Great expectations

[dimelb]

Buddy is in the eye of the beholder?

Undoubtedly!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

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

I know SamN is more than a touch of a worry injury wise but I think he is the only Swans ruckman that can feed a midfield - and the principal reason why our midfield has been such a worry recently.

Sinkers (as a relief ruck/forward) simply isn't anywhere near as good at that aspect and Knoll is on a steep learning curve (he may develop into an adequate meat-axe type ruckman but I can't see him ever doing silver service).

[bloodspirit]

Buddy is in the eye of the beholder?

Groan. Normally you are pretty much my favourite poster but this is woeful! I'll just focus on remembering on your many successes.

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.

I think Rampe and Mills cover for Macca, Reg and Smooch, but require all the others to step up too. I, too, would love to see Mills released to the midfield but can't see it happening in the short term. He is needed more in the backline, especially his leadership. Parker and JPK can take charge in the midfield and it's not like Cal offers that much of a different package to them, although I would like to see how he goes with his composure ball use being a potential strength. Like Parker, JPK and Hewett, Mills is not especially pacy. We rather need players like Florent, Papley, Lewis Taylor to start injecting a bit more speed through the midfield. Projecting forward a little though, I would like to see Gould take over this halfback general role. He has all the tools. The other guys you talk about, with the possible exception of Harry C, don't look obvious candidates to step into that role at this time although they can certainly bring some rebound and zing.

I also feel that Rampe is our best one on one defender and even though he is a great ball user can't be taken out of that role at this time. The way he went about it last year was perfect, balancing accountable defending with great rebounding and some superb ball use and kicks to teammates far upfield.

[bloodspirit]

I just re-read a great, in-depth article about Heeney: Isaac Heeney and the art of the speccy. It's not fresh - from July last year - and I can't remember whether the link has been posted here before but in any case it is well worth re-reading if you have a little spare time. Wasn't sure where to post it and this thread seems the best since the article is, like Heeney, pretty optimistic in its tone.

[stevoswan]

I just re-read a great, in-depth article about Heeney: Isaac Heeney and the art of the speccy. It's not fresh - from July last year - and I can't remember whether the link has been posted here before but in any case it is well worth re-reading if you have a little spare time. Wasn't sure where to post it and this thread seems the best since the article is, like Heeney, pretty optimistic in its tone.

Good article.....his attitude says it all. It appears he was always destined for greatness.

[dimelb]

Thanks for resuscitating that article bloodspirit. I don't recall reading it at the time, and I think it might be the best article I've ever read on Heeney. He is already a crucial contributor, and if he can add the occasional avoidance of damage, there'll be no stopping him. To my mind he is obviously among the best three or four players we have and I think on the way to becoming a club legend. My eyes watered.

[bloodspirit]

Five reasons to watch Sydney in 2020

[stevoswan]

Five reasons to watch Sydney in 2020

A pretty reasonable and entertaining article. Reads a bit like he's channeling Titus O'Reilly throughout but overall, a fair assessment.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Still some trolls dont have their facts right on the roar article

The case for the cost of living allowance

[dejavoodoo44]

Still some trolls dont have their facts right on the roar article

The case for the cost of living allowance

Ahh, I see that you also made the mistake, of reading the comments section of the above article. I was tempted to punish a couple of the contributors, but I thought; no, I have more productive ways to spend my time.

- - - Updated - - -

Ahh, I see that you also made the mistake, of reading the comments section of the above article. I was tempted to punish a couple of the contributors, but I thought; no, I have more productive ways to spend my time.

Not that I'd discourage anyone else from doing so.

[Ralph Dawg]

I really hope 2020 will be the year that Heeney and Mills break out and become the superstars that we will build the next decade on. If not this year, they need to progress in such a way that it will happen in the next 1 to 2 years.

I feel the time has come for Heeney to settle in the midfield and become a really influential player for us, not just one that has flashes of brilliance for the highlights reel. We have enough youngsters coming through that can rotate through the forward line whereas our midfield needs to groom a new leader - Parker and especially Joey are not getting any younger.

Mills has made a home for himself in the backline and with some key retirements, I doubt that the playing commitee will play him in the midfield, at least in the short term. He is a steady, solid defender but it would be great if he has a higher ceiling than that.

If we are to threaten over the first half of the decade, these two will need to play a big part, given they are now coming into what should be their prime.

[Aprilbr]

Agree totally on Heeney and Mills. George Hewitt is a player that has progressed nicely and is entering his prime. He needs to continue to build. I believe that he comes out of contract at the end of this season? Any news on him re-signing long time?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[bloodspirit]

Here's (an in my opinion mediocre and perhaps over-optimistic) season preview from The Roar: Sydney Swans 2020 preview: Finals on the agenda again.

I don't agree with the best 22 selected, in particular I think it is too tall and, disappointingly, it does not include either Dylan Stephens or Will Gould. The assessments of our lines (back/mids/forward) are decent but a bit simplistic. I did appreciate the illuminating stats about JPK and Parker. Contrary to the authors ideas about how our midfield will improve, I think the indications from Horse are that Heeney and Mills won't be spending more time in the midfield this year and they will continue to play similar roles for the time being. We will have to look for improved midfield performance elsewhere. [Florent. Maybe Dawson? Maybe Blakey. Maybe Hayward. Rowbottom, but still too soon to put pressure on him. Maybe Hewett but he might be nearing his best. Perhaps Lewis Taylor and/or Gray.] The talk of Buddy and Reid both playing every game and us making finals is all a bit too speculative for my liking.

The comments are worse. Outsiders underrate our list. I guess that's probably true for many clubs. Not that I mind, it's kind of good, and will make proving them wrong all the sweeter.

[Legs Akimbo]

Here's (an in my opinion mediocre and perhaps over-optimistic) season preview from The Roar: Sydney Swans 2020 preview: Finals on the agenda again.

I don't agree with the best 22 selected, in particular I think it is too tall and, disappointingly, it does not include either Dylan Stephens or Will Gould. The assessments of our lines (back/mids/forward) are decent but a bit simplistic. I did appreciate the illuminating stats about JPK and Parker. Contrary to the authors ideas about how our midfield will improve, I think the indications from Horse are that Heeney and Mills won't be spending more time in the midfield this year and they will continue to play similar roles for the time being. We will have to look for improved midfield performance elsewhere. [Florent. Maybe Dawson? Maybe Blakey. Maybe Hayward. Rowbottom, but still too soon to put pressure on him. Maybe Hewett but he might be nearing his best. Perhaps Lewis Taylor and/or Gray.] The talk of Buddy and Reid both playing every game and us making finals is all a bit too speculative for my liking.

The comments are worse. Outsiders underrate our list. I guess that's probably true for many clubs. Not that I mind, it's kind of good, and will make proving them wrong all the sweeter.

I stopped reading at 'called the umpire a little Boy.

[bloodspirit]

I stopped reading at 'called the umpire a little Boy.

Exactly. Jarred with me too. If you're getting those details wrong, doesn't augur well.