Is this swans team the most fun team to watch since 1996?

[goswannies]

Don't forget that Jared was the fastest runner in the AFL at the time. Watching him sprint away with the ball was just as rewarding as watching Aker lose his cool when he was completely tagged out of the game.

Don't forget, he holds the record for the most games from debut

[AnnieH]

Such a dull/workhorse player didn't even remember his first name.

You're not serious?
Crouchy was one of our toughest players.
Couldn't have asked more of him in any game that he played.

[O'Reilly Boy]

You're not serious?
Crouchy was one of our toughest players.
Couldn't have asked more of him in any game that he played.

loving the Jared love. Go number 28.

[Go Swannies]

Don't forget, he holds the record for the most games from debut

Red wine makes for strong bones, obviously.

[Ludwig]

One of the things that make the Swans such an enjoyable club to barrack for is the way they put a list together and the many pleasant surprises we have with players that had little expectation when drafted.

I previously commented that all 4 of our ND picks from 2013 had played games this year and looked to be genuine AFL talent: Jones, Hewett, Nankervis and Aliir. I think Nankervis is on track to become a good AFL ruckman, whether with us or another club. The other 3 have already made their claims to long term careers in the senior side.

Another interesting fact is that all 6 of our 2012 rookie picks are still with us. They are: Jake Lloyd, Xavier Richards, Dane Rampe, Dan Robinson, Brandon Jack and Sam Naismith. Rampe would be unlucky not to be AA this year. I rate him the second best defender in the league, after Rance. It's still quite possible that all 6 will go on to have substantial AFL careers, which is remarkable when considering all started 4 years ago as rookies. I've never heard of such a success rate for so many rookies chosen in a single year. 6 out of 6 is truly unbelievable.

That's why we surprise all those Melbourne pundits with the continuity of our performances over a span of many years. It's not the COLA folks!

[AnnieH]

One of the things that make the Swans such an enjoyable club to barrack for is the way they put a list together and the many pleasant surprises we have with players that had little expectation when drafted.

I previously commented that all 4 of our ND picks from 2013 had played games this year and looked to be genuine AFL talent: Jones, Hewett, Nankervis and Aliir. I think Nankervis is on track to become a good AFL ruckman, whether with us or another club. The other 3 have already made their claims to long term careers in the senior side.

Another interesting fact is that all 6 of our 2012 rookie picks are still with us. They are: Jake Lloyd, Xavier Richards, Dane Rampe, Dan Robinson, Brandon Jack and Sam Naismith. Rampe would be unlucky not to be AA this year. I rate him the second best defender in the league, after Rance. It's still quite possible that all 6 will go on to have substantial AFL careers, which is remarkable when considering all started 4 years ago as rookies. I've never heard of such a success rate for so many rookies chosen in a single year. 6 out of 6 is truly unbelievable.

That's why we surprise all those Melbourne pundits with the continuity of our performances over a span of many years. It's not the COLA folks!

It's Kinnear Beetson is what it is.
I've said for years if some other team out there wants the success that we've had in the past 16 years, they'd be drafting Kinnear.
He's a genius. He sees things that no one else sees.

[Go Swannies]

At the start of the season I wrote at length about how last year soured me and I thought of giving footy away. But the kids' enthusiasm had won me over and I was enjoying watching even if, as the season went one, they tired and it went nowhere. Since then we've had more kids come onto the team and we've played better and better.

Now finals are approaching and we'll be there - I didn't expect that. And I still think we're too young to win the big one.

But this team has surprised me so many times that I'm ready for one more big surprise - and if it doesn't happen thanks for the ride Swannies 2016.

[aguy]

Maltopia

I think Sam Reid is actually the Daniher type that you're thinking of. He can take some amazing marks crashing a pack from the side and I think we tend to forget that a bit due to him having been played as swing man and defence in the recent years. Next year is a big year for him

[grarmy]

Damn right! And a great clubman.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Most enjoyable year since 2003 in some ways.

A fresh batch of kids who have surprised on the upside (even Mills), we've gone above expectations and it's been a fun ride to watch.

I still have a view next year is more likely a premiership year as it is a very young side to take through hard finals for the first time, but who knows.

- - - Updated - - -

And PS: go watch Crouch's contest against four WC players in the first quarter of the 2005 GF in the lead up to Schneiders goal if you doubt his value as a player. Vivid to this day.

[bloodsbigot]

Most enjoyable year since 2003 in some ways.

A fresh batch of kids who have surprised on the upside (even Mills), we've gone above expectations and it's been a fun ride to watch.

I still have a view next year is more likely a premiership year as it is a very young side to take through hard finals for the first time, but who knows.

- - - Updated - - -

And PS: go watch Crouch's contest against four WC players in the first quarter of the 2005 GF in the lead up to Schneiders goal if you doubt his value as a player. Vivid to this day.

Geez. I think what I said has been overblown. Good player, but a boring one to watch with no personality is all I'm saying. Gave great service to our club. And yes I remember the contest you're talking about in the 1st quarter. It was good.

The best thing I remember from him was tagging Akermanis and making him have a cry. I remember once Akermanis got so pissed off he slapped Crouch on the back. Haha.

[KTigers]

1996 is pretty much untoppable. We had started coming good in 1995, when we won eight games (up from four in 1994 & one in 1993) with
the arrival of Plugger, Roos & Maxfield. But 16 1/2 wins in the H & A, after losing the first two rounds, who would have predicted that.
We went on a tear mid season and won eight or nine straight by big margins. It was very exciting. These days 15 or 16 wins is our starting position, and it never crosses my mind we won't make the finals. This year has been good, though I wish we could string more than three wins together at a time. Everyone has said it a million times before, but being in second spot now with so many inexperienced players is quite an achievement. I just want our guys to be really switched for about eighteen hours in total between now and Oct 1. Then we just need
a bit of luck.

[Nico]

1996 is pretty much untoppable. We had started coming good in 1995, when we won eight games (up from four in 1994 & one in 1993) with
the arrival of Plugger, Roos & Maxfield. But 16 1/2 wins in the H & A, after losing the first two rounds, who would have predicted that.
We went on a tear mid season and won eight or nine straight by big margins. It was very exciting. These days 15 or 16 wins is our starting position, and it never crosses my mind we won't make the finals. This year has been good, though I wish we could string more than three wins together at a time. Everyone has said it a million times before, but being in second spot now with so many inexperienced players is quite an achievement. I just want our guys to be really switched for about eighteen hours in total between now and Oct 1. Then we just need
a bit of luck.

Why do people forget Derek Kickett. He was an absolute gun playing next to Plugger.

[KTigers]

I think Derek came in 94. He played every game for Essendon in 93, but was dropped by Sheedy for the Grand Final. Harsh.
So many great left footers for us back then. Maxfield, Kickett, Lewis, Bayes.....

Why do people forget Derek Kickett. He was an absolute gun playing next to Plugger.

[barry]

2014 was a great year right up until the last game.