Who will be the big Improver

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by robbieando
My trip is Stephen Doyle

Hopefully not again!! (best watch out for Burgo!!)

[Diego]

Nick Davis and Ryan O'keefe.

[JIM4]

I'm with Ryno, he's a real guttsy playerand not afraid to mix it with the big guys.

[Bas]

Kenny Williams. He's had conducting lessons.

I hope the whole team improves. It was interesting at the B&F Dinner, how everyone was saying how much players improved in the last 10 games. Fosdikes stats were very significant.

I couldn't help think it was because Eade had gone.

Well this year will be the real test.

It would be good if the young ones like LRT, Sunny, Powell make an impression.

I wouldn't be surprised if McVeigh debuts before year end.

[Ajn]

Again I too agree with all selections, however don't forget Scott Stevens and Jared Sunquist who will soon be household names.

My personal favourite is Amon Buchanan too make the biggest jump to become a Peter Bell type ball magnet. Watching him at Port last year I noticed his ability to shake off opponents and continue running. It is a rare skill that Robert Harvey has also that requires powerful leg strength. Look for it when season approaches!

[liz]

Buchanan may have his work cut out this year, especially early, because he hasn't been able to train (broken ankle). He looks like one of those players who will have to work on his fitness throughout his career and missing the bulk of the pre-season won't help him.

[desredandwhite]

Yep - My vote for Monty too - even though he has been disappointing so far, I think he has SOMETHING. Just seems to know how to play footy.

But as Liz says, he has a LOT of work ahead of him.

[Troy G]

Please No Pressure

A big problem in the past for the Swans has been the weight of Club/ AFL /Fan expectation. This year is all new and the approach that Roos has laid out is correct of laying the ground work, creating the right enviroment, giving the guys the opportunity to produce the goods and lets just see what the guys can give us!

Lets not fall into the old ways of putting pressure on individuals and the team overall!

Let's be more like Fremantle for example they don't expect their team to necessarily make the finals and win heaps of games but they rejoice in the wins even more then when they come, are passionate about their club and the results without any of the pressure are starting to come for them!

We have the situation at the Swans were we saw a vast improvement in the team at the end of the year than at the beginning and that's how we want the team to keep going, but I think we all need to really forget everything including last year and treat the game at North Sydney Oval in many many ways as Sydney Swans Day 1. And just enjoy the wins and the losses like it's your (and their) first season!

[desredandwhite]

TG, you might have a point there. So many things CAN go wrong for a player - injuries, form, whatever.

Hopefully the ones improving can cover for those who are not having the best year, and then some!

Potential is an ugly, ugly word - *coughdalelewiscough*

[liz]

Re: Please No Pressure

Originally posted by Troy G

Let's be more like Fremantle for example they don't expect their team to necessarily make the finals and win heaps of games but they rejoice in the wins even more then when they come, are passionate about their club and the results without any of the pressure are starting to come for them!

I kinda know what you're trying to say Troy, but the last club I want Sydney to emulate is the Frockers. They are yet to make the finals and, to be honest, haven't ever really looked like it. Do we want a club that is happy to have a good victory now and again or one that intends to win a premiership? I'd rather we were more like Essendon.

[bridgey]

i think every player (hopefully most) will try their best to improve!!!

[Dpw]

Re: Please No Pressure

Let's be more like Fremantle for example they don't expect their team to necessarily make the finals and win heaps of games but they rejoice in the wins even more then when they come, are passionate about their club and the results without any of the pressure are starting to come for them!
[/B][/QUOTE]

Freo surpporters draw blood every time they lose, just listen to the radio or read the West Aus.

I can tell you that the crowds are less than half of what West Coast get .

The saying here in the west for freo surpporters is - "fair weather sailors" - beileve me it's true

Please don't use them for and example of how Sydney surpporters should be, please were better than that.

[Troy G]

My post wasn't really about Fremantle it was about the Swans and our attitude towards 2003!

I was saying that this should be a year where we just sit back and enjoy the football without the expectation of a Premiership or even a making the finals.

Yes it would be great if we did and yes that's what clubs and players are in the game for,but my point was that part of the problem has been that the club has wanted a Premiership in a quick fix fashion and now the club is doing the right thing then we also as fans should give the players, the club and ourselves a year off all the pressure and just enjoy whatever the Swans year brings!

Let just hope it just a good positive year unlike last year and get out and Cheer Cheer the Red and White and just have a year of fun! We deserve to give ourslves that after last year and just enjoy the games and the players without the expectation and the pressure. That's what I'm going to do anyway.

[robbieando]

Of course not everyone listed above will improve greatly, because anyone could be hit by injuries and the like. But if we can get the right players to improve (ie the ones who will play senior for most of the year) anything can happen.

[Ajn]

Players will improve and as we saw towards the end of 2002 the shift of focus was a mental release for most. As for too higher expectation, we won't win the cup next year but the possibility of influencing the finals is well within our grasp. My tip is 6-8 on the ladder with 13 wins, but that won't put pressure on the team. But in the end i'll settle for winning against collingwood, that one year overachieving bunch of misfits.