Thoughts

[Mattyt]

Haven't actually seen the game, but looking backl on 2004, I was happy enough with it.

Injuries took their toll, and in the end we lost to a talented opposition with absoloutely everything to lose. Bad luck boys, but I have a sneaking suspicion we'll be right in the mix next year.

We did well with the cards that were dealt to us throughout this year, so all I have to say is roll on (an injury free) 2005!

[NMWBloods]

I don't think injuries are a great excuse for this year. As noted last week, we had one of the more settled 22 this season.

Overall, the season was okay, but the lack of consistency worried me a lot. A number of games, and particularly the St Kilda and Essendon ones at the MCG, just showed yet again our midfield is too weak.

[swans_premiers]

Doesn't hurt asmuch as last year, would have liked to have seen us win a final at the MCG though.

[caj23]

i agree with you both, it would have been a really good season if we'd managed to get through to another premiminary final, as it stands i'm not devastated (although disappointed) that we only made it through to the 2nd week of the finals

i guess the question that tonight throws up is where are we going to get the improvement from to take the next step?

Ideally a few of our younger players will take the next step up to cover some of our deficiencies (LRT to CHB, Willoby or Schmidt to get into midfield).

Maybe a few clever trades although i can't see us involved in any blockbusters at this stage

[Damien]

Hurts me more than last year.

We are at real risk of falling behind some teams next year, Geelong and St.Kilda are going to take the next step, and Brisbane and Port will not be going anywhere....

Thought a window had opened for us...how wrong I was to dream.

[Mattyt]

I'm not using injuries as an excuse, I just think a fully fit Goodes would really define this side. I just think the Swans are really capable of big things next year, especially with a fully fit Schneider getting more of a run in the midfield.

I was totally and absoloutely gutted last year, really, really, gutted. But this year...Not quite the same. I think it's a tribute to the boys that they held their heads high after the loss of Wally, and went on to win 4 straight.

I'm predicting right here and now big, big things for next year.

Goodes for Brownlow, I don't care how bad his form was this year.

[swans_premiers]

Originally posted by Damien
Hurts me more than last year.

We are at real risk of falling behind some teams next year, Geelong and St.Kilda are going to take the next step, and Brisbane and Port will not be going anywhere....

Thought a window had opened for us...how wrong I was to dream.

Surely you would think Brisbane and Port would have to start to slip.

[Damien]

Originally posted by swans_premiers
Surely you would think Brisbane and Port would have to start to slip.

On what basis? Brisbane may lose Lynch? who else is going?

[NMWBloods]

No reason why Brisbane will slip.

Look at the ages of some of their key players next year:

Akermanis 28
Black 26
Bradshaw 26
Brown 23
Charman 23
Johnson 29
Lappin 29
Leppitsch 29
Keating 29
Michael 28
Notting 26
Power 25
Scotts 29
Voss 30

They still have a couple of years left!!

[Nico]

Roos said after the game that Williams, Mathews, Maxfield and O'loughlin were virtually out of the contest with injury by Q time.
Said as the game went on it became harder with rotations and with a lack of midfield options was hard to keep tabs on their midfield.

He did say that under the conditions we tried to overuse the footy too much, particularly in the 2nd Q.

We had some dumb players out there tonight. eg Ablett is clear but insists on going sideways to Kirk, who should never have called for it as he had 2 on his tail - holding the ball. Turnover for a goal.

Kennelly, again clear but insisted on yet another handpass, turnover for a goal.

Both these happened in a space of 5 minutes when we could have had it one out with Hall or Micky in or near the square both times. Dumb footy. The writing was on the wall.

[swans_premiers]

Voss is only getting older, as is pike. How old are the Scott brothers? Leppistch? Where will they get their improvement from? I'd say they will stay around the same level with other teams improving. Port if they lost next week i would be very surprised to see them up there again next year. Much like collingwood losing 2 grandfinals in a row I don't think Port could get up there if it happened again.

[Mike_B]

The only one who is definitely going is McRae, otherwise they could have a very similar lineup again in 2005.

[swans_premiers]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
No reason why Brisbane will slip.

Look at the ages of some of their key players next year:

Akermanis 28
Black 26
Bradshaw 26
Brown 23
Charman 23
Johnson 29
Lappin 29
Leppitsch 29
Keating 29
Michael 28
Notting 26
Power 25
Scotts 29
Voss 30

They still have a couple of years left!!

How old are Hart and Pike too?

[caj23]

whilst i don't see them dropping off in any major fashion (they may even win again), the core of their team will be 28 years and over. These players will certainly not improve and some may be in decline (Voss an obvious example). Furthermore they are more likely to be prone to wear and tear injuries at that age

So if we can improve next year we can close the gap on them

[NMWBloods]

I don't think Brisbane will improve, but I don't think they'll be slipping just yet. Certainly not noticeably so anyway.

Pike and Hart are over 30, and may slow down, but still have some impact. They also have a number of younger players, like Brennan, Hadley and McLaren, who will get better with experiene.