swans trajectory 2020 ?

[bloodspirit]

Hi AG, I share your disappointment with the trade period but not nearly to the same degree.

I don't regard trading as an essential part of building a successful list, although certainly the Swans, more than most, have demonstrated how effective it can be in the past. It has to be recognised that it may not be easy to convince established players to come to Sydney and that is not something we have total control of (although I'm sure there are things we can do to address it). The loss of COLA may be hurting us in this regard to.

Apart from that I am more bullish about our future prospects than you, especially hopeful regarding 2021. I think we'll improve on our 8 wins next year and improve further in 2021 by which time I expect us to play finals.

Finally, there is a difference between building a list to play finals and building a list to contend for the flag. Yes, maybe trading some players in the past two trade seasons might have allowed us to play finals this year but might it have been at the cost of lesser chances to win a flag in seasons to come. I am happy we are showing faith and keeping patient with a young developing group, who are indeed showing a lot of promise, and want to see how it unfolds. Eight wins this year was not enough and was clearly not expected by the club but there were some factors that went a fair way to explaining those results (mostly the absence of our experienced players and hence fielding very young teams who were nevertheless competitive).

[Ralph Dawg]

I think our performance in 2019 reflected a lack of depth on the club's roster. Our best 22, fit and in form can match it with the other side's.

As soon as we had a key injury or loss of form, we were struggling to find quality replacements.

Hence why our chances in 2020 will be dictated by our injuries and form as I still don't see much depth in our roster.

[Markwebbos]

I think our performance in 2019 reflected a lack of depth on the club's roster. Our best 22, fit and in form can match it with the other side's.

As soon as we had a key injury or loss of form, we were struggling to find quality replacements.

Hence why our chances in 2020 will be dictated by our injuries and form as I still don't see much depth in our roster.

I think that's an astute observation RD

[MattW]

I must sit and watch the 2012 DVDs again - so many fond memories from that year. So many damn fine wins along the way, but the day I remember the most funnily enough was the loss to Hawthorn late in the season at the SCG. That was the day I truly believed we could win the flag - I remember turning to my mate on the way out and saying we could win the flag, and that it would be us and the Hawks on the last day in September. I am rarely right with my predictions, but I was that year.

I seem to remember reading that Buddy shining to us as a club developed from that match. A twilight match, right? I remember a sea of red in the O'Reilly, bathed in the late afternoon sun.

[Roadrunner]

Hi Auntie, I think you are a bit harsh! The players you mention we tried to draft but they decided to stay with their clubs, which is fair enough. You also included JD and we did as best we could without selling the farm. Clearly there is not much point in trading in players who are not quite up to the mark as they won’t help us win a flag. The hawks have gone for talented though injured trades and time will tell if this works out. We on the other hand are banking on developing our youngsters and hopefully this will work but there are no guarantees. Richmond were smart and lucky they were able to get some top players in but their younger brigade also stepped up and this is the formula leading to success. I’m optimistic about next year and certainly 2021, especially if we can then obtain a fit JD.

[mcs]

I seem to remember reading that Buddy shining to us as a club developed from that match. A twilight match, right? I remember a sea of red in the O'Reilly, bathed in the late afternoon sun.

Yep was a big crowd and a twilight match, and a good atmosphere too.

[O'Reilly Boy]

Yep was a big crowd and a twilight match, and a good atmosphere too.

Ryan O'Keefe was on fire that day. One of my favourite memories, too.

[Blood Fever]

Ryan O'Keefe was on fire that day. One of my favourite memories, too.

He was a great big game player. BOG 2005 Prelim v Saints with 4 goals and Norm in 2012 GF.

[Blue Sun]

I predict the Swannies will win 10-12 games next year. A moderate improvement over this year, providing the boys stay relatively injury-free. I think they'll definitely play finals in 2021 and might even challenge for the flag in 2022.

[SeanM]

I don't think it is going to be linear.

I see other sides with five years plans. Where they will be top 8 in 2020, top 4 in 2021 and challenging for the title in 2022. I don't think it can be predictably planned out like that.

I think we just have to fight to make the top 8 every year and then see what happens. The competition is quite close and even the top teams go through periods of bad form during the season. Or are beatable in a one off finals game.

There are also a lot of luck with injuries. No team is going to have a strong enough squad to fully cover their injuries.

[Beerman]

Did anyone notice what they said about Mills in the article on past top-10 draft picks?

Mills is a defender who could soon switch to the midfield

That's interesting. It's nothing definitive, but combined with him training with the midfield group, shows that it's under active consideration. The one thing I can't understand is why we didn't pull the trigger on that option this year. Were they waiting for an injury in the midfield? It's not like there's a big gap in the half-back line that is forcing him to play back there we were pretty much at full strength.

[Blood Fever]

Did anyone notice what they said about Mills in the article on past top-10 draft picks?



That's interesting. It's nothing definitive, but combined with him training with the midfield group, shows that it's under active consideration. The one thing I can't understand is why we didn't pull the trigger on that option this year. Were they waiting for an injury in the midfield? It's not like there's a big gap in the half-back line that is forcing him to play back there we were pretty much at full strength.

He is viewed by Longmire and the match committee as a vital part of the backline, second only to Rampe according to the B&F votes.

[Beerman]

He is viewed by Longmire and the match committee as a vital part of the backline, second only to Rampe according to the B&F votes.

Fair enough, but then why did he train with the mids, and why is the Swans site posting an article that he may soon move to the mids?

Maybe there's other reasons, or it's an idea they decided to not go ahead with, but it is curious.

[dejavoodoo44]

Fair enough, but then why did he train with the mids, and why is the Swans site posting an article that he may soon move to the mids?

Maybe there's other reasons, or it's an idea they decided to not go ahead with, but it is curious.

My understanding is that the idea was for Mills to transition to midfield, this year, but when it became apparent, that the experienced trio of Grundy, Smith and McVeigh wouldn't be playing much, then it was decided that we needed his mature head in defence.

[mcs]

Ryan O'Keefe was on fire that day. One of my favourite memories, too.

Yep on fire that day - had to look up the stats just to remember how good his game was. 30 disposals, 12 tackles, 2 goals and even a hit out! His last couple of months of that season was something to savour - capped off by a thoroughly well deserved Norm Smith Medal on grand final day.

As Blood Fever said, truly a player for the big occasion. Hope we see him back involved with the club at some stage