Very Surreal at the moment

[blinddog]

But as we are in rebuilding stage doesn't ending up too high in the ladder work against us, in the way that we are further down the list for the draft picks?

As far as James, from what I understand Roo's just wants him to play out the season (when he does comeback) in reserves. All going well seniors next year for him, of course no decision is set in stone.

[Charlie]

But as we are in rebuilding stage doesn't ending up too high in the ladder work against us, in the way that we are further down the list for the draft picks?

If we're good enough, why not go for it? You only live once... and draft picks can wait.

Why try and recruit a star KPP if LRT keeps improving to that level? Why bother looking for a tough nut midfielder if Jude Bolton has taken the next step?

Why deliberately wait three years if we don't have to?

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by gloveski
realistically we are at least 2 seasons away from playing competitive finals football.

We need to find a key position player and a few quality midfielders to replace cresswell and the aging maxfield.

History has shown that young players taper off towards the end of the year and to expect these guys to be still up come finals time is a dream.

I still expect us to finish between 7th to 10th at best.

But with a bit of luck especially with injuries god knows what will happen.But one thing for sure the future is looking bright and maybe the rebuilding period wont take as long as expected.

We can finish higher than 7th.

[Nico]

Originally posted by omnipotent
Lack of key, classy, quality defenders will find us out. Also the midfield has older players and will tire come September so it needs back-up.

Nah, got it wrong Omni. It is the seasoned players with miles in their legs that come to the fore in the finals.

For freshness try Doyley and Fixter for size if they rise above their injuries in the second half of the season.

Cresswell, Maxfield, Williams and now the likes of Bolton and Fosdike who have matured, and throw in Davis, then the ability of our midfield to get through a long tough season suddenly looks promising.

Not to forget the maturity now of Crouch and Mathews under the tutourledge of "The Master Coach" or dare I say it, "The Messiah".

Strewth I don't believe I said that. A Swans supporter getting Cocky!!!! But I told you all so before the season started.

[Reggi]

Our midfield has depth - but our lack of a 'star', gun midfielder will catch us out.

Schauble has had a couple of fair weeks, but he is the weak link our lack of a strong quality tall defender will mean we are guranteed to struggle when we come up against the really strong marking types.

Depth is also a problem - we are stretched at the moment.

I also think that we will find that the younger players will begin to struggle for consistency.

[Charlie]

Schauble has had a couple of fair weeks, but he is the weak link our lack of a strong quality tall defender will mean we are guranteed to struggle when we come up against the really strong marking types.

So far we've managed to account for teams containing the best two marking forwards in the league... Neitz and Lynch. These guys were significant contributors for their team, but didn't do enough to get them over the line.

Our defence has been magnificant so far.

[Plugger46]

I still think our backline is a little bit suspect.

[CureTheSane]

Re: Very Surreal at the moment

Originally posted by Bart
Is there anyone who could put their hand on their heart and say they expected this ? ....... Can we win the flag ?

I didn't EXPECT it, but I wasn't one of the doom and gloomers.

Like I said in a thread at the start of the season asking to pick where the Swans would finish I picked 1.
What is the point of supporting a team if you don't think (or hope) that they can get anywhere?

And I still say we CAN win the flag

Colloingwood proved that last year.

Now people will come out and say that Collingwood are a different team blah blah blah, but that's bs to me.

I've always said the Swans winning and losing was about mental attitude, and am still dumbfounded that we don't have a team psycologist.

But if they keep their confidence up, and roos continues to support that development (allowing them to back themselves etc) then we have a good a chance as probably 12 or 13 other teams, with a few teams having a bit of form and spirit on us

[TheMase]

Our defense is ranked 4th in the League. (4th in against).

[floppinab]

So far we've managed to account for teams containing the best two marking forwards in the league... Neitz and Lynch. These guys were significant contributors for their team, but didn't do enough to get them over the line.

Our defence has been magnificant so far.

I would still say solid as opposed to magnificent CG. We've been winning because those opposition forwards you mention have been starved of quality opportunities by our midfield and we've been rebounding into the forward line very very effectively. Can't remember Lynchy getting too many one on ones against us like he had against the Crows last week.

[gloveski]

Our defence has been really good but we may get found out on bigger grounds were it is harder to get numbers back

[sharp9]

Originally posted by Bart
Yeah @@@@ it ! Let's now go and win the bloody thing

Well I'd like to put it better....but I can't

[Bart]

Originally posted by sharp9
Well I'd like to put it better....but I can't

[Rizzo]

Roosy reckons having the reserves play in the canberra league has made the young guys a lot more physical. From what I've seen I'd have to agree with them. LRT, Powell and Schneider don't seem fazed by the physical nature of the games at all and that has given the whole side some more backbone.

For this year I'm sticking with by orginal guess at Finals but with some luck we may win one or two. Let's hope we can keep hold of the talented young blokes!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

My attitude to things is that we shouldn't get overexcited about a young side. As has been said, young sides are often volotile emotionally.

To use an analogy I see this year as the year where the house's foundations are being laid. We are giving the kids a go so that they not only have a taste of AFL senior footy but can develop their games against the highest level of opponent possible. There will be stuff-ups. There will be erratic efforts. But as we have recently seen, sometimes the youngsters can surprise you.
Whether it remains this positive by the season's end remains to be seen.

We are a club that hasn't won a Premiership since 1933. We are a club that has always wanted short term success over long term stability.

I'd rather we take the conservative option and see this year as a wonderful opportunity to blood the kids, hopefully who will all be able to mature as a unit together. What ever success we get this year should be seen as topping on your ice cream. We must not lose perspective of the bigger picture here.

We are going ahead of schedule. I'd rather do things right and develop a champion club over a longer period of time rather than a side that may have one fly-by-night year in the finals then no future the next. That is what the Lions have done. I'm sure Ireland is modelling us on what he helped build up there.

Originally I set ourselves a target of being premiers in 10 years from last year. I'd like to think that we are starting that journey. And could acheive it in 3-5 the way things are falling into place.

We are laying down the first paving stones. We are just waiting for Roosey to lead us down that yellow brick road that leads to the MCG on that last day in September.

JF