Experts don't pick Sydney in Top 8

[mcs]

I Think we will make the eight as we will win enough games at home/here in canberra to make that happen but im not so sure about what else we will do. So Ill say 7th.

I was also disappointed on Saturday and while there was some promising signs there were plenty of warning signs to say that many things that needed to change from last season have not. We still spent half the game running ourselves into trouble or kicking across the half back flank.

A hell of a lot relies on Barry Hall. If he stays fit and has a good year we may just have one last chance at glory with the current squad. Biggest problem we will have again I think is the fact that too many players are protected species in the eyes of Roos and new blood wont be given a proper chance.

Encouraging signs from Bevan at the game on Saturday, you have got to be kidding me!

[hammo]

I think our season will depend on a) how our older players are going and b) how Roos reacts if they?re not going well.

If by round 8 we?re again hearing Roos say that the veteran players have given the club great service over the years and they deserve to the chance to rescue a sinking season then you?ll know we?re in trouble.

I have to say the signs seem OK at the moment ? it looks like Bird, Moore and Jack will get a chance early in the season while I doubt Crouch in particular will be picked until they are fit and showing form in the reserves. I have a lingering doubt that Crouch, Mathews and maybe Barry have played on one year too many, but time will tell. We could have a few mid-season retirements this year if things don?t go well.

Finally, our X factor as always will be Adam Goodes. He?s the barometer for the Swans ? usually if he plays well we win and if he goes missing we lose. If he?s primed for a big year as we've been reading then I think we?ll do OK.

[BeeEmmAre]

I'm expecting to be wearing red and white at the MCG on September 27. No less.

[bedford]

You criticise players when you choose.

Do you think being like Bon Jovi actually makes the slightest bit of difference to the team's performance?

only mcveigh because he shouldn't be on the list ahead of schneider,or in the team ahead of others

[573v30]

IMO if the 'fab trio'..McVeigh, Matthews, Bevan, are in the side consistantly, we won't make the 8.
If we send them to the ACT and bring in some new blood, we may surprise and play a final or two.

Jude is very lucky.

[Zlatorog]

I wouldn't dare to predict where the Swans will end up at the end of H&A season. It's way too early.

[2005]

Like Hammo said alot will depend on where we are at around Rd 8-10.
Most of all though injuries, with the list we have will be the major factor.
We have alot of guys who just have not played top level footy.

It will depend so much on how we hold up with our older guys and how quickly our new kids can improve and play week in week out
I still rekon we can be thereabouts around the bottom half of the 8 and if we get in , and we are pretty much with a full list clubs wont want to play us in September.
The worry I have though is that not like in the last 10 years I can also see us
falling right away, and I mean right away.
From what Ive seen this year and heard we really havent changed our game plan at all.Other teams just dont fear us like they use to.
Really hope Roosys re invents himself ,much like Micky Malthouse and Bomber Thompson and gives us something different.
I hoping around the bottom half of the 8.

[swantastic]

What a surprise the so called experts dont rate us,they never have.

IMO we will go top 4 again.

[ernie koala]

I have a lingering doubt that Crouch, Mathews and maybe Barry have played on one year too many, but time will tell.

Matthews has played like a slow, indecisive has been, or should I say a never was, for years.

[BeeEmmAre]

'Expecting' it won't make it happen.

No it won't, but @@@@canning the team before they have even had a chance to do anything is hardly going to help.
We have enough naysayers and doubters in the media, AFL House and the umpires rooms with our own 'supporters' turning on us too.

[ash3]

Definitely the 8 - possibility of top four depending on injuries.

[swantastic]

No it won't, but @@@@canning the team before they have even had a chance to do anything is hardly going to help.
We have enough naysayers and doubters in the media, AFL House and the umpires rooms with our own 'supporters' turning on us too.

Spot on BEA,i dont mind a little constructive criticism but some of it on here is way over the top.

Lets not turn into Tigers supporters.

[TheGrimReaper]

Spot on BEA,i dont mind a little constructive criticism but some of it on here is way over the top.

Lets not turn into Tigers supporters.

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.

Granted that Mathews was lucky to play all 23 games last year, but he must have done the job that was required for him to play in every game. Did people think about that before criticising him?

[ROK Lobster]

Lets not turn into Tigers supporters.

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

[stellation]

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

You'd have to actually attend a game to be within spitting distance. NARF!