Are we contenders in 2012?

[GongSwan]

Yep, more concerned about the Adelaide and Richmond games than any others in teh first half of the draw. Both big improvers from last year, (although we do say that about Richmond every year). However I see these as bogey games for us. The only thing i'm concerned about for the HAwks game is a match up for Buddy and how we can keep him away from the ball. I hope Teddy has those blue boots on again

[top40]

Two games will point to where we are compared with the last few years. First our only MCG away game against Richmond. When did the Swans last win at the G. Second, the Homebush game against the Pies. Last victory there was in the Premiership year in 05, and then there was only a kick in it.

[WeHaveTheGoodes]

end of next round.

Hawthorn are a good measuring stick.

I think we will end the pies curse this year and beat geelong.

[WeHaveTheGoodes]

Yup, agree.

If we win that the media will put the Carlton jinx on us.

Hyping up Sydney doesn't sell papers in melbourne.

[liz]

Too soon to tell. Not sure our depth runs too deep at the moment, and our forward line remains an achilles heel.

[msb]

Yes it is too soon to tell, very promising though. I think it is important if we cant beat the hawks to at least give them a hard, tough game. A repeat of the final last year and everyone will be out saying we are just middle of the road, 5 - 8 ladder finish etc etc, instead of genuine top 4 contenders.

[Vonsteinman]

I know it's said every year, but if the first four rounds have proven anything, it's that the competition is very even and, aside from a handful, any team can beat any other on a given day.

With that in mind, we could lose the next two and still prove to be worthy of a flag. Mind you, I don't think at this stage that we're quite at that level. It feels a little 2003-ish to be honest.

Of course, if we come out and beat the Hawks by six goals on Sunday, I will completely change my tune and start talking us up. Especially if Freo get over Carlton and all the Blues fans, who were so vocal a week ago, are well and truly put back in their boxes!

[GongSwan]

Too soon to tell. Not sure our depth runs too deep at the moment, and our forward line remains an achilles heel.

With no forward line and a man down we still kicked 17 goals, this is enough to beat most teams, and our defence is pretty miserly. When Reid runs into a bit of form we'll probably kick bigger scores, but we're getting the job done

[liz]

With no forward line and a man down we still kicked 17 goals, this is enough to beat most teams, and our defence is pretty miserly. When Reid runs into a bit of form we'll probably kick bigger scores, but we're getting the job done

We did. But North played a game style that we were able to break down reasonably easily, and we got a really even, across the board contribution. Even though we were missing some key players, a lot went right for us. A lot of our goals yesterday were dependent on the spectacular. It's great to watch, but a few more bread and butter goals wouldn't go amiss.

If that sounds like a criticism of the Swans' performance, it isn't mean to. It is just about assessing what is needed to become a real contender, rather than an up-and-coming team, which I think we've been for the last couple of seasons.

[Doctor]

I'd like to think we are but it's definitely too early to call. Having said that I'd rather be 4-0 than 2-2. Like any contender we'll need a good run with injuries so hopefully Gaz is our last serious one for the year.

[Mike_B]

I tend to agree with liz - we're winning games, and we're setting ourselves up for a good position come finals time. But the forward line could come back to be what hurts us. We're manufacturing goals and getting them from the midfield which you need to really give the title a crack, but you also need to be getting goals from your key forwards, and we aren't quite doing it yet on a regular basis.

Means there's still room for improvement, and I'd much rather have room to improve than be 4-0 then the reverse!

[Dogzbody]

Things I like from the first four rounds:
* The attitude of the players is committed
* Inside ball we have exceptional talent (kennedy, jack, mcveigh) and they are executing well
* Defence is working pretty well (Richards highly underrated and from what I gather runs the ship down there)
* Form of some improvers (Jetta, Johnson, Everitt, Bird)
* Multiple options on goal

Things potentially not working for us:
* Kicking big scores (Sam Reid needs to find form and we need to have 5-6 goal runs in a hurry when the momentum is with us)
* Injury - how good is our depth, second tier needs to play like first tier
* Star contributions - ROK, Goodes need to get into top flight soon or it will stand out
* Consistency - Any ground anywhere, against any team - intensity needs to be the same

I dont think many questions have been answered yet. Some big away games will tell the tale.

[swansrule100]

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

[DLBIA14]

Week 1 was our worst performance and week 4 our best. I'm liking the steady improvement. Perhaps what's been most noticeable for me is the decisions of the coaches during the game tactically and at the selection table. Apart from a few underdone players, I don't think Horse has done too much wrong. He absolutely out-coached Scott on the weekend.

Too many people gave John @@@@ last year in what was his FIRST year as senior coach. It was very harsh and uncalled for. He's proving how good he is especially in comparison to some of his peers.

[ScottH]

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

I'll have 2 please!!