List changes and trade bait

[Matt80]

The crazy bit with your analysis is that your completely assuming Heeney, Mills and Hewitt are all going to make it, before a single one of them has played a game, and your completely writing off Mitchell after he has played what about 25 games. Surely Mitchell, in your postulations, would be the perfect example of why we shouldn't just throw all our eggs in the Heeney, Mills and Hewitt. I think most would say that, due to his injuries, he hasn't quite lived up to expectations at the AFL level so far. But then most seasoned AFL judges say it takes at least 50 games before most players are genuinely comfortable at the level, and Mitchell is yet to have a proper pre-season at the club (they have all been injured impacted).

It only takes us to trade Mitchell, then find one of Heeney, Mills and Hewitt don't make it, and your so called 'masterplan' has left us with a gaping hole in the list because we have traded away a very good player on the basis of a 'whim'. Don't listen to the 'Great Australian Eddie' when thinking about Heeney and Mills in particular - we all know they are great at junior level, but plenty have failed to make the transition. Look at our long tradition of Dud 1st round draft picks if you want some evidence.

You are putting a lot of emphasis on the development of 3 unknowns in terms of their AFL credentials. And remember - our Premiership window is not 2018 - it is NOW and the next couple of seasons. Whilst Heeney, Mills or Hewitt may have a role to play in those seasons, they aren't central to the planning for that. Teams need depth, and it is clear that Mitchell, whilst not in the top 22 today perhaps, is clearly the next midfielder in line. Give him some luck, and a full pre-season without interruption and in 2015, he will be in our top 22 - mark my words.

Your blueprint is assuming a hell of a lot of things..... just remember how much our gameplan changed between 2005 and 2012 - a period only 3 years long then the one your postulating about. Just because we have your so called 'electric speed' model now, doesn't mean things won't have moved a long way by 2018.

At a very minimum we can pencil in Mills and Heeney to be as good as top 10 draft picks Jude Bolton and Jarred McVeigh. Bolton and McVeigh have returned their investment as top 10 picks. I expect Mills and Heeney to be the same.

Hewitt is not much older than Heeney as he was one of the youngest drafted players. He is constantly in the Reserves best every week now. Couch Crouch is very happy with him.

Dunkley looks a midfield monster. His tackling is a string attribute and Longmire loves that.

I think we can be bullish on the above four. It's harder to predict Key Position Prospects.

[mcs]

At a very minimum we can pencil in Mills and Heeney to be as good as top 10 draft picks Jude Bolton and Jarred McVeigh. Bolton and McVeigh have returned their investment as top 10 picks. I expect Mills and Heeney to be the same.

Hewitt is not much older than Heeney as he was one of the youngest drafted players. He is constantly in the Reserves best every week now. Couch Crouch is very happy with him.

Dunkley looks a midfield monster. His tackling is a string attribute and Longmire loves that.

I think we can be bullish on the above four. It's harder to predict Key Position Prospects.

There is being bullish, and then there is putting the house on red, hoping it comes up trumps. If either of mills or heeney turn out as good as Bolton, we will have done very well. As I keep reiterating, spend the time,go look at our first rd draft picks for the last 15 years or so, and note how many of them were 'great hopes' but turned out to be duds. Youll be suprised at how long the list is..

[Matt80]

There is being bullish, and then there is putting the house on red, hoping it comes up trumps. If either of mills or heeney turn out as good as Bolton, we will have done very well. As I keep reiterating, spend the time,go look at our first rd draft picks for the last 15 years or so, and note how many of them were 'great hopes' but turned out to be duds. Youll be suprised at how long the list is..

This is a measured assessment. The Saints are going through the draft to rebuild. They would kill to have Heeney, Hewitt, Mills and Dunkley to come through.

If the Saints had those guys coming through then poor Nick Reiwalt would be asking himself:

"Maybe I can still be a premiership player if I can keep going"

[sharp9]

Regardless of his beliefs and stances, H is still a self-absorbed, controversy loving individual. His interview on 360 last year during all the turmoil just screamed 'me me me'. I'd take Mitch Robinson over him in a heartbeat.

Actually CD you are completely 100% wrong. HL is the OPPOSITE of self interested in that he is trying to make the world a better place for ALL. To suggest he loves controversy is hilarious. Progressives like HL, AG and me feel strongly enough about injustice and unfairness in this world that we are prepared to risk controversy if it means making things better for all. It is the opposite of screaming "Me, Me, Me."

It is amazing that white, heterosexual males like yourself (I'm going out on a limb here!) start to scream and make personal attacks the minute anyone...especially someone of colour, takes a stand against unfairness or injustice.

Anyone would think that you like things just the way they are with all your privileges built into the system forever...oh hang on - you would like to have Mitch Robinson at our club. A drunkard, a liar and a thug. Really????

Admit it - if you attend Swans matches without your colours on you boo Adam Goodes every time he touches the ball.

[Legs Akimbo]

At a very minimum we can pencil in Mills and Heeney to be as good as top 10 draft picks Jude Bolton and Jarred McVeigh. Bolton and McVeigh have returned their investment as top 10 picks. I expect Mills and Heeney to be the same.



Hewitt is not much older than Heeney as he was one of the youngest drafted players. He is constantly in the Reserves best every week now. Couch Crouch is very happy with him.



Dunkley looks a midfield monster. His tackling is a string attribute and Longmire loves that.



I think we can be bullish on the above four. It's harder to predict Key Position Prospects.

Just wow. How on earth can you predict if to guys who have never played a game at senior level will be as good as two champions? You say your prognostications like they are fact. It's bollocks mate.

[giant]

At a very minimum we can pencil in Mills and Heeney to be as good as top 10 draft picks Jude Bolton and Jarred McVeigh. Bolton and McVeigh have returned their investment as top 10 picks. I expect Mills and Heeney to be the same.

Hewitt is not much older than Heeney as he was one of the youngest drafted players. He is constantly in the Reserves best every week now. Couch Crouch is very happy with him.

Dunkley looks a midfield monster. His tackling is a string attribute and Longmire loves that.

I think we can be bullish on the above four. It's harder to predict Key Position Prospects.

Or we can pencil them in to be as good as first round draft picks Josh Willoughby and Daniel O'Keefe.

[Dosser]

Actually CD you are completely 100% wrong. HL is the OPPOSITE of self interested in that he is trying to make the world a better place for ALL. To suggest he loves controversy is hilarious. Progressives like HL, AG and me feel strongly enough about injustice and unfairness in this world that we are prepared to risk controversy if it means making things better for all. It is the opposite of screaming "Me, Me, Me."

It is amazing that white, heterosexual males like yourself (I'm going out on a limb here!) start to scream and make personal attacks the minute anyone...especially someone of colour, takes a stand against unfairness or injustice.

Anyone would think that you like things just the way they are with all your privileges built into the system forever...oh hang on - you would like to have Mitch Robinson at our club. A drunkard, a liar and a thug. Really????

Admit it - if you attend Swans matches without your colours on you boo Adam Goodes every time he touches the ball.

Go easy, Sharp. You are making a LOT of assumptions here and you are being deliberately inflammatory which detracts from your argument.

Before you accuse me of not wanting to make the world a better place, etc, etc (I worked for more than 10 years in an NGO in Aid and Development), I also wouldnt want him at the Swans because I think he looks for issues that perhaps arent there. I think that the other players would feel like they are walking on eggshells around him and it would be uncomfortable for all. I also wouldnt want Mitch Robinson because I dont think he is good enough - not because he may be any of those things in his personal life of which you accuse him.

[mcs]

Or we can pencil them in to be as good as first round draft picks Josh Willoughby and Daniel O'Keefe.

Glad its not only me that can see that its fair from a fait accompli

[Matt80]

Glad its not only me that can see that its fair from a fait accompli

Maybe I'm the optimist and you are the pessimist. Heeney and Mills have effectively been Swans players for the last couple of years. The Swans know a lot about them.

If Mills was a 17 year old playing in the 80s he would have been picked for the seniors after his 40 possession Reserves game.

[0918330512]

Maybe I'm the optimist and you are the pessimist. Heeney and Mills have effectively been Swans players for the last couple of years. The Swans know a lot about them.

If Mills was a 17 year old playing in the 80s he would have been picked for the seniors after his 40 possession Reserves game.

Matt, if Mitchell can't get a game with 60 ressies possessions & still gets dropped for the qualifying final after a 20+ possession game & being named in the best players the week before, you a absolutely dreaming that Mills would get a game ahead of him. Plus Mitchell already has the physique of an AFL footballer.
Seriously, you've bandied about a bunch of names of kids as probable champions who will be the future of the Swans, yet you have never seen any of them play, as they are either not on our list yet or haven't played seniors yet (you often ask ressies watchers what they think of these kids & have you noticed that many of those same ressies watchers are [i]pro Mitchell[/]? Just take a moment & listen to what they have to say about Mitchell. He's been on our list for a few years too & the Swans know a lot about him too & still seem to like him, even if you don't.

[Melbournehammer]

Matt80 - I reckon you've had a good go now and I was supportive of your general proposition, but how about we just leave it alone now for a while. We already know what you think and your reasoning. Can't we just let it transpire now ?

[Matt80]

Jake Lloyd impressed again today. I've noticed that Lloyd is unsigned for next season and has not been upgraded for next season senior like X Richards has.

Is it a risk that he could receive a very handy monetary offer from a Victorian Club?

[goswannies]

Jake Lloyd impressed again today. I've noticed that Lloyd is unsigned for next season and has not been upgraded for next season senior like X Richards has.

Is it a risk that he could receive a very handy monetary offer from a Victorian Club?

Ah excellent! A new theory! I can't wait for the next plethora of posts discussing this one

[Matt80]

Ah excellent! A new theory! I can't wait for the next plethora of posts discussing this one

No new theory. I just think if the Swans have not signed him and upgraded him for the next couple of seasons, then it's a pressing priority.

He is an excellent player and we need him.

If I was a recruiter from a Victorian Club, I would be asking his manager about his contractual status.

[Zlatorog]

Jake has signed the new contract at the end of last year so he is not going anywhere just yet.