Why Spida?

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Just curious as to why Roos seems to be so determined to move heaven n earth to get Spida in the red & white, i understand he's a valuable player, and last year i was totally up for it, but this is a year later and the idea seems a bit stale to me now. Tarrant might not be the best prospect going around, but he'd have to be worth chasing before Everitt, and then there's Polak? his potential is huge and he's only 22-23. This obsession with Spida seems like a big waste of time and money to me

[Bloody Hell]

I'm on board with Polak....he would shore up the defence.

I don't understand Everitt either. I'm sure he would be a great addition - but not at the expense of Doyles development. In the last quarter of the GF he looked a different player - like be believed in himself. It was like someone pulled him aside and said...Jolly's going crap - we need you to stand up. Sure Cox was @@@@@@ by this time, but still - with a full preseason under his belt I'd like to see what he could do. (not more reserves)

[Carolyn]

Re: Why Spida?

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret
Just curious as to why Roos seems to be so determined to move heaven n earth to get Spida in the red & white, i understand he's a valuable player, and last year i was totally up for it, but this is a year later and the idea seems a bit stale to me now. Tarrant might not be the best prospect going around, but he'd have to be worth chasing before Everitt, and then there's Polak? his potential is huge and he's only 22-23. This obsession with Spida seems like a big waste of time and money to me

We are in need of another ruckman to compensate for Jason Ball. Chambers didn't provide that so they are probably looking to trade for Everitt.

[Frog]

Because we have a window of opportunity to achieve more Grand Final appearances with the current team. Since Ball left, and with Doyle injured, we have had to rely on Jolly and Chambers to do the rucking duties. Throw in a bit of Goodes, Hall, Richards and LRT and the ruck dividion seems pretty meagre.

This year, that leaves Jolly, hopefully a 26 round performance from Doyle, and a bit from the rest as and when required at the boundary throw-ins and ball-ups around the ground. Remember Chambers has said "No thanks" and left.

We can ill afford, in the current structure to have either of the fringe rucks (Hall, Goodes, Richards, LRT) to ruck for a full game - Not because they couldn't, but who would take their place in the normal game plan.

We will not challenge for another GF if either Jolly or Doyle goes down with an injury. Someone like Earl Shaw, whom I have only heard reports of, never seen, is not one of the current crop of players. Eventhough he is a reserve, he has not played at the elite level, no matter how many of us want him there. If he cannot hack it, we are back to Jolly and Doyle.

And if one of these is injured, we will lose another KPP to rucking duties. Whilst we have this window of opportunity to reach GF with the current crop of players, Spida can only make that more so for the next year or two. Even if Doyle and Spida only play a season of matches between them, it leaves LRT and Richards down back, Hall in the forward line and Goodes whereever he damn well pleases.

Bring on the Spiderman, I'll have him in Red and White tomorrow.

[allanh]

or we can have Michael Gardiner as the 3rd ruck.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Originally posted by allanh
or we can have Michael Gardiner as the 3rd ruck.

I actually think he'd be a much better option, despite his off field record, Everitt isn't exactly a saint either, pardon the pun!

[Nico]

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret
I actually think he'd be a much better option, despite his off field record, Everitt isn't exactly a saint either, pardon the pun!

I suggest we appoint Gardiner as our social secretary.

His performances off the field have been far better than those on the field.

[bloodboy]

I have always thought that Mick Malthouse's "Premiership Clock" theory does have a lot of merit, but often when the newspapers put it in to practice they get it horribly wrong. We are going after Spida because we are right in the Premiership timezone at the moment (I think this is around 12 o'clock). We have a chance to give the premiership a real shake again in the next couple of years and Spida is an awesome footballer, who should help us achieve that. We need a good tap ruckman to get us another premiership, so hopefully he can help us achieve this. If we were rebuilding it would be a different story alltogether.

[shole]

Originally posted by bloodboy
I have always thought that Mick Malthouse's "Premiership Clock" theory does have a lot of merit, but often when the newspapers put it in to practice they get it horribly wrong. We are going after Spida because we are right in the Premiership timezone at the moment (I think this is around 12 o'clock). We have a chance to give the premiership a real shake again in the next couple of years and Spida is an awesome footballer, who should help us achieve that. We need a good tap ruckman to get us another premiership, so hopefully he can help us achieve this. If we were rebuilding it would be a different story alltogether.

ditto that. We already have a good defence and forward line. With Spida , maybe he can tap to advantage so our midfielders can get more ball instead of trying to shut down opponents. Jolly/Spida combination would be effective if Spida doesn't get injured

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Originally posted by shole
Jolly/Spida combination would be effective if Spida doesn't get injured

Exactly. Older ruckman = bigger chance of his body breaking down.

[bloodboy]

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret
Exactly. Older ruckman = bigger chance of his body breaking down.

True that is, but younger, inexperienced ruckman = more chance of being crap and only playing a handful of games for this reason. That is the trade off. We all know how good a player Spida is, he has proved it over a number of years. If we went for a younger guy there is always the risk that they just won't be up to it in the long term. We are looking very short term at the moment (perhaps even only this off-season depending on how it all pans out next year). Spida is the best short-term prospect out there at the moment.

[Go Swannies]

And Spida wants to be a Swan.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
And Spida wants to be a Swan.

That's what it comes down to in the end. Spida wants to be a Swan, what could have been if we had him in 2006? I agree that the dor to more premierships for the Swans is still open for at least the next 2 maybe 3 years. Let's capitalise on it so that we can win next year....and 2008.

[AnnieH]

Originally posted by goswannie14
That's what it comes down to in the end. Spida wants to be a Swan, what could have been if we had him in 2006? I agree that the dor to more premierships for the Swans is still open for at least the next 2 maybe 3 years. Let's capitalise on it so that we can win next year....and 2008.

Spida wanted to be a swan before he was a hawk.
We had no room at the inn at the time.
I'm still in two minds!!
GS14 ... I beeped at Pukka Rd on the way to Melbourne AND on the way back, just in case you didn't hear it the first time!!

[Lucky Knickers]

Did Malthouse copyright the "premiership clock" theory. I have also heard Terry Wallace expound on it.

I can understand Spida. There is a massive gap between Jolly and Doyle and further back to our developing ruckmen. Spida for 2 years will cover that nicely and give either Donk to step up and repay the faith with a full pre-season and then full season in 2007 or to see one of the youngsters come through.

Should Jolly get injured (he's had very bad elbow since last season, took a bad knock to the knee early this season AND then the finger) more seriously we would be absolutely HOSED. Goodes, LRT and Ted work for the short term but it is better to play traditional ruckmen (not the modified St Kilda version of the ruck).