Bloodstained Angel
Premiership Player
Its been often repeated in the media and elsewhere about some teams that didn't make it this year could be big improvers next year, usually this theory is based on good form over the closing rounds of this season.
the Swans are one of those teams (the others are Freo, Port and Collingwood). Everywhere I look its a case 'oh well - you've got a pretty good year ahead of you next season ...'
But I'm not so sure about this after all the club now has the longest and potentially most grueling off season and pre season ahead of it that any predictions about how we will go next year are premature to say the least.
Look at what we (and every other club) has to go through before next season (and remember its SEVEN MONTHS away)
1) The Trading period. Bad decisions, bad timing and bad luck can bring all those carefully laid plans to waste. We could sell off all Rolls-Royces and end up with Cortinas in return.
2) The end of season trip - just ask the Lions how much one small mistake can ruin the rest of the season.
3) Christmas - lots of opportunity to stack on the weight and drink, drink, drink...
4) Practice matches - playing other teams in meaningless matches in 40 degree heat on rock hard dusty Country Ovals in places like Griffith and Mildura is a sure fire recipe for injuries to half-fit bodies and general wear and tear on players before the season even starts.
5) The Ansett Cup - More meaningless matches played in sweltering heat only problem is some clubs actually take the AC seriously - and play accordingly.
6) The pre-season draft - more opportunity to stuff things up - but not as badly as the main trading period.
7) The (dreaded) post season review - a crucial process that can so easily go wrong - if the Match Committee get it wrong on those points of "where did we go wrong' or more crucially 'how can we improve' then the whole post season review becomes worthless.
8) The surgeon's knife - Lots of post season operations that can all go wrong. Wounds get infected, Bones don't knit properly, surgical procedures can go wrong. How many players have had their years ruined by what went on in the Operating Theatre during the summer ?
So you see when people start saying 'you'll have a great season next year' based on how you played out the season this year, well, hey, we've got an awful longtime before next season starts and ANYTHING can go wrong between now and then.
the Swans are one of those teams (the others are Freo, Port and Collingwood). Everywhere I look its a case 'oh well - you've got a pretty good year ahead of you next season ...'
But I'm not so sure about this after all the club now has the longest and potentially most grueling off season and pre season ahead of it that any predictions about how we will go next year are premature to say the least.
Look at what we (and every other club) has to go through before next season (and remember its SEVEN MONTHS away)
1) The Trading period. Bad decisions, bad timing and bad luck can bring all those carefully laid plans to waste. We could sell off all Rolls-Royces and end up with Cortinas in return.
2) The end of season trip - just ask the Lions how much one small mistake can ruin the rest of the season.
3) Christmas - lots of opportunity to stack on the weight and drink, drink, drink...
4) Practice matches - playing other teams in meaningless matches in 40 degree heat on rock hard dusty Country Ovals in places like Griffith and Mildura is a sure fire recipe for injuries to half-fit bodies and general wear and tear on players before the season even starts.
5) The Ansett Cup - More meaningless matches played in sweltering heat only problem is some clubs actually take the AC seriously - and play accordingly.
6) The pre-season draft - more opportunity to stuff things up - but not as badly as the main trading period.
7) The (dreaded) post season review - a crucial process that can so easily go wrong - if the Match Committee get it wrong on those points of "where did we go wrong' or more crucially 'how can we improve' then the whole post season review becomes worthless.
8) The surgeon's knife - Lots of post season operations that can all go wrong. Wounds get infected, Bones don't knit properly, surgical procedures can go wrong. How many players have had their years ruined by what went on in the Operating Theatre during the summer ?
So you see when people start saying 'you'll have a great season next year' based on how you played out the season this year, well, hey, we've got an awful longtime before next season starts and ANYTHING can go wrong between now and then.
