Willo fading

[Sanecow]

He's on his longest sub-20 possession streak since 1994 and giving away more frees than he's getting. Clearly fading. If you want to bag Shagger, you need to bag Willo as well.

[sydneyswans1989]

his 32, he can still run like the wind & gets kicks & takes marks. Yes this will be his last season of footy sadly but his still performing well even though he had a shocker against the dogs.

Akermanis is the perfect replacement for willo when he retires.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Thank goodness for

[NMWBloods]

The days of 20+ possessions are pretty much past Willo.

Instead, as an impact player off the bench we should value from him for the rest of this season with possession in the teens.

[TheHood]

That centering kick that fell in the arms of a Bully was a bit poor. He made the off statement (before the 300th) that he reckons he hasn't lost his pace or his kicking power. I reckon that was way off the mark.

He's there for his presence and leadership and experience/team ethic when he doesn't have the ball.

We are lucky to have others younger and fitter that can absorb the stuff Willo used to do well.

In a poor Swans team, he'd be playing 2s.

However he's a gun and a favourite son and if he's given enough space, he can still be creative (so dumb team will not tag him and he'll punish them) and the balance is right with him in there.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I wonder whether Roos would consider resting him as the Maggots have rested Buckley?

[caj23]

I reckon it would be a great move to rest him for a couple of times during the remainder of the season and giving games to schmidt and willoughby in those instances.

Both deserve a chance to debut and would ensure that willo is still fresh come september

[gossipcom]

Granted he's not the player he was when he came to the club, but heck he's older now so that has to be taken into account.

That being said his disposals on Saturday were his highest for the season so far (19 - since he had been averaging 14 till then). But still his effort in the 4th quarter when he had been on the field for only a few secs and rang down the right wing to kick it into BBBH was a gem. Of course BBBH missed, but we'll just forget that part

[BigBadBarryNo1]

Willo would be one of the big reasons that the Swans would be craving to win the premiership for this year, as the rookie players on the outer edges are playing really too well to be ignored, and as a result it's likely to be his last year. He would make a great midfield coach though with his cool and calculated approach to the game..

I'd say that a player like Malceski would be a more than adequate enough replacement for him. Just need maybe a Bevan / Dempster to step up a notch for them to come good though.

To be honest, regardless of how many possessions he gets, playing a game is more than that - it's also about the knowledge of the plays, and how many circles you can run around on your opposite number. On this count, he still makes his plays very well, and his all-round knowledge around the ground, and his professionalism about it is something that many of the rookies don't have yet.

[Gary]

I don't think we should be greatly concerned about Willo (for this year)...he still seems to have the brain & enough speed to contribute...just not at the same level.
Frankly Malceski has a long way to go to be considered in the same sentence...I'm a fan at the moment but 3 / 5 years will tell us if he is anywhere near Williams, the consumate pro.

[canetoad]

Originally posted by Gary
I don't think we should be greatly concerned about Willo (for this year)...he still seems to have the brain & enough speed to contribute...just not at the same level.
Frankly Malceski has a long way to go to be considered in the same sentence...I'm a fan at the moment but 3 / 5 years will tell us if he is anywhere near Williams, the consumate pro.

The most informed comment on this thread. Of course Willo is slowing down but he has street savvy and a heap of football left in him. What is up with the posters on this board, they seem to want to pull everyone down. The boys have hit their straps and I cant see them losing too many this year. I cant see Adelaide, West Coast or Collingwood beating them in a Grand Final and they are the ones that count. Willo will be a major part of it.

[Legs Akimbo]

Originally posted by canetoad
The most informed comment on this thread. Of course Willo is slowing down but he has street savvy and a heap of football left in him. What is up with the posters on this board, they seem to want to pull everyone down. The boys have hit their straps and I cant see them losing too many this year. I cant see Adelaide, West Coast or Collingwood beating them in a Grand Final and they are the ones that count. Willo will be a major part of it.

Cane Toad, do you have problems being run over, being frozen or used as a golf ball...

On topic, agreed, but I like the fact that Sydney Swans fans tend towards the pessimistic in their outlook. Hubris is an ugly thing.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
On topic, agreed, but I like the fact that Sydney Swans fans tend towards the pessimistic in their outlook. Hubris is an ugly thing.

72 years between premierships will do that to you.

[canetoad]

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
Cane Toad, do you have problems being run over, being frozen or used as a golf ball...

On topic, agreed, but I like the fact that Sydney Swans fans tend towards the pessimistic in their outlook. Hubris is an ugly thing.

I am unsure if pessimism is akin to stupidity or just plain thick as house bricks. So far I have read that Mick, Willo and a couple of others are on their last legs

Confucius say "Ths is load of Crap "

[cruiser]

Originally posted by goswannie14
72 years between premierships will do that to you.

Never again!!!