Are we contenders in 2012?

[swansrule100]

I'll have 2 please!!

Thats more like it. In all seriousness i know the logcal arguements and one week at a time crap but this team is 4-0 and has held of challenges and is building from finals appearances with some real talent.

We have some class coming in not just honest plodders.

I think this group is pretty darn good and can go all the way.

[mcs]

Too far out to even think about contemplating such a question in my opinion. But as I've said elsewhere, I just have a funny feeling that there is something about this group of players. We are developing nicely, and most importantly (well so far anyway) its looking like the SCG is going back to being more like the fortress it has been previously for us.

I agree with your comment DLBIA14 - I really like the steady improvement in the team. I think part of it is fitness too - we were underdone going into rd 1 I think (on purpose due to the extra week break) and thus there are plenty of players still working up towards peak fitness. What really impressed me on Sunday was the across the board effort - very few players you could say had a 'poor' game whilst we didn't have any absolutely outstanding contributors either. That was a hallmark of the 2005-06 team - so often it was the team performance, rather than a single brilliant individual effort that got us over the line.

I want to see this steady improvement continue... and every game that we get into the youngsters is an extra bit of experience, that will prove crucial come later on in the season. I think the following list makes interesting And in my opinion very good reading!

Luke Parker - 17 games (Sidenote: This guy is an absolute Beast - 17 games and he is playing at such a level already - going to be a star for a long time!)
Alex Johnson - 24 Games
Sam Reid - 28 Games
Lewis Jetta - 44 games
Nick Smith - 55 games
Dan Hannebery - 56 games
Shane Mumford - 63 games
Josh Kennedy - 65 games
Craig Bird - 66 games
(I left out Rohan for obvious reasons )

The oldest of those guys is Mumford at 26. The rest are 24 years or younger. When you consider how much we are already getting out of those guys in performance, and then consider the upside they have, as they are only babies in terms of experience in the AFL, every game they play is only going to see them get better. They are already integral parts of our team (perhaps Bird you could argue is more fringe than the rest, but I feel he is underated). The upside potential there is enormous. Add to that as well two more players we have very high hopes for in Mitchell and Cunningham, and that is a very good nucleus forming right there and then.

The questions haven't been answered yet as to whether we are ready to contend yet, but this week will be a good first point of reference. A good performance, even if we don't win would see me feeling quietly confident about our prospects in 2012. Certainly, despite what might happen this year, we are going to challenge hard for a flag in the near future I think!

[Wardy]

Well I have the premiership club rain poncho so yes we are contenders otherwise I have purchased an $85 plastic bag;-)

[Melbourne_Blood]

Are we contenders? We've done nothing so far to suggest we cannot genuinely contend, but have we done anything to really seriously suggest we can? We've beaten 4 teams. Of the three that played in the comp last year, 0 played finals and one of those won only three games. Yes they are all vastly improved teams, particularly Freo and Kangas, and these two will probably finish in the eight. ( I think Freo certainly will, Kangas will go close) . We have yet to knock off a consistent team of proven quality. I'm happy with how we're going and must admit was feeling a strange nervous excited feeling in my stomach after the win on Sunday. But I'm wary of getting a big head like Carlton ( and probably The kangawho's) supporters only to have it popped a week later. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's re assess after we face some contenders to determine whether we are one ourselves.

[longmile]

Add to that as well two more players we have very high hopes for in Mitchell and Cunningham, and that is a very good nucleus forming right there and then.

Don't forget TDL, Nipper and Lamb

[Peace]

We have Dan Lonergran frothing over us!

Dan Lonergan: Swans not diving after four rounds - ABC Sydney - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

[Dirtyburt]

Im going to cue for grand final tickets let the lid fly off i say

Is cue the next stop on the tram from Kew?

[Beerman]

I'm very happy that we're locking in the "expected" wins (Richmond at the G in 2010, anyone? *shudder*), we're playing well and getting better each week.

There are two things I'm looking for though; we need to win at the MCG and we need to up our win rate against the other top 4 contenders (Geelong, West Coast, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton). We have a terrible recent record at the G and I doubt we're going to get a home GF :-). Last year we were 25% against the five teams mentioned above - if we can win half our games against them this year and be competitive in the others then there's no telling how far we might go.

Also, how Dan Lonergan managed to avoid mentioning Luke Parker in that article is a bit of a mystery.

[Jewels]

There are two things I'm looking for though; we need to win at the MCG and we need to up our win rate against the other top 4 contenders (Geelong, West Coast, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton). We have a terrible recent record at the G and I doubt we're going to get a home GF :-). Last year we were 25% against the five teams mentioned above - if we can win half our games against them this year and be competitive in the others then there's no telling how far we might go.

No, we were 40% against those teams, we beat both WC and the Cats last year.

Also, how Dan Lonergan managed to avoid mentioning Luke Parker in that article is a bit of a mystery.

Agree, particularly so after yesterdays game.

[swansrule100]

Is cue the next stop on the tram from Kew?

i blame the little iphone screen

[swansrule100]

the media all write the same thing at the same time, everyones decided we might be a better team than they thought.

[Dosser]

I'm afraid that we are not contenders until we find the missing piece in the puzzle - a full forward. A good FF will straighten us up and take pressure off Sammy. Think Micky O and Bradshaw and imagine a full forward grappling with a FB near the goal square and having McGlynn and Jetts (maybe Harry) picking up the scraps. Mmmmmm - delicious!

[Wazza]

I'm afraid that we are not contenders until we find the missing piece in the puzzle - a full forward. A good FF will straighten us up and take pressure off Sammy. Think Micky O and Bradshaw and imagine a full forward grappling with a FB near the goal square and having McGlynn and Jetts (maybe Harry) picking up the scraps. Mmmmmm - delicious!

I agree we need a lead up forward to complement our forward line Im not sure if it has to be a FF though. Hopefully TDL is the player who has the ability to read the play and provide a good lead and with Rohan out hopefully he is given another chance. I would like to see Jesse resting at FF rotating with TDL, this changes the dynamic of our FWD line each time they rotate and the opposition has to adjust each time.

I believe this woul open things up for Sam and Goodes which in turn would create plenty of oppourtunities for Jetts and McGlynn/Bolton etc.

IMHO TDL is the type of player i.e lead up fwd that needs to be part of our fwd structure if we are to progress this year what do you guys think is there a better option than TDL?

Cheers

Waz

[Hartijon]

Agree the missing link is the genuine FF,not part time ruck,not rotating just a stay at home FF with a paddock to lead into and the body to grapple with any monster they put on him. After 7 in the Reserves I would give Walsh a chance but dropping anyone is hardly fair. Next injury or illness give Wash a go at FF

[Wazza]

Agree the missing link is the genuine FF,not part time ruck,not rotating just a stay at home FF with a paddock to lead into and the body to grapple with any monster they put on him. After 7 in the Reserves I would give Walsh a chance but dropping anyone is hardly fair. Next injury or illness give Wash a go at FF

Walsh did kick 7 against the bottom reserves team whilst it is still a decent effort if he can repeat that against one of the better teams (which he hasnt to date) then maybe he could line up at FF
but my guess based on reserve games Ive seen him in is he isnt ready - but is improving each week..

Cheers

waz