Where to from here, looking ahead.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I think Jack and McGlynn have some speedster about them too. They are certainly quick enough to get into space often enough to be dangerous goal kicking options. And in the backline, Johnson's pace is pretty good too for his size - certainly he has enough to get himself out of trouble at times, and to close quickly on contests.
There is often a balance between having more speed / outside run and losing on the toughness / grunt / defensive ability. With Jack and McGlynn we lose none of that. The early signs are that Rohan is capable defensively too. It is too early to tell yet with Cunningham. The club seems to have spent this year trying to improve his inside game and I think there are reasons to be optimistic that he might become a well balanced, senior player within the next 12-24 months.

Liz, you're quite right Jack and Benny do have some speedster about them, although how much of a speedster is "some" perhaps 70% and 60% respectively?
Likewise AJ's pace is pretty good for his size (as is Pike's for that matter) but I don't think it helps the situation much (it's the "for his size" epithet that tells the tale).
As for Harry, yes it is probably still to early to tell, but doesn't that make our slight lack of leg speed more problematical not less?
Anyway
Like you I would loathe to see us lose our grunt/toughness, it is Swans footy's core. But I suggest that we are better in that department than every other team in the league, whereas last year the Saints and Tigers mosquito fleets ran rings around us.

[robamiee]

i think our list seems reasonably healthy albeit lack a power forward, Reid will replace Goodes role of that mobile CHF...If Jude retires, parker steps in nicely, by all accounts Mitchell will be a gun and Lamb by the thread reports will do well...i think midfield wise we are pretty solid..Just ahve to make sure we get an extension to JPK's contract
please early this year....
After next year though we do need to ahve an elite game breaking midfielder, now whether we ahve coming through i dont know...and as long as we dont become to predictable going to forward to the same constant target we will be unpredictable...

[liz]

After next year though we do need to ahve an elite game breaking midfielder, now whether we ahve coming through i dont know...and as long as we dont become to predictable going to forward to the same constant target we will be unpredictable...

If we have one currently on our list, his name is Harry Cunningham. It is too early yet to tell how good he can become, but he has the raw attributes - speed, attacking nous and a lovely, long penetrating kick on him.

[Auntie.Gerald]

didnt Harry win the GF 100m race pre game ??

[Ruck'n'Roll]

2nd in the final to the Crows Paddy Dangerfield (pretty impressive all the same)

[Ruck'n'Roll]

The Players Association has declared it wants to keep the sub rule, I think this may well mean we will get another year or so from some of our veterans. Shaw and Goodes look particularly well suited to the role of Super-Sub.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/lay-off-bench-players-20121006-276av.html