Swans 2009 highs & lows

[ShockOfHair]

Before 2009 slips entirely below the waves, my highs and lows:

Highs
1. St Kilda, Geelong games/form of young players
2. Round 22 farewells
3. Jessie White
4. 8 goals in Q1 against Port
5. Grundy?s mark

Lows
1. Hall
2. Bulldogs' 13 goals in row
3. Last quarter against Carlton (9 goals to nil)
4. Kennelly departure
5. Finishing below Weagles

[ScottH]

+

Highs
6. Nick Smith
7. MOL 300the Game.
8. Pumping Hawthorn
9. Rhyce Shaw
10. Adam Goodes goals.

Lows
6. Losing to Collingwood - TWICE
7. Losing to Adelaide, when we were in a position to win.
8. Losing 4 games in a row, mid season, and 3 in a row to finish the season.
9. No Finals footy.
10. Malceski

[Industrial Fan]

The big lows were the form of Malceski and Moore, two players we need a lot from to push back up the ladder.

Doesnt look good for Eski long term, and the consistency of Moore is a real worry (as well as being dumped from leadership group)

[liz]

Biggest lows for me were injuries to the younger players who need to get game time into them (senior or even reserves level). Particularly Currie, Murphy (especially now that he's pulled the pin, reportedly due to injuries), Laidlaw, Meredith (really bad luck), Vezspremi, and to a lesser extent Johnston and Heath.

[top40]

Highs?

-The surprising success of Saturday afternoon footy at the SCG, with such a great win over the strong Carlton to commence the venture

-Matty Mattner's tackle on Jack Riewolt in the Richmond game can't be overlooked as a high.

-The occasion of the Hall of Fame dinner.

-Micky O's 300th

-The atmosphere for the Saints SCG game last quarter. (With special mention to the Pies Homebush third quarter, and the Geelong Homebush last quarter)

-The exciting win over the traditional rivals the Weagles at Homebush.

-Rhyce Shaw

-Jesse White (Particularly his first half performance against the Blues in Melbourne. Very exciting)


Lows?

-The Barrry Hall demise is obvious. No doubt in my mind that but for the 150 metre free kick against the Hawks, Sydney would have won that game, and still been in potential for the finals for further weeks to come. Also, very sad to see the club's only 4th Premiership captain in history end his time here in such a way.

-The out of character latter game collapses, (witness the Carlton game at Docklands in particular, but also both Collingwood games, and the Crows game)

-The fact that one of only two wins for the season from round 9 onwards, was one of the worst games of the year to watch: Melbourne Demons in cold and wet Canberra

-Another Canberra low. After a good start for the first 15 minutes, witnessing the Bulldogs destroy the Swans until half time with 13 straight goals. I had'nt see such a one sided disaster since the Saints smashed us at the SCG back in 1998. Like watching a train crash.

-The Bombers lost at the SCG. Noting the venue, the importance of the game, the standard of Essendon, and the fact that Sydney never looked like wining, this was THE most disappointing game of season 2009 in my humble opinion

[Captain]

Highs

- Jessie White, the boy is going to be a star
- Nick Smith
- The form of Jude Bolton
- Almost beating Saints and Cats
- Micky O's 300th

Lows

- Vez not having a breakout year
- Almost beating Saints and Cats
- Barry getting the chop

[Matimbo]

+ one more high for me ...

Hanners playing a few senior games and showing maturity beyond his year 12 level. He's a keeper.

[RogueSwan]

...
Lows
...
- Barry getting the chop

I thought everyone knew Leapin' was retiring this year.

[ScottH]

+ one more high for me ...

Hanners playing a few senior games and showing maturity beyond his year 12 level. He's a keeper.

Forgot about him. Great Skills. Look forward to seeing him more next year.

[Kirkari]

Highs
1. Beating Hawthorn early in the season
2. The game where we had more individual goal scorers than the SCG scoreboard could handle
3. Learning at least 5 more rules
4. Bob Skilton Medal dinner
5. Round 22 farewells and after match

Lows
1. Bye Bye Big Bad Barry - including the demise of Barry Hall Hall, Centre for Fan Excellence
2. Last loss to the Saints
3. Losing to the dirty Pies
4. Matt Laidlaw not getting re-signed, probably
5. The Big 3 retirees

[BigD]

For me

Highs

Beating Hawthorn early
The games against St Kilda & Geelong (what atmosphere at both)
The Bob Skilton Medal Dinner (as evidenced by my new avatar )
The emotion of round 22
and the emergence of some great new talent (e.g White, Hanneberry, O'Dwyer)

Lows

Missing the finals
Failing to beat the Pies
The games against St Kilda & Geelong (what heartbreakers)
Tadgh leaving
and the retirements of Fozzy, Magic, Leaping, and Crouchy.

In closing Bring on 2010.

[Mark Busuttil]

Highs

Beating Hawthorn early
The emotion of round 22
and the emergence of some great new talent
Late season form of Jessie White
The belting we gave the Tigers at the G for Magic's milestone

Lows

Failing to beat the Pies!!!!
Bad form in Melbourne (especially vs St.Kilda, vs Blues)
Brain explosion by Hall vs Hawks (going to miss him still)
13 goals in a row by Bulldogs
Retirements/trades - Magic, Crouchy, Amon, Jolly??? (the torch has been passed)

The 2005 side is no more - our young team needs to step up.

Go Bloods & Fire up in 2010!!!