Who will be the big Improver

[Charlie]

Nearly the entire team has improvement in them, however I'll be focusing on 5 young players who have been blooded now, and are on the verge of becoming stars. Tadhg Kennelly, Ben Fixter, Ryan O'Keefe, Stephen Doyle and Scott Stevens.

[Ajn]

We have a full side of potential stars, plus substitiutes. Season looks good according to us experts!

[Cheer Cheer]

Putting my redandwhite glasses aside for a moment, I still believe that we can be top 6 and be a force to be reckoned with this year, rebuilding or not
Thus my sig .

[desredandwhite]

While I honestly believe we can challenge for the 8, I think many many things will have to go our way before we get any higher than 7th or 8th!

6th would mean a huge amount of luck with injuries, as well as some "lucky" injuries to other sides' key players ;-)

[Dpw]

Originally posted by Cheer Cheer
Putting my redandwhite glasses aside for a moment, I still believe that we can be top 6 and be a force to be reckoned with this year, rebuilding or not
Thus my sig .

I think your glasses are still on. Des, was right at best 8th most likely 12- 8 somewhere, to many variables to go our way for 6th.

However we can all but dream and football is funny game.

[Ajn]

Refusing to take "red and white glasses" off!
The sides progress next year is dependant upon players afore mentioned stepping up and if they do then don't be suprised if we finish in a higher ladder position than many here will predict. I rate us better than Colingwood and hence believe that with the luck that deserted us last year we could be there! add one goal to each score last year and we would have been top 3. Keep your eyes peeled.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by Ajn
Refusing to take "red and white glasses" off!
The sides progress next year is dependant upon players afore mentioned stepping up and if they do then don't be suprised if we finish in a higher ladder position than many here will predict. I rate us better than Colingwood and hence believe that with the luck that deserted us last year we could be there! add one goal to each score last year and we would have been top 3. Keep your eyes peeled.

I was'nt attacking you personally, but my friend you have to many "If's" and adding one goal is a big maybe.

Just look at the Dockers they missed the finals in there first year by a average of one goal a game and look at them. Stats etc can say whatever you like but the results are always the results.

[chammond]

I think your glasses are still on. Des, was right at best 8th most likely 12- 8 somewhere, to many variables to go our way for 6th.

So who are the six teams who are definitely better than the Swans?

Brisbane? Yes
Port Adelaide? Probably
Adelaide? Maybe
Collingwood??
Melbourne??
West Coast??
Kangaroos??
Essendon??

As far as I can see, there are only 3 teams who clearly have a better squad than us, and we'd have a fighting chance against any side except Brisbane.

So given even luck, why couldn't we finish in the top six?

[Charlie]

A top 4 position is a remote (stress: remote) possibility, but it is a possibility.

I'm refusing to get my hopes up though for this season. We could pull a Baby Bombers and steal a premiership, or we could come stone motherless last. I just don't know.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by chammond
So who are the six teams who are definitely better than the Swans?

Brisbane? Yes
Port Adelaide? Probably
Adelaide? Maybe
Collingwood??
Melbourne??
West Coast??
Kangaroos??
Essendon??

As far as I can see, there are only 3 teams who clearly have a better squad than us, and we'd have a fighting chance against any side except Brisbane.

So given even luck, why couldn't we finish in the top six?

Brisbane Yes
PA Yes
Adelaide Yes
Collingwood Yes
Melbourne No
Westcoast Yes
Kangroos No
Essendon Yes

Based on no Injurys etc
But please don't get me wrong I would love us in the six or higher It's just I think we should be more realistic is all. These kids need one more year or more and the older guys will be relied upon alot. I also have concerns on our depth and players like Jason Ball, who i really like but I have seen his whole career at swan districts and westcoast(my wife is a big fan) and he is very up and down and injury prone.

[CureTheSane]

Well put Cliff.
I agree... and more.
The Swans have their destiny in their own hands every season.
Sure injuries play a part, and have with us for the last few seasons, but they affect every team.
Most teams work through the season in spurts of form.
And I believe that form is lagrely controllable.
Essendon have been able to contol it, as have Brisbane etc.
If the preparation is better than the other teams, and the desire is more feirce than the other teams, anything can happen.

That's how Collingwood made the 8 last year.
I'd be surprised if they finish top 4 and I don't even think they'll make the 8 this year.

I only know one way to support and that's with the biggest expectations every year.
unfortunately this leads to the biggest let downs lol

This year, we CAN win the flag.
If you don't believe that there isn't a glimmer of hope, I don't know how you'll be able to follow the team all year....

[Cheer Cheer]

Thankyou for the support those who did.
Top 6 is definately a realistic aim.

[Ajn]

Expectations are nothing to hide from and anyone who believes Collingwood and west coast have a better list, than us, are dreaming. Both will struggle to match their result from last year, whereas sides like Richmond and Geelong will raise the bar on last year.

The nature of the competition has 3 sides that will most likely finish top and 3 that will finish bottom. On form we easily make into the 4-12 range, it may be good for us and it may be not, but we'll support them to beat ALL who come before us!

[Cheer Cheer]

Yep

[jude_boltons_babe]

ill have to say i think the whole team will go great

i think the whole team will tgo excellent but i want adam and micky and jude to go well