Are we now a genuine Premiership threat?

[dimelb]

I don't think there's any team that we can't beat on any given day, especially with a little luck.

And Chamberlain in a good mood!

[Matty10]

I was one of those promising finals his year, but I believe a 2021 premiership is beyond us.

Why would you say it is beyond us? It might be a hard ask, but surely we are in with more than a chance right now.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I have long been in the no camp, for two main reasons - the young 'uns would find finals tough, and particularly four straight if we finish outside top four; and 'key man' risk (particularly Hickey or McCartin).

Where I've got to is this:

- Right now, Geelong and the Bulldogs look a slight step ahead of others
- We're alongside Port in rising at the right time of the year
- Melbourne would be the only other side in the mix if they can regather form.

Brisbane look done, and none of the contenders for 7th or 8th look anywhere near it.

What I'd also say is some of our youngsters are actually getting better as the season progresses. JMac and Gulden being prime examples. So my view on that is shifting.

We've also consistently shown our best can match the best - beating Geelong and the Bulldogs, and running Port and Melbourne close.

If we hit the finals in the same form as recent weeks, and stay fit and healthy, then we can give it a real shake. I still think the odds are a bit against a young side doing it, but we also seem to have some that truly thrive on the challenge and our core of mid-20s players - Parker, Heeney, Mills, Dawson, Papley, even Cunningham etc - are in outstanding form.

So I've shifted from a no, to a possible.

[Roadrunner]

I have long been in the no camp, for two main reasons - the young 'uns would find finals tough, and particularly four straight if we finish outside top four; and 'key man' risk (particularly Hickey or McCartin).

Where I've got to is this:

- Right now, Geelong and the Bulldogs look a slight step ahead of others
- We're alongside Port in rising at the right time of the year
- Melbourne would be the only other side in the mix if they can regather form.

Brisbane look done, and none of the contenders for 7th or 8th look anywhere near it.

What I'd also say is some of our youngsters are actually getting better as the season progresses. JMac and Gulden being prime examples. So my view on that is shifting.

We've also consistently shown our best can match the best - beating Geelong and the Bulldogs, and running Port and Melbourne close.

If we hit the finals in the same form as recent weeks, and stay fit and healthy, then we can give it a real shake. I still think the odds are a bit against a young side doing it, but we also seem to have some that truly thrive on the challenge and our core of mid-20s players - Parker, Heeney, Mills, Dawson, Papley, even Cunningham etc - are in outstanding form.

So I've shifted from a no, to a possible.

My thinking exactly! Current form suggests we’re a chance but the fairy pups and Geelong have the experience that may prove decisive. Whatever happens, we’ve exceeded expectations and the lads are playing attractive and attacking football. I just have the feeling we are missing one or two pieces of the puzzle but just can quite put the finger on it- is it a tall defender or a clearance ace? Nearly there but …………….C’mon TB- help me out!

[TheBloods]

My thinking exactly! Current form suggests we’re a chance but the fairy pups and Geelong have the experience that may prove decisive. Whatever happens, we’ve exceeded expectations and the lads are playing attractive and attacking football. I just have the feeling we are missing one or two pieces of the puzzle but just can quite put the finger on it- is it a tall defender or a clearance ace? Nearly there but …………….C’mon TB- help me out!

Yes a clearance ace , Chad Warner is the name your looking for

[Bangalore Swans]

My thinking exactly! Current form suggests we’re a chance but the fairy pups and Geelong have the experience that may prove decisive. Whatever happens, we’ve exceeded expectations and the lads are playing attractive and attacking football. I just have the feeling we are missing one or two pieces of the puzzle but just can quite put the finger on it- is it a tall defender or a clearance ace? Nearly there but …………….C’mon TB- help me out!

My worry in finals is that under pressure from a good team that we’ll resort to the down the boundary line football. If we do this, the more physically mature teams like Geelong, Melbourne and the Bulldogs will beat us.

If we keep to our recent corridor, switch, run, carry and precise kicking football then the physicaly mature teams will have to change something. Can they adapt to the Swans playing this style of football.

They can try.

[Roadrunner]

Yes a clearance ace , Chad Warner is the name your looking for

Thanks TB- I knew I could rely on you for one position! How about the defence?

[Roadrunner]

My worry in finals is that under pressure from a good team that we’ll resort to the down the boundary line football. If we do this, the more physically mature teams like Geelong, Melbourne and the Bulldogs will beat us.

If we keep to our recent corridor, switch, run, carry and precise kicking football then the physicaly mature teams will have to change something. Can they adapt to the Swans playing this style of football.

They can try.

Even if we go the boundary line route, as long as we lower the eyes and not just bomb it, we’re still a chance. Trouble is that it’s a lot harder to score from the pockets so our forwards shouldn’t lead to the boundary too often!

[TheBloods]

Thanks TB- I knew I could rely on you for one position! How about the defence?

Dont need to worry Mccartin is playing good now

His form earlier in the year was poor and it was a worry

Blakey down back too

[Matty10]

Well, tonight’s performance just made it a bit harder.

[Ludwig]

We can only finish 5th or 6th now, so the pressure is off for the final 2 games. We can rest who we want and play some ressies into form, if we want to try it. We should go pretty fresh into the finals, not that it means anything.

[Matty10]

We can only finish 5th or 6th now, so the pressure is off for the final 2 games. We can rest who we want and play some ressies into form, if we want to try it. We should go pretty fresh into the finals, not that it means anything.

Technically, we could still finish 4th if we won the next two by a good margin and Port lost both. But I was thinking the same thing, in terms of pressure. We really can play around with a few things now and see what works and what doesn’t in the last two games.

To win the flag we will need to win four in a row. We’ll know that going in, and it’s only one game at a time anyway. It can be done.

This year’s different anyway, it’s not like we would have got a home final at the SCG. I still give us a chance, and that’s all you can ask for really.

[Agent 86]

We can only finish 5th or 6th now, so the pressure is off for the final 2 games. We can rest who we want and play some ressies into form, if we want to try it. We should go pretty fresh into the finals, not that it means anything.

I didn’t hear what happened to Mills. But we had some tired looking players out there tonight. To be honest, the performances over last 5 weeks have been way above my expectations, so cannot be too disappointed with a flat effort. Not sure who I’d rest, tho’.

[Mark26]

I didn’t hear what happened to Mills. But we had some tired looking players out there tonight. To be honest, the performances over last 5 weeks have been way above my expectations, so cannot be too disappointed with a flat effort. Not sure who I’d rest, tho’.

Achilles soreness? He didn't look right during the warm up before the game. Apparently he's had to carry it for a while this season.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Why would you say it is beyond us? It might be a hard ask, but surely we are in with more than a chance right now.

Well, tonight’s performance just made it a bit harder.

Indeed - but to answer your query

1) When this Swans team gains and retains posession it's a threat to anyone, but retaining posession is dependent on good disposal and more importantly players finding space.
The opposition can try to choke the space with frenetic defence, but it becomes much easier for them when Swans players cease to lead and become static - one thing I've noticed in the losses this year is a lot of immobile swans players when we have a posession.
When space can't be found we bomb it long - do you believe this team can win a flag bombing it long?

2) Our chance of a flag this year will be immensely damaged if whatever ligament/tendon is currently attaching Tom Hickey's leg to his body. "Swans chances hang by a thread" is an overstatement - but by how much?

3) Other issues like a lack of healthy or capable height in the backline has been discussed at length.

4) As has lack of footspeed in the middle.

5) I also remain concerned by the dangers of Buddy centred predictability - but this is clodely related to point #1.