End of an era - are the Swans too old & too slow

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  • Mark Busuttil
    I held the cup with Roosy
    • Oct 2005
    • 132

    End of an era - are the Swans too old & too slow

    Quote from today's Herald Sun:
    "The Swans have seven players in the 30-years-plus age group: Spida Everitt (34), Brett Kirk (32 in October), Barry Hall (31), Michael O'Loughlin (31), Leo Barry (31), Jared Crouch (30) and Ben Mathews (30 in November).

    In addition to the Swans 30-plus club, they have six players on their list who will turn 29 or 28-years-old next season: Adam Goodes (29), Nic Fosdike (29), Nick Davis (29), Darren Jolly (28), Tadhg Kennelly (28) and Ryan O'Keefe (28).

    Despite unearthing exciting young talent including Kieren Jack, Craig Bird and Patrick Veszpremi, there is no escaping that the Swans are top heavy in the age department for a sport that's increasingly becoming a young man's game because of rule changes designed to speed it up."

    The ages of our top players are alarming. Are we approaching the end of an era for consistent finals appearances. Are we rebuilding fast enough or do we need another 1-2 seasons of "blooding" 4-5 new players a year. Vespremi, Jack, Grundy & Moore look likely types but do we need even more (especially a ruckman)? I'm not sure of the answer but the next few years will see big changes at the Swans (& I hope a more attacking gameplan - I love the Cats style of play)
    2005 will live forever (or until we win another premiership)

    GO BLOODS!!!!!!!!
  • reigning premier
    Suspended by the MRP
    • Sep 2006
    • 4335

    #2
    Oh FFS......

    Has it been 3mths since they rolled out this story? As predictable as TT. Though they might of skipped last quarter's run of the story as we were in the middle of winnging 7 from 8.

    Yeah we've got a cple of older bodies in our team but I reckon there'd be more than a few 23yo's that wish they were playing as well as Kirk, Crouch, MO'l and BBBH (Well he looks to be regaining some touch )....

    As for the "late 20's" group, I'll happily keep ROK, Tadgh, Jolly & Goodes TYVM....

    Whomever wrote that article is a @@@@ing moron......
    Last edited by reigning premier; 21 August 2008, 09:51 PM. Reason: Because sometimes people are stupid and others are misunderstood...

    Comment

    • connolly
      Registered User
      • Aug 2005
      • 2461

      #3
      Originally posted by reigning premier
      Oh FFS......

      Has it been 3mths since they rolled out this story? As predictable as TT. Though they might of skipped last quarter's run of the story as we were in the middle of winnging 7 from 8.

      Yeah we've got a cple of older bodies in our team but I reckon there'd be more than a few 23yo's that wish they were playing as well as Kirk, Crouch, MO'l and BBBH (Well he looks to be regaining some touch )....

      As for the "late 20's" group, I'll happily keep ROK, Tadhg, Jolly & Goodes TYVM....
      And whats wrong with late twenties FFS. Isn't that when players mature and peak?
      Bevo bandwagon driver

      Comment

      • reigning premier
        Suspended by the MRP
        • Sep 2006
        • 4335

        #4
        Originally posted by connolly
        And whats wrong with late twenties FFS. Isn't that when players mature and peak?
        I would of thought so too....

        Comment

        • goswannie14
          Leadership Group
          • Sep 2005
          • 11166

          #5
          Originally posted by connolly
          And whats wrong with late twenties FFS. Isn't that when players mature and peak?
          That generally seems to be the way that it happens.
          Does God believe in Atheists?

          Comment

          • hammo
            Veterans List
            • Jul 2003
            • 5554

            #6
            Originally posted by connolly
            And whats wrong with late twenties FFS. Isn't that when players mature and peak?
            Except those players will all be over 30 in the next two years and it's increasingly likely none will be members of our next premiership side. I'd also argue that modern AFL players peak between 23-27.

            The article may tell us nothing we don't already know, however there is no denying the fact we have an old list and by our failure to blood youngsters in recent years (the flip side of having a successful and amazingly injury free era) we have no idea if the young players at the club are any good.

            At most clubs you'd hope you'd have a considerable number of players aged between 21-25 who have at least 50 games experience. Apart from Bevan, McVeigh and Malceski I am not sure who of our mid-aged players fit into this category?
            "As everyone knows our style of football is defensive and unattractive, and as such I have completely forgotten how to mark or kick over the years" - Brett Kirk

            Comment

            • Lohengrin
              On the Rookie List
              • Jul 2008
              • 641

              #7
              Players peak around 24-28 and after that they typically slow down.

              The point of the article is not that there is anything wrong with having half a dozen players about 28-29. In fact it's probably necessary.
              The problem is having half a dozen players 28-29 AND another half a dozen over 30!

              Comment

              • connolly
                Registered User
                • Aug 2005
                • 2461

                #8
                Originally posted by hammo
                Except those players will all be over 30 in the next two years and it's increasingly likely none will be members of our next premiership side. I'd also argue that modern AFL players peak between 23-27.
                By modern do you mean contemporary? Gary Ablett Snr. peaked after 27 and Kevin Murray won a brownlow at 31.
                Bevo bandwagon driver

                Comment

                • Lohengrin
                  On the Rookie List
                  • Jul 2008
                  • 641

                  #9
                  Originally posted by connolly
                  By modern do you mean contemporary? Gary Ablett Snr. peaked after 27 and Kevin Murray won a brownlow at 31.
                  Exceptions that prove the rule.

                  Comment

                  • reigning premier
                    Suspended by the MRP
                    • Sep 2006
                    • 4335

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Lohengrin
                    Players peak around 24-28 and after that they typically slow down.

                    The point of the article is not that there is anything wrong with having half a dozen players about 28-29. In fact it's probably necessary.
                    The problem is having half a dozen players 28-29 AND another half a dozen over 30!
                    That's a fair comment.

                    Originally posted by Lohengrin
                    Exceptions that prove the rule.
                    And that's a load of bollocks.

                    Comment

                    • Lohengrin
                      On the Rookie List
                      • Jul 2008
                      • 641

                      #11
                      Originally posted by reigning premier
                      And that's a load of bollocks.
                      How many players peak in their 30s?

                      Comment

                      • reigning premier
                        Suspended by the MRP
                        • Sep 2006
                        • 4335

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Lohengrin
                        How many players peak in their 30s?
                        How many stop playing good football after 27?

                        Comment

                        • Lohengrin
                          On the Rookie List
                          • Jul 2008
                          • 641

                          #13
                          Originally posted by reigning premier
                          How many stop playing good football after 27?
                          I don't think anyone said they did. The comments were specifically on when players peak.

                          Comment

                          • reigning premier
                            Suspended by the MRP
                            • Sep 2006
                            • 4335

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Lohengrin
                            I don't think anyone said they did. The comments were specifically on when players peak.
                            Just as well..... I was about to text BBBH, Kirky, B1, B2, Jolly and ROK and tell them not to bother turning up this weekend!!

                            Comment

                            • Lohengrin
                              On the Rookie List
                              • Jul 2008
                              • 641

                              #15
                              Originally posted by reigning premier
                              Just as well..... I was about to text BBBH, Kirky, B1, B2, Jolly and ROK and tell them not to bother turning up this weekend!!
                              Cheeky bugger!

                              Comment

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