Micky talks up our Chances

[Plugger46]

Just heard on the radio that O'Loughlin is saying this year's side is better than the '96 team. Big call.

There's not much in it, but I don't think I agree with him.

[Mike_B]

We probably don't have the same number of gun players that we did in '96, but on the flipside, our bottom end is probably playing better now than their counterparts in 96.

And then you have the intangibles such as confidence, niggling injuries etc.

[Jeffers1984]

We are definately a much more balanced side than 96 as we don't have as many gun players as 96.
I'd agree with him as we don't have many passangers going into this finals series unlike Kickett and Bayes who all were under injury clouds leading in.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Kickett and Bayes who all were under injury clouds leading in.

Not to mention Plugger's groin!

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by Sanecow
Not to mention Plugger's groin!

Yup. How could i forget that?

[NMWBloods]

I think our team is more evenly balanced now. Our backline probably isn't as good defensively on an individual basis, but our forward line is stronger with more options.

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think our team is more evenly balanced now. Our backline probably isn't as good defensively on an individual basis, but our forward line is stronger with more options.

We did have Lockett, O'Brien, O'Loughlin, Mooney, Lewis, Luff, Kickett, Grant. There was no shortage of options there. I don't think there's a lot between that forward line and today's.

[cruiser]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think our team is more evenly balanced now. Our backline probably isn't as good defensively on an individual basis,

Bring back Schauble?

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Our forward line is stronger with more options.

Our forward line was a huge dissappointment when we lost all those games earlier in the year. O'Keefe and Davis werent playing well at all, our accuracy for goal was crap and even Bazza was down on form. Our forward line is now playing to its potential and consequently we are winning.

[Schneiderman]

Bobby Skilton gives us a really go chance at going all the way too, and he is noted for his pessimism.

This is more of a champion team than a team of champions. '96 was the opposite.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Plugger46
We did have Lockett, O'Brien, O'Loughlin, Mooney, Lewis, Luff, Kickett, Grant. There was no shortage of options there. I don't think there's a lot between that forward line and today's.

There probably isn't a lot of difference, but I think our half forward line is a bit more effective now. Part of that is because Hall spends more time there and also O'Keefe works hard to present options. We lacked this on bigger grounds in '96.

[Rizzo]

http://tinyurl.com/bddg5

afl.com.au interview

[dawson]

Think we were better in 96 during the home and away season.

1) We finished 1st on the ladder
2) Had 3 players in the All-Australian Spine

We slowed down as the year went on and only won our finals by a kick.

Think this (2005) team has more momentum heading into the finals.

[Go Swannies]

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=226459

Inspirational talk from Magic.

Includes (very abbreviated so I don't feel the mod's wrath, again):

Sydney match-winner Michael O'Loughlin has sent out an ominous warning, declaring himself in the best shape he has ever been heading into the finals in a huge boost to the Swans' hopes of winning their first premiership since 1933.

O'Loughlin for once going into a finals series free of injury after he battled knee tendonitis last year.

"In the past I have gone in on one leg, but this finals series I feel much better."

A fit O'Loughlin could well be the difference in the Swans winning the premiership or coming up just short as they did the last two years - when they couldn't beat eventual premiers Brisbane in the 2003 preliminary final without O'Loughlin while last year they bowed out in the semi-finals as a half-fit O'Loughlin managed a total of just 17 touches and three goals in his two finals appearances.

"I remember after the 1996 grand final loss I wasn't too disappointed and I thought afterwards we will be back here next year, but looking back I was just a young, dumb kid," the 28-year-old said.

"The older players back then like Roosy, Kelly, Plugger and Dunkley were gutted but when you are young you think the finals are going to come around every year."

That's why O'Loughlin is urging his younger teammates to take advantage of the chance

"We had some great players in 1996 but in this team everyone knows their purpose in the team and what they need to do for the Sydney Swans to win."


"we are really looking forward to this contest with West Coast."

[connolly]

Originally posted by dawson
Think we were better in 96 during the home and away season.

1) We finished 1st on the ladder
2) Had 3 players in the All-Australian Spine

We slowed down as the year went on and only won our finals by a kick.

Think this (2005) team has more momentum heading into the finals.

IMHO 3 differences that give the class of 05 the edge:
1. Fitness - we don't seem to be carrying injuries into the finals
2. Magic has experience + brilliance
3. Adam Goodes