The media is starting to take notice

[CureTheSane]

I was flabbergasted by the writer's comment that Swans supporters never feel any pain. It may not be at the present but the pain I have felt since choosing the Swans in '70 has been immense.

We feel pain at least once a fortnight.
The Swans are a hard team to watch play.

Also, we were cellar dwellers for a LONG time.
The only bringt thing about that was that when we DID ein, it was like we'd won the flag

[Wardy]

We feel pain at least once a fortnight.
The Swans are a hard team to watch play.

Also, we were cellar dwellers for a LONG time.
The only bringt thing about that was that when we DID ein, it was like we'd won the flag

Yeah well I felt immense pain on the night of the 06 grandfinal - a pranged car, cracked ribs, bruises to go and stuck in Melbourne - so this bloke hasnt got a clue!

[Xie Shan]

I was flabbergasted by the writer's comment that Swans supporters never feel any pain.

Agreed. I only started following the Swans in the last 10 years or so, and in that time we've been pretty successful, but, without wishing to be seen as simply having a whinge about his comment, I think it sort of flatters the Swans' history a little bit, in that yes, a lot of fans did jump on post-1996, but a large chunk of our supporters still remember the lean years as well.

I guess it's kind of flattering that the Swans are now seen as a consistently successful side!

[Mr Magoo]

Bottoming Out

I still think this need to "bottom out" theory while it is romantic and exciting (in seeing a whole heap of young low draft picks turning into a premiership team _) is still fairly unproven.

Of the recent premiers , you will always find some low draft picks but, many of geelong and west coasts talent were not the result of low draft picks, Brisbane were the recipient of some generous concessions in the merger with Fitzroy, Port havent ever really bottomed out and the Swans , well everyone seems to know our story.

The bottoming out theory hasnt worked for Richmond yet, St Kilda while seen to be loaded with talent from their consistent bottoming out but hasnt even made a grand final, melbourne are still at the bottom despite bottoming out a number of times and hawthorn while the most exciting but havent made the top four at this stage.

[TheMase]

I still think this need to "bottom out" theory while it is romantic and exciting (in seeing a whole heap of young low draft picks turning into a premiership team _) is still fairly unproven.

Of the recent premiers , you will always find some low draft picks but, many of geelong and west coasts talent were not the result of low draft picks, Brisbane were the recipient of some generous concessions in the merger with Fitzroy, Port havent ever really bottomed out and the Swans , well everyone seems to know our story.

The bottoming out theory hasnt worked for Richmond yet, St Kilda while seen to be loaded with talent from their consistent bottoming out but hasnt even made a grand final, melbourne are still at the bottom despite bottoming out a number of times and hawthorn while the most exciting but havent made the top four at this stage.

Maybe not low draft picks, but some damn fine father son selections, that may have otherwise been high draft picks.

[Reggi]

Jake Niall's now got in on the act

Steadfast Swans - realfooty.com.au

Not sure about his last bit. For a start, I doubt any football fan really cares whether his team wins on that last Saturday in September with a bunch of suddenly matured youngsters or with a bunch of oldies.

And you don't need to see a dozen draftees emerge to get excited. Just reading this board over the last few months demonstrates how much enjoyment we're getting over Moore, Bird, Jack and Barlow. Plus we have plenty more in store over the next 12-24 months with Vezspremi, Murphy and Currie set to emerge at the very very least. And we can be confident that when they're brought in they'll be ready, and that they'll have the advantage of making their way alongside the mature bodies and experience of Goodes, Kirk, O'Keefe et al.

What's more, I take as much pleasure in seeing how Richards, Bolton and even Hall have blossomed under Roos as I do in watching the draftees develop.

It was a crap article really. Watching Leo Barry Fosdike Goodes Kennelly Bolton Okeefe Ablett Buchanan Crouch come through is great. now McVeigh Malceski Jack Moore

I checked this out previously most clubs have 8-9 'recycled' players we actually usually have the same as most clubs we just do a little better with them -we have 8, St Kilda 9, Collingwood 7 (Buckley & Clement last year)

Lived through the 70s 80s and 90s been some very lean years, so amusing 3 finals searies in my lifetime until 96. Also thought the comment we are dependant on other sides falling over was frivolous

[TheHood]

I was reading the article and thinking that it was all good and then it turned very dark.

He is partly right though in that under Roos we have been spoilt for finals action. That is not against the law and if he thinks that Hawthorn is some top blueprint for success, then that is his flawed opinion. Though Footy isn't meant to be painful and the Swans footy department do it better than any other. Who says it's easier to top up skillfully than it is to bottom out and start again. Swans have done it tougher. Look at Knights and the Dons, they are in a hopeless position.

To me, following the Sydney Swans is an absolute pleasure and honour. When I look at some other clubs, we are blessed with a club culture that is at the top of the AFL...none better.

Even when our onfield success is at question, we still have a club culture that does not embarrass us, it's proud, it's hard working and it's respectful of all stakeholders (that's ?s' people).

[Damien]

Am I missing something? 20% above the salary cap?

A) I thought it was never anymore than 10%
B) I thought it was reduced to something more like 7% at the same time the Lions lost their Retention allowance.

Also, I love how Hawthorn was used for that article without a Premiership since 1991 because in 2003/2004/2005 St. Kilda was the 'young ' comparison that did all the painful things and drafted, drafted, drafted while ageing Sydney was boring and going nowhere. Hmmm, I wonder which club is still going strong and which club got so desperate they took the others Asst. Coach....

[cruiser]

Am I missing something? 20% above the salary cap?

A) I thought it was never anymore than 10%
B) I thought it was reduced to something more like 7% at the same time the Lions lost their Retention allowance.

Also, I love how Hawthorn was used for that article without a Premiership since 1991 because in 2003/2004/2005 St. Kilda was the 'young ' comparison that did all the painful things and drafted, drafted, drafted while ageing Sydney was boring and going nowhere. Hmmm, I wonder which club is still going strong and which club got so desperate they took the others Asst. Coach....

St Kilda is the most pathetic club in the AFL.

[ROK Lobster]

St Kilda is the most pathetic club in the AFL.

Give Freo time.

[ScottH]

Give Freo time.

LOL. How long do we have to wait? Weeks, Years?

[Xie Shan]

LOL. How long do we have to wait? Weeks, Years?

Just until the last quarter.

[ScottH]

Just until the last quarter.

Every one of them?

[Xie Shan]

I feel so dirty saying this, but I actually wouldn't mind a 'Pies flag, only because I like the way they play.

I take this back. Sick of losing to them!!