Is it really that bad?

[Rhino5]

I'm seeing a lot being written about the ageing Swans and how we really should bottom out but we can't because of the Sydney market etc. But I have to say that I kind of like the way our list is shaping up and I think a lot of people are underestimating some of the young guys we have coming through because we simply haven't had a really high draft pick (with the exception of McVeigh) that will give you a Judd/Hodge/Cotchin or whoever.

The progress made by Jack, Moore, Veszpremi and Bird over the season is really encouraging and has given us something to build on. We need to keep giving young guys opportunities - I'd like to see Barlow, Currie and Jessie White given similar opportunities next season to the four mentioned above. From all reports on here, guys like Murphy, Faulks and Bruce (though obviously still just prospects) have some real potential. McVeigh, Bevan and Malceski are still young and hopefully will only get better. I just don't see the doom and gloom. Maybe I just have my red and white coloured glasses on

Personally, I see this trading/draft period as a big opportunity to move forward and I hope we go at least partially down the rebuilding route. As long as Kirky, Bolts and Goodes are around (with McVeigh and a fit Malceski), we can probably avoid truly 'bottoming out.' I'm in favour of moving Baz if we can get a pick for him and/or Farren Ray (who would be worth taking a shot with) and, as much as I love O'Keefe and want him to stay, if we could get a good first rounder for him and a young player, while keeping our own pick, I think this would be a good outcome for the future.....sorry for getting onto 'trade talk!'

 

[bedford]

I'm seeing a lot being written about the ageing Swans and how we really should bottom out but we can't because of the Sydney market etc. But I have to say that I kind of like the way our list is shaping up and I think a lot of people are underestimating some of the young guys we have coming through because we simply haven't had a really high draft pick (with the exception of McVeigh) that will give you a Judd/Hodge/Cotchin or whoever.

The progress made by Jack, Moore, Veszpremi and Bird over the season is really encouraging and has given us something to build on. We need to keep giving young guys opportunities - I'd like to see Barlow, Currie and Jessie White given similar opportunities next season to the four mentioned above. From all reports on here, guys like Murphy, Faulks and Bruce (though obviously still just prospects) have some real potential. McVeigh, Bevan and Malceski are still young and hopefully will only get better. I just don't see the doom and gloom. Maybe I just have my red and white coloured glasses on

Personally, I see this trading/draft period as a big opportunity to move forward and I hope we go at least partially down the rebuilding route. As long as Kirky, Bolts and Goodes are around (with McVeigh and a fit Malceski), we can probably avoid truly 'bottoming out.' I'm in favour of moving Baz if we can get a pick for him and/or Farren Ray (who would be worth taking a shot with) and, as much as I love O'Keefe and want him to stay, if we could get a good first rounder for him and a young player, while keeping our own pick, I think this would be a good outcome for the future.....sorry for getting onto 'trade talk!'

No Farren Ray !

 

[ssfc0203]

Its obviously not AS bad as everyone makes out, but you can see where the hype comes from. Retirements from Hall, Kirk, Leo and Micky O will hurt us. Badly. Our best ball extractor, our leading forward, our pocket elite crumber and our reliable defender.

We'll get through it like we did through the retirements of Kels, Maxwell, etc. We were considered gone then, as we are now.

A new Kirk, a new Leo, a new Mick. They were considered goners too..

 

[Rhino5]

No Farren Ray !

No problem

 

[kira]

it's not going to be as bad as some people make out.... on the main board, a lot of posters tipped us to finish 15th next season

but i am genuinely concerned about the list....

there are just too many old bodies all over the ground.... and time is needed to fix that... and picking up players from the trade (in particular the mid-20s players), is not the best option imho

 

[Corpuscles]

The critical issue is SWANS only have this years trading & draft and next years 09, to ensure it has nearly all the ingredients required for the 2011 -2014 seasons.* (reasons later)

IF Swans lose ROK they must put all effort into planning for that period* and be less concerned with topping up or challenging. Worse if BBBH goes too.

We are delusional if we think if after losing ROK, with an aging last legs spine Swans can catch the leaders and challenge for flag in 09 or 10!!!

Premierships are generally (almost always) won by teams who have their main core of players in the 23-28 age group with some younger and a few older

Swans must play "blood" many more "kids" in the next 2 years. Really ruthlessly assess the list in 09 and make sure there is key adequate replacements for the mass of talent due to retire!

Does a finish 9th-12th stop the fickle bandwagonners falling off? I think not!!! Swans might as well finish 13-15th in 2009 and blood kids whilst leaders are around

Why so unusually negative "Corpy" I hear you ask?

1. Read and digest this
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showpo...44&postcount=3

Summary
GC in 2009
capacity to sign 12 x 17 year-olds as a first pick priority
Rookie draft Selections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

GC 2010!!!!

GC17 to have Pick One in Each Round.
GC 17 to have Picks 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 in Round One.
capacity to pre-list 10 PSD formerly listed players
capacity to sign up to 16 uncontracted players


2. Why is that a worry!!!???

Now 2008 - Gone

Everitt - $350k
Matthews - $200k

?????????
ROK - $450k
BBBH - $500k
Davis - $200k

End 2009

L Barry - $350k
M O’loughlin - $450k
T Kennelly - $350k
J Crouch - $250k

N Fosdike - $200k

End 2010

B Kirk - $500k
BBBH - $500k

There is $$$millions of salary cap to be spent but GC has more money (higher cap) to buy any out of contract players and 8 first round picks to trade

3. When Swans desperately need to replentish there will be unprecedented competiton for any top up quality

4. You think GC is bad enough? Then in 2010 2011 WS do the same thing!!

Conclusion

Use 08 and 09 drafts to make sure we have ingredients and go for high picks or under 23yrs quality for any trade and then "blood" the one we have got whilst leadership in place, regardless of the result

AT start 2011 , these blokes AGES are!!!

Ablett – 28
C Bolton - 30
J Bolton -30
Buchanan – 30
Goodes -30
Jolly -29
Malceski – 27
Mattner -29
Playfair -28
Richards -28
LRT -28

 

[carsoutback]

I'm seeing a lot being written about the ageing Swans and how we really should bottom out but we can't because of the Sydney market etc. But I have to say that I kind of like the way our list is shaping up and I think a lot of people are underestimating some of the young guys we have coming through because we simply haven't had a really high draft pick (with the exception of McVeigh) that will give you a Judd/Hodge/Cotchin or whoever.

The progress made by Jack, Moore, Veszpremi and Bird over the season is really encouraging and has given us something to build on. We need to keep giving young guys opportunities - I'd like to see Barlow, Currie and Jessie White given similar opportunities next season to the four mentioned above. From all reports on here, guys like Murphy, Faulks and Bruce (though obviously still just prospects) have some real potential. McVeigh, Bevan and Malceski are still young and hopefully will only get better. I just don't see the doom and gloom. Maybe I just have my red and white coloured glasses on

Personally, I see this trading/draft period as a big opportunity to move forward and I hope we go at least partially down the rebuilding route. As long as Kirky, Bolts and Goodes are around (with McVeigh and a fit Malceski), we can probably avoid truly 'bottoming out.' I'm in favour of moving Baz if we can get a pick for him and/or Farren Ray (who would be worth taking a shot with) and, as much as I love O'Keefe and want him to stay, if we could get a good first rounder for him and a young player, while keeping our own pick, I think this would be a good outcome for the future.....sorry for getting onto 'trade talk!'

if, probably, as long as, hopefully, potential, if if if - some of your own words there. I think that is all you are seeing from the doomers and gloomers - a sense that alot of things will need to go right from now on. This is different to the expectation as this time in previous years, maybe.