SPOILER - We could learn something from...

[NMWBloods]

...Geelong. They were great tonight, but fell short mainly because of their forward line again. However, despite lack of targets up forward and no real stars, they play a very hard and attacking game, constantly putting their opponents under pressure and look great when running the ball forward. We could do with playing football like that.

[swansrule100]

they should of won .... i know it should work out eventually

but they should of won that tonight... they will rue it

but i agree with what ur saying we could learn heaps from them........

[ROK Lobster]

I couldn't be bothered going to the trade threads. Is Notting a potential get. I'd take him in a flash. I don't know what it would cost but I would love to see him getting the ball out of the centre and delivering to Hall, Micky O and the gang. I'd take Bradshaw too.

Congrats to the Cats (but I'm going to have one ****ty 5 year old in the morning). They would be an awesome team with our forward line. Hats off the Brisbane though. 4 GF's on the trot, and they just kept doing enough tonight. Akermanis will rip Port apart next week. He never got out of 3rd tonight. He is one bloke I cannot stand when he is playing against us but I love him the rest of the time. I love watching him get under the skin of others the way he gets under mine.

[NMWBloods]

I've been saying for two years that Notting is exactly what we need. He's quick and agile, changes directions very easily, can run with the ball and dodge the opposition, has a superb booming kick, can take a good overhead mark, and can break the lines and send the team deep into attack.

Akermanis, Lynch, Brown, Johnson, and Black had off nights to some degree so I expect them to really fire up next week.

Lappin, Bradshaw and Power were fantastic!

[Damien]

We need to trade trade trade!!!

Geelong and St.Kilda over the past two nights have proven they are going places, and are a level above us.

Which is scary to say seeing both teams have more star players with the potential to play longer, and have more players signed to longer term contracts. (Contray to popular belief - the "salary cap pressure" they are meant to be under is still a few years away)

Geelong and St. Kilda look like they are about to take the next 5 or so years and make it an Essendon/Hawthorn 80's type rivalry - just hope we can inject the class we need to go with them.

[SXP]

What is there to learn? That our side is not comitted? Give me a break. We all know that. Their loss to St Kilda proved that already. Whta's your point? Do you think Geelong will be a powerhouse next year? Perhaps, but let's wait and see.

[footyhead]

Originally posted by Damien
We need to trade trade trade!!!

Geelong and St.Kilda over the past two nights have proven they are going places, and are a level above us.

Which is scary to say seeing both teams have more star players with the potential to play longer, and have more players signed to longer term contracts.

I have been trying to tell a few people about this for a while now. The teams just above us are going to be as good (or even a lot better) within the next 1-5 years.
Unless the Swans can pull a rabbit out of the hat, we are in a bit of trouble, as far as really being competative at the serious end of the season is concerned.

[anne]

Watching Geelong and St Kilda fight to the end makes me embarassed by Sydney's weak efforts in finals when we just gave up.Over the past few years we have been beaten badly whenever we lost in finals. Unfortunately I can't see room for much improvement either. however after seeing the Lions' supporters lined up for days to get GF tickets I think I will still pay my $75 in case. I guess it can be looked at as gambling money.

[Damien]

Originally posted by anne
I think I will still pay my $75 in case. I guess it can be looked at as gambling money.

Yep I have decided to think of it as a donation to the club, because stuff lining up for days or paying 500 odd dollars to someone to see my team if they happen to get into a grand final.

[swansrule100]

I think the swans will be fine in 2005 we are still one of the top 5 in the land and can build from that

[Damien]

Originally posted by swansrule100
I think the swans will be fine in 2005 we are still one of the top 5 in the land and can build from that

You certainly are without question the most positive Swans fan I know Andrew!

Hope you are right, but I don't think our current list is top 5 in 2005, but a few extra players might just make that difference.

[NMWBloods]

Based on how lists currently are, we will struggle to maintain a solid 5th best team unless we improve a lot. Even if we do, we should drop further back from St Kilda and Geelong, hence being 5th or 4th best may be quite meaningless. We need to improve a lot if we are going to become a threat.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Damien
You certainly are without question the most positive Swans fan I know Andrew!

Probably has something to do with the 'Great News' thread...

But I'm with SR100 on this one. Top 4 next year after a slow start with a revamped midifeld. GF 2006 with a midfield to rival the current Brisbane unit and Barry Hall widely regarded as the best forward in the competition.

[swansrule100]

we do have to improve... everyone does

i just think overall we must be happy with this season.

Geelong and Stkilda have the poetential to push on but who says they will, they may be like us in 2003 and have similar 2004 to us. Who knows.

Personally i think stkilda will struggle to get back to a prelim... where as geelong are the real deal. Why?? well apart from the fact i cant stand stkilda, i believe they reply heavily on one or two players (riewoldt and gherig)... they have a weak backline in comparison to others as well. Geelong are forming into a side of poetential champions on the other hand.

I believe the swans are a quality midfielder and quality chb off a premiership.

We need someone like an ottens... one good pick up.... and to develop our youth as we are... i believe we can maintain our position in the top few clubs and build up to seriously challenge for a home prelim!

[swansrule100]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Based on how lists currently are, we will struggle to maintain a solid 5th best team unless we improve a lot. Even if we do, we should drop further back from St Kilda and Geelong, hence being 5th or 4th best may be quite meaningless. We need to improve a lot if we are going to become a threat.

i think u need to be on the swans recruiting staff! and im not taking the piss here ... i think u have the right ideas about improving the list!