Is this the start of our NEW ERA

[Go Swannies]

The problem with new eras is that you can only recognise them in retrospect. But I remember the "against the odds" 2003 Port final as the signs of a team that was really a team. And that's what I saw yesterday - that uncanny ability to find another Swan in the pack. It took two years before it resulted in a flag - and there was still the "ugly football" in the middle but something started that day. That was also the day we saw Goodes' true genius - who was it yesterday (Parker was great and Rohan and Gopher)?

It looked to me like the Cats were off their game yesterday because they could not cope with the Swans' pressure. I'm sure they didn't care if they kept their at-home record intact two weeks out from the last finals series for a few of their players. Anyway, you can only beat the team you play - and we were playing a team that hadn't lost there for four years and had only lost a couple this year.

Even so, I bet tomorrow's Vic papers are all about the giant-killing Bombers. How could they possibly come from behind to beat a team as good as Port?

[GongSwan]

I agree the last rise came on the back of wins against the then benchmark side in Bribane, not in the 2003 qualifier, good as the boys were that day. The problem with an era starting is that we will lose experienced players over the next 2 or 3 years and need to replace them. Where would we be without Goodes, ROK Jude, Teddy, Marty. These guys don't have many years left so if we hope for a window it better come soon, or will not happen until the curent younger breed of mids get to 100 - 150 games

[liz]

I agree the last rise came on the back of wins against the then benchmark side in Bribane, not in the 2003 qualifier, good as the boys were that day. The problem with an era starting is that we will lose experienced players over the next 2 or 3 years and need to replace them. Where would we be without Goodes, ROK Jude, Teddy, Marty. These guys don't have many years left so if we hope for a window it better come soon, or will not happen until the curent younger breed of mids get to 100 - 150 games

One of the reasons the Swans have been so consistent - ie not dropping down the ladder for extended periods - for the past decade and a half is because they've always maintained a balance list, age wise. It is why everyone on BF says we're on the slide because we're "old". We always have a handful of players in the twilights of their careers. But surely that is the way it should be. The old players are hardened, consistent and teach the younger players how to win. I don't subscribe to this notion of collecting a group of 18 year olds together so that they all peak at the same time. Just seems like a nonsense way to manage a list.

It is certainly hard to envisage a successful Swans team once Goodes finally has had enough. But I remember wondering how we'd ever survive without Locket, without Kelly, even without Hall.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i do think it could be the first signs of the cats starting to level out and fall........there are some brilliant footballers in that team but so many a little old and tired now.....

[Primmy]

Exactly liz. Its kind of like job application isn't it. Too many companies are getting rid of the older members, and only taking on the young guns; it mostly ends in a lot of tears. You need example, even if subliminal, to really show the way and keep the keel upright. You don't get to be part of the old brigade if you can't cut it. So something must be going right. Thank heavens we have a group of brains behind the list who understand this. Also, if you look at them all, balanced along the age line.

[chunksngravy]

I would love this win to be a watershed moment leading to a period of great success, but I have been around long enough to know about chickens and counting. In the end though, most of my joy in this club is the "bloods" spirit and wins like these, and the ticker these players have shown after what must have been a terrible week for everyone, is more than enough to keep me happy. How could you support anyone else?