Well one week out from the start of our season now so thought I'd start the predictions thread.
Personal Opinion:
Personally I have no particular expectation of the club heading into 2018. But we should obviously improve over last year. Owen was a mistake and that should never ever be repeated again. Also want us to go to a pre-2013 style forward line with no particular target up forward (i.e. go small with the midfield-forward rotations). This way it makes us much more unpredictable, forces us to actually look inside 50 before blasting away and allows us to utilize Buddy's field kicking as well. Overall making us a much more devastating attacking team. Hayward and Papley (and Reid) will also play a massive role here. Definitely want improved ball movement in general which will allow us to control tempo of the game. And also want actual speed in our game whether that be by transition or leg speed.
Media:
The media has a mixed bag of opinions on the Swans. But they've never really been too reliable anyway. However for the most part they definitely have the Swans finishing in the top 8 and a large majority of them have put us in the top 4. Most Swans fans also agree with us being top 4; including myself. But I don't think it is realistic for this team to win a GF. Mostly due to us actually being chokers in grand finals. Alas most of footy fans think we're in for a good season.
Betting markets: (NB - I don't condone irresponsible betting)
Well simply put we're favourites or equal favourites with the crows for the flag. We've been up there since 2014 in this regard so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on what the market says really.
Another thing that will determine where we finish this season to a large extent will be our ability to manage our team and peak at the right time. Either we pick up injuries or are a spent by the time we get to the finals. Obviously a lot of that is luck but we also don't help ourselves in this regard. Last year was at least somewhat understandable considering our start to the year.
Regardless, if I am trying my best to give an impartial prediction on where the Swans will end up in 2018 it'd have to be the following:
Ladder Position: 3rd,
Finals: Preliminary Final,
B&F: Lloyd,
Most Improved: Florent,
Newcomer: Stoddart,
Most Consistent: JPK,
Most Regressed: Rohan,
Rejuvenated: K. Jack,
Surprise Packet: Sam Reid,
In the coaches box: John Longmire - with an emphasis on faster ball movement, transition football and more precision based movement;
Leading Goal Scorer: Franklin,
Leading Brownlow Votes: Luke Parker.
The Headline we all want to see: 'Buddy at one end, Alex at the other and no one else in between to stop them - The Swans are the 2018 AFL Premiers'.
Personal Opinion:
Personally I have no particular expectation of the club heading into 2018. But we should obviously improve over last year. Owen was a mistake and that should never ever be repeated again. Also want us to go to a pre-2013 style forward line with no particular target up forward (i.e. go small with the midfield-forward rotations). This way it makes us much more unpredictable, forces us to actually look inside 50 before blasting away and allows us to utilize Buddy's field kicking as well. Overall making us a much more devastating attacking team. Hayward and Papley (and Reid) will also play a massive role here. Definitely want improved ball movement in general which will allow us to control tempo of the game. And also want actual speed in our game whether that be by transition or leg speed.
Media:
The media has a mixed bag of opinions on the Swans. But they've never really been too reliable anyway. However for the most part they definitely have the Swans finishing in the top 8 and a large majority of them have put us in the top 4. Most Swans fans also agree with us being top 4; including myself. But I don't think it is realistic for this team to win a GF. Mostly due to us actually being chokers in grand finals. Alas most of footy fans think we're in for a good season.
Betting markets: (NB - I don't condone irresponsible betting)
Well simply put we're favourites or equal favourites with the crows for the flag. We've been up there since 2014 in this regard so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on what the market says really.
Another thing that will determine where we finish this season to a large extent will be our ability to manage our team and peak at the right time. Either we pick up injuries or are a spent by the time we get to the finals. Obviously a lot of that is luck but we also don't help ourselves in this regard. Last year was at least somewhat understandable considering our start to the year.
Regardless, if I am trying my best to give an impartial prediction on where the Swans will end up in 2018 it'd have to be the following:
Ladder Position: 3rd,
Finals: Preliminary Final,
B&F: Lloyd,
Most Improved: Florent,
Newcomer: Stoddart,
Most Consistent: JPK,
Most Regressed: Rohan,
Rejuvenated: K. Jack,
Surprise Packet: Sam Reid,
In the coaches box: John Longmire - with an emphasis on faster ball movement, transition football and more precision based movement;
Leading Goal Scorer: Franklin,
Leading Brownlow Votes: Luke Parker.
The Headline we all want to see: 'Buddy at one end, Alex at the other and no one else in between to stop them - The Swans are the 2018 AFL Premiers'.
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