Sydney must be patient...

[Go Swannies]

The Swans are in a very similar position to Adelaide a couple of years ago. We have had mass retirement of players, but we slowly started our rebuilding stage a couple of seasons ago (unlike other teams which just throw in a bunch of youngsters after everyone retires). Players like Bird, Jack, Grundy, Barlow, etc will be ready for the AFL level, and will be ready to take that next step. Veszpa, Meredith, Smith, will prob need another year, while Hanners, Johnston, Murphy, etc will take 2-3 years. Either way, I think we will be ready to challenge for a top 8 spot in 2 years, a top 4 in 3 years, and a premiership in 4.

I'm with you. I watched the awful game yesterday and thought back to R1 2005 when we played the Hawks at the SCG. We crushed them but you could see they were young bodies still learning the game. Yesterday the Swans played to the standard of the opposition and the venue and that was sad as the Swans of earlier years would have buried them. Paul Roos is right - he should fast forward through yesterday's game. But over the next few weeks against top teams the results won't be pretty but we'll see if the kids have any potential to develop over the next few seasons.

RWO must be the ultimate expression of short term thinking, as Sydney is always accused of being. I'm pretty impressed by bringing in recycled players and turning them around. I would not be prepared to play a 19 yo instead of Craig Bolton, Marty Mattner, Ted Richards et al. Even R Shaw is a work in progress but gives some experience to build a new team around. But here we are told who should be dumped before half time in their first game.

I admire our lateral thinking too. I think bringing Jesse White and Mike Pike in from other sports will hasten our return to the winner's circle - and better than the alternative of tanking for years to build a team on draft picks 1-4.

There's going to be some pain over the next year or so and while we suffer I'll enjoy watching the kids develop - as I have been impressed as they have been steadily introduced into the team over the past few years.

Go Swannies

[AnnieH]

Maltmouth is a dick. He should be more worried about whether or not Buckley's got his job next year.

[DST]

Great article by MM and he is riht watching a young up and coming side is great in terms of expectation. I've found us hard to follow for two years, but it is exciting watching ten or so fresh faces come in.

A couple will turn out far better than we imagine,some won't make it. But it's exciting.

We've been pretty blessed for 14 years, now time for football penance. Roosy needs to draft and develop well. Will be very interesting to see our list come December. I am guessing quite you, although I think Ablett & Buchanan will survive to keep some stronger bodies around, Laidlaw, Schmidt, D O'Keefe & Playfair probably determined by medical issues.

Agree Reggi, I would think that both Ablett and Buchanan would be put out as a teaser for trades but in all likelyhood they will be retained to give the list some cover. Both of capable of being in our best 22 next year if they can get their bodies and attitude right.

As for Laidlaw, Schmidt , DOK and Playfair all will be assessed for a spot and whether their bodies will allow them to continue or not. However all have shown enough when played (or in DOK's case in the ressies) to allow the coaching staff to stick with them if they can get their bodies right.

It's a thin draft this year and there is no need to draft past the 60's just for the sake of bringing in kids. If we get 6 retirements this year that will probably be about enough of a turn over with 1 or 2 upgraded from the rookie list and 4 or 5 selections from the draft.

Does anyone know if Coney has made it back to Australia and is considering staying now, he will be a big bonus if he decides to come back and make a go of it?

DST