Season is nearly over what do we need for next year?

[Seagoon]

...I would imagine he will come out the other side as a stronger human being....

I don't doubt that at all. Anyone who comes out the other side of that sort if thing alive has my greatest respect. Whether or not the Swans take him on is another thing though - I'd like to see the guy given a go somewhere, just as a fellow human being, he deserves a go.

[Seagoon]

Perhaps a realist is simply a descriptive term for an pessimist trying to be optimistic

Nah, realist = pessimist.

[Bas]

What's the difference between finishing 7/8th and getting the 9th or 10th draft pick, and finishing 9th and getting the 8th draft pick? Except that under the first scenario, at least the players get to experience one finals game, maybe more if they go OK. Does the success strike rate of draft picks change that much between 8th and 10th?

Depends who is in the draft.

[NMWBloods]

I probably shouldn't have put the 'final' bit in, as I don't think there's any reason to suggest that we'll be a better chance of beating those sides in the finals. I only put that in because - Collingwood aside - they're the only games we're going to play against those teams for the rest of '08.

I don't know if we've got another level to go to or not but I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that the other sides do either.

Yep - I think you're right.

[Dogzbody]

Although the club has said "we won't" I honestly think we should go after Cousins, purely for the cost of sale value. I have been with everyone on the "NO" argument but we are in a situation where:

a) we need to maintain supporter interest and rebuild at the same time, in Sydney languishing through a rebuild won't sell, so having a drawcard like that would be "panadol" to the pain of getting our young ones up ready for another tilt

b) we really need to go young and draft, there is no point in trading our picks and good players for expensive maybes. We need to enhance the prospect of a killer back 6, and that is what we should focus on. We have Mal, B2 etc, but need to formulate all our energy into making our backline one of the best. So a cheap "mid to forward specialist" for little compromise would help us spend our money making that happen

I like the concept of attraction and development together, and while Cousins has run a hard journey, I would imagine he will come out the other side as a stronger human being....and he is rarely talented footballer

[CureTheSane]

Time will tell if I'm a pessimist or a realist

Perhaps a realist is simply a descriptive term for an pessimist trying to be optimistic

[hammo]

Hammos points are valid , though so negative.

Time will tell if I'm a pessimist or a realist

[Plugger46]

We're capable of beating them all in a final, but whether we do is a completely different matter and the evidence of the past two seasons suggest probably not. Finals are a different game but only if the sides bring that different game on the day. There's little point in saying that certain teams will be found out in finals against if the Swans are incapable of lifting their game to the next level.

I probably shouldn't have put the 'final' bit in, as I don't think there's any reason to suggest that we'll be a better chance of beating those sides in the finals. I only put that in because - Collingwood aside - they're the only games we're going to play against those teams for the rest of '08.

I don't know if we've got another level to go to or not but I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that the other sides do either.

[2005]

Good point. St.Kilda are the only one and we drew with North.

I'm not saying that we're any better than the sides around us but I reckon the Bulldogs, North, St.Kilda, Adelaide and Collingwood are all at about the same level as us. You don't think we can beat any of them in a final?

Agree Plugger46

I think what your trying to do is be positive about us and that while we are still in the mix we still have a chance .
Hammos points are valid , though so negative.
Our forms not that great, though its another week and we wont get Collingwood any weaker than what they are now.
We are a good side that can bounce back and can get on a roll.
Finals footy is different, and we have some new contenders going around.
I wouldnt mind playing StKilda,Dogs,Kangas,Hawks in finals football at all.
Maybe it will come down to next week for 8th Spot.
Though right now we still have a great chance to finish 4th and while we have it , live in hope as its a realistic chance it can happen.

[hammo]

Good point. St.Kilda are the only one and we drew with North.

I'm not saying that we're any better than the sides around us but I reckon the Bulldogs, North, St.Kilda, Adelaide and Collingwood are all at about the same level as us. You don't think we can beat any of them in a final?

I agree that it's possible. But I don't think the Swans have the intensity, skills or form to go too far. Our record against top 8 sides in the past two seasons would suggest we're well behind the pace.

As I predicted a couple of weeks ago I fear we'll face a sudden death match with Brisbane for 8th spot next week.

[NMWBloods]

It's amazing how much people's feelings change from one week to the next on here. Last week we were a good chance of beating Geelong, this week we're hopeless and can't do any damage in the finals.

Amazing too that I said the same a week or so ago and the uproar it created...

Good point. St.Kilda are the only one and we drew with North.

I'm not saying that we're any better than the sides around us but I reckon the Bulldogs, North, St.Kilda, Adelaide and Collingwood are all at about the same level as us. You don't think we can beat any of them in a final?

We're capable of beating them all in a final, but whether we do is a completely different matter and the evidence of the past two seasons suggest probably not. Finals are a different game but only if the sides bring that different game on the day. There's little point in saying that certain teams will be found out in finals against if the Swans are incapable of lifting their game to the next level.

[Plugger46]

Which of those sides have the Swans beaten this year?

Good point. St.Kilda are the only one and we drew with North.

I'm not saying that we're any better than the sides around us but I reckon the Bulldogs, North, St.Kilda, Adelaide and Collingwood are all at about the same level as us. You don't think we can beat any of them in a final?

[hammo]

I think some people on here seriously over-rate some of the sides around us.

Which of those sides have the Swans beaten this year?

[Plugger46]

What's the difference between finishing 7/8th and getting the 9th or 10th draft pick, and finishing 9th and getting the 8th draft pick? Except that under the first scenario, at least the players get to experience one finals game, maybe more if they go OK. Does the success strike rate of draft picks change that much between 8th and 10th?

Spot on liz.

It's amazing how much people's feelings change from one week to the next on here. Last week we were a good chance of beating Geelong, this week we're hopeless and can't do any damage in the finals.

Odds are, if we win our last two we'll finish fourth. From fourth, a preliminary final is a huge chance and we'd be some hope of knocking off Hawthorn or the Bulldogs.

I think some people on here seriously over-rate some of the sides around us.

[liz]

To be honest I wouldn't be too disappointed if we did lose our next two games. Simply for the fact that we could get a top 10 draft pick - which usually means a ready made player. Can't see us causing much trouble in this years finals.

What's the difference between finishing 7/8th and getting the 9th or 10th draft pick, and finishing 9th and getting the 8th draft pick? Except that under the first scenario, at least the players get to experience one finals game, maybe more if they go OK. Does the success strike rate of draft picks change that much between 8th and 10th?