2013 not yet re-signed....

[Nico]

I will harp on about this until we get it somewhere near right in games where it counts. That is we get belted out of the middle. On paper we can have "the best" midfield and I don't care how much the media rattles on about it, but with the forward press in vogue, if you get done by the likes of Freo out of the guts they will hound you in their forward line until you concede a goal. Then it goes back to the centre and it happens again and again and again. That is what happened in the first half.

To me this is most glaring flaw in our game. Our mids might rack up the stats but get rolled in the centre clearance clinches. I don't care what the overall contested possession counts are; the facts are we don't win them at centre bounces. On Saturday it was 14 to 5 centre clearances at 3 quarter time. Somewhere along the line the AFL app missed about 5 centre clearances so it was probably worse. What we did win were rubbish possessions. Our players seemed to have snails reflexes compared to Freos. Sides know that this is a huge flaw in our makeup and work on it. The Hawks did the same. Sides seem to put quick players in the guts against us.

[Ludwig]

so in my view we need:

1. a really good contested ball winner (and mitchell may be that player but he needs to be played on the ball like young libba and not as a hff where his kicking is his weakness rather than his hands)
2. a really highly skilled hbf who can control the game

I think you make some first rate observations Melbournehammer.

What is interesting is that we were the number 1 Hitouts and tackling team in the comp. I think we were also in the top 2 in clearances and contested possessions. This would seem to indicate that we are very good at the stoppages. Yet I agree with you that we were beaten badly in the latter part of the year. So I tend to think that it may not be so much of a personnel problem than one that our players fell off the pace as the year went on.

I would like to see ROK moved back to the foward line next year, more or less taking Jude's place there. Mitchell is a contested ball freak. We should continue to be a good stoppage team with Mitchell, Parker and Bird getting more on-ball time adding to JPK in the strong body inside midfielder category. This looks as good as any in the league. We need to better manage their workload next so we don't fade out toward the end. I would like to see all the mids get 2 or 3 games off in addition to the 2 scheduled breaks next year. We have a very deep midfield, and we should use it. So we can spread around 50 to 60 games amongst the likes of Biggs, Armstrong, BJ, Cunningham, Lamb, Towers and Lloyd and Perris.

As for a highly skilled HBF, we seem to have Mal and Macca, who did pretty well throughout the year. I think we lost control against the better sides because the outlet targets weren't getting open enough. Also I agree with you that we missed too many targets with poor kicking skills in the latter part of the season. But if you look at some of the mid season games, we were very sharp. Again, maybe this can be attributed to tiredness. I think we were looking to Tony A to provide that skillful ball user out of the back, but his failings are well documented. He has worked on his game in reserves after being dropped and did control reserves level games late in the season. Hopefully he can translate that to the seniors next year. Otherwise, we have Biggs, who looked ok, but not quite the control the game type. The one that I think has the qualities we need is Jake Lloyd. He reminds me so much of Macca. Just seems to be in the right spot, always finds time and space, runs all day and has great vision. He was the runaway winner of our reserves BOG count.

I agree with AG that our team looks very competitive and we don't need to make revolutionary changes, but rather evolutionary one. You can see with the drafting and team selection in the last few years that Horse likes quick players. When the likes of Rohan, Jetta, BJ, Cunningham and Towers start playing together we will transform into perhaps the speediest team in the league. Whether this works or not, only time will tell.

- - - Updated - - -

I will harp on about this until we get it somewhere near right in games where it counts. That is we get belted out of the middle. On paper we can have "the best" midfield and I don't care how much the media rattles on about it, but with the forward press in vogue, if you get done by the likes of Freo out of the guts they will hound you in their forward line until you concede a goal. Then it goes back to the centre and it happens again and again and again. That is what happened in the first half.

To me this is most glaring flaw in our game. Our mids might rack up the stats but get rolled in the centre clearance clinches. I don't care what the overall contested possession counts are; the facts are we don't win them at centre bounces. On Saturday it was 14 to 5 centre clearances at 3 quarter time. Somewhere along the line the AFL app missed about 5 centre clearances so it was probably worse. What we did win were rubbish possessions. Our players seemed to have snails reflexes compared to Freos. Sides know that this is a huge flaw in our makeup and work on it. The Hawks did the same. Sides seem to put quick players in the guts against us.

I agree wholeheartedly, and I am trying reconcile why we got smashed so badly at the stoppages late in the year yet dominated during middle part of the season. As you say, on paper we look great. I'm inclined to think that we really do have a good midfield, but simply faded out late in the season. Maybe this is just being hopeful. I suppose the issue will be settled next season, because not much is going to change with the midfield mix, except maybe ROK given less time and Parker and Mitchell more. We may also lose Mummy, so will probably fall down from our number 1 spot in hitouts. This would be a challenge for the midfield coaching staff, but something we should cope with. Both Hawthorn and Geelong are not very strong in the Ruck division, but still are 2 of the best offensive sides.

[DK_]

I agree wholeheartedly, and I am trying reconcile why we got smashed so badly at the stoppages late in the year yet dominated during middle part of the season. As you say, on paper we look great. I'm inclined to think that we really do have a good midfield, but simply faded out late in the season. Maybe this is just being hopeful. I suppose the issue will be settled next season, because not much is going to change with the midfield mix, except maybe ROK given less time and Parker and Mitchell more. We may also lose Mummy, so will probably fall down from our number 1 spot in hitouts. This would be a challenge for the midfield coaching staff, but something we should cope with. Both Hawthorn and Geelong are not very strong in the Ruck division, but still are 2 of the best offensive sides.

I wondered the same thing - up until as late as Richmond, our midfield were dominant, but never against a top four team. Is it a player-management issue or a structural issue? Or both? Weaknesses get magnified by tiredness in the midfield. Being a second or two later is the difference between a clean clearance and an aimless bomb.

I also wonder whether the constant stream of injuries forced us to change strategies and structures too many times, meaning we simply could not have been as well-drilled as the top teams.

Some potential changes to the midfield next year:

1. I've resigned myself to Mummy leaving. This could present an opportunity for structural changes.

2. ROK might move forward as he nears the back-end of his career.

3. Conversely, Goodes might get used as an on-baller like he was meant to this year before injury struck.

4. Jesse might get used more in the midfield. Probably on the wing in the role he's been playing, but relieving Joey in the middle. He seemed to have been groomed for a role like this late in the season. He's added an impressive ability to break tackles to his repertoire late in the season, which could provide the clean breaks we need with Jetta and Jack running off him.

5. With Rohan and Jetta in the team, our structures will be modified to take advantage of their speed. I suspect we'll find Rohan in a pocket providing an alternative lead to Tippett however.

6. With the advantage of a full pre-season and this year's experience, Mitchell might replace ROK in the midfield.

As an aside, I watched the season wash-up on AFL.com. I would not have expected a worse evaluation of our team and season if it had been done by NRL.com. Amongst the gems:

1. Walsh's inability to break into the team after injuries to Reid and Goodes will mean he gets cut (no mention that he was in the team up until he tore his hamstring off the bone - even the harshest critic couldn't have expected him to break his way into the team after that).

2. The Swans are in a rebuilding phase and probably won't do better than top 6 next year (despite the fact we've never dropped for a rebuild, we blooded a number of promising youngsters, we'll have up to 7 genuine stars returning to a team that made top 4 without them, competition for spots will be fierce next year and we were the team to beat before injury undermined our bid).

3. Ted and Grundy need help down back and the Swans will recruit to fill that gap. AJ anyone?

At least they admitted to the skills and improvement displayed by Rampe, Mitchell and Pyke.

[stellation]

As an aside, I watched the season wash-up on AFL.com. I would not have expected a worse evaluation of our team and season if it had been done by NRL.com. Amongst the gems:

1. Walsh's inability to break into the team after injuries to Reid and Goodes will mean he gets cut (no mention that he was in the team up until he tore his hamstring off the bone - even the harshest critic couldn't have expected him to break his way into the team after that).

Yep- the laziness of it is that to add to "he was actually getting a run in the seniors when he got a season ending injury" I'm pretty certain he still has a year to run on his contract as well!

[southsideswan]

Yep Walsh was going ok in 2nd with a couple of BOG .. first game in seniors (against Essendon) had season ending injury early in game (?). All that says he was going ok in 2nd and had season ending injury.

[rojo]

Good to read the very interesting and insightful posts on this thread. With so many clubs having Academy type set ups and also the AFL Academy pathways, we will/should be getting young players coming through with increasingly good skill foundations. You would think that any players now, who by the age of 25/26 still have poor disposal skills, are becoming a liability to their team. Look at the foot skills of the teams who finished above us. We should not bring into our club mature age players from other clubs who might fill a gap, but do not have the all round skills needed to help us be a top four team. A case in point is our Reg. He plays some great games and takes some great marks and is integral to our back line cohesion but his poor decision making with ball in hand and his sometimes awful disposal both by hand and foot really costs us at times. We cannot carry too many players like that when playing against the top teams.

I am looking forward to see if we are going to change things up next season and if so in what ways. I fear that if we keep on our currently predictable pathway we are going to get 'monstered' more and more. To balance that gloomy thought, I acknowledge that our returning 'stars' will make a huge difference. Just little things like the whole team going away in the preseason, not necessarily overseas, but like on a jungle camp or something would add a bit of variety and excitement and spice up the gruelling preseason training schedules.

[Dosser]

Now that it is out in the open, I was pretty disappointed last year by Rohan's lack of application in not forcing his way back into the seniors in the weeks following his broken leg.

[DK_]

Now that it is out in the open, I was pretty disappointed last year by Rohan's lack of application in not forcing his way back into the seniors in the weeks following his broken leg.

And what was with Alex Johnson's season? After showing so much promise in 2012, he didn't manage a single senior game in 2013. I expect him to request a trade so he can get more senior opportunities elsewhere.

[111431]

as an idea, wasn't Towers drafted as a fast and long kicking wingman ala Marty Mattner - is he a chance to be playmaker out of the back line ?

[mcs]

1. Walsh's inability to break into the team after injuries to Reid and Goodes will mean he gets cut (no mention that he was in the team up until he tore his hamstring off the bone - even the harshest critic couldn't have expected him to break his way into the team after that).

2. The Swans are in a rebuilding phase and probably won't do better than top 6 next year (despite the fact we've never dropped for a rebuild, we blooded a number of promising youngsters, we'll have up to 7 genuine stars returning to a team that made top 4 without them, competition for spots will be fierce next year and we were the team to beat before injury undermined our bid).

3. Ted and Grundy need help down back and the Swans will recruit to fill that gap. AJ anyone?

At least they admitted to the skills and improvement displayed by Rampe, Mitchell and Pyke.

For people whose sole job is to watch and report on the game, sloppy isn't the words required to describe that dribble.

With a much closer to fully fit list, a few tweaks to its edges and some revisions to our game play, we can win the flag next year. Talk of being in a rebuilding phase is absolute nonsense.

[DK_]

For people whose sole job is to watch and report on the game, sloppy isn't the words required to describe that dribble.

With a much closer to fully fit list, a few tweaks to its edges and some revisions to our game play, we can win the flag next year. Talk of being in a rebuilding phase is absolute nonsense.

Interestingly, the written wrap, further down the page, is a far more balanced and insightful piece which is at odds with the ramblings of Darcy and Barrett on a number of points.

Like you say, their full-time job is watching and reporting on this stuff, and I'm confident my 9yo son would have done a better job of it.

[Ludwig]

Also noted in the written wrap up that they called Naismith a teenager even though he's 21.

In fairness to the commentators, it's difficult to know what is happening at 18 clubs at the level of depth of the kind of supporters we find on RWO.

They would never note the subtle changes that take place over the season, like the much improved defensive work of Everitt. But on RWO it is often noted by many posters.

Not only did they miss that AJ will be coming back next year, but also LRT has recovered from his injury and if White stays on then Reid can move tothe backline. Nor would they know how well Xav, Brown and Lockyer have finished off the season in the ressies. All look reasonable possibilities for the future. In fact we are quite solid at the moment in defence, but agree that we need to be more definite in the succession plan for Ted, Reg and LRT. I think that will become clearer by the end of 2014.

The did have a lot of well deserved praise for Pyke. He really has been a revelation.

[top40]

I think we need to look a little more critically at this. Our midfield was basically at full strength all year and that is where we got beaten. Otherwise you have some good thoughts.

? Currently there are 39 players on the Senior List, factoring in the retirees-Mattner, Morton and Bolton
? The Club's could (?) have a list of 40 due to two veterans, Goodes and O?Keefe.
? The Swans have to draft at least 3 players from the National Draft.
? Sydney can only delist uncontracted players. Note that Tommy Walsh and Tony Armstrong are contracted.
? 4 players were promoted from the Rookie List this year- X.Richards, B.Jack, Biggs, Rampe.
? In my opinion, 1 player, Xavier Richards, could go back to the Rookie List. The others can stay on the Senior List. That leaves 38 players
? Delist Matthew Dick. That leaves 37 players, with room to draft the minimum 3 if you can have up to 40.
? Trade options- Mumford and Lamb, (both uncontracted). Personally I wouldn't be too troubled by trading Mumford. I would prefer not to trade Lamb.

[Matt80]

I don't think Matthew Dick can be delisted as he was drafted at the end of 2012, and all players taken in the NAB AFL draft get a minimum 2 year contract!

[Ludwig]

? Currently there are 39 players on the Senior List, factoring in the retirees-Mattner, Morton and Bolton
? The Club's could (?) have a list of 40 due to two veterans, Goodes and O?Keefe.
? The Swans have to draft at least 3 players from the National Draft.
? Sydney can only delist uncontracted players. Note that Tommy Walsh and Tony Armstrong are contracted.
? 4 players were promoted from the Rookie List this year- X.Richards, B.Jack, Biggs, Rampe.
? In my opinion, 1 player, Xavier Richards, could go back to the Rookie List. The others can stay on the Senior List. That leaves 38 players
? Delist Matthew Dick. That leaves 37 players, with room to draft the minimum 3 if you can have up to 40.
? Trade options- Mumford and Lamb, (both uncontracted). Personally I wouldn't be too troubled by trading Mumford. I would prefer not to trade Lamb.

I believe that the 4 promoted players go back to the rookie list after the season, so we really are starting at 35 on the senior list.

We only have to draft 2 new players as we can fill one spot with a promoted rookie, which will probably be Rampe. We can also use Lloyd Perris to fill one of the required picks, which could get us down to one live pick, although this scenario is not going to happen.

We probably can delist a contracted player, except that we would still be obliged to pay out their contract. I'm not sure how this effects the salary cap.

Tony Armstrong finished off the season in the reserves in good form. Was BOG in the Conference final with 41 possessions. He seems to have picked up on the defensive side of his game. He's and excellent kick, something we can certainly use. He is under contract and think he deserves another year before deciding his future.

Tommy Walsh seems the most likely to be dropped despite being on contract. It's been 3 months since his surgery, so we should have some idea as to whether he can overcome his injury, which is no small matter. I think he's on some pretty decent money, so if he's fit enough, we might give him another year. I also wondered if we could cut him and redraft him as an Irish rookie, thereby getting him outside the list size restrictions.

Mathew Dick is the youngest player on our list and only in the first year of a 2 year contract. He's got the size and speed of a Dane Rampe, but not the skill set. He looked lost early in the year, but finished off the season a much improved player. If he can clean up his kicking inconsistencies and improve his decision making, he has a lot to offer. He will only be a 19 yo next year, so there's every reason to believe he could do it.