Tippett!!

[Wardy]

I feel for Tippett as a lot of what is being said about him is 50/50 on the fact and fiction scale- he isn't the only player that has "extras" in his contract to think otherwise is naive - its only because he wants out from the crows that its being exposed. He has not had a right of reply - and some of stories about him and his charachter are greatly exaggerated and in some ways down right awful and in called for. I still think he will be good for the swans - and after all the hoo har I believe he will put 150% into every second he plays for us just prove that he was worth the angst.

[Bennymno4]

Premiership players will go one way or another regardless of getting Tippett or not, just think how many 2005 premiership players were gone for various reasons by the end of season 2010.
As has been said a thousand times in this thread already, the team has to keep improving to keep being successful and getting the best available power forward into the club is the way to improve it.

100% correct.

[Bennymno4]

I feel for Tippett as a lot of what is being said about him is 50/50 on the fact and fiction scale- he isn't the only player that has "extras" in his contract to think otherwise is naive - its only because he wants out from the crows that its being exposed. He has not had a right of reply - and some of stories about him and his charachter are greatly exaggerated and in some ways down right awful and in called for. I still think he will be good for the swans - and after all the hoo har I believe he will put 150% into every second he plays for us just prove that he was worth the angst.

Agree, some of the slurs that have been thrown his way are outrageous. Some people need to take a good hard look at themselves. The Internet is a wonderland of heroes bandying around phrases like dickhead to make themselves feel more important.

Very sad and childish

[jono2707]

Will we play KT solely as a key forward or will he be made to share ruck duties at times? I hope it's the former.

[goswannie14]

I feel for Tippett as a lot of what is being said about him is 50/50 on the fact and fiction scale- he isn't the only player that has "extras" in his contract to think otherwise is naive - its only because he wants out from the crows that its being exposed. He has not had a right of reply - and some of stories about him and his charachter are greatly exaggerated and in some ways down right awful and in called for. I still think he will be good for the swans - and after all the hoo har I believe he will put 150% into every second he plays for us just prove that he was worth the angst.

Agree, some of the slurs that have been thrown his way are outrageous. Some people need to take a good hard look at themselves. The Internet is a wonderland of heroes bandying around phrases like dickhead to make themselves feel more important.

Very sad and childish

Have to agree, people are brave bullies behind the anonimity of a computer screen.

[Ludwig]

The kind of money we offered Tippett is in the Goddard and Cloke range. He hasn't shown he is in that class yet, but I have little doubt that he could reach that level. Only time will tell. He would fill the only serious hole we have in our side and forwards of his type are a very rare commodity. I am sure the salary cap will be going up for all teams as well and toward the end of his contract it won't look all that excessive, assuming he performs at a high level. Our behind the scenes gurus seem to think he is worth it, and he just might be. I am now thinking our offer is not all that outrageous, especially when you consider the COLA, nor out of step with what other clubs offer their top players. The 2 burning questions are: Will he be a Swan next year? And will he perform at a level commensurate with his compensation?

[Big Al]

I feel for Tippett as a lot of what is being said about him is 50/50 on the fact and fiction scale- he isn't the only player that has "extras" in his contract to think otherwise is naive - its only because he wants out from the crows that its being exposed. He has not had a right of reply - and some of stories about him and his charachter are greatly exaggerated and in some ways down right awful and in called for. I still think he will be good for the swans - and after all the hoo har I believe he will put 150% into every second he plays for us just prove that he was worth the angst.

I still haven't seen anyone come up with any evidence that he's a dickhead or that he's done anything wrong for that matter. On the contrary, the fact that people who have more insight to Tippetts character than we do want him sort of proves to me he's not what some people are suggesting.

[swanspant12]

It makes me laugh how other supporters/clubs think that we are getting Tippett easily because of our concessions. If they actually had some brains, they would realise that these players are coming to the ends of their careers:

Bolton
Goodesy
ROK

Obviously Horse and Co. are preparing for life after our stars retire and we will have significant cap space to sign Tippett. Goodes is on 900k and arguably has 1-2 years left, Jude has one year left, ROK: 1 to 2 years aswell. Im pretty sure that's alot of cap space freed up for the second year of Tippett's contract which reportedly we are paying him 900k for. In his first year he will be earning 700,000, even less then what he was earning at adelaide.

[swansrob]

It makes me laugh how other supporters/clubs think that we are getting Tippett easily because of our concessions. If they actually had some brains, they would realise that these players are coming to the ends of their careers:

Bolton
Goodesy
ROK

Obviously Horse and Co. are preparing for life after our stars retire and we will have significant cap space to sign Tippett. Goodes is on 900k and arguably has 1-2 years left, Jude has one year left, ROK: 1 to 2 years aswell. Im pretty sure that's alot of cap space freed up for the second year of Tippett's contract which reportedly we are paying him 900k for. In his first year he will be earning 700,000, even less then what he was earning at adelaide.

By the end of Tippett's first contract, you could add Shaw, LRT, Richards and Mattner at least. None of those guys will be making as much as Goodes, Bolton and ROK, but none would be making a pittance either.

[jono2707]

By the end of Tippett's first contract, you could add Shaw, LRT, Richards and Mattner at least. None of those guys will be making as much as Goodes, Bolton and ROK, but none would be making a pittance either.

But don't forget to add the upgraded contracts for Hanners, Jack, Jetta, Rohan etc etc, and hopefully a few of the other youngsters on the list that become stars.

[Ludwig]

I predict Goodes will play on another 5 years or so, becoming a Super Sub, but certainly on a reduced salary. The role was made for him.

But it does look a though we are preparing for a considerable turnover in the next few years. I feel we are a good shot at staying a strong team throughout this period. Our younger players look promising.

[Nico]

The first to retire will be Jude. Looks like 2013 will be his last even if his knee stands up.

Surely ROK has at least 2 seasons left in him after winning the Norm Smith Medal. Mattner another 2 perhaps.

Imagine telling Ted Richards he has limited time left. 3 seasons at least for mine. Shaw the same.

Malceski is hard to tell but a couple more seasons from him is on the cards as long as he doesn't do a knee. I doubt after getting a premiership medallion he would go to the well again after another knee injury.

I'll go with Goodes for a good 3 years.

But as always happens surprises jump out of nowhere and there are bound to be some early retirements. Lets hope we play people on merits and not how many brownie points they have racked up.

[Ludwig]

There is an article today on the AFL website about GWS following the Geelong example of asking players to accept lower salaries to keep the playing group together. Cannot see how they can take Tippett after making that statement. I think they are resigned to pass on him in the PSD.

[Nico]

There is an article today on the AFL website about GWS following the Geelong example of asking players to accept lower salaries to keep the playing group together. Cannot see how they can take Tippett after making that statement. I think they are resigned to pass on him in the PSD.

They are asking them to take pay cuts already, after one competitive season. What are they paying some of these kids? Sounds almost dodgy.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Goodes, Mattner, Bolts, Jude, ROK, Shaw will be feeling it this season coming 2013

we will have every team coming at us like a block of flats falling over

it will be a relentless season mentally, emotionally and physically

It will be fascinating to review where our elders are at half way thru 2013 season and come the finals series !

There could be some very tired foot soldiers !

Yet it is also fair to say that our young guys coming thru could help them lift to another level.......

in 2012 Mike, Kennedy, McGlynn, LRT, Jack, Jetta, Smithy, Ted, AJ and in the end Morton added the icing to the cake these middle aged players really created the wave and I think that has prolonged a few elder players careers........especially getting to a GF and knowing we have the team to do it again if we can mentally and strategically adapt and evolve !

so what part of the jigsaw puzzle will give that xfactor in 2013 ?

Will Morton go to another level?

Will one of the running type players that we have recruited level jump like a AJ, Parker, Rohan?

Will Mitchell train injury free and be all class ?

Will Jed Lamb finally get what is required and push the pain barrier to become a true senior style player?

Will Sammy Reid kick 50plus Goals ?

Will Tippett join the Swan and nail 50 plus goals but also create great field position for us?

Will Mike do a Ted Richards and become a bloody awesome forward for us?

Will Starling kill it in ressies and come the end of the season be a contender ?

Who knows ?