-1994 |
Succeeded by Brad Boyd |
| Preceded by Rodney Eade |
Sydney Swans coach 2002- |
Succeeded by 'Incumbent' |
