Jumpers

[Bleed Red Blood]

We have

7
8
13
14
16

those are the top few.

Who's going to claim them?

[desredandwhite]

I don't think #18 is going anywhere - that's Heath James' number.

For the rest.. Adam Schneider, James Meiklejohn and LRT might be pushing for higher numbers. Maybe Mark Powell?

A big, big call is Schneider for #14. While I would like to see it go to a promising youngster, perhaps now is a little too soon. Retiring a number for 2-3 years should be enough for ANYONE, IMHO.

[Charlie]

Originally posted by desredandwhite
Retiring a number for 2-3 years should be enough for ANYONE, IMHO.

It will have been long enough when there's a player who has proven themselves worthy - and not before in my opinion. Schneides MAY get there, but no way near it yet. Besides, I suspect he'll be given Cressa's number 8, or at least offered it.

Out of the current bunch, the most worthy is Jude Bolton.

[Bear]

I disagree.

I will be disappointed if we do not see Skilton/Kelly's number running around again next year on the Schneiderman and I think it will happen.

It's uncanny that he is so like Skilton.

[Destructive]

Of all the players I think Schnieder is the top candidate for No 14.

[robbieando]

Don't don't think we should EVER allow Number 14 to be worn, unless we draft a member of the Skilton or Kelly families and that if that kid wants to wear it. Simular to what Geelong have done with the Number 5, if a member of the Ablett clan wants to wear it then they can, until then it stay retired.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by robbieando
Don't don't think we should EVER allow Number 14 to be worn, unless we draft a member of the Skilton or Kelly families and that if that kid wants to wear it. Simular to what Geelong have done with the Number 5, if a member of the Ablett clan wants to wear it then they can, until then it stay retired.

Agree and I would be insulted if Schneider got that number after one season.

[Bear]

Interesting that five years ago no-one cared too much about a significant number going to a promising youngster but now people jump up and down about these things.

In the end it is of no consequence really as the decision is made by people who are in the know at the club. That is, people who actually know things like how Paul Kelly would feel about Schneider wearing his number next year.

[sharpie]

I think people already have too high expectations for Schneider next year. Most 2nd year players have a slump for various reasons. Making him looked like the golden child in #14 will only add to those expectations.

[Bleed Red Blood]

Originally posted by Bear
I will be disappointed if we do not see Skilton/Kelly's number running around again next year on the Schneiderman and I think it will happen.

I seriously doubt this would happen like Des said it's a huge call to make on the basis of one season.

[liz]

Originally posted by sharpie
I think people already have too high expectations for Schneider next year. Most 2nd year players have a slump for various reasons. Making him looked like the golden child in #14 will only add to those expectations.

Completely agree. He had a great debut season but he's a long way to go yet before he reaches his potential, and many players burst onto the scenes in their first year only to fade.

I have high hopes for him but am willing to wait two or three years before we see him really come into his own. Giving him the number 14 guernsey would be ridiculous at this stage - far too much pressure.

[Bear]

Pressure is for tyres.

If he can't handle things because of a number on his back then he won't have what it takes to be an AFL footballer.

He's much better than that.

Good to see we have some budding sports psychologists amongst us though.

[liz]

Originally posted by Bear
Pressure is for tyres.

If he can't handle things because of a number on his back then he won't have what it takes to be an AFL footballer.

He's much better than that.

Good to see we have some budding sports psychologists amongst us though.

Like it or not, many players struggle in their second year after a great rookie year. This article on Geelong's Kelly is quite interesting, and provides a plausible explanation for why it happens.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=126906

Giving him the number 14 at this early stage in his career will surely increase that pressure.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by Bear
Pressure is for tyres.

If he can't handle things because of a number on his back then he won't have what it takes to be an AFL footballer.

He's much better than that.

Good to see we have some budding sports psychologists amongst us though.

I think you have to cast your mind's eye as to whole ceremonial way this would get done. It wouldn't just be Schneides rocks up to game one and Roosy throws him the jumper, end of story!

There would be a whole lot of fan fare and hoopla and media articles and interviews etc.

I think a rising star and keeps on rising would feel more comfortable with such a gesture.

[footyhead]

There are three issues here as far as I can see.
1 the retirment of #14.
2. players taking a learning curb in their second year.
3.the pressure put on a young player when wearing a superstars number.
.....

Well in response to 1. It is bad publicity and just shows a lack of depth of feeling at a club when a champions number is dusted off too early. You would have thought that the Swans would of learn't this after the Plugger debacle. That they should of given out the number 4 so quickley was discracfull, and then for Ben Mathews not to give it up was embarrassing. I mean a players number can become hallowed by the acheivments of that player, and it does not help a team "move on" any faster to recycle absolute champions numbers too quickley. All it does is destroys the process of enhancing the history and acheivments of the club.
I agree that at the moment our club needs to win premeirships, but after we do, the memory of Kelly and the retiring of his jumper for a suitable time will add to our folk lore possitively. Just as the story of how we showed great disrespect to Plugger should add to our passages of historical shame.

2. Sneider mayt well be on a steep learning curb next year and so I hope the continue to give him plenty of time as a crumber in the forward line , so that he can consolidate on a position he obviously plays very well. I think it would be a mistake to try and force to become that ruck rover we depseratley need. Sure give him a run but don't let him get too many expectations going for himself. That way he can enjoy his second year even if it aint as spectacular as 2003.

3. Any young player wearing a champions number is going to be aware of the fact that they are doing so. This will deffinatley have some kind of conscious or unconscious effect on that player. This is why it should definatley not be done in a players second year in the 1sts.
Bear, your "Pressure is for tyres", comment is nieve and ignorant in the extream when it comes to how the psyche of human beings function. Any fool can see that in this game getting ahead of your self is one of the worste things that a player can do. What is one of the primary ways a player gets ahead of themselves?? (especially in their second years ) by have pressure applied through self expectations or those of the club/fans.
So for that reasone alone Schneider should not wear number 14 next year.
The fact that some of you here want him to, just makes me think that we have quite a nuber of crack- jobs within the fan club of the Swans. The lack of eduction of the average Swans fan, when it comes to understanding the finer points of football, obviously still leaves a lot to be desired.