I'd rather

[Reggi]

Have one season of abject misery than half a decade of mediocrity.

Given the draft system IMO Sydney would be better off having an absolute dog year with 5 wins or less and 2 top picks than 2-3 years of sub par performances.

If we picked up two potential guns and had another top 20 pick, we could have a couple of guns when Goodes Sadding ton J Bolton Bolton Davis Saddington Fosdike etc were hitting their peak in 2005/ 2006.

It's cynical but draft picks here we come!

[Newbie]

Under Eade, the team seemed to overachieve for their talents but would never have the ability to reach the ultimate goal (except for 1996). This actually hurted us given the current drafting rule. Due to our performances, we were never allowed to top-up the team with enough talents required for the big one. A year of absolute underachieving might balance that. This year crop seems to be of quality as well. Could be the right year to go bottom.

[thommoone]

Hey Newbie,
A question, how do you know this years crop is quality?

[Syd]

Originally posted by Newbie
Under Eade, the team seemed to overachieve for their talents but would never have the ability to reach the ultimate goal (except for 1996). This actually hurted us given the current drafting rule. Due to our performances, we were never allowed to top-up the team with enough talents required for the big one. A year of absolute underachieving might balance that. This year crop seems to be of quality as well. Could be the right year to go bottom.

Given that Eade OVERACHIEVED with the cattle at his disposal, how did he do it so REGULARLY?

Forgetting the forgone draft choices (and those our illustrious recruiting department traded for the likes of Tingay, Daffy, Longmire, etc...) how was he able to do so well with so little?

And... how would he have gone given this years list (or the rest of last year???)

[Newbie]

There were some of the players from the last year draft camp who were not egilible for this year draft. One of them is Rachael Clarke who is highly rated. There are few others as well. In the last U16 championship, some came through with good reviews too.

Eade pushed the players too hard early in the season. He is plenty good in the match day as well. As a result, we often win enough to get to the finals. The trouble is that the team then did not have enough petrols left to seriously march home for the flag.

His game plan is very taxing on the players' bodies.

[Steve]

Write it down now.

One of Ryley Dunn, Matt Moody, Raph Clarke or Adam Cooney in Swans colours next year.

Andrew Eriksen (204cm ruckman) should go early as well.

Looking ahead we're probably only a couple of gun midfielders away from a decent side in 2-4 years time.

[Charlie]

Steve, in the hypothetical situation that we have the first two picks, who could we expect in Swans colours, at this stage, and what sort of players are they?

Are there any absolute standouts, such as Riewoldt/Koschitze in 2000, Hodge/Ball/Judd in 2001, and Goddard/Wells in 2002?

You certainly seem to know your stuff about the junior levels...

[Steve]

Ryley Dunn (Shepparton) - 182cm / 79kg
Matt Moody (Sth Fremantle) - 186 / 77
Adam Cooney (West Adelaide) - 187 / 78
Raphael Clarke (St Marys) - 187 / 73

At this stage these guys are ahead of the pack in terms of midfielders.

Dunn is more an inside player but can play.

Moody and Cooney are quick outside types - both have played senior footy in Perth/Adelaide.

Clarke is an interesting one - physically he gives the impression that he could keep growing into an Adam Goodes body, but will more likely end up being more like an O'Loughlin but with more athleticism.

The 7 or so months until the draft will separate them some more, particularly Cooney and Moody playing senior footy. Personally, at this stage, I'd be looking at those two, but looking closely at our current midfield group a composed quality inside player like Dunn would be a great addition.

With a hypothetical second early pick it would really depend on how our list is looking come the end of the year - had guys like Bolton, Fosdike, Schneider, Ablett etc made big steps forward, maybe they'd look closely at Erickson. Billy Morrison from Tassie is a bit of a wildcard, but probably doesn't fit the profile of players we are in shortage of.

[Red]

Any tall defenders worth looking at Steve?