First game of the season - Swans v GWS

[Wardy]

I dont think it's a case of heads being stuck in the sand, more a case of getting prepared for the season ahead so our footy can do the talking. We should not be taking on GWS in a 'who can say the most ridiculous thing' contest - we'll let them win that one. Whilst I agree that we could be hearing more out of the club in the offseason, it was always going to be a case of GWS garnering a lot of press in the lead up to their first season.

lets not forget that Sheedy has a good 20 odd years up on Longmire at this game - also Sheeds can relate to the working class because he was that himself and worked as a tradie during his footy career because back in those days a player had too. And really, he was a very successful coach for the one club for a hell of a long time. Anyone who thinks otherwise is nuts. He has a job too do - and as much as it give's a number on here the @@@@s - he's obviously doing a terrific job because people are taking notice. The Swans about 5 years back didnt think the GWS thing would really happen, and sat on their hands in that belief, I bet they didnt think that Sheeds would be at the helm.

So people, like it or hate it, its happening, its time to let go of this woe is us negative stuff - there are things you can change and things you cant - GWS is here to stay - so lets just deal with it - enjoy our team (hopefully) thrashing them and look forward to the new season ahead.

[Kirkari]

When yobbo westies shout rubbish the most dignified thing to do is ignore them.

Yep. To do otherwise is just like barking back at a dog.

[Lucky Knickers]

I dont think it's a case of heads being stuck in the sand, more a case of getting prepared for the season ahead so our footy can do the talking. We should not be taking on GWS in a 'who can say the most ridiculous thing' contest - we'll let them win that one. Whilst I agree that we could be hearing more out of the club in the offseason, it was always going to be a case of GWS garnering a lot of press in the lead up to their first season.

Yep - let's give it to them Swans Style. Action NOT words.
Just a comment on hearing more from the Club - I do think we are very lucky with the media department and that there was rarely a day when we haven't heard from the Club via a new Swans TV or article.
It's going to ramp up more.

[wolftone57]

The Swans Media Department got a big one with the joint training session with Warrington. I agree with Wardy, Kirkari & Lucky that Sheeds is just doing his job and doing it well if the reaction is anything to go by. Our PR & Football Depts pulled off a very big spoiler in the Joint Training Session with the Wolves though and a great promo it is in League mad Sydney.

[Cheer Squad]

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease"

In today's SMH:

Swans focus on teaching upstart neighbours a lesson

Maybe it's just a co-incidence that an article like this appears after a day or two of discussions on this forum?

[Adelaide Swan]

In today's SMH:

Swans focus on teaching upstart neighbours a lesson

Maybe it's just a co-incidence that an article like this appears after a day or two of discussions on this forum?

Yeah, it was something that was seriously concerning me looking at the lack of media activity from the club with our noisy new neighbours making all the headlines.

Hopefully our players go out there in Round 1 an annihilate the Giants and put a muzzle on Kevin Sheedy's mouth.

[AnnieH]

KR, they don't make muzzles big enough!!

Good to see anything in the paper about the Swans at this time of the year.

[Adelaide Swan]

KR, they don't make muzzles big enough!!

Good to see anything in the paper about the Swans at this time of the year.

Haha very true Annie.

Yeah it's always quiet in the offseason but it gets annoying seeing our noisy new neighbours hogging all the football headlines in the Sydney press.

[SydAFLFan]

Yeah, it was something that was seriously concerning me looking at the lack of media activity from the club with our noisy new neighbours making all the headlines.

Hopefully our players go out there in Round 1 an annihilate the Giants and put a muzzle on Kevin Sheedy's mouth.

Dont forget, Sheedy has to create a sideshow at the moment because when the football begins - assuming they have a similiar season to Gold Coast last year - the sideshow will help distract the focus from all the games they lose. From a journo's point of view, they will be inclined to write more articles on GWS this year and that is not a problem in the short term for the Swans. Most of the articles will be about how badly they lost, the struggle in the west, and anti AFL pro rugby driven ones. The Swans will get articles written about the season and how they are going. Expect Sheedy's sideshow to really kick in then as it will help GWS get past the negative press. He has always been a master of this. Longmire can and should leave the focus on the Swans team and the season.

[Primmy]

I have a mental picture here. Later down the track. Jarred Crouch is an assistant coach, and he has been allocated media duties. Replies to all questions "none of your business".

So ladies and gents of the redandwhite code, it could be worse!

[Primmy]

I have a mental picture here. Later down the track. Jarred Crouch is an assistant coach, and he has been allocated media duties. Replies to all questions "none of your business".

So ladies and gents of the redandwhite code, it could be worse!

He did that on purpose. The interview with the Swans about his role.....talk talk talk. What happened to the old taciturn Crouch the Grouch I have come to know and love! The world is changing and I am not sure I like it.

[707]

I've had a look at the GWS list and it appears they only have 14 mature aged players and several of those are in the real veteran class. That means at a minimum they will have 8 kids in their side and possibly more debuting against us and thse kids will be nervous like most debutants.

GWS have taken a different recruiting tack to Gold Coast and are no where near as capable as an AFL team as the Gold Coast were last year. Don't forget that GCS had some very good mature recruits led of course by the mercurial Ablett. GCS had far more depth and class last year than GWS will trot out this year. Gold Coast also had more outstanding and more developed youngsters than GWS currently have.

If you closely scrutinise their list, GWS are not capable of beating anyone this year, they won't win a game. Their time is in 4-5 years onwards and they have planned it that way.

If it's a fine night for the season opener, and given the quality, experience and physical maturity of our team, if we don't beat them by 15 goals I'd be disappointed. This is one team that our new forward structure should really work well against. We should monster them all over the ground. Speaking of monstering, Tommy Walsh will debut.

[wolftone57]

I will be at the first match. I will also be joining you lot in the Red Zone this year as I have just bought membership. They have a new pay by the month option which I took being a pensioner. I know the first game is a GWS Home game but I think it is important to get behind it and support our side. By doing this we are supporting Australian Football in this a League State.

[CJK]

Today's Fin Review has the Chairman of the Canberra Giants saying they are aiming to win between 1 and 3 games this year.

[wolftone57]

I have a mental picture here. Later down the track. Jarred Crouch is an assistant coach, and he has been allocated media duties. Replies to all questions "none of your business".

So ladies and gents of the redandwhite code, it could be worse!

The Alan Jeans and Mick Malthouse standard reply