Season is OVER. Forget about finals

[Doctor J.]

Its over, Gone. Done for.

Oh well not like we haven't seen it all before. As Swans supporters we should be used to the season being over early. At least we got to Round 8 this year before its all over.

God I wonder why I follow this team.

Mid table mediocrity experts. Thats all we are. Would not know how to pursue the ultimate prize. Been making up the numbers for 70 years, and on todays and last weeks showing, will make up the numbers for the next 70.

[NMWBloods]

Yes, I know the frustration.

I think we will still make finals, but simply making up numbers.

The bigger problem for me is that I was hoping to see some promising signs this year, pointing towards a good year in 2005. However, all I see is weakness around the ground. There are only a few positives in our team as I see it at the moment.

[Doctor J.]

You are an optimist.

[NMWBloods]

People rarely say that to me!!

[Doctor J.]

Just wondering what you see as positives.

[DST]

Originally posted by NMWBloods


I think we will still make finals, but simply making up numbers.

I don't see making up the numbers as such a bad thing.

Sure we all want to give the cup a shake, but if it means that some of our youngsters (Bevan, James, Buchanan, Powell etc) get a taste of a finals game then it can only help in their development for the future.

It also shows that as a club, when the chips are down that we take pride in our performance and strive to win enough games to get into the 8.

We all laugh at teams like Hawthorn and Richmond becuase when they have no hope they always drop away.

DST

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by DST
I don't see making up the numbers as such a bad thing.

Sure we all want to give the cup a shake, but if it means that some of our youngsters (Bevan, James, Buchanan, Powell etc) get a taste of a finals game then it can only help in their development for the future.

It also shows that as a club, when the chips are down that we take pride in our performance and strive to win enough games to get into the 8.

We all laugh at teams like Hawthorn and Richmond becuase when they have no hope they always drop away.

DST

Thats fine if we make the finals. My contention is that we wont even do that, and in a 16 team competition when you are in the bottom 50%m that IS making up the numbers ie wasted years.

[DST]

Originally posted by Doctor J.
Thats fine if we make the finals. My contention is that we wont even do that, and in a 16 team competition when you are in the bottom 50%m that IS making up the numbers ie wasted years.

Whether we make the finals or not was not going to be decided by todays game.

The next three weeks is the end game. Beat the Dog's and Dawks at home and we are 5 and 5 with the big one against the Aints at home the week after.

DST

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Doctor J.
Just wondering what you see as positives.

I think you perhaps misunderstood my intent - I have concerns over the team and can only see a few positives at this stage.

There are only a few:

- the form of Hall
- some talented younger players (eg: Goodes, Davis)
- we aren't too far off opposition teams

Talent-wise our team will continue to struggle(ie: mid table) for a long time unless we develop some very effective game plans (more than one), our commitment and effort remain solid and constant, or we manage to find a few guns.

[hardluck_harry]

I wouldn't say the season is completely over yet.

Even if we don't make the eight, individual player need to show signs of improvement for the club to hang their hat on for next year, a worrying sign is we've only seen improvement in three or four players so far.

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by NMWBloods

There are only a few:

- the form of Hall
- some talented younger players (eg: Goodes, Davis)
- we aren't too far off opposition teams

They are the obvious, although will disagree on Davis (good ordinary) and how close we are to the top sides.

I can't think of any other positives at this stage Very thin list of positives.

[liz]

Originally posted by DST
Whether we make the finals or not was not going to be decided by todays game.

Agreed. Regardless of how the match panned out, if we had won today it would have been a "steal" in that you hope, not expect, to beat the WA teams over there.

If anyone thinks the season is over, I suggest they get off the Swans and go follow someone else. Better still, start following netball or tenpin bowling.

Are we going to win the premiership this year? Highly, highly unlikely.

Will we make the finals? Still in with a decent chance but need to start playing more consistently throughout a game.

If we make the finals, could we win one (or even two)? Sure, why not?

Might we watch a still inexperienced coach grow, try out a few new things, get to learn a bit more about the capabilities of his squad, develop new match day strategies?

Might we watch the rapid growth of a very raw rookie FB who has far more guts than most of us could imagine, is being thrown some huge tasks and is keeping his head held high?

Might we see the emergence of a tough, gutsy blonde backpocket / midfielder who may get beaten sometimes but never drops his head?

Might we be excited by some brawn and brilliance from one of the in-form key forwards, and another who can return after a lengthy lay-off and spark some 'magic' into the team straight away?

Might we see Pebbles develop into a consistent, quality half-forward flanker?

Might we witness the class and poise of McVeigh as he gets more experience and confidence?

I don't know the answers to these but I know what I'm hoping for.

I also know why it is that I follow the footy and love my Swans. What about the rest of you?

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by lizz
If anyone thinks the season is over, I suggest they get off the Swans and go follow someone else. Better still, start following netball or tenpin bowling.

Its opinions like this that will ensure that this club remains mid table mediocrity FOREVER.

Don't know about you Lizz, but I'm here to win a premiership, seeing all that other stuff is just froth on a beer glass. So yes, the season IS OVER

Its the mentality of "Oh great we won a Bronlow Medal" This club uses Brownlow Medals as drink coasters, the trouble is we aint got any cups to put on top of the coasters, which is what it is all about

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by lizz
If anyone thinks the season is over, I suggest they get off the Swans and go follow someone else. Better still, start following netball or tenpin bowling.

Why?

I also know why it is that I follow the footy and love my Swans. What about the rest of you?

Well you managed to name 6 players, but what about the rest of the team. Small victories like seeing a few good players in a team that generally underperforms doesn't really cut it.

[SXP]

Lizz, you've always been an optimist, but that is OK. For you living in Sydney there's hardly any other choice to teh Swans. For us living in Melbourne that is different. For this year I'll put Swans on a low priority and attend the games I'll find more interesting. Sure, I'm still going to follow Swans how they're doing, but doing a die-hard fan thing, forget it. They don't deserve it. I'm not a footy expert to judge a coach or players, but I can see an underachiever when I see one and the Swans team is one of them. This might sound very harsh, but in real life people loose jobs for underperforming. Think about it.
And, to be quite honest, Lizz, what kind of word of encouragement would you have for die-hard fans to follow the Swans, beside the old-fationed saying about the "true believers". Whatever that might be. The only power I have is the power of money and who I support, and believe me I'll think very strongly about it in upcoming years.