Swans inclusions for Eagles match.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by janpa
I wish all the comparison to Eade would stop too.

Amen

[robbieando]

Originally posted by lizz
Crouch? If you look at who else is still playing from the year he was drafted you will see that he has turned out to be a very good choice, even as a first rounder.

I did say draft picks since 96 and Crouch was our first round pick in 95. Of course it goes without saying he has turned out to be a very handy player.

[Gunn]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
Gunn,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I agree with many of the points you make. But I still think we'll do better developing the talent we have than looking to develop by trades, etc. I think Roos has done a good job in nurturing talent and I think that, under him, quite a few more of the Swans list would be rated more highly than they were early last year. Unless you get a lucky break with trades you are buying another team's cast-off. Yes, we need to do as well as possible in the draft but I wouldn't trade a ladder position for a better draft choice. A good draft pick will help us in, maybe, 2006 or later?

This year and last, the competition has been very close. From memory of last season, R22 decided whether the Swans would be 4th or 7th. Teams shouldn't give up too soon.

As we are experiencing, there are just huge intangibles in AFL footy. A few lucky kicks or even umpiring calls and we'd be 5/2 and considering us well on track. But the team isn't cohesive at present and the mistakes they have always made are costing us hard in close finishes. This time last year it was far from certain that the Lions would play finals. If we win the flag this year, we'll be told that we just developed from a great season in 2003 and the current short "slump" will be ignored. But there needs to be a spark to get the team firing again - maybe it'll be something as simple as Magic being back this weekend (or the rain holding off). Or we'll lose this weekend and the slog will continue. Personally, I'm going to see if my Grand-Final-guarantee scarf has dried out yet and head to the pub in Alexandria tomorrow to watch the Swans finals campaign get back on track.

I'll say it again because you keep bringing it up in replies to my posts. I have never suggested we trade anyone. There are some traders made in heaven for both clubs but as a rule they seem to be most useful when a good side is short of one or two position players and has a surplus of other types that other clubs don't have. I prefer good recruiting to trades which oftern involve older players.

As far as the rest of your post is concerned I agree chance plays a part in many close results BUT with our present list shortfalls ALL our players must play close to their best to avoid those close losses and make them wins. It is a hard task to have all players play clsoe to their best at all times particularly when they may be carrying slight injuries.

I think Roos is doing as good a job as may be expected with our list. He would be able to do a better job if he had a couple more key position players, a top ruckman and 3 or 4 quicks with excellent skills by hand and foot and some toughness. He knows that and has said as much. These latter players are more easily got through early draft picks and qualifying for early draft picks is a bitter pill which would have been more easily swallowed last year. With expectations raised for this year no one wants to take that pill (including me).

[Sanecow]

Nicks however should not be played IMO purely to get him to 150.

I'm hoping he'll make it to 200!

[Dpw]

Why? If he adds something to our side I too hope he makes 200 but as the last few years have showen than I hope he plays no more, we have enough inconsistant players at the minute.

[penga]

one thing im curious about as far as nicks goes is how large his salary is... IIRC, he signed a 3 year deal at the end of 2001 when he was touted as the next captain, i wouldnt be surprised if we are overpaying him by some margin... while if his contract does get renewed he will be on a much less significant figure, freeing up MORE space in our cap...

we should go for the jugular and tell pavlich that we'll pay him 750k if he plays for us

then play him at CHB

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Gunn
I think Roos is doing as good a job as may be expected with our list.

"With our list"? What is that supposed to mean. A few weeks ago we were talking ourselves up as genuine contenders. How things change. I actually think Roos has been outcoached in recent weeks. Roos has been great for the club, but people have to be prepared to bag him if he's doing the wrong things.

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
Saddington on him or Crouch?(tough decision).

Crouch is the obvious choice. Matera would be too mercurial for Saddington (sp?), and besides Matera would out-body saddo.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by Dpw
Why? If he adds something to our side I too hope he makes 200 but as the last few years have showen than I hope he plays no more, we have enough inconsistant players at the minute.

Well, he'll obviously only make 200 if he hits some form.

[stellation]

Originally posted by penga

we should go for the jugular and tell pavlich that we'll pay him 750k if he plays for us

then play him at CHB

please please please please please please please please

[Gunn]

Originally posted by Plugger46
"With our list"? What is that supposed to mean. A few weeks ago we were talking ourselves up as genuine contenders. How things change. I actually think Roos has been outcoached in recent weeks. Roos has been great for the club, but people have to be prepared to bag him if he's doing the wrong things.

Speak for yourself about talking them up. I have followed the team for too many years to ever talk them up. To use the old cliche, I take one week at a time. I never take a win against any team for granted.

I disagree about bagging the coach. If he has been outcoached at the end of his contract or his 'plan' has not worked nor likely in the short term to bear fruit then replace him. I don't know whether he has been outcoached in recent weeks as you say. We have no idea whether the players are following his game plan. He says they are not. Some players have said they are not. You say they are and he is being outcoached. I say cut him some slack. White anting destroys a club.

You ask the meaning of "our list". I think it is quite self evident what I mean.