Experts don't pick Sydney in Top 8

[Old Royboy]

How about you? Do you, as you suggest, think players are picked on favouritism rather than maximising the chances of winning?

You?re reading a little too much between the lines. I said that up to a point, the selectors prefer committed hacks to talented party boys. I've no argument with that - it was the commitment and discipline of our team that was no small factor in the successes of 2005 and 2006, but that sort of thinking can be carried too far. What I do have issue with is the past reluctance to drop/rest out of form or half fit players.

We had a less than successful 2007, and are just saddling up for 2008. The committed crew failed through poor form and playing with injury, so I feel it reasonable to question if they were kept in the firsts for too long.

I remember last year Bevan came back from injury at a reserves game at Manuka. He played an absolute Barry Crocker, but his reward was immediate promotion the next week. Later on, Monty was dropped; he took his medicine, ran his guts out in the ressies, and played well too. But he still had to pay a couple of weeks more penance before he was reinstated. (which is why I have the feeling he is not considered a full Blood) I?m sure there were good reasons for the above, but with no explaination form the club, fans have every right to ask why.

Meanwhile Laidlaw, Jack, Moore and co were burning it up. Those guys did not get a chance until injuries (not demotions) occurred, and even then spent about ? of their games on the bench, did not get much opportunity to show their wares and were shunted off back to Canberra almost immediately. Granted, it didn?t help much that two of the reserve grade standouts were Jack and Barlow, both rookie listed players who had to wait for long-term injuries to get a chance.

There are all sorts of other issues that impact on selections, one of which is the fact that any Sydney reserve grader promoted to play in the backline will have to learn on the job. (was this why Bevan got back?)

At the end of the day, these judgements rest with Roos, and the selectors, and I?m sure Roos would be the first to admit he?s not perfect. It appears that he?s recognised that he got things a bit wrong, because he?s on record already as saying things will be a little different this year and the kids will get their chance. I certainly hope so.

[satchmopugdog]

The article from Craig Bolton and his speech at the guernsey presentation night was full of optimism about how well we will do this year.
Very passionate indeed. If all he says is true about the structure of the club then we are in for a goodish year.

Hope so as I am hurting badly now...as of 2 hours ago I am an empty nester. Youngest off to work at Uluru for a year. It is the same feeling as when you say goodbye to your pets when they are put down. Gutwrenching

[connolly]

You?re reading a little too much between the lines. I said that up to a point, the selectors prefer committed hacks to talented party boys. I've no argument with that - it was the commitment and discipline of our team that was no small factor in the successes of 2005 and 2006, but that sort of thinking can be carried too far. What I do have issue with is the past reluctance to drop/rest out of form or half fit players.

We had a less than successful 2007, and are just saddling up for 2008. The committed crew failed through poor form and playing with injury, so I feel it reasonable to question if they were kept in the firsts for too long.

I remember last year Bevan came back from injury at a reserves game at Manuka. He played an absolute Barry Crocker, but his reward was immediate promotion the next week. Later on, Monty was dropped; he took his medicine, ran his guts out in the ressies, and played well too. But he still had to pay a couple of weeks more penance before he was reinstated. (which is why I have the feeling he is not considered a full Blood) I?m sure there were good reasons for the above, but with no explaination form the club, fans have every right to ask why.

Meanwhile Laidlaw, Jack, Moore and co were burning it up. Those guys did not get a chance until injuries (not demotions) occurred, and even then spent about ? of their games on the bench, did not get much opportunity to show their wares and were shunted off back to Canberra almost immediately. Granted, it didn?t help much that two of the reserve grade standouts were Jack and Barlow, both rookie listed players who had to wait for long-term injuries to get a chance.

There are all sorts of other issues that impact on selections, one of which is the fact that any Sydney reserve grader promoted to play in the backline will have to learn on the job. (was this why Bevan got back?)

At the end of the day, these judgements rest with Roos, and the selectors, and I?m sure Roos would be the first to admit he?s not perfect. It appears that he?s recognised that he got things a bit wrong, because he?s on record already as saying things will be a little different this year and the kids will get their chance. I certainly hope so.

I would have thought Craig B's speech would go some way to explaining the Bevo selection

[satchmopugdog]

I would have thought Craig B's speech would go some way to explaining the Bevo selection

Yep!

[Old Royboy]

I would have thought Craig B's speech would go some way to explaining the Bevo selection

If that is the case then you agree with me.

[swantastic]

I reserve my right to spit at the coach or players if the circumstances warrant it.

Under no circumstance does it warrant spitting on people.

That is the most disgusting habit,that is worse than being a bigot or racist.

[ernie koala]

[QUOTE=2005;362102]

Some of criticism especially towards Jude Bolton, Jarrad McVeigh, Ben Mathews and Paul Bevan here is over the top BS at times!!

I just shake my head and wonder at some people at times.



So true Grim !
I joined this forum not long ago, as I enjoy a debate and love to speculate and hear people differing opinions on the Swans.
The crap some people go on about the 3 above is boring & Bull@@@@!!

Doesn't sound like you enjoy a debate to me. Sounds like you think any veiw contary to yours is "boring and bul@@@@". Well I think reading one eyed, rose tinted commentary is BORING AND BULL@@@@.

[2005]

If you read what I said Koala Bear I was talking about the 3 above as its get boring and most of it is just Bull@@@ !!

Bloody oath Im one eyed always will be, always have been.
Ill critisize when its warranted then get over it, move on to another topic !!

[ROK Lobster]

Under no circumstance does it warrant spitting on people.

That is the most disgusting habit,that is worse than being a bigot or racist.

If they play crap they deserve it in my book. After that St Kilda draw at the dome I got down near the race and went home feeling like I'd walked acress the Simpson desert.

[Nico]

Swannies, I don't believe for one second that our players don't try their hardest, but I am in the ORB camp in that if players are not good enough or their form warrants dropping them, you must start to turn the group over.

It seems there is almost a fear that if a couple of new players are introduced (that is take a punt on them) and the move initially doesn't work the coaching staff and selection committee will get an absolute pizzling for it. Hence Jarrod Moore got 5 seconds on the ground against the Saints in 2007, then never to be seen again.

Again J Bolton admitted he was unfit in 2007 and didn't work hard enough on the track (and he obviously fooled everyone at the club) and his form showed it, and yes many on RWO bagged him for his form, yet got picked every week regardless of form.

I think maybe in 2007 they thought that the same group might just get them to a GF again and were hoping against hope that it would just happen in the finals, but alas we were all disappointed.

[swantastic]

If they play crap they deserve it in my book. After that St Kilda draw at the dome I got down near the race and went home feeling like I'd walked across the Simpson desert.

Nothing deserves being spat on especially your own team no matter how bad they play.

In all my years of playing soccer i have been spat on lots of times,some times i retaliated and got sent off other times i didnt.

This is going to sound racist,but in my experience the ones who do it the most are of ethnic persuasion.

[The Big Cat]

Getting back to the thread, I think that we will do better than many expect. Why? Because outside of Geelong, Hawthorn and St Kilda I can't see any other sides being certainties for the 8.

Eagles - gone without Judd and Cousins
Port - Last year flattered them.
Kangas - ditto
Bullies - Still too small
Carlton - Judd's not enough - no defence
Collingwood - Retirements hurt - especially Clement
Brisbane - Aging list
Adelaide - aging as well
Bombers - Weak list. Flat out in NAB Cup
Richmond - diabolically weak list
Melbourne - Nearly as bad
Freo - Inconsistent - will try to go the knuckle.

Swannies virtually have their two most important players as new recruits given how much they played (fit) last year - Hall and Kennelly. Also Goodes may as well have not played the first half of 2007. I have big hopes for "Fridge" Barlow ("the white Goodes") to take the comp by storm as well.

Also don't forget that the aim of keeping these young guys in the ressies for so long is so that when they make the ones they are ready. How many people thought that Lukey Ablett was no good because he played in the twos for so long?

I'm confident.

[TheGrimReaper]

I wouldn't say Brisbane have an aging list. They have a relatively young list.

[Robbo]

Brisbane have some of the most exciting youngsters in the game. They are on the up and are a genuine top 8 contender now IMO.

West Coke will struggle a little but they still have a lot of depth. Wouldn't surprise me if they still made the 4.

Freo will be a force this year. Bookmark it.

[originalswan]

Bias aside, the reasons I see the Swans improving are as follows:

Existing Personnel: Players such as Bazza, Kennely, LRT, J. Bolton, McVeigh, Goodes (in the first half of the season) and Ablett had a season they would rather forget (whether it was injury or form or both), I simply can't see them having as little an impact as they had last year. Their iincreased output alone will see a marked improvement in the Swans.

New Personnel: Players such as Bird, Jack, Moore and Mattner look like they will have a bit of game time and put pressure on the existing players to perform.

Game Plan: Surely the coaches have learned a few things from their continued lack of success against the Crows and recently the Magpies. Just as Malthouse worked the Swans out I think the tables could be turned with some fine tuning.

Finally how good would it be if Everitt comes back rejuvenated and the miraculous happens with Malceski. OK I have been somewhat optimistic in my assessment but that's what a new season normally does to me.

For what it's worth I predict a finish in the range of 4-6