Tippett!!

[Triple B]

This has got me thinking: whose grand final goalkicking was worse - Buddy's or Mickey O's?

Buddy was Buddy, kicking them from 70m then missing them from 30 in front. He's been doing that for as long as we remember.

Micky on the other hand got an awful case of the yips. Towards the end he was lucky to get boot to ball. Strange thing, it didn't seem to effect the rest of his game in that last quarter. His leading and marking was awesome and if he converted his chances would be spoken about in the same breath as Davis is for a wonderful game winning last quarter.

[DLBIA14]

In my case it's the other three qrtrs that are the concern.

I also do not think he is a dickhead, I just don't think the size of his head is a good fit. But then we probably all said the same with Plugger....although he could kick straight.

As I've always said, good forwards almost need an ego. You want the ball to come to you and good forwards will demand and expect it unapologetically from their team. Nothing wrong with a showman either in my opinion - characters have defined this game, let's not change that.

[Hartijon]

As I've always said, good forwards almost need an ego. You want the ball to come to you and good forwards will demand and expect it unapologetically from their team. Nothing wrong with a showman either in my opinion - characters have defined this game, let's not change that.

Completely agree. I would add the ability to inspire and light up the team is a mark of a great forward.

[Big Al]

Re: Tippett!!

Hawthorn lost the GF because they didn't have contributers right across the park like we did. If Franklin was in red and white we win by 10 goals. While he missed shots that he should have kicked he also dragged them back into the game like no other player could do in the AFL.

So if you asked me would I like to see Franklin in a Swans jumper... Mmmm... I could get used to it.

[caj23]

Little chance, or need, to make a play now we have Tippo, but I can only shake my head at people who would not take Buddy.

We spoke about how players are seen differently when we spoke about Mitch Robinson, a couple of people thought he seemed a decent bloke, I think he's a prize knob.

I don't see Buddy as a dickhead at all and really don't find him any more arrogant then he deserves to be. He's an absolutely awesome player.

Just sayin'...

Agree with everything you've written in this post Triple B

We don't need Buddy now we have Kurt, but why wouldn't you want one of the best players in the league

[Nico]

By the season's end we will have so many good power forwards that we would not be able to fit him in. Might have to make a running half back out of him, and we will have plenty of time to do that as he will only be 27.

[0918330512]

As I've always said, good forwards almost need an ego. You want the ball to come to you and good forwards will demand and expect it unapologetically from their team. Nothing wrong with a showman either in my opinion - characters have defined this game, let's not change that.

Pratt - ego ... rightly so
Nash - ego +++ ... rightly so
Capper - flamboyant/ego
Cordner - no ego, not a good forward
Minten-Connell - no ego, average forward
Plugger - unassuming IMO, no big ego, fairly handy forward
Hall - very much a team man at his best with us, no real ego IMO
Bradshaw - no ego but wasn't a great forward with us

[0918330512]

We don't need Buddy now we have Kurt, but why wouldn't you want one of the best players in the league

Dollar for dollar, player for player, Buddy is better value than Kurt IMO ... BUT

1) Buddy wasn't available when we went for Kurt ... we couldn't have anticipated & even if we did, there is no guarantee we would get Buddy ... we DID get Kurt
2) we have no idea whether Buddy wants Sydney ... Kurt did
3) Kurt ... as far as I can see ... seems like a pretty nice guy & will hopefully settle in to our playing group well ... Buddy (deservedly so) struts

[Ludwig]

I prefer having a more balanced attack rather than one big go-to man like Franklin, as good as he is. This year we will have Tippett, Reid and Goodes, all roughly equal big targets up forward and of course LRT, our go-to man, along with probably the best goal-kicking midfield in the comp. Our game has developed into a multi-pronged attack and Franklin would alter that if he came to the Swans (which obviously he will not). I don't think there are many teams that can afford him. Gold Coast and Freo look most likely. Carlton, if Judd retires, as is rumoured. I don't imagine he'd want to go to Adelaide for any amount of money. In the end, I think he will stay a Hawk.

[goswannies]

I prefer having a more balanced attack rather than one big go-to man like Franklin, as good as he is. This year we will have Tippett, Reid and Goodes, all roughly equal big targets up forward and of course LRT, our go-to man, along with probably the best goal-kicking midfield in the comp. Our game has developed into a multi-pronged attack and Franklin would alter that if he came to the Swans (which obviously he will not).

I get the feeling that Tippett will be more like a combination of Hall & Jesse White.

Lead up strong marking forward, who will demand the attention of the oppositions better defender (freeing up our other tall forwards), who will be just as happy to give off to a team mate in a better position than have a shot & will be happy with team success & take genuine delight in a team mate kicking a goal.

But he might be more of a natural footballer than White, with less aggression issues than Hall.

My uninformed opinion only. Time will tell

[aardvark]

But he might be more of a natural footballer than White, with less aggression issues than Hall.

I'd bloody hope so!!!

[goswannie14]

Thought I'd bring this back to the top of the page.

There is going to be an article in the Hun tomorrow about how the Swans pulled off the coup of Tippett.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Tippett!!

I had a chat with My one genuine swan mate ( who's not a family member) today and he told me that apparently Herald sun writer Jon Ralph tipped us to finish ...wait for it....... 8th!!! Who pays these drunks ? Seriously ? I know they write us off year after year but, we're the reigning premier , and we picked up the best ' available ' forward in last years trade period? And he has us dropping To eighth ? turn it up!

[Beerman]

I had a chat with My one genuine swan mate ( who's not a family member) today and he told me that apparently Herald sun writer Jon Ralph tipped us to finish ...wait for it....... 8th!!! Who pays these drunks ? Seriously ? I know they write us off year after year but, we're the reigning premier , and we picked up the best ' available ' forward in last years trade period? And he has us dropping To eighth ? turn it up!

Personally, I think this is right and proper. Tradition is a massive thing in AFL. The father-son rule, the ANZAC day game, the Saturday grand final, no footy on good friday, tipping the swans to finish 6-10th.

If the AFL allows people to start tipping the swans as top 4 contenders or even (god forbid) premiers then what will come next? Grand final played on Sunday night?

Some things should be just left as they are.

[Triple B]

David Swartz picked us as Premiers last year on SEN in the pre-season predictions. Given we look better equipped this year, it will be interesting to see where he slots us in this year...