What now?

[Legs Akimbo]

The dream of back to backs is over. Some important questions (which would have applied even if we had won)...

Is this group a realistic chance of another tilt at the flag?
With West Coast probably still on the ascendant, can this Sydney team also get better next year so as to keep pace?
If so, from where or how?
What members of this year's team will be on the periphery next year and who will come in?
Do we use the 2006 draft to top up or build up?
Do we trade some of the premiership players while they are worth something?

[alison.z]

Re: What now?

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
Do we trade some of the premiership players while they are worth something?

i've been thinking about this as well and there's few people i wouldn't mind leaving ... most of them are going to improve and i would hate to see any of them go. we still have quite a few younger players who have only started to consistently play good footy and there's players in the reserves knocking on the door as well.
i think we are in a good place with established stars and enthusiastic younger players.

what about nick davis? there was all this trade talk about him earlier this year .. is that over now?!??! i think he has well and truly done enough to deserve to stay ... what does everyone else thing - i would be gutted if he left

[Agent 86]

Nick must stay.

Most pressing need is reliable tall defender.

[Cosmic Wizard]

Re: What now?

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
The dream of back to backs is over. Some important questions (which would have applied even if we had won)...

Is this group a realistic chance of another tilt at the flag?

First, the dream of back to back isn't over; it just that we have to win a couple now. And the dream of overhauling the Mapies four in a row is still on, just postponed a couple of years.

This group can win more, but face it, we have structural issues.
We need another quality forward who can mark in packs, simple.

We need one more tall quality defender, Barry can't just cope we the tall moblie forward that teams now have.

And we some players who can be used anywhere, from defence to the forward lines. To often, if a player gets beaten in his position, we can't use him anywhere else. Think RLT going forward, and then think the Eagles Hunter??. Our players need to be more verstalie.

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
With West Coast probably still on the ascendant, can this Sydney team also get better next year so as to keep pace?

Wrong, West Coast didn't blow us off the park, we made so many mistakes, and many were not under pressure. Our goal kicking, in both GF was awful. Our plan off soaking up their running till they tried works. We just needed more time, and to make less mistakes. Their midfield hasn't had a serious injury yet, and they work them hard. If they lose one, they are a lot more vunerable.

We can beat them again, and in the GF. Just a little patience, and a little bit of luck, and one or two more tall qualtity players, and we can go threepeat.

[Mike_B]

Can't see many changes to the team that took the field yesterday. We have to hold on to our first round pick in the draft and then look to trade wisely, but as is always the case, you have to put up someone of value to get something good in return.

West Coast will be the team to beat over the coming few years, but at the same time, Essendon dominated for 4-5 years and only had 1 flag and 1 losing Grand Final to show for it.

The competition if so even that a couple of injuries to key players and all of a sudden things turn upside down.

[swanhead2005]

I honestly don't know if Sydney are a chance for another premiership. At the start of this year, I didn't tip them to make another Grand Final, so I would be happy to be proved wrong again.

There is another thread that discusses Robert Walls' comments about the Swans starting to get over the hill. I don't agree with Walls either, but there is a big gap between Sydney's top tier players and second tier players at the moment. The question is if veteran guys like O'Loughlin can stay fit and get into the hot form zone again.

But if they are going to stay a force, yeah, really need another key defender. Give Spriggs and Schmidt a few games. I never realized how important Crouch is, too. Not only is he one of the best taggers in the side, but he's fast and good on the counter-attack.

Another thing they need to look at is a dominant ruckman. Jolly and Doyle were really exposed against the likes of Cox and Sandilands. Need someone who can tap to advantage and whether it's Everitt, Gardiner or Beau McDonald, I don't care. I think there's a good 2-3 years left before age starts to weary the guns, so better not waste it.

[hammo]

An attacking midfielder must be a priority. Not sure if we have any at the moment. Our guys just aren't damaging enough in the way Kerr, Judd etc are. That is our biggest downfall.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by hammo
An attacking midfielder must be a priority. Not sure if we have any at the moment. Our guys just aren't damaging enough in the way Kerr, Judd etc are. That is our biggest downfall.

Yep - we desperately need an attacking midfielder.