Season is OVER. Forget about finals

[liz]

Originally posted by Doctor J.
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

The word I'd like to respond to that is not suitable for polite company.

As I said before, go follow someone else if winning a premiership is ALL you think counts.

I want the Swans to win one as much as the next man, woman or dog on this site. And I'm not deluding myself that performances such as we've seen in the last few weeks are indications that we're close at the moment.

But, for me at least, it's as much about the journey.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't feel frustrated or disappointed. Just stating that I know why it is I follow my footy - and its for the journey and the stories along the way. The weekend I spent last year in Adelaide with Bron and Swannette last year, the weekend in Melbourne in Sept 1996, even just events like seeing us stampede back to draw with the Bombers in 1996, the wonderful evenings when we've pounded the Roos into the ground, the ANZAC day fightback last year, Schneider's goal against the Pies last year. These are all wonderful memories etched in my mind that mean more to me, personally, than some piece of silverware stuck in a cabinet somewhere.

For as long as there's a chance that I'll have another one of these to add to the collection, 2004 sure as hell is NOT over for me.

The rest of you can make your own choice.

[hardluck_harry]

Originally posted by lizz

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?

Just hope the Board and the supporters back Roosy to the hilt while we're going through a lean period. As for the capabilities of the squad, Roos' has always said we need our best 22 on the park, like every other team except Brisbane...he wasn't lying.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by lizz
As I said before, go follow someone else if winning a premiership is ALL you think counts.

When you've followed for a long time, it's just about the only thing left to experience, and it would be nice to get just one. That is essentially the point in following professional sports team.

But, for me at least, it's as much about the journey.

The Swans' journey is akin to crawling from Melbourne to Darwin!!

[hammo]

Originally posted by lizz


But, for me at least, it's as much about the journey.

70+ years is a bloody long journey.

I don't think you can be serious if you don't feel any sense of resentment / jealousy / depression on grand final day if it isn't your team holding the cup at the end of the day!??

[Go Swannies]

I'm depressed like every else. But most of my frustration is that we are so close. If we were the Saints of the past decades I'd just go back to motorcycle racing. But I can see that just a slightly better game plan and execution and we'd be there. The bizarre thing is everyone else's expectations. Oh my god, we've lost at Subiaco - who hasn't?

Right now I', feeling that Paul Roos has unlimited freedom. We won't win the GF. So try different plans and players. I laso draw great strength from out good players - both new and old. I don't expect September to be relevant for us so just see what works and what doesn't. And I look forward to 2005. It was always meant to be a long term plan for the team, players and coach. Go for it. Do the weird things that are so much fun - beat the Aints and fold to the Hawks. You all play like you have too much on your shoulders. It's just a game and tonight I'm prepared to let go.

Cheers Shniedergirl - we yelled and carried on at the pub but obviously we weren't heard in WA.

Jules - have a good flight home - and I hope John finds that continental shift has put closer to Sydney closer to Perth on the way home.

For everyone else, see you at the SCG next weekend. Drinks afterwards?

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by lizz
The word I'd like to respond to that is not suitable for polite company.

As I said before, go follow someone else if winning a premiership is ALL you think counts.

I want the Swans to win one as much as the next man, woman or dog on this site. And I'm not deluding myself that performances such as we've seen in the last few weeks are indications that we're close at the moment.

But, for me at least, it's as much about the journey.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't feel frustrated or disappointed. Just stating that I know why it is I follow my footy - and its for the journey and the stories along the way. The weekend I spent last year in Adelaide with Bron and Swannette last year, the weekend in Melbourne in Sept 1996, even just events like seeing us stampede back to draw with the Bombers in 1996, the wonderful evenings when we've pounded the Roos into the ground, the ANZAC day fightback last year, Schneider's goal against the Pies last year. These are all wonderful memories etched in my mind that mean more to me, personally, than some piece of silverware stuck in a cabinet somewhere.

For as long as there's a chance that I'll have another one of these to add to the collection, 2004 sure as hell is NOT over for me.

The rest of you can make your own choice.

Oh puhlease, but I'm sorry, you just don't get it.

Just what is it that we have WON.

-----------
.............

You fill in the gaps

Prelim final berths mean diddly squat

We've all got memories about certain things, one of my favourites is us coming back from 4 goals down in time on and beating the Pies in a game at the Lake Oval, but you know what, it means NOTHING. In the scheme of things I aint got no silverware in the cabinet to admire, and this year has gone down that oh so familiar path of the last 70, sorry 71. So forgive me if I don't share your optimism.

If winning isn't everything, and winning premierships at this level isn't what this club is about, then why the f--- are we even in the bloody competition. This aint the friggin North Shore under 9's. This is the premier sporting competion in the country. You are in it to win it ther is NO other reason for being in it. If you are not, you are just making up the numbers. End of story

As for the journey. Its overrated believe me, and I can assure you it didn't start in 96.

[dimelb]

After last year we expected at least as good, if not better. Let's remember that Roos said it was a rebuilding exercise for the next couple of years. There have been promising signs despite the losses. And although we don't have the depth I thought, it's still not bad. The main reason for our current status can be expressed in one word - INJURIES! So let's see how we go over the next few weeks as they all start to come back. Magic did OK today. The worry is Goodes... But the rest will make a difference. I can't wait to see Schauble and James together in the backline. And Davis start to fire again. We're not going to the GF this year, we still have a good chance of making the finals, and even if we're just making up the numbers at this stage, we will see the benefit of it later. And yes, I do want a premiership!

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
I'm depressed like every else.

I'm not depressed. I'm just resigned to the same old Swans for this year... nah, that probably does make me a bit depressed, or maybe simply numb.

Dimelb has a good point that injuries have hurt us this year, and I suspect that our lack of injuries last year probably made us look a little better than what we were, so a fall back is not that surprising. I'm just disappointed that it's fallen quite as much as it has, and particularly with the performance of a few players.

[Diego]

Originally posted by lizz
The word I'd like to respond to that is not suitable for polite company.

As I said before, go follow someone else if winning a premiership is ALL you think counts.

I want the Swans to win one as much as the next man, woman or dog on this site. And I'm not deluding myself that performances such as we've seen in the last few weeks are indications that we're close at the moment.

But, for me at least, it's as much about the journey.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't feel frustrated or disappointed. Just stating that I know why it is I follow my footy - and its for the journey and the stories along the way. The weekend I spent last year in Adelaide with Bron and Swannette last year, the weekend in Melbourne in Sept 1996, even just events like seeing us stampede back to draw with the Bombers in 1996, the wonderful evenings when we've pounded the Roos into the ground, the ANZAC day fightback last year, Schneider's goal against the Pies last year. These are all wonderful memories etched in my mind that mean more to me, personally, than some piece of silverware stuck in a cabinet somewhere.

For as long as there's a chance that I'll have another one of these to add to the collection, 2004 sure as hell is NOT over for me.

The rest of you can make your own choice.

Thats a pretty selfish attitude you take there.

A journey to you and a romantic one at that, but for some here they have been following this club way before you knew what AFL was and have seen the same mediocre served year in year out. Promises one year heart ache the next. The journey ended a long time for most of us...for you it has just started, congrats.

I hope you are not proud that the club has won didly squat in over 70 years (not counting the the 82 night flag).

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by Diego
Thats a pretty selfish attitude you take there.

A journey to you and a romantic one at that, but for some here they have been following this club way before you knew what AFL was and have seen the same mediocre served year in year out. Promises one year heart ache the next. The journey ended a long time for most of us...for you it has just started, congrats.

I hope you are not proud that the club has won didly squat in over 70 years (not counting the the 82 night flag).

Jeez, let everyone get what they can from the game and the club! Unless you are very, very old I guess you don't follow the Swannies for the premierships. either? Remember Sydney hasn't been going so long (but I hear it has links to some Melbourne suburb with overpriced real estate . . .) so it may take a while before it dominates in AFL as it does in just about everything else.

Incidentally, are the umpires this year doing there best to ensure that there is no batton change from the Lions, with a salary cap advantage, to the Swans, with a similar advantage??

[robbieando]

Originally posted by lizz
The word I'd like to respond to that is not suitable for polite company.

As I said before, go follow someone else if winning a premiership is ALL you think counts.

I want the Swans to win one as much as the next man, woman or dog on this site. And I'm not deluding myself that performances such as we've seen in the last few weeks are indications that we're close at the moment.

But, for me at least, it's as much about the journey.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't feel frustrated or disappointed. Just stating that I know why it is I follow my footy - and its for the journey and the stories along the way. The weekend I spent last year in Adelaide with Bron and Swannette last year, the weekend in Melbourne in Sept 1996, even just events like seeing us stampede back to draw with the Bombers in 1996, the wonderful evenings when we've pounded the Roos into the ground, the ANZAC day fightback last year, Schneider's goal against the Pies last year. These are all wonderful memories etched in my mind that mean more to me, personally, than some piece of silverware stuck in a cabinet somewhere.

For as long as there's a chance that I'll have another one of these to add to the collection, 2004 sure as hell is NOT over for me.

The rest of you can make your own choice.

Lizz, I can understand what you are saying in a way. Yes the wins and expirences you quoted above are satisfying, BUT at the end of the day to me, I would trade every good memory I have watching the Swans to taste a Swans Premiership. The only reason I keep supporting the Swans year in and year out, is to one day enjoy a premiership victory at the MCG.

At the end of the day a win like the ANZAC Day game, or our final win against Port, or even the day we beat Collingwood with only 15 fit men on the field is what hooks me in some more. That gives me a taste of what I'm after and thats a premiership.

Lizz if your only supporting the Swans to expirence great win and enjoy them more than silverware, then what the point in supporting the team??? After isn't the premiership the be all to end all in this code?

[Bear]

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.

Please explain??

I think the season is over but am not going to abandon my team. I suggest you follow the team your way leave others to follow their way.

[hardluck_harry]

Funnily enough I want the Swans to win the premiership. But then I want the Swans to dominate the competition, so I'll be able to be smartass, arrogant @@@@@ to all my mates who support Essendon, Collingwood and Carlton...cause I've had to put up with their **** for almost 40 years.

[liz]

Originally posted by robbieando
Lizz, I can understand what you are saying in a way. Yes the wins and expirences you quoted above are satisfying, BUT at the end of the day to me, I would trade every good memory I have watching the Swans to taste a Swans Premiership. The only reason I keep supporting the Swans year in and year out, is to one day enjoy a premiership victory at the MCG.

I guess that we differ then a bit Robbie. Although maybe not, going by your final sentence in the above paragraph. The key is that you want to enjoy the experience. That's what I think it's all about. If you fell asleep for a year, woke up and were told that Sydney had won the premiership, how would you feel? How long would it take for the glow to wear off of looking in an AFL Almanac and seeing another premiership by the Swans' name if you didn't have the experiences to go with it.

And for those that say that memories of the 2003 Qualifying Final are empty because we didn't win the premiership, maybe they are for you but not for me.

One of my lasting memories from last year came towards the end of the PF against the Lions when our dreams were in shatters. I was sitting next to a chap - an Englishman - who is a mate of a member I go to matches with and started coming along to the odd game a couple of years ago for the afternoon in the sun and the beer. He started coming more and more often, and started getting more interested in the actual game. I looked over at him at the end of that game and his head was hung and he was crying. OK, so as a recent convert he has experienced none of what a lot of you long time followers have. But at that time I realised he was completely bitten by the bug - the bug that has me bad - and in a strange way that was a fantastic feeling, to see someone else start to love the team in the way that I love them.

I am not in the least trying to tell anyone how they should support their team. All my comments on this thread have been very personal ones and I, admit, a bit emotional. It just saddened me to read some people deeming this season to be over already when there is so much that still might unfold, even if it is not a premiership.

Sure, a premiership is the ultimate goal. For me, the hope, belief and expectation that a premiership will one day arrive are the rich emotions that keep me interested in the game, and the small experiences along the way are the fuel that keeps that belief alight.

But hey, that's just me. Each to their own.

[NMWBloods]

Your point is absolutely right in one way Lizz - to enjoy something truly, you need to experience the journey and relish the sweetness of victory. Otherwise it really doesn't mean so much.

However, the problem is that the journey is just soooo long and with no real end in sight.

The journey itself is only truly enjoyable if it eventually reaches its destination.