What is an acceptable finish for the Swans in 2006

[barry]

Will we be like Port (1 hit wonder) or Brisbane (dynasty).

I hope the swans regroup and look at this as an opportunity to build a dynasty rather than sit back and think "Geez we were good" like Port have.
Considering we were only a quarter away from a flag in 2003, a dynasty is not out of the question. We could have had 2 flags in 3 years with a bit more luck.

I would be very disappointed if we didnt at least get top 4 next year. ie a preliminary final.
Winning may be hard, but I expect us to be a serious contender that other finalists fear.

[swanzotope]

id like to see top 4.

i don't think we will fall out of the 8 and i dont think we will be a dynasty (just yet!).

top 2 would be great

[SXP]

If we keep the best players (minus those that retired) than top 4 should be our goal. Brisbane managed to keep everybody together for several years, which helped them a lot to win consecutive flags.

[Go Swannies]

Already we are being discounted by everyone.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16744989-23211,00.html

But this team has too much pride. I expect Top 4 and from there, again, anything can happen. And I agree Barry - I think we'll be a team others fear and the Lions are the only other team to have achieved that, with Port as the runner up.

[swans05]

we just play with tremendous spirit and one for all all for one attitude that anything is possible back to back 05-06 bring it on they will always write us off

[swanzotope]

let them write us off already

we love to be the underdogs

2003, out of nowhere went down in the PF carrying some serious injuries.

tipsters have been writing us off since South Melbourne became Sydney.

[Refried Noodle]

With the retirements I'd be happy with getting a home final ie. 6th or higher.

But if we do some good trading, get a good replacement for Ball and keep all the players, bring Malceski in full time I'd have to say 4th or higher maybe.

[NMWBloods]

An absolute minimum is a finals finish.

However, I think we really should be aiming at top 4 again.

Of course, a lot depends on injuries.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by swans05
we just play with tremendous spirit and one for all all for one attitude that anything is possible back to back 05-06 bring it on they will always write us off

Well said. When teams are judged on the talent of the individuals running around, we'll always be discounted.

For some "experts", they'll never be able to get their heads around the spirit, drive and determination this outfit possesses.

I feel sorry for them. Doesn't make great footy tipping!

[Sanecow]

Top four minimum for Sydney. Any finish for me.

[Sean]

I'm hoping for a top 2 spot. I honestly think that we will be better next year and all through this year I thought our best chance of a flag would be in 2006.

Obviously losing Ball will hurt but chances are no other players will take a backward step. Even our older guys are not old enough to lose too much - except Williams who was perhaps not as important this year as he has been in the last few.

I think that our midfield will be stronger with Malceski, McVeigh, Willoughby & so on stepping up. I'm expecting a couple of rookies to make an impression - Vogels obviously & guys like Shaw & Grundy.

I don't know if we can win the flag again but if we start the season well (unlike the last few years) we should make it much easier for ourselves by getting a home final in the first week.

[Mike_B]

I think not making the finals will be considered a failure, while the aim would probably be top 4 and then go from there come September. As Bloods said of course, injuries (be it to our players or opposition players) will always have a huge impact on teams.

Will also be interested to see how our draw shapes up when it's released on Tuesday.

[giant]

Just don't see how you could write off this side after this year's performance - they will always exceed expectations!

Don't know where we'll finish but if we make the GF I love our chances of winning again.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Sean
I'm hoping for a top 2 spot. I honestly think that we will be better next year and all through this year I thought our best chance of a flag would be in 2006.

Totally agree. There is no reason we cant win it next year if all things go well.

I expect a step up from a lot of youngsters to fill in the gaps we were missing this year. Players like Dempster, Malceski, Moore and Vogels should be better for the experience, and players like Schneider, Davis, Buchanan, LRT and Jolly just need to build on this year.

All in all I am confident we will make up in other areas what we "may" lose out in the ruck. Plus we learnt the true value of backing ourselves this year, and there will be some seriously experienced and battle-hardened heads running around next year.

[barry]

While Ball had a great finals series, his input during the H&A was about average for an AFL ruckman. He's probably a couple of cm too short to be really dominant.

Swap in Ball for Everitt, and we would now have two genuinne tap ruckmen which would be as good as any in the comp. We would actually be a better team than 2005.

Even if Doyle got a full year out of himself, his height advantage over Ball would open up a few new avenues. we may be only fractionally below 2005 skills.

I think Malceski will be a regular in the side next year, which will give us a bit of class in the midfield. Vogels should be able to cement a place.

So no reason why we cant be a better side on paper than 2005.