- May 9, 2011
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Sydney Swans
Mid Season Review
Mid Season Review
Played 11 Won 9 Lost 2 For 995 Against 719 138.4%
Sydney saunter into the bye round with a contented record of 9 wins and 2 losses, a game behind the impressive Fremantle Dockers and one game clear of the Eagles and Pies. One game further back again are early flag favourites Poorthorn, who have delighted the Sydney board (and the wider BF community alike) by dropping games to Essendon, Port and the Giants. The Swans also added to the Porks woes by downing them in a nailbiter at the MCG. But forget those guys, this is about the red and white.
While defeating last year’s premiers has started to heal the wounds of a disappointing 2014, the new season has had its fair share of low points, too. In fact, it very nearly started in disastrous fashion as a preseason deprived Essendon skipped out to a 41 point lead at Whatever-It’s-Called-This-Year Stadium, only to run short of peptides in the home straight.
The Giants and lowly Melbourne also provided the Swans with a few headaches, as Sydney struggled with turnovers and inaccurate forward entries. Against the Bullies, these errors proved costly, and the team of young guns from Melbourne’s West upset the Swans in a game the Red and Whites should have won. Sydney also sacrificed a good chance against Fremantle, falling short against the ladder leaders on their home deck.
And yet, 2015 has had it’s good times, too. The Swans obliterated Port in round two, ignoring a long held Sydney tradition of playing like idiots until at least round six. They smacked Geelong by 7 goals despite never getting out of third gear. And there were promising signs of a mid season build against the Suns and North.
Looking at the stats, few could complain where we’re at. Second on the ladder, second best defence (presuming Hawthorn concede more than 15 points against the Crows on the weekend) and a percentage only bettered by the Hawks and West Coast. A top four finish is to be expected. Top two is already a distinct possibility.
So who’ve been our best performers? Who has disappointed? And what surprises has the season thrown up so far? This is the Swans 2015 Season Review as I see it.
Best Player – Daniel Hannebery
If you can excuse his weekly near death experience, Hanners has been the most consistent performer week in week out for the club. He’s averaging 30.5 disposals a game, leads the team on DT points and sits third in those two key stat categories Swans fans love so much - contested possesions and tackles. He’s kicked seven goals for the season and is probably second only to the Fremantle golden child in Brownlow favouritism. If he can survive until September, 2015 could be Hanners’ year for a first Bob Skilton medal.
Biggest Surprise Packet – Sam Reid
Until 2015, Big Sam’s huge potential has been matched only by his failure to deliver on a consistant basis. With the arrival of Tippett and Buddy, questions began to surface as to whether we still had a place, or a need, for the lanky Melburnian. This season though, a new, clearer skinned, more assured Sam Reid has emerged. He's been everywhere - drifting between defence and the wings, occasionally swinging forward taking his turn in the ruck - big Sam is really beginning to deliver. He’s clunked marks that have been the catalyst for many a foray forward. And he’s been able to link up with others to prove excellent drive from defense. Altogether, Sam is a more polished, poised and professional contributor in 2015.
Unsung Hero – Heath Grundy
Nick Smith has probably won this title every year since about 1810. While Smith’s been great, I’m dipping my hat to Reg on an outstanding 2015. Grundy’s managed to stand up in a defence that’s seen the departure of Nick Malceski and perhaps (dare I say it) begun to herald the twilight of Ted Richards. He’s lead a group that can boast one of the most miserly records in the league – this despite the dubious contributions of Rampe and Shaw. Importantly too, Reg has managed to cut down his own clanger contributions, and with every game looks more solid and reliable. He’ll never get the headlines of Buddy, but let’s hope Buddy and Jesinta have him 'round for a meal every now and again. The Swans wouldn’t be the same without him.
People’s Choice Award – Isaac Heeney
There have been many hashtags that have failed to take off this year. #SexWithDrex was never going to make it. #BlowinForRohan has a modest following. And I must admit, I’ve been waiting in vain for a chance to use #Shawgasm. It's just not gonna happen. No, for a hashtag to stick it needs a player of caliber to stick it. We all know the player. We all know the tag.
Disappointment – Josh Kennedy
Now, I’m the last guy who wants to put the boot into Josh. He’s a brilliant player – and that’s the root of the problem. We all have such high expectations of players like Kennedy, that when they have a down year, it’s quite noticeable. Truth be told, JPK has been the beast of the engine room for so long we just can’t believe it when he’s not operating on all cylinders. He’s had a good year, but a disappointing one by his lofty standards.
Young Gun – Tommy Mitchell
Seriously, Horse. What the * was that all about? I mean, if this guy feels unwanted and takes his innumerable talents to another club some time there’ll be a lot of posters on this board who’ll be mighty pissed off. I’ll be one of them. Mitchell is a gun. Top 22 player yesterday, today and evermore. Period.
Highly Commended – Lewis Jetta, Gary Rohan, Jake Lloyd, Buddy
Jetts is having a fantastic year in a new, more composed role, few bounces, fewer long runs – just expert delivery, time and time again. And he’s tackling, too!
Gary Rohan’s pressure and pace up forward is fantastic to see. He'd be a gun if he didn't misfire once or twice on a weekly basis. Great to see the young bloke overcome that awful injury.
Jake Lloyd gets a mention for delivering a ball reliably, consistently, and more or less exactly where it’s supposed to be. Buddy must love him...
And we all love Buddy.
Best win – Hawks 9.15 69 Swans 11.7 73
Okay, the Hawks had half a dozen opportunities to ice the game in the last quarter, but their continual inability to do so makes it all the more delicious. Especially in light of some of the most one sided commentary the competition has ever seen. Great game. Great result. Cyyyyyrrrillll….
Poorest loss – Swans 10.13 73 Doggies 11.11 77
You’re always gonna drop a game or two throughout the year that you should have won, but when the loss is all of your own making it’s disappointing. Four points down the toilet. I'm just grateful it was to a team like the Doggies, and not say ... Collingwood.
The Run Home
Richmond (H), Port (H), Brisbane (A), Hawthorn (H), West Coast (A), Adelaide (H), Geelong (A), Collingwood (H), Giants (A), St Kilda (A), Gold Coast (H)
We’ve got 9-2 in the bank already. You’d think if we could go 9-2 in the back half that a top two spot would be a certainty. Looking at the run home I suspect 9-2 is a realistic goal. Hawthorn are always a danger, even at the SCG. West Coast are playing well but we have a good record at Patterson’s. Geelong away is tough, but not as tough as it used to be. And surely what Eddie did to us in the trade period is enough to get the boys across the line against the Pies.
I’m tipping 18-4 and a top two finish.
Go Swans!
