season 2009 preview...

[johnno]

Have just had a look at a few different threads on Big Footy, things like, ladder predictions for 09, biggest flop for 09 and threads of that nature, and once again everyone is predicting the swans demise in season 2009. It leads me to believe that all these people out there who claim to know a thing or two about football really know nothing. They just follow the thoughts and opinions of Journalists who keep saying our list is ageing and the swans will slide down the ladder. I am pretty sure that every season since Roos took over as coach(03 onwards), hardly anyone tips us to finish in the 8 (including season 06 after winning the premieship). Personally, I believe we will comfortably make the 8 again in 09, we wont win the premieship, Hawthorn and Geelong are a mile ahead of anyone else, but somewhere between 5-8 is very easily achievable.

[ScottH]

BF : Under 18's

[sprite]

Not expecting big things.

Will likely end up somewhere between 8th and 11th.

Building a base for two to three years from now - 2011 to 2012.

By that time a most players coming into the side as draft picks should have 30 to 50 games experience.

[Nico]

At this stage everyone likes to take the positive spin.

Sure we always get downgraded for whatever reasons people want to come up with. Unless some other clubs take quantum leaps then I agree there is no reason why we can't make the 8 again.

From 2008 to 2009 so far this is how I see it, positively.

Goodes had a poor year due to in part injury. He has had what is reported as a very successful hernia operation. So why wouldn't he get back to his dynamic best. He is due isn't he, based on his inconsistencey broadcast here recently.
Craig Bolton - ditto - so we get added run and poise off half back.
Bevanator - at least stays at his current level.
Bird - can't wait to see this bloke move to the next level.
Buchanan - another who had an op and would expect to have a lot more mobility.
Currie - the great white hope. If he emerges as a genuine players as his watchers expect then look out.
Hall - Will he won't he? His late season form was pretty good. Age shall not weary him as he had it pretty easy physically in 2008. A blessing in disguise perhaps.
Jack - surprised me in 2008 (good call Liz) There is no reason he can't go on with it.
Jolly - just has to keep on keeping on. Unsung hero for mine.
Kennelly - a great season from a courageous player. Shoulder op done and we might just see the best of him yet in 2009.
Kirk - the bionic man.
Malceski - at this stage is on track to a meritorious comeback. Well we haven't heard differently. Even more run from the backline.
Mattner - Just a good player.
McVeigh - only has improve another 7.5% and we have a star on our hands.
Meredith - the wraps will come to fruition.
Moore - only has to keep on improving to add even more value.
Ryan O'Keefe - more than handy footballer from my observation.
Shaw - has some ability and no reason he can't add value.
Vespremi - could be anything.
White - what a bonus if this bloke emerges and don't forget hadn't played much footy before he was drafted.
MOL - play it again Mick. One more season thanks mate of your brilliant best.
Grundy - is this bloke just to about to make it. He looks frustratingly close at times.
Thornton - the forgotten one who promised so much at the start of 2008.

Then you would hope the likes of Barlow, Schmidt, Laidlaw, DOK, Brabazon, MOD and Smith keep on improving. Will one of these jump out of nowhere and surprise. Don't be surprised.

I left out J Bolton, Fosdike, Richards, Crouch, Ablett, Barry Playfair, and LRT simply because I don't see any improvement in them. The new boys are out of the equation in 2009.

As I see it the positives far outweigh the negatives. Just to have Goodes and Bolton back to fighting fit makes a huge difference.

[Darren Thomson]

Much merit in what you say Nico, injury played a big part this year and we had players running around on one leg in finals. The young blokes should start to come through this year, Bird looks very very promising as does Jack and yes, Vez could be anything, like Nick DAvis but I reckon this kid will eventually make a great running midfielder and do the work that we missed Fossie for this year, him and Goodes running off the packs with the ball won by Kirk and Moore and Monty. That's a midfield, and we still have great forwards. With B2 fit, Mattner Eski, And the irishman running off half back all fit we have a great TEAM. Can't wait, I'm signing up on Friday. Bring on 09

[Legs Akimbo]

Moore - only has to keep on improving to add even more value.

I can see the logic in that.

[Cheer Squad]

I think too many players on our list are dealing with significant injuries, and unfortunately, once you get a serious injury, you're never quite the same player you were before, even if the treatment was considered successful.

We'll have to wait and see how the team gets through the NAB Cup. Remember what happened to Malceski in Launceston.

I can't see us improving on this year. I think we'll be doing well to make the eight.

I hope I'm wrong though and we crack the top four.

[Dalai Lama]

Expectations

To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves--there lies the great, singular power of self-respect.

Expect the unexpected - in '09 we'll be fine?

[swans_premiers]

who cares what others predict for the swans. It only matters what THEY believe THEY can do...just look at 2005 preseason..

Rohan Connolly 7th
Karen Lyon 7th
Jake Niall 6th
Emma Quayle 10th
Peter Schwab 8th
Robert Walls 7th
Tim Watson 6th
Caroline Wilson 9th

Not one person predicted we would finish top 4.

This happens every year. Fact is with the exception of everrit we haven't lost anyone and even if we did doesn't matter. 2002 we lost kelly, dunkley, lockett, schwass n others n guess was...ROK, Goodes, Kirk, Kennelly, Barry, Bolton all started to stand up, we had schneider step onto the scene and we managed to make 2003 prelim.

Have a lil faith swans fans.

[2005]

I Agree with your most of your analysis Nico .
Also we had alot Off Field Issues last year that played huge part as well as the injuries to our key players when it really mattered
(ROOS GATE ,TUNNELLING,THE DRAW,GOODSEY,HALLS BREAKDOWN,& DAVO)

Rekon though there can be improvement from Luke Ablett especially out of those you think cant improve .He was shocking last year as most know , though he surely will improve on his output from 08. LRT to can improve and will simply be better now with a Full Pre Season and last year under his belt after a injury that was far worse than most know about .
Teddy Richards as well can improve, simply now because he is playing regular footy and knows he has a spot in the best 22.
Jude had his best year of footy last year after nearly getting the ass and hopefully can maintain that level again,so it can be done.

Your right with the kids though , one of those blokes maybe 2 or 3 could just deliver what we all hope from them.That would be great to see, then guys of the ilk of Ablett,Monty,Crouchy,Bolts etc will have to be at there best to warrants spots every weekend.

As long as we can keep our guns around and we can play faster footy we will be around the mark again

[DST]

Our best 22 in good health and form is as good as at least St Kilda, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide and that would put us anywhere from 3rd to 8th.

We still have the opportunity to mix it come finals time with Hawthorn or Geelong but only if we had say three of Currie, Vezpa, Laidlaw, Merideth, DOK, White etc having absolute break out years to give us that youth, pace and energy we can lack at times.

DST