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I might be a ?glass half full? person, but I can?t help but suddenly be feeling really excited and optimistic about 2010. Ironically, my own point of nadir was the day of the Swans? Hall of Fame dinner, when Carlton (who had not previously beaten Sydney since 2000), kicked 15 goals to 3 in the second half that afternoon. I thought at that time Sydney would not be likely to return the finals until at least two or three year?s time. Things change very quickly.
Now it feels just like the latter part of season 2002 all over again.
Here are some points, (although I concede not all will eventuate, but most should):
? Fresh new coaching system. I know that the current Roos-Longmire coaching structure will stay in place for 2010. But everyone will know that change in on the way. A change can be as good as a holiday. Paul Roos himself has talked about being excited about coaching for his last season. I think this sense of exciting and (very unusually) amicable change will have a very positive impact on the players.
? Early return to summer training. The one advantage about missing September is that you get a head start with important summer training. In 2005 and 2006 the Swans did not start training until late November. This year they will start in mid to late October. It makes a difference, particularly in the early part of the following season.
? The Kids on the move. At least 8 young players are on the rise and should get better in 2010: Hannebery, Jack, White, Pyke (although technically not a kid), Bird, O?Dwyer, Smith, and Veszpemi. Also watch out for Lewis Johnston and the Irishman, Brendan Murphy next year. Can any one remember who were the rising kids at the end of season 2002?
? The ?middle age? players to peak: Time is probably upon us that players like McVeigh and Jolly to really peak, and play in All-Australian form.
? Leadership at the top. The leadership of the two Boltons, and Brett Kirk will be important next year. Just like how important Daryl Cresswell was important to the team in 2003.
? Rolls Royce backline. Led by Craig Bolton, you got a tall and suddenly confident Roberts-Thompson and Grundy, Teddy Richards, the classy Shaw, the reliable Mattner. I would also like to see Mike Pyke playing as an additional tall defender. It's interesting to predict that the the master's (Paul Roos) Sydney backline and defence in 2010, could be following the strength of the apprehentice's (Ross Lyon) St Kilda backline and defence in 2009.
? Ryan O?Keefe Enjoying fresh new responsibilities as a quality mid field, should continue in 2010. Currently in All Australian form
? Adam Goodes. Enjoying fresh new responsibilities as a quality centre half forward, should continue in 2010. Still got at least one, and probably more, ?Brownlow? standard season left in him.
? Henry Playfair. Will play next year if fit. Could then be a very hand tall forward, backing fresh improving Jessie White as a tall forward.
? Tim Schmidt. Like Playfair, if fit again, could be a very useful. Has potential to be a very good midfield.
? Nick Malcelsk. Fingers cross that he can get his confidence back and return to his 2007 form.
? The marquee import. Paul Roos has such a great record with almost every import, (witness Craig Bolton, Jolly, Richards, Shaw). Time has come with salary cap relief to go for a top, marquee import, namely someone like Luke Ball from St Kilda.
? A ruckman import. A Premiership player like Seaby would be handy. There will be a few windows of opportunities for an AFL ruckman to come o n board to back up Darren Jolly.
? The top 10 Draft pick. Bear in mind that the last three number 7 draft picks, have all had great first seasons: Joel Selwood, Rhys Palmer and Adam Rich, the former two winning the Rising Star, the last the hot favourite to win in 2009.
Now it feels just like the latter part of season 2002 all over again.
Here are some points, (although I concede not all will eventuate, but most should):
? Fresh new coaching system. I know that the current Roos-Longmire coaching structure will stay in place for 2010. But everyone will know that change in on the way. A change can be as good as a holiday. Paul Roos himself has talked about being excited about coaching for his last season. I think this sense of exciting and (very unusually) amicable change will have a very positive impact on the players.
? Early return to summer training. The one advantage about missing September is that you get a head start with important summer training. In 2005 and 2006 the Swans did not start training until late November. This year they will start in mid to late October. It makes a difference, particularly in the early part of the following season.
? The Kids on the move. At least 8 young players are on the rise and should get better in 2010: Hannebery, Jack, White, Pyke (although technically not a kid), Bird, O?Dwyer, Smith, and Veszpemi. Also watch out for Lewis Johnston and the Irishman, Brendan Murphy next year. Can any one remember who were the rising kids at the end of season 2002?
? The ?middle age? players to peak: Time is probably upon us that players like McVeigh and Jolly to really peak, and play in All-Australian form.
? Leadership at the top. The leadership of the two Boltons, and Brett Kirk will be important next year. Just like how important Daryl Cresswell was important to the team in 2003.
? Rolls Royce backline. Led by Craig Bolton, you got a tall and suddenly confident Roberts-Thompson and Grundy, Teddy Richards, the classy Shaw, the reliable Mattner. I would also like to see Mike Pyke playing as an additional tall defender. It's interesting to predict that the the master's (Paul Roos) Sydney backline and defence in 2010, could be following the strength of the apprehentice's (Ross Lyon) St Kilda backline and defence in 2009.
? Ryan O?Keefe Enjoying fresh new responsibilities as a quality mid field, should continue in 2010. Currently in All Australian form
? Adam Goodes. Enjoying fresh new responsibilities as a quality centre half forward, should continue in 2010. Still got at least one, and probably more, ?Brownlow? standard season left in him.
? Henry Playfair. Will play next year if fit. Could then be a very hand tall forward, backing fresh improving Jessie White as a tall forward.
? Tim Schmidt. Like Playfair, if fit again, could be a very useful. Has potential to be a very good midfield.
? Nick Malcelsk. Fingers cross that he can get his confidence back and return to his 2007 form.
? The marquee import. Paul Roos has such a great record with almost every import, (witness Craig Bolton, Jolly, Richards, Shaw). Time has come with salary cap relief to go for a top, marquee import, namely someone like Luke Ball from St Kilda.
? A ruckman import. A Premiership player like Seaby would be handy. There will be a few windows of opportunities for an AFL ruckman to come o n board to back up Darren Jolly.
? The top 10 Draft pick. Bear in mind that the last three number 7 draft picks, have all had great first seasons: Joel Selwood, Rhys Palmer and Adam Rich, the former two winning the Rising Star, the last the hot favourite to win in 2009.
Seaby would be crap, would never consider him. I agree with u though. I feel much more confident about a top 8 finish next year than I was at the start of this year. Ball is prob not the player we want. I think pace is what we should be aiming for. Lake or Maguire would be a handy addition to our backline, while a pacy midfielder could make us a very competitive team/
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