2013 - Learnings and Perspective

[Leg End]

2013 has been a tough year for the Swans - but more good than bad has emerged.

If I told you that, for the bulk of the year:
1. Swans would be without Goodes, LRT, Jetta, Sam Reid, Alex Johnson, Marty Mattner (plus lose Ben McGlynn and Kurt Tippett for extended periods); AND
2. that we would be relying on Jesse White, Rampe and some unknown youngsters,
then we wall would have had grave doubts about making top 4 - maybe even top 8.

However, this team has still exceeded expectations despite a horrendous injury toll. We will be top 4. Realistically, it will be extremely tough with a weakened team to get over Geelong and Hawks in full flight. But, I wouldn't write us off completely. (the VFL umpires should put the final nail in during finals).

The great positive is next year - a full strength team backed up by some talented youngsters with a strong season behind them. Much to look forward to.

 

[Punts]

2013 has been a tough year for the Swans - but more good than bad has emerged.

If I told you that, for the bulk of the year:
1. Swans would be without Goodes, LRT, Jetta, Sam Reid, Alex Johnson, Marty Mattner (plus lose Ben McGlynn and Kurt Tippett for extended periods); AND
2. that we would be relying on Jesse White, Rampe and some unknown youngsters,
then we wall would have had grave doubts about making top 4 - maybe even top 8.

However, this team has still exceeded expectations despite a horrendous injury toll. We will be top 4. Realistically, it will be extremely tough with a weakened team to get over Geelong and Hawks in full flight. But, I wouldn't write us off completely. (the VFL umpires should put the final nail in during finals).

The great positive is next year - a full strength team backed up by some talented youngsters with a strong season behind them. Much to look forward to.

Add Shaw to that list

 

[Punts]

Pretty disappointing this year due to the injuries , even more disappointing when u no that if we had a full list to choose from that going B2B was no doubt a possible , that's why I guess going B2B is so hard.

Premierships are built in defence and ours has been wacked for 6 with Shaw , AJ , Mattner all out and even LRT helping back there at times , in 2012 our back 6 played every game together , with AJ back , and now Rampe a full pre season all together and learning each others way should be back to its best

Positives : In saying that we didn't have the injuries we most likely would have not seen Rampe ,
Mitchell , Lamb , BJ , White.

Tippett will only get better still getting used to the Swans game plan but has done better than I thought so far in 2013 , so I expect big things from him in 2014

Rohan this guy has all the tools height speed a full pre season could become anything ala Dangerfield

Rampe has taken over Mattners spot and cemented a spot in 2014 with flying colours will be even better again in 2014

Mitchell has shown us all in some games this year that no doubt will be a gun , a full pre season which he didn't have this year and I think he will become a full time on baller where he belongs in 2014 , he is not HFF but with our midfield running pretty deep 2013 was just learning for him , think he will be on the ball a hell of a lot more in 2014

White has been a hell of a lot better in 2013 , think he is no doubt playing for his future , still don't think if he is on the list in 2014 that they will pick him before Reid , u don't give 5 year deals to a guy running around in the 2s , unless they make Reid a CHB which im still not convinced they will , but I think they should look at it if White stays and due to our ageing backline.

Lamb and BJ have shown that AFL is not out of reach , still think neither will be in the best 22 in 2014 and got a feeling that Lamb might want out at season end , due to more game time some where else but I wouldn't have a clue.

Really looking forward to having AJ back in 2014 still think there is a massive hole down back with out him , funny how u don't realise as much until there gone

One thing im not sold on and will get a whack for no doubt is Shaw is 32 this year and ROK is 33 in jan , I understand that ROK is the 2012 NSM but a year is a long time in footy u only have to look at Jude this year , but will ROK hinder Mitchells chances going through the mid next year I think both should consider there 2014 options even though ROK is signed for 2014 , Shaw has still got speed I no but again I have no idea how his body will go in 2014

 

[baja]

You know whats starting to really piss me off about this board?

Ill tell you, its the lack of enthusiasm, the constant negativity and the 'spoilt brat syndrome' that is going on lately.
We are in the finals, again the seasons not over!
Our players are having a red hot crack and despite the constant knock downs we are in the top 4!
They haven't given up nor should we!
All I hear in most threads is ****ing wah wah waaah!

FFS Get EXCITED!

 

[RW]

Thing to remember baja is that some of the posters on this board haven't experienced the lean years so expect us to do well every year. I often remind myself how lucky we are to be supporting the club in this amazing era. I'm definitely excited for the finals, the team has been a bit flat over the past few weeks but if finals don't motivate you to put in that bit of extra effort, then nothing will IMO.

But that's a great post, Leg End. Whatever happens in September, we've done some really good things this year. Hawthorn didn't even make the eight the year after their last premiership, and they were widely expected to go on and dominate.

Week by week, guys! There's still plenty of football to be played this year.

 

[baja]

Thing to remember baja is that some of the posters on this board haven't experienced the lean years so expect us to do well every year. I often remind myself how lucky we are to be supporting the club in this amazing era. I'm definitely excited for the finals, the team has been a bit flat over the past few weeks but if finals don't motivate you to put in that bit of extra effort, then nothing will IMO.

But that's a great post, Leg End. Whatever happens in September, we've done some really good things this year. Hawthorn didn't even make the eight the year after their last premiership, and they were widely expected to go on and dominate.

Week by week, guys! There's still plenty of football to be played this year.

My post want directed at Leg End, just the whole board in general it feels so flat its depressing.

 

[disgruntled goat]

2013 has been a tough year for the Swans - but more good than bad has emerged.

If I told you that, for the bulk of the year:
1. Swans would be without Goodes, LRT, Jetta, Sam Reid, Alex Johnson, Marty Mattner (plus lose Ben McGlynn and Kurt Tippett for extended periods); AND
2. that we would be relying on Jesse White, Rampe and some unknown youngsters,
then we wall would have had grave doubts about making top 4 - maybe even top 8.

However, this team has still exceeded expectations despite a horrendous injury toll. We will be top 4. Realistically, it will be extremely tough with a weakened team to get over Geelong and Hawks in full flight. But, I wouldn't write us off completely. (the VFL umpires should put the final nail in during finals).

The great positive is next year - a full strength team backed up by some talented youngsters with a strong season behind them. Much to look forward to.

Well said, well fckng said. This board is frequently awash with the postings of hyper-sensitive spoilt brats. Your second point speaks directly to a lot of those posters ... we are in the top four AGAIN! And whether the multitudes of dckhead fans of other top teams want to acknowledge it or not, no other teams still in the finals will look forward to playing us.

 

[The King!]

The key forgotten point is we are engaged in a premiership defence and have another double chance.

Start of 2012 if you offered me a flag and a guaranteed top 4 going into round 23 2013 man id take that, every supporter at every club would.

The thing for me is we won a flag ahead of schedule

I think this side is developing and replenishing whilst never falling and looking good for future tilts

Look to put it simply this club is awesome and i love it,the future is exciting and as some said if you went through the rough times man.

I was only 10 in 1993 but those years sucked, to now follow a consistently good side is awesome.

 

[bungee]

One thing im not sold on and will get a whack for no doubt is Shaw is 32 this year and ROK is 33 in jan , I understand that ROK is the 2012 NSM but a year is a long time in footy u only have to look at Jude this year , but will ROK hinder Mitchells chances going through the mid next year I think both should consider there 2014 options even though ROK is signed for 2014 , Shaw has still got speed I no but again I have no idea how his body will go in 2014

ROK roks. If Mitchell can match it with him he'll get the position but there's daylight and half a moonlit evening between them right now. If Mitchell can reach ROKs level by 2015 I'll be pleasantly surprised. NSM = Guy who makes the biggest difference in a GF. The single biggest contributor on the biggest day of the year. If that's the pinnacle of his career he's still a long way above base camp.

WHACK !

'Look at Jude this year' - What's wrong with Jude's year ?

Jude has been one of our most consistent small forwards this year, kicking a bag of goals and bringing on truck loads of forward pressure. He's not retiring because he can't do it anymore. He's retiring because he doesn't ever want to get to that point. Come 2014 and we go through finals without him all the young talent in the team won't make up for the loss of his fearless presence. We will miss him.

WHACK !

 

[bungee]

Well said, well fckng said. This board is frequently awash with the postings of hyper-sensitive spoilt brats. Your second point speaks directly to a lot of those posters ... we are in the top four AGAIN! And whether the multitudes of dckhead fans of other top teams want to acknowledge it or not, no other teams still in the finals will look forward to playing us.

By God you're sexy when you're angry.

 

[bungee]

2013 has been a tough year for the Swans - but more good than bad has emerged.

If I told you that, for the bulk of the year:
1. Swans would be without Goodes, LRT, Jetta, Sam Reid, Alex Johnson, Marty Mattner (plus lose Ben McGlynn and Kurt Tippett for extended periods); AND
2. that we would be relying on Jesse White, Rampe and some unknown youngsters,
then we wall would have had grave doubts about making top 4 - maybe even top 8.

However, this team has still exceeded expectations despite a horrendous injury toll. We will be top 4. Realistically, it will be extremely tough with a weakened team to get over Geelong and Hawks in full flight. But, I wouldn't write us off completely. (the VFL umpires should put the final nail in during finals).

The great positive is next year - a full strength team backed up by some talented youngsters with a strong season behind them. Much to look forward to.

Great post. Might also mention that Everitt has also turned out to be a pretty handy defender.

Losing 7 premiership players is not ideal for going B2B but the early blooding of so many and the discovery of so much new talent will certainly save us from the slump we hit in 2008 when we were rebuilding and missed the finals (though we are the only team who can call missing the finals once in the last 11 years a slump). Win or lose this year our premiership window could fit the Myers Christmas display.

Just one thing....we did kind of suspect Tippet would miss for an extended period, given his suspension and all.

 

[Bonz]

I actually couldn't be happier with our season this year.

If you had told me at the start of the year that Rohan would be starting round 22 against Geelong I would of bet a large amount of money against you.

If you had told me at the start of the year that B.Jack, X.Richards, D.Rampe, T.Mitchell and Lamb would be making their debuts, and that Lamb, Rampee and Mitchell would become regular players in our best 22 I would of booked you into an mental hospital.

If you had told me at the start of the year that Sydney would be top 4 despite missing LRT, Mattner, Shaw, Johnson, Jetta, Reid and Goodes for majority of season with Jesse White playing a key role in the second half of the year I would of called the police because you had obviously escaped from some sort of mental asylum.


In all honesty I think our last two seasons just prove nothing is impossible, and that it isn't over until the final siren sounds.

 

[Mennon]

I think the injuries have cost us a chance at back-to-back, but they have also accelerated the development of the younger players, so it's a year that in many ways is disappointing but at the same time exciting.
Did I say disappointing? Hell yea. AJ's knee first of all. Here's a kid who had just starred in a grand final, said he wanted to be captain one day, and who was from all reports one of the best pre-season performers. I was really looking forward to seeing him smash it this year. Then he did his knee.
It is disappointing because I know with Jetta, Goodes, LRT, AJ, Shaw, all fit, we would have been just about unstoppable. So much strain was put on the fit players that I fear they are breaking down now. ROK, Hanners, Mummy, Smith, all struggling to be fit. The young kids must be finding it tough, and I think the last few weeks have really exposed them. Not saying they're not good, not at all. I'm saying that they don't have the pre-seasons in them to set them up for a big August - September run, and the pressure has only just begun. They got shown up against Collingwood the other week, and they are going to get smashed in the finals.
Having said, that, Top 4. A great effort. And I know we won't go down without a fight. That's what I love about this team.
This year was not so much a premiership hangover as a mugging coming home from the party.

 

[bungee]

This year was not so much a premiership hangover as a mugging coming home from the party.

Love the metaphor, but the party's not over yet.

 

[Jack Lord]

Great thread. I would add this to the conversation.

If we were to have an injury-plagued year, 2013 is as good a year as any to have it. We're still bathing in the post-premiership glow. Clubs rarely go B2B anyway. And some of our youngsters now have 10 games under the belt and are cherry ripe for 2014.

Sheesh. We could still win the bloody thing this year, too!

 

[Jack Lord]

Another thing. Jesse was worth about two bucks on the open market last year. Today we could swap him for Gary Ablett.

Well, not really, but you know what I'm sayin'.

 

[Superstar swan]

Season is not over yet , if anything this year has been a major positive. We have had more long term injuries to key personnel than any other team and are still in the top 4. Not many clubs would be capable of that. Shaw, goodes, jetta, Reid, mattner, lrt, Johnson have all missed large chunks of the year . That is 7 premiership players we had to cover.an enormous task but we managed it.

Do not underestimate the swans ability to stand up when it counts in September

 

[MickyG]

The Crows game is what comes to mind when I think of the year to date - three performances like that in September is the fantasy.

 

[Leg End]

Shaw, goodes, jetta, Reid, mattner, lrt, Johnson have all missed large chunks of the year . That is 7 premiership players we had to cover.an enormous task but we managed it.

Add Morton, Smith, Hanneberry to the list.
This year, we have earned the nickname - because we've been forced to "blood" about 10 youngsters.