Let the predictions begin...

[ShockOfHair]

A top eight finish for the Swans is "achievable", according to Michael Rogers at AFL.com.au.


Season guide 2010: Sydney Swans - AFL.com.au

His team is pretty close, though Kennedy and Hannebery would be ahead of TDL at this stage.

BEST 22
B: Ted Richards, Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: Martin Mattner, Heath Grundy, Tadhg Kennelly
C: Rhyce Shaw, Ryan O?Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Kieren Jack, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
F: Jesse White, Daniel Bradshaw, Lewis Jetta
Foll: Mark Seaby, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
I/C: Shane Mumford, Nick Malceski, Paul Bevan, Trent Dennis-Lane

Leigh Colbert at the Hun has begun predicting the entire ladder, starting with 16th (Tigers).

[BSA5]

No Bird? Fairly big omission, he's a definite starter for me. Unless he's predicting the Round 1 side, he's missed a trick there.

[Bas]

No Bird? Fairly big omission, he's a definite starter for me. Unless he's predicting the Round 1 side, he's missed a trick there.

Bird out for 10 weeks probably influenced his opinion. He did get a full pre-season in so that depends on how he gets back.

[BSA5]

Bird out for 10 weeks probably influenced his opinion. He did get a full pre-season in so that depends on how he gets back.

No @@@@. That's why I said "unless he's predicting the Round 1 side". But it says "best 22" in the article, and best 22 means all fit (and even if it didn't, he's included Bradshaw and TDL who are also injured). Bird, when fit, is easily best 22.

[ugg]

This is probably as bad as you're going to get. No Jack, Tadhg at CHB(??),

Sydney: Team Preview - AFL - Sportal Australia

[DST]

This is probably as bad as you're going to get. No Jack, Tadhg at CHB(??),

Sydney: Team Preview - AFL - Sportal Australia

That is pretty lazy all round.

There is no way that Grundy won't hold down CHB and they make reference to our older midfield but fail to mention replacements in McGlynn, Kennedy and more help from Jack, McVeigh, Hannaberry and not to mention both Shaw and Mattner playing more in the midfield this year with Kennelly and Malceski down back.

Where is Smith as well as out small defender?

DST


DST

[Doctor]

The lazier and less-informed they are the better as far as I'm concerned. I reckon we're right in it this year. I fear the Dogs and (shudder) the Magpies may be a bridge too far for us but we are going to surprise a lot of people this year IMO. I'm excited.

There. I've said it. If we fall in a heap this year it's my fault. We won't though.

[laughingnome]

In Inside Football's preview they rank each teams top 32 players in terms of importance to the team. That is, the number one rank is the player the team can least do without. Here is Sydney's 32 for the start of the year and, where applicable, their rank at the same time last year.

Compiled by Ben Casanelia
I personally think Richards is too high and at least Bird and LRT are too low, but it does give some idea of where the newcomers fot into the side. The mag's also got an in-depth player review if anyone buys it, was worth the read. Most of the punters I've read seem to pick us as the Essendon of last year - not the best but dangerous enough to challenge and to finish 6-10.

[ScottH]

I'm surprised that they rated Smith above Jack and LRT.
They must actually watch the games!!

Watch Smith and Jack rise next year!!

[Midfield]

[QUOTE=laughingnome;475482]In Inside Football's preview they rank each teams top 32 players in terms of importance to the team. That is, the number one rank is the player the team can least do without. Here is Sydney's 32 for the start of the year and, where applicable, their rank at the same time last year.

Compiled by Ben Casanelia
Seeing this list reminded me of how much i was looking forward to seeing Meredith play again. Can anyone up date me on how he's going?

[ScottH]

Seeing this list reminded me of how much i was looking forward to seeing Meredith play again. Can anyone up date me on how he's going?

Quad 4-6 weeks.


Sydney Swans Injury List - Official AFL website of the Sydney Swans football club

[ShockOfHair]

Hey LaughingGnome was that list voted on by the readers or compiled just by IF? (The readers were pretty close with their 6-10 prediction.)

The name that stands out to me is Seaby. He couldn't get a game with the Coast last year, now he's ranked above Kirk and Jude. Sixth maybe a bit high but on his pre-season form he's definitely top ten.

[Lucky Knickers]

There are some strange ratings there. Bird below Vesz?
I love Craig Bolton and it's excellent to see him rating so highly. Hopefully, his importance will lessen with Grundy and LRT improving.
Shaw - 2nd in our B&F at 9?

[liz]

There are some strange ratings there. Bird below Vesz?
I love Craig Bolton and it's excellent to see him rating so highly. Hopefully, his importance will lessen with Grundy and LRT improving.
Shaw - 2nd in our B&F at 9?

I think depth in a position has an impact on importance as much as the ability of a player. Super though Shaw was last year, you could argue that none of our HBFers is critically important to the team because we have so many of them.

Mind you, watching us play the Saints a couple of weeks ago I had a strange feeling - I suddenly realised that the emergence of Grundy as a defender able to play on the very best forwards means that the prospect of going into games without Bolton no longer was a stomach churning experience. I still think he (Bolton) is an extremely important player because of his flexibility and leadership in the back six. But if we lost him for a significant portion of the season, I don't think it would be a calamatous as in years gone by.

[laughingnome]

Hey LaughingGnome was that list voted on by the readers or compiled just by IF?

Compiled by IF.