Early days, but ...

[rancidpants13]

One bad week and a somewhat unlucky, close loss, followed by an exciting, resounding, beyond-expectations (well, mine) victory over a highly rated opponent
The "new look" to our side, with the likes of Jack, Moore and Bird, the reinstatement of Barlow, and his classy touches, the improvement of LRT (and even McVague), the progress of Heath Grundy, and now the positive reviews of Pat Vezspremi and Brendan Murphy as well as the sneak peeks we got in preseason of Matt O'Dwyer, Brett Meredith, Aaron Bruce, Dan O'Keefe et al (now I'll get to my point) can anyone see any playing future for the likes of Crouch (if he gets fit) and Mathews?
I mean, what would be gained now by bringing either player back into the 22? I still believe Paul Bevan needs to improve but he tackled well today, bagged two goals and generally played his part.

It seems in just a coupla weeks (and I don't want to jump early on this), we have already seen our Generation Next and moved on from the stale, stagnant look our team had at the end of last season.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Yep, how good is it to speculate about some young guns and look to the future with confidence? It's awesome!

I don't want to see Mathews or Crouch again, but don't be suprised if they get another run. Leo is on his last legs but we've got some handy cover for him with the likes of Mattner, Barlow and perhaps even White in the future?

I'm feeling optimistic about this year and beyond

 

[RUNVS]

I dont think we will see Crouch again as he is too injury prone (a sad way to end his career). I would like to see Mathews reach 200 games (he is currently on 196) as he has been a great player for the club over many years and he deserves to reach the double century. I think Mathews can still cut it at a AFL level and i want to see him play atleast another 4 games.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I didn't know Ben was on 196 games, I guess it'd be nice to see him reach 200, but he shouldn't get a game purely for that purpose.

 

[bedford]

matthews always shuts down luke power,the same as kirk always shuts down scott west.
crouch's legs are gone,been a great player for the club

 

[RUNVS]

matthews always shuts down luke power,the same as kirk always shuts down scott west.
crouch's legs are gone,been a great player for the club

So he may get a game next week. Mathews as always been the quite achiever at the Swans. He doesnt do anything spectacular but he is a very reliable and dependable player.

 

[rancidpants13]

I didn't know Ben was on 196 games, I guess it'd be nice to see him reach 200, but he shouldn't get a game purely for that purpose.

i know he's close to 200, and yes, i agree he deserves to get to that makr but he has to deserve it
unless you're talking about him being picked in the 22 if it's appropriate, and being played off the bench in cameos
but we did that with crouch, got him over the line to 200 games, and that should've been it for him
both have been great footsoldiers for the swans, but one's body has gone and the other surely no longer has a role in a younger, slicker, future-focused side

 

[TheMase]

So he may get a game next week. Mathews as always been the quite achiever at the Swans. He doesnt do anything spectacular but he is a very reliable and dependable player.

Kirk - Black
Bevan - Power

We should be able to cover them without Mathews.

 

[SOPH_CROSS]

i believe that Klenex is going 2 make alot of money out of swans fans this year

Hope both get a decent send off when the time comes around
It will be sad to see any of our older blood go

But the new boys are awesome im loving watching them

 

[SouthSwans]

Kirk - Black
Bevan - Power

We should be able to cover them without Mathews.

See thats the problem, people see Bevan as a replacement but he's just not good enough yet, Power will more-than-likely tear him a new one, not saying it's a definite but Mathews has played on Power every game for the last 5 years and he averages 11 possesions on him. Benny's old but still plays more of a role than Bevan, Bevan will be better next year but is not yet an adequate replacement.

 

[bedford]

See thats the problem, people see Bevan as a replacement but he's just not good enough yet, Power will more-than-likely tear him a new one, not saying it's a definite but Mathews has played on Power every game for the last 5 years and he averages 11 possesions on him. Benny's old but still plays more of a role than Bevan, Bevan will be better next year but is not yet an adequate replacement.

spot on SS,should be horses for courses,bevan's getting praise for two goals but luke powerwho i rate as one of the AFL's gun midfielders would tear him to pieces

 

[Liesha]

Yep, how good is it to speculate about some young guns and look to the future with confidence? It's awesome!

I don't want to see Mathews or Crouch again, but don't be suprised if they get another run. Leo is on his last legs but we've got some handy cover for him with the likes of Mattner, Barlow and perhaps even White in the future?

I'm feeling optimistic about this year and beyond

I think that came out quite wrong. Both players have been great for our club. I dont think there will be room for them if the current starting line-up keeps going the way they are going. Unless we get a stack of injuries I dont see either of them playing again.

If Crouch doesnt return I hope the Swans give him a massive send-off, he deserves it. Played with heart and is the nicest Swans player I have ever come across .

 

[SouthSwans]

If Crouch doesnt return I hope the Swans give him a massive send-off, he deserves it. Played with heart and is the nicest Swans player I have ever come across .

I'll second that. He is a really, really great bloke.

 

[Jaymeee]

I don't knnow if we should get that excited. We've always been able to play a free-flowing game against power. Its the games against Collingwood, Saints and to a lesser extent the Eagles which will really give us a good indication as to how much we've learn't from 07.

I'm really also looking forward to our clash with the Cats. I reckon their style of play will bring the best out of us

 

[bungee]

.. the stale, stagnant look our team had at the end of last season.

I don't know if I'd read too much into one (albeit fantastic) game against Port. Didn't the stale stagnant team of last year tear the Hawks apart in Rd 22 before falling into scrappy disarray against the Pies.

Will the young blokes be able to stand up in the pressure games to come ?

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I think that came out quite wrong. Both players have been great for our club. I dont think there will be room for them if the current starting line-up keeps going the way they are going. Unless we get a stack of injuries I dont see either of them playing again.

If Crouch doesnt return I hope the Swans give him a massive send-off, he deserves it. Played with heart and is the nicest Swans player I have ever come across .

You're right, it did. I didn't mean for it to look like I didn't appreciate the work they've put in and the service they've given to the club, I just feel it's time to let the young brigade take over.

 

[rancidpants13]

I don't know if I'd read too much into one (albeit fantastic) game against Port. Didn't the stale stagnant team of last year tear the Hawks apart in Rd 22 before falling into scrappy disarray against the Pies.

Will the young blokes be able to stand up in the pressure games to come ?

you don't want to read much into one game on sunday
but you're reading a lot into that one good game against the hawks last year, amid a stinking mire of awfulness

 

[Tuco]

you don't want to read much into one game on sunday
but you're reading a lot into that one good game against the hawks last year, amid a stinking mire of awfulness

I agree that we shouldn't get carried away with that result. But it was definitely positive.

One thing about that Hawks game last year, it was not a stand alone effort. That was one of quite a few games we've had since 2006 that showed if you're not prepared to work against the Swans they really can demolish you.

It's no coincidence that the teams we've struggled against the most have been the teams that have been the highly ranked tackling sides in recent years - and the Pies definitely fit into that category last year.