Who will be the big Improver

[robbieando]

Look I think our major problem will be a lack of depth and quality in our midfield. While it has improved in the last year, I still think it isn't good enough to have us challange for a Top 6 spot. I think we could make the finals if we get lucky with injuries and improved form of some players. But we have alot of young players who will use the year to find their footing in this league and so come 2004 and beyond we will have a side to push for greater success. Having said that we will surprise everyone who has tipped us for the wooden spoon

[Gunn]

I think our defense is probably more of a problem than our mid field. I think there is a possibility that our younger mid fielders will make improvement. We lack a good big CHB and a good big FB to counter the likes of Rocca, Carey Schwartze et al. I just don't see that we have the material on the list at the moment. Over the next couple of years some one may develop. We can rotate and double team to attempt to cover the problem but that just increases pressure on other areas of the defence. We desperately need a rock like Dunks who can take big contested marks, spoil and make plays. How many times have we seen Dunks make a timely mark or spoil when we were really threatened. Who has the talent, height and bulk to fill that roll week in and week out?

Until we get the defence right we can't sustain a challenge to the top 4-6. To even get in the top 8-10 we will need a big improvement in the mid field which will take pressure off the defense.

I hope that my opinion proves to be totally wrong.

[Ajn]

The likes of those players are going with history, forwards of that type are now required to be more agile and quick. Schwarz has retired, Carey will be a distant reminder of himself and Rocca never kicks more than 2 goals against us.

[Reggi]

Amon Buchanon is in a fair amount of trouble.

His poor running is the cause of most of his problems and an interupted pre-season will cause a fair amount of trouble.

He was lucky to get another season.

Most of our younger guys have scope to improve through bulking up etc.

The ones that need to are

Ablett
S Stevens
O'Keefe

Does anyone know if S Stevens has bulked up?

Very important for Sdyney that Bolton, Fosdike, Saddington, Doyle and Goodes mature as players.

Fixter, Kennelly look to have some scope for improvement.

LRT will also hopefully push for a senior game.

[robbieando]

Losing Dunkley hurts the defence sure, but just remember our defence in 2001 was the 2nd best in the league during the home and away season and last year it held up pretty well with all the close losses we had. Remember the midfield takes the pressure off a defence if its any good. Players will improve but that takes time. I still think we a 2 midfielders short of a good team, McVeigh should fill one of these spots, the other will need to be looked at at the end of this season.

The defence this season could be very good. Remember even though we lost Dunks we will replace him with Schauble to start with who played most of last season up forward and hopefully have LRT come on.

[liz]

Originally posted by robbieando
The defence this season could be very good. Remember even though we lost Dunks we will replace him with Schauble to start with who played most of last season up forward and hopefully have LRT come on.

Schauble had a few stints up forward last year, sure, but I wouldn't say he played most of the season there.

I think some are underestimating the impact of Dunk's loss. Even last year he played some fantastic games and stood up when it looked like no-one else would. He is just about the best marking defender I have seen play, from any club.

Of course he is replaceable - any player is - but it won't be a breeze. I can see the defence looking pretty fragile at times this season unless LRT (or James) becomes a miracle saviour.

[robbieando]

Not saying Dunks can be replaced just saying that as a whole we really don't lose much with Schauble and LRT fighting for the FB spot. However the other defenders have to stand up

[TheHood]

No doubting the magnificent marking power of Dunks. I have to agree with Lizz about his hero factor, most recently when I think back to the Saints game at the SCG last year. Dunks took the most telling mark right at the end when the pressure was unbelievable.

I would say that Dunks had a few well heralded weaknesses too and I think that our bounce off half/full back may improve greatly. We always needed a rover cutting behind Dunks for the handball - this takes a potential target away. We might find ourselved now able to kick long immediately or at least get a short target forward of the ball.

I will personally miss Dunks bringing those attacking missiles down to the ground and coming up looking like he'd just been through the washer/dryer, always looking to milk the free, it was cunning and entertaining.

[jude_boltons_babe]

i think all the guys will have a better one

id have to say i think the swans will have a good year under paul roos they love his style of play

[TheMase]

Re: i think all the guys will have a better one

Originally posted by jude_adams_babe
id have to say

You really don't.

[Guest]

He he he
Dunk's will be missed sorely. But I still think our defense will benefit from his leaving. A faster rebound style of play will come to the fore.

Still hoping Ball will be the big improver, and Goodes will continue his latter half of the 2002 season.

[Cheer Cheer]

Originally posted by TheHood


I would say that Dunks had a few well heralded weaknesses too and I think that our bounce off half/full back may improve greatly. We always needed a rover cutting behind Dunks for the handball - this takes a potential target away. We might find ourselved now able to kick long immediately or at least get a short target forward of the ball.

Of all the downsides to dunks missing, this is a very good point, as a potential improvement in the moving the ball from our backline. Well said hood. Totally agree.

[Gunn]

There is precious little 'rebound' when the opposition FF has marked the ball 30 metres out and is having a shot. :-(

The ball has to be first marked or spoiled so as the to deny the opposition forwards a direct shot and so as to allow the defending team to have the chance of rebounding out of defense.

Dunks has never been fast and was getting very slow in his last 4 years. He looked very vulnerable on the big MCG but he was the best we had. Dunks was also 5 cm or so too short but he was still mostly able to spoil. Despite Dunks' shortcomings I just don't think we have anyone at the moment to replace him. We have taller replacements. We have faster replacements. We just don't have anyone who can stand at the base of a forming pack and take a grab or spoil whilst bravely ignoring the likelihood of being crunched.

[snajik]

Kirk
Seymour
McPherson
Fixter
O'Keefe
O'Loughlin
Doyle

I can't be more specific than that.

[Guest]

You just can't see the light can u Gunnybear.

Saddington has apparantly bulked up. He could be the answer. James might be another option. Too soon to say, but the writting is there for a good future script.