Great expectations

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Ahh the first wooden spoon prediction for 2020 from a so called expert on Roar
My predictions for the 2020 AFL season

ROFL

On a more serious note, our midfield is being decried for it's lack of X factor - it seems to me that giving Heeney many more minutes in midfield could well help in that regard.

He spent almost all of last season playing in starvation corner on the HFF. And it could well be retarding his development, and possibly Heywood's too.

Horse mentioned his marking ability was needed - presumably for Buddy's inability to take marks. Although surely we'd have enough marking options with Reid, McCartin, Blakey, Heywood and possibly Sinkers up there?

Others have mentioned his injuries, but if he's over them, then for goodness sake let's put him in the middle (rather than Mills) for extended minutes. We know he's capable of contributing to the highlights reel, let's see whether he's capable of contributing to a substantive improvement in our midfield.

[barry]

Ahh the first wooden spoon prediction for 2020 from a so called expert on Roar
My predictions for the 2020 AFL season

Its based on losing Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Smith to retirement. Seemed to forget the fact that they hardly playing in 2019 and we didnt get a spoon then.

For us to get a spoon, buddy would have to miss most games through injury (not out of the question) and our young'in's to not improve on last year (who knows)?

A spoon would be a shocking result, and i think would severely mark down the buddy deal from a (current) pass, to a fail.

[Mr Magoo]

Its based on losing Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Smith to retirement. Seemed to forget the fact that they hardly playing in 2019 and we didnt get a spoon then.

For us to get a spoon, buddy would have to miss most games through injury (not out of the question) and our young'in's to not improve on last year (who knows)?

A spoon would be a shocking result, and i think would severely mark down the buddy deal from a (current) pass, to a fail.

Pretty superficial review and I guess on the surface would seem to be a huge gap. Really is a review of last year in many respects and you would think that if we didnt slip to last place without those three then it would be difficult to see how we would slip further this year. On the flip side, I dont hold high hopes for us bursting into the top four and would think a bottom eight finish would be seen by most as exceeding expectations.

[barry]

I'm old school and believe we should avoid a spoon at ALL costs. History remembers things like spoons. History forgets all about 2nd or 3rd lasts.
If, in the next year or two we do look like getting a spoon, I would be happy for short-term list management decisions which avoided it at the expense of longer-term plans.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

For us to get a spoon, buddy would have to miss most games through injury (not out of the question) and our young'in's to not improve on last year (who knows)?
A spoon would be a shocking result, and i think would severely mark down the buddy deal from a (current) pass, to a fail.

With or without Buddy the Billboard on the field - I cannot see us getting the spoon.

Despite his increasing age, I would hope that his last 4 years with the Swans aren't all as riddled with injury as 2019.

I also notice that he's looking increasingly heavier with time, is it possible he's making the same mistake as Stuey Maxfield did (bulking up too much and losing speed / becoming more injury prone?)

Other than that I'll continue to try to hold off on the whole pass/fail on Buddy until the contract has been concluded.

[dimelb]

With or without Buddy the Billboard on the field - I cannot see us getting the spoon.

Despite his increasing age, I would hope that his last 4 years with the Swans aren't all as riddled with injury as 2019.

I also notice that he's looking increasingly heavier with time, is it possible he's making the same mistake as Stuey Maxfield did (bulking up too much and losing speed / becoming more injury prone?)

Other than that I'll continue to try to hold off on the whole pass/fail on Buddy until the contract has been concluded.

I'm surprised that Buddy should have struck you as adding weight; what I could see in the club pics is a bit of the opposite, and that he seemed to me to have dropped a kilo or two. I was pleased, obviously, and although we have a setback by way of recovery from surgery, I'm looking forward to displays of continuing brilliance!

[Rod_]

I feel the questions that need to be asked are

Are we a better side with a nominated Ruck? Yes, so therefore with 2 or 3 options available we should be better. Naismith to play 18 games+ and Sinclair to cover / play forward and the others options as needed to suit the relevant match ups against certain sides.
Did Jack or McVeigh add enough value to be missed? 50-50 on this one and consider that we have players that need to grow and by them getting out of the way we will improve.
Is Buddy fit or not? He is heading towards the back end of his contract and I consider will bring value for the next 3-4 years. (even at 80 % fit) Generation next forwards, need to become our main way to score!
Have we recruited well? As always we have recruited upwards. WE will have better players in 2 years
Do the Swans have depth? I feel that the recruits and depth is good this year. A few players that have played a game or 2 need to step up. Ling, O'Riordan, Stoddard and Mcinerney will be pushed by Brand, Clark, Thurlow, Maibaim, Taylor and Bell etc.
Who else did we loose that matters? Jones, and his hardness at the ball. however won't miss the turnovers.
Papley move or not question? He will play at his best either way and should not be carrying any baggage for the failed attempt to turn blue.
Will the Swans go up or down the ladder? UP and challenge the 8!

And a thousand other questions that won't matter in 6 months. I predict the Swans to be 5 positions higher at least by end of season. 13 - 16 wins with healthy list for finals!!

Rod_

[O'Reilly Boy]

I'm surprised that Buddy should have struck you as adding weight; what I could see in the club pics is a bit of the opposite, and that he seemed to me to have dropped a kilo or two. I was pleased, obviously, and although we have a setback by way of recovery from surgery, I'm looking forward to displays of continuing brilliance!

My observation of Buddy at the final session prior to Christmas was that he was was in seriously great shape, looking super trim—much more so than in the early parts of the year over the past three or four seasons— moving on top of the grass, and 120% into it. My daughter and I were just agog at what he was doing in the simulations, and he was on voice constantly.

I am always a bit glass half full, but if the arthroscopy was genuinely a clean up rather than something more serious, there is no reason not to anticipate a contribution from him.

I gather that he is still a regular at training since the procedure, albeit on limited duties.

And as for that prediction that we'll win the wooden spoon—radically overstates the impact of the retirees, three of whom had next to no involvement last season (sorry Kizza, but the team looked stronger when he wasn't playing). McVeigh is a loss, but between Lloyd, Dawson and, I think, Cunningham, we have players ready to step into that organising half-back role.

[caj23]

I feel the questions that need to be asked are

Are we a better side with a nominated Ruck? Yes, so therefore with 2 or 3 options available we should be better. Naismith to play 18 games+ and Sinclair to cover / play forward and the others options as needed to suit the relevant match ups against certain sides.
Rod_

Don't want to burst your bubble Rod, but Naismith has never played 18 games in his 6 seasons with the club so far, the chances of him doing so coming off a two year injury lay off are extremely slim

[dejavoodoo44]

I'm surprised that Buddy should have struck you as adding weight; what I could see in the club pics is a bit of the opposite, and that he seemed to me to have dropped a kilo or two. I was pleased, obviously, and although we have a setback by way of recovery from surgery, I'm looking forward to displays of continuing brilliance!

Buddy is in the eye of the beholder?

[dejavoodoo44]

My observation of Buddy at the final session prior to Christmas was that he was was in seriously great shape, looking super trim—much more so than in the early parts of the year over the past three or four seasons— moving on top of the grass, and 120% into it. My daughter and I were just agog at what he was doing in the simulations, and he was on voice constantly.

I am always a bit glass half full, but if the arthroscopy was genuinely a clean up rather than something more serious, there is no reason not to anticipate a contribution from him.

I gather that he is still a regular at training since the procedure, albeit on limited duties.

And as for that prediction that we'll win the wooden spoon—radically overstates the impact of the retirees, three of whom had next to no involvement last season (sorry Kizza, but the team looked stronger when he wasn't playing). McVeigh is a loss, but between Lloyd, Dawson and, I think, Cunningham, we have players ready to step into that organising half-back role.

Yes, it will be interesting to see who will be the calm head down back. I'm sure that Dawson could do it, but I can also see him playing successfully, both on the wing and up forward. Mills could also do it, but I still hope for the Mills to the midfield move. If that move does happen, Rampe could play less as a key defender and more as a ball distributor. Although that's probably dependent on Melican and Brand performing well. Aliir might even step into the role: he can often calmly choose the right option and hit his chosen target. Cunningham may also rise to the challenge of senior player.

All up, there's a lot of genuine backline options. Especially if you add in Stoddart, Ling and O'Riordan: all whom I expect to have good seasons. Although I don't think any of them, could be classified as a calm head, just yet. And with all the above options, it's hard to see us picking up the wooden spoon.

[barry]

Don't want to burst your bubble Rod, but Naismith has never played 18 games in his 6 seasons with the club so far, the chances of him doing so coming off a two year injury lay off are extremely slim

But ruckman do tend to get better with age. Naismith should be approaching his prime.

[Rod_]

But ruckman do tend to get better with age. Naismith should be approaching his prime.

And we need him, to be ready.. And hopefully more than 18 games a year..!

[caj23]

Do they get less injury prone?

[Mr Magoo]

Do they get less injury prone?

My own experience is that injury prone players rarely ever get less so.

Even at junior level its amazing to me how some guys constantly seem to get injured and often from what it seems are "unlucky" events.

Naismith may play over 18 games but if he does Im betting at least a third will probably be at Neafl level.