Are we contenders in 2012?

[Melbourne_Blood]

Didnt Morton kick 7 and Walsh 5?

[The_Jam]

While I wouldn't mind if a proper FF came our way, I disagree that we need one to be a contender. I think, for example, if Reid and White kept improving, and Jetta and McGlynn maintained their form, towards the end of the season our forward line could be strong enough to win a GF.

[Dosser]

While I wouldn't mind if a proper FF came our way, I disagree that we need one to be a contender. I think, for example, if Reid and White kept improving, and Jetta and McGlynn maintained their form, towards the end of the season our forward line could be strong enough to win a GF.

I disagree. I think they provide all of the icing on the cake, but we need a strong bodied FF to complete the picture (and to slaughter the metaphor).

[ernie koala]

IMO, The Burmese Kitten should come in ahead of Walsh or Morton.
Mortons had one good game and
Walsh still looks a bit raw.

[Beerman]

...we need to up our win rate against the other top 4 contenders (Geelong, West Coast, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton)....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.

We won 25% of games. We played Geelong, Hawthorn and Carlton twice. That makes 2 wins from 8 games.

[Beerman]

Incidentally, there is distinctly non-frothy article about the swans chances in 2012 here: http://www.bigpondsport.com/are-the-...5/default.aspx

It's true we have a tough run home and could easily slip 3 or four places in the last 5 rounds. But two years ago we were a good chance to miss the finals with 4 rounds to go before beating Hawthorn, Freo (in Perth), Bulldogs (when they were good) and Brisbane.

[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.

Just realised that everyone must have been wondering what the hell I was talking about. The shocking loss I was thinking of was against Melbourne, although Richmond running us down left its scars as well. Two bad losses.

Incidentally our first game at the MCG this year is against....Richmond.

[Lucky Knickers]

HEre's the ladder predictor http://www.afl.com.au/bailey%20ladde...6/default.aspx so you can play around.

[swansrule100]

We need a bit more arrogance here, not suggesting we turn into bomber blitz but i think we have a bloody good side

[DeadlyAkkuret]

If we beat the Hawks I'll be quite arrogant.

[jono2707]

I think that if the Hawks want to be taken as a serious contender this year then they have to put up a decent effort against a quality Top 4 opponent like the Swans...

[Dosser]

Now, that is good quality arrogance.

[liz]

Incidentally, there is distinctly non-frothy article about the swans chances in 2012 here: http://www.bigpondsport.com/are-the-...5/default.aspx

It's true we have a tough run home and could easily slip 3 or four places in the last 5 rounds. But two years ago we were a good chance to miss the finals with 4 rounds to go before beating Hawthorn, Freo (in Perth), Bulldogs (when they were good) and Brisbane.

Alex Jones clearly thinks the Swans are not the real deal.

[wolftone57]

Ooh yeah. Feeling good about the cohesiveness of this 2012 team. It will be injuries that cruel us.

Erica I watched the Resies on Sunday and boy is there some talent running around there. I think we can cover injuries up to a point. We just don't need a plethora of them. I am sad for Red as he was playing so well and looked on the cusp of something special. On Sunday he looked as though he was set to incinerate north. But in the resies I watched a few young blokes and a couple of older guys really burn. I liked Shane Biggs' first game. TDL was awesome at times and very consistent. Morton put on a show. Lamb got a bit of it. Nipper was cruel on the Hawks. Walsh and Pykie were just too big and talented. Bulldog was great. Boy they all played as though they really meant it. I liked all the performances in the resies.

[Vonsteinman]

Alex Jones clearly thinks the Swans are not the real deal.

Jones clearly doesn't think much at all. What does anyone who watches a couple of games each week, as well as highlights on the news, and keeps an eye on the ladder actually learn from this article. Absolutely nothing.

How's this quote?

"chances are Kennedy will burn out or get tagged into oblivion as winter progresses."

Virtually his only attempt at providing any real "insight" and he gets it horribly wrong.

In 2010 and 2011, Kennedy played his best football at the end of the season and there is no reason to think differently this year.

As far as tagging him into oblivion, there might be the odd week or two where he is kept quiet but you cannot consistently tag out of the game a player that goes where he goes and gets the footy in the way that he does, without giving away plenty of free kicks.