To challenge for the Flag in 2017....

[Velour&Ruffles]

To challenge for the flag in 2017 we need:
(a) to make the grand final (we seem to be very good at this over the past 20 years); and
(b) for the majority of our top tier players to actually play better than embarrassingly badly on the big day. This has been our area of weakness in the past 2 GFs.

[barry]

We simply lacked someone to step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck this year.

[liz]

We simply lacked someone to step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck this year.

Not entirely true. JPK did his best. We just needed more than one.

I am in the camp that the early injury to Buddy was the most significant factor in the game. The team shouldn't be so reliant on any one player, but he's no ordinary player and brings others into the game like few others can. He was obviously hampered, and we had no-one else in the forward line with sufficient experience to readjust as necessary.

[Markwebbos]

We simply lacked someone to step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck this year.

Other than the umpires you mean?

[ScottH]

Cloke will be a valuable player in their 2's lineup.

Haha.
And throw their team balance out!!

[graemed]

A plan to manage the performance of umpires including:

- Developing closer relationships
- Promoting umpires from outside Victoria
- Use of the media to make sure umpires are accountable on game day. For example leading up to the grand final the media should have been red hot on Footscrays throwing of the ball and going in low. If they had been and Footscray was penalised when is should have been I believe the Swans would have been premiers.

I have spent 3 months trying to forget that performance by the umpires only to have it realised so accurately again here.

It was appalling but I don't think we win unless we kick more goals in the first half. They were stronger towards the end of the game but that was in due in no small part to their support both on and off the field.

In respect of the actual thread, there is so much to look forward to:

1. AJ's return, even into the reserves will be a highlight for me.
2. Sam Reid fit and firing.
3. Nick Newman earning a spot in the seniors.
4. The continuing development of the 2016 debutantes.
5. Heeney and Mills move to the mid-field.

In a less positive mood,

1. Can Rohan realise his potential in a big game?
2. Will Reg get the recognition he deserves?
3. Can Tippett see out a season?
4. A home final against GWS at the SCG.
5. Hawthorn finishing 9th.