What makes the Swans great

[alt_mattr]

The Dane Rampe story seems to be a great demonstration of what makes the Swans great. The man was twice passed over by the Western Bulldogs after training with them, was passed up 34 times in the rookie draft by other teams and is now killing it in the seniors.

Whoever at the Swans is responsible for identifying and developing talent needs our undying admiration because they saw something no-one else did and I don't think we would be playing as well as we are if they hadn't.

There is no salary cap for off-field staff right? Double their pay! All of them!

[hot potato]

What a good life lesson from Mr Rampe.... Never give up !! Thank you And thank you recruitment officers.
HP

[ScottH]

We've had a few misses, but we've had some good pick ups too.

[liz]

I'm not convinced that Rampe's success particularly illustrates Sydney's strengths. We're not the only club to uncover an unheralded gem.

To me, someone like ROK epitomises why the Swans are successful- specifically the onfield team ethic and "play my role" attitude of everyone. Here is a guy who, in his very next proper game after winning a Norm Smith medal, accepted the coaches' instruction to play a run-with role on a second year player with the worst team in the competition, completely blanketed him and won close to 30 possessions himself. Can you imagine how Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury would react if Buckley asked them to tag Tom Mitchell in our upcoming fixture against the Pies?

[DK_]

I'm not convinced that Rampe's success particularly illustrates Sydney's strengths. We're not the only club to uncover an unheralded gem.

To me, someone like ROK epitomises why the Swans are successful- specifically the onfield team ethic and "play my role" attitude of everyone. Here is a guy who, in his very next proper game after winning a Norm Smith medal, accepted the coaches' instruction to play a run-with role on a second year player with the worst team in the competition, completely blanketed him and won close to 30 possessions himself. Can you imagine how Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury would react if Buckley asked them to tag Tom Mitchell in our upcoming fixture against the Pies?

Couldn't agree more. Tagging isn't something the first year player does in the Swans to learn the game - it's a respected role played at times by everyone from the Captains down. Everyone has a go at most roles outside the key positions and back 6, which would make it incredibly difficult to plan against for opposition coaches.

Jude Bolton's another great example - he's gone from being the star of the midfield to being a crumber up forward - and instead of lamenting what has been, he looks like he's just relishing the new role and working with the up and comers (Lamb, Mitchell, BJ, Jesse) who spend most of the game up there.

They discuss Rampe on 'On the Couch' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr9l1X-G500 Go to about 5:23 for the beginning of the Swans love-fest, and discussion on Rampe is about another minute in.

[graemed]

I had the pleasure of introducing Dane to Aust Football while he was a student at the age of 15 and he has been driven since his first game to succeed. He was a great basketballer and soccer player playing in the firsts in both codes and could have successfully played either at the highest level which probably explains his vision on the field. I tried to get him a scholarship with Freo at the time as I was forward scouting for them at the time but they only wanted tall timber. I then tried with Carlton but again no joy he was selected in a rep team and went to the Western Bullogs on the recommendation of the coach although he was interested in playing in the SANFL. The rest is history but its an interesting discussion point at work these days with both the basketball and soccer coaches taking credit for his development. Personally, I know its all down to Dane and his attitude, persistence and determination to succeed.

[hot potato]

Cheers , nice story with a beaut ending.
HP

[Swansongster]

I had the pleasure of introducing Dane to Aust Football while he was a student at the age of 15 and he has been driven since his first game to succeed. He was a great basketballer and soccer player playing in the firsts in both codes and could have successfully played either at the highest level which probably explains his vision on the field. I tried to get him a scholarship with Freo at the time as I was forward scouting for them at the time but they only wanted tall timber. I then tried with Carlton but again no joy he was selected in a rep team and went to the Western Bullogs on the recommendation of the coach although he was interested in playing in the SANFL. The rest is history but its an interesting discussion point at work these days with both the basketball and soccer coaches taking credit for his development. Personally, I know its all down to Dane and his attitude, persistence and determination to succeed.

Nice insight. Thanks. Loving his progress. Could be a premiership player in 2013.

[GongSwan]

I'm not convinced that Rampe's success particularly illustrates Sydney's strengths. We're not the only club to uncover an unheralded gem.

To me, someone like ROK epitomises why the Swans are successful- specifically the onfield team ethic and "play my role" attitude of everyone. Here is a guy who, in his very next proper game after winning a Norm Smith medal, accepted the coaches' instruction to play a run-with role on a second year player with the worst team in the competition, completely blanketed him and won close to 30 possessions himself. Can you imagine how Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury would react if Buckley asked them to tag Tom Mitchell in our upcoming fixture against the Pies?

They'd be terrified of being shown up by a first year kid who is a gun

[wolftone57]

I'm not convinced that Rampe's success particularly illustrates Sydney's strengths. We're not the only club to uncover an unheralded gem.

To me, someone like ROK epitomises why the Swans are successful- specifically the onfield team ethic and "play my role" attitude of everyone. Here is a guy who, in his very next proper game after winning a Norm Smith medal, accepted the coaches' instruction to play a run-with role on a second year player with the worst team in the competition, completely blanketed him and won close to 30 possessions himself. Can you imagine how Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury would react if Buckley asked them to tag Tom Mitchell in our upcoming fixture against the Pies?

Swan & Pendlebury should not be upset as both have have periods this season when they have been very ordinary. Certainly they have played themselves into some form recently but both are still up and down. Tommy is a player averaging 22.5 possessions a game. While they average around eight more they would be playing on the elite mids anyway and the thought within the AFL expert commentary is that Tommy is already reaching that mark. If they baulked at the suggestion they mark a player then they obviously don't have the 'play a role' attitude that Swans, Hawks & Cats have.

[dimelb]

Thanks for the clip DK_
I'm enjoying these Swans love-ins; they won't last forever.

[Nico]

What makes the Swans great?

Discipline and fitness added to the quality squad, development strategies and recruiting prowess. I would love to read the business plan.

[mcs]

Nice insight. Thanks. Loving his progress. Could be a premiership player in 2013.

He's been every bit as good as a 1st year player as AJ was last year - would only be fair if they got the same reward at the end of the season

[cherub]

I love watching the development over time of our players as young men. Watching Kieren's interview today, he is far more articulate than the first few years. It is not all media training. Some of it is the natural consequence of growing older and more competent, as well as specific training. But I do think some of it is due to being in the company of considered, mature men who have good values. I remember Roosy saying something along the lines of 'the most important thing the club does is have the young men they draft leave the club as better men". I don't think I ever expected to hear Kieren using expressions like "due diligence" and it seem natural. Jetts too has developed into a more confident young man.

[MightyBloods]

I saw an ESPN documentary yesterday called the '99ers'...the story of the US Women's World Cup soccer team. Vey inspirational. During it, they showed an ad that aired during the 1999 Women's World Cup that personified their close team spirit. It was an ad where one of the women comes out of the dentist's room, alongside her dentist, and mumbles holding her jaw "I had 2 fillings!" to her team mates sitting and waiting for her in the waiting room. One of her team mates immediately stands up and looks at her and says "I too will have 2 fillings!" The next team mate stands up and says "I also will have 2 fillings!" Until all of them ,one by one, are all standing having said "I will also have 2 fillings!" The last shot in the ad is of the dentist looking at all the team mates in shock and the team mate/patient lifting up her jaw with pride. It reminded me of what makes great teams....caring for each other and going to extremes to support each other. It reminded me of my great Swans and other great teams.

By the way, it would make a great ad for membership.......

Possible cast members:
Patient: Our first draft pick and one of our newest players
Dentist: Our club dentist
Waiting Room: Bob Skilton,Adam Goodes, Keiran Jack, Ted Richards, John Longmire and some members wearing swan's scarves and caps...."I too will have 2 fillings!"