Expectations for 2021 season

[Bangalore Swans]

I think most of the AFL community misread the Swans 2019 and 2020 seasons. They finished bottom four in both seasons but were perhaps the greatest ever bottom 4 team in both seasons.

They were decimated by huge injury lists in those two seasons, many of which were to key players.

Despite the difficulties in those two years they were never thrashed and experienced many narrow losses. It would not have taken too much to put some of those narrow losses in the win columns, which would have given those seasons a different complexion. That didn’t happen because the best cattle was often out injured.

In those two seasons we were able to fast track the development of some young players who are now instrumental:

Florent
McCartin
Blakey
Rowbottom
Dawson
McInerney
Warner (couple of 2020 games)
Wicks

In 2021 we have been healthy with all the key players up and running. We added three outstanding 1st year players and picked up an undervalued ruckman. On top of this, those young players listed above are performing at high levels.

It’s turned around hugely for the Swans in 2021, however I don’t think we were as bad in 2019 and 2020 as the competition thought.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Until now, I've thought we were on the right track, but unlikely to make the eight due to a combination of a young side, bit of lack of depth, inevitable tiredness over the season, etc.

I'll change that - I still think we'll have to manage the younger players (as well as Bud) over the season, but we now have better depth up forward and through the centre of the ground and with the running brigade. It's a great sign for us that Rowbottom, Stephens, Bell, Hayward, Fox and Ling didn't play yesterday for various reasons. Not all stars, but good depth.

We should make the eight (I still think bottom half is more likely) with one IF: if McCartin and Hickey stay fit. They are two players where we lack depth, and a sign of what we continue to need to develop in our list refinement.

[rb4x]

Melican, Brand, Gould O'Connor- Sinclair, Naismith. There is depth but some unproven and perhaps not as good but there is depth for McCartin and Hickey. If they were better than McCartin and Hickey they would not be depth but playing ahead of them.

[Thunder Shaker]

I think most of the AFL community misread the Swans 2019 and 2020 seasons. They finished bottom four in both seasons but were perhaps the greatest ever bottom 4 team in both seasons.

They were decimated by huge injury lists in those two seasons, many of which were to key players.

Despite the difficulties in those two years they were never thrashed and experienced many narrow losses. It would not have taken too much to put some of those narrow losses in the win columns, which would have given those seasons a different complexion. That didn’t happen because the best cattle was often out injured.

The "never thrashed" is subjective, but it is true that the Swans didn't lose by over 10 goals at any time in the last two years.

All losses 40 points or more in 2019 and 2020:
2019, R6: GWS (H), 41 points
2019, R21: Port (A), 47 points
2020: R9: St Kilda (A), 53 points

And that's all. In 2019, there were also four wins over 40 points, and in 2020 there was one.

[bloodspirit]

I'm revising my expectations upwards based on our performances and those of other teams. I now reckon we can win a final! That would be great preparation for success in the coming seasons.

Despite our declining performances over the past three rounds, I'm not ready to give up on the hope of playing finals this year and hopefully winning one. Even if we lose against Geelong and Melbourne, provided we don't get completely blown away, I think we can stay optimistic. There are a lot of other clubs that have been underperforming too e.g. Carlton, Collingwood, GWS, Saints. We are right there with Freo competing for the bottom half of the 8 spots. Agree?

[Markwebbos]

Despite our declining performances over the past three rounds, I'm not ready to give up on the hope of playing finals this year and hopefully winning one. Even if we lose against Geelong and Melbourne, provided we don't get completely blown away, I think we can stay optimistic. There are a lot of other clubs that have been underperforming too e.g. Carlton, Collingwood, GWS, Saints. We are right there with Freo competing for the bottom half of the 8 spots. Agree?

Yes. But we need some of our injured players back. And we need a ruckman.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Despite our declining performances over the past three rounds, I'm not ready to give up on the hope of playing finals this year and hopefully winning one. Even if we lose against Geelong and Melbourne, provided we don't get completely blown away, I think we can stay optimistic. There are a lot of other clubs that have been underperforming too e.g. Carlton, Collingwood, GWS, Saints. We are right there with Freo competing for the bottom half of the 8 spots. Agree?

Agree. It's a long season but there are basically 9 teams chasing 8 spots - the current eight plus West Coast.

Of the others - Norf and Pies. Gone.
Saints - cooked, and wretched percentage.
Hawks, Ess and GWS - rebuilding
Carlton - lol
Suns - not there yet, even on their best days.
Adelaide - good on them for their start, but don't see them sustaining it sufficiently to make finals.

So, you'd back WCE to win enough at home to get into the finals, and you'd lock in the Dees, Port and Dogs based on wins so far. Geelong, Richmond, and Brisbane will be good too.

Leaves us and Freo fighting for the last slot.

[bloodspirit]

Except we have a kinder draw than most of the others (not sure about Freo).

- - - Updated - - -

We've got double ups against Suns, Bombers, Giants Saints and someone else from memory. And we caught Lions and Tigers at a good time.

[Captain]

Except we have a kinder draw than most of the others (not sure about Freo).

- - - Updated - - -

We've got double ups against Suns, Bombers, Giants Saints and someone else from memory. And we caught Lions and Tigers at a good time.

Not sure double ups against the Giants and Suns is a good thing...

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Not sure double ups against the Giants and Suns is a good thing...

On the basis of absolutely nothing but the results of this season, we'd be better off playing the Lions and Tigers twice

[The Runner]

There's a page on Facebook called "Useless AFL stats". Well worth a follow.
They posted today a ladder for "time spent watching your team losing", which added up the amount of time a club has been behind on the scoreboard from 2012 to today.

The Swans were #1 (i.e. the least amount of time spent losing) with 9064 minutes, or 151 hours.
Brisbane were last, with almost 15k minutes (250 hours).

Just a reminder to be grateful for the team we get to support

[TheBloods]

There's a page on Facebook called "Useless AFL stats". Well worth a follow.
They posted today a ladder for "time spent watching your team losing", which added up the amount of time a club has been behind on the scoreboard from 2012 to today.

The Swans were #1 (i.e. the least amount of time spent losing) with 9064 minutes, or 151 hours.
Brisbane were last, with almost 15k minutes (250 hours).

Just a reminder to be grateful for the team we get to support

Grateful but people have too much time on their hands

[Meg]

Gratitude is sparse it seems. Swans had to post a note on the Sydney Swans Instagram page after the loss on Saturday asking people to refrain from posting abusive comments.

Pretty poor attitude from some supposed ‘fans’ it seems.

[Mel_C]

Gratitude is sparse it seems. Swans had to post a note on the Sydney Swans Instagram page after the loss on Saturday asking people to refrain from posting abusive comments.

Pretty poor attitude from some supposed ‘fans’ it seems.

Wow that's really disappointing. I guess every team has "those" supporters so I shouldn't be surprised.

[gloveski]

Gratitude is sparse it seems. Swans had to post a note on the Sydney Swans Instagram page after the loss on Saturday asking people to refrain from posting abusive comments.

Pretty poor attitude from some supposed ‘fans’ it seems.

That’s really disappointing, go and support another team if you can’t take the good with the bad . I remember early 90’s wondering if my team would even exist soon . Then to witness 5 grand finals and 2 premierships since .
Unbelievable by some keyboard warriors


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