1600+ gone :(

[goswannies]

Since the 2008 November draft, we've lost over 1600 games experience, 8 premiership players (plus another couple of international rookies, for what they're worth), 2 co-captains, a club games record holder, etc.

Has there been a bigger mass-exodus of talent in our history? I suppose there might have been in 1981-2 but at least we didn't lose any premiership players. In AFL history?? Fitzroy lost all but 6 players... but the club was essentially consumed by the Bears. University folded entirely. In sporting history?! Ok, the Bulls pretty much the entire starting line-up and half the bench post Jordan (on his second exit).

Losing Jolly, O'Loughlin, Hall, Crouch, Barry, Fosdike, Buchanan, Kennelly... sure, all (bar Jolly) beyond their prime... and some probably wouldn't have played anyway even had they wanted to go on... but that's still a lot to lose. And I would speculate that if we'd lost the best 7 of those guys, the eigth (no matter how old, or injury-riddled) would probably have got a spot in our top 22. I'm not saying that any of our departed should have gone on (or stayed in the cases of Darren & Monty). But looking at our departed players is a bit of a shock to the system, trying to see how they can be replaced... or how long it will take. It will be a true test for John Longmire.

[Reggi]

Unbelievable turnover, but it had too happen after a stellar period from 2003 -2006, I really think that animal passion to win was gone

Still I cannot recall another club trading five premiership players. Has Kennett said no Premiership players will be traded

That said, for many supporters it will be very exciting as a new generation emerges

[Primmy]

Its always a shock to go back and look at the turnovers isn't it. Just as well to remember nothing is cemented in. Its held by sticky stuff and eventually it gets worn out. What I mean is that the personnel of the club are a fluid group, they come and go, and its when they become great memories instead of there in front of you it is confronting.

Add Kell, Dunks, Plugger, Roos, Schwass, Cressa, Stafford, Cook, Stevens (2), and I could go on and on. They were all important in their time.

[caj23]

Poor list management on the part of the club hasn't helped the situation

[magic.merkin]

Poor list management on the part of the club hasn't helped the situation

please elaborate.

[Young Blood]

This is the turnover we had to have. Jolly's departure will accelerate the rebuilding of the club. When our 2010 list is settled, we will have the core group of players who will push for our next premiership. I am excited.

[caj23]

please elaborate.

I don't wish to get in an argument with CTS again cos I've actually got to do some work today and I'm aware that its easy for me to make these calls in hindsight but in a nutshell:

1. Making the hard calls on Barry and Crouch last year
2. Getting Tadgh to commit to a decision before final list lodgment last year
3. Hall should have had his papers marked as soon as he hit Staker and traded
4. If Monty was potentially in the gun, 12 months earlier would have been nice

Obviously there are some circumstances which the club can't forsee (e.g. Fossie's knee injury, Jolly's sookiness), but we were always going to be heading in the direction of mass departures

[Molly dooker]

This is the turnover we had to have. Jolly's departure will accelerate the rebuilding of the club. When our 2010 list is settled, we will have the core group of players who will push for our next premiership. I am excited.

Me too. When you stick with the old, even if they are good/great players, the team can stagnate in a huge way.

New blood brings back the unpredictability of a team, it also re-ignites the adrenalin in the players that have been around for a while. The excitement of the new team-mates may bring the vision of success, of winning the big prize.

I am very excited about our emerging list. I do hope Roosy can get Kennedy and McGlynn. Am ecstatic about Seaby and Mumford.

All I hope is that the Swans supporters aren't unkind to our ex players as staying with a club does not mean that they didn't do their best whilst in Red and White. Doesn't mean that they aren't still attached to us. Life changes thankfully, not always for the best but you have to keep going.

I know for a fact that Schneids had a cry when he had to go and it just distresses me when the crowd BOOOO an old player. So lets just accept what it is and Carpe Diem.

Your list of those players that have left, fortunately they all left (except for one) with dignity.

[elroy67]

The '91 Hawks lost over 1000 games which I think was the record. Given that we carried those players mentioned on the list for 2009, I think we break the record well and truly

[CureTheSane]

I'm aware that its easy for me to make these calls in hindsight but in a nutshell:

FWIW, I agree with you to a degree.

I think I am somewhere located right in between, treating players purely as employees, and falling at their feet because of past successes (05 flag)

I probably look at it on a players by player POV.

With Leo, I see how he was shot, and probably should have been cut from the list at the end of last year, but many supporters say he single handedly won us the flag, and the furore created in dumping would have done more damage than good.

Jolly is a different kettle of fish.
He was an important part of the team in the flag, but he wants to leave the club (for whatever reason) and therefore he is treated more like and asset.

[reigning premier]

You would of thought we could of unloaded Ablett as well....

[AnnieH]

You would of thought we could of unloaded Ablett as well....

No one wants him.

[reigning premier]

No one wants him.

I'd take a $50 drink card at the Alexandria and half a packet of Winnie blues...

[caj23]

Fob him off to the Gold Coast next year

[wearebloods]

The current system rewards mediocrity & puts club lists under enormous pressure. We just have to accept this as a fact of life & play "the game" as best as possible.

Hopefully down the track, the AFL will bring in some incentives that reward success eg winning premierships & not just the dream of a socialist utopia....