the premiership window

[Bobbykirkkelly]

I have always thought that to win a premiership you need a settled side with the majority of your players between 24-28. An article in todays herald sun confirms that listing the sides that have won the flag in recent years and showing the make up of their lists then comparing the ages of the lists of sides who have a chance this year. The Swans make this list as do bomber, hawthorn, west coast & collingwood. Geelongs list is getting older and Adelaide's list is slightly younger so our time is in the next few years.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/age-old-recipe-for-winning-grand-final/story-fn8libdt-1226363899553

 

[disgruntled goat]

I've maintained for years that two key elements in a premiership team are at least one genuine top-class ruckman and one genuine key forward.

In light of that, whatever else happens, we need Mumford back fully fit in plenty of time before the finals. While there's no argument Goodes is our champion, at this stage I don't think we're a genuine contender without Mumford.

 

[Tedeski]

I agree!

We need a fit & firing Mumford, a fit & consistent Goodes as a utility, a confident & straight kicking Reid & Tommy Walsh using his bulk up forward to chime in with 2 or 3 goals per match, much like Crameri at Essendon.
Our backline is a first class unit & our midfield & outside runners are too that are already contributing scoreboard pressure.

A lot of things that need to go right but the ingredients are all there!

 

[SM]

Back in 2009 when we had a big turn over of our list I made the call that I thought our next big shot for a Premiership would be in 2012/13, so hopefully this can stand true.

If we can make the 4, that essentially gives us 2/3 Finals games (if we lose first week but still hopefully make PF) to get into the boys, and make a big play for a FF over summer, we could have a real shot at it next year.

Not writing this year off just yet though, I think premiership contenders are shifting week by week.

 

[swanniesfan]

I've maintained for years that two key elements in a premiership team are at least one genuine top-class ruckman and one genuine key forward.

good point you make, when Sydney won the 05' Premiership, we had Hall and Ball at their best.

 

[PaulRoos]

Our FL fails miserably on too many occassions to be a real contender for this years flag.

We've some extremely tough games to come and unless we find 3-8 more goals a game then teams like the Crows, Bombers and Pies will blow us off the scoreboard.

We'll be lucky to fall into the 8, let alone make the 4.

On topic -

Yeah the window is open and the ingredients are there but if ya find it hard to boot winning scores then it doesn't matter about windows of opportunity.

Mind, I expect us to finish in the 4 so best Ried and co start getting their hands on the pill and putting it between the big sticks.

 

[S120]

A strange observation given we are kicking more goals than any of the last few years in which we have made the 2nd round of the finals.

I don't disagree that our forward line is our weakness at this stage, but we've shown we can manufacture goals pretty well regardless of the talent we have up forward. Well enough to contest very strongly with the best sides in the league. We may not be in a position to win a flag just yet, but you're underestimating our side by thinking we will be lucky to make the 8 witht he forward line going at this rate (particularly given we are 6-2 right now).

 

[PaulRoos]

S120 - I would always err on the side of understimating our team and it's abilities, rather than be left with WTF happened in that game because over over estimating our abilities.

We need Mummy back asap ... Adam is the key to the front door so can't wait.

 

[S120]

Fair to underestimate rather than overestimate but I do think (given we get Mumford and Goodes back with enough time to run themselves into fitness for the back end of the season and finals), we are looking a stronger side than we have for the last few years. Not necessarily a flag threat, but a good chance to make it one week further than we have for the last few years.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I'm not quite sure what the recipe is. all I know is for us to be able to have an impact in finals we need to sort our forward line out and that's the bottom line. Our backline is settled, plus we have decent depth as well to cover injury, our midfield is performing well, we have good midfield depth and have a good understanding of which players are our best midfielders, the midfield is sorted. Our ruck situation is settled for the most part, we just need mumford back in the squad, lrt's probably second choice, with seabs/pyke about equal 3rd at this point.

The only concern is our forward line, the only thing we really knew about our forward line was that Reid was our main target along with goodes. Goodes is on the sidelines and Reid has been underperforming. We also have midfielders who are capable of resting forward and having an impact. Tdl's looked good with limited opportunity, Walsh looks like he could develop into something special, white & everitt have been.underwhelming. spangher & Morton are somewhat unknown quantities at this point. There are just so many question marks at the moment.

If I was coach, my main priority would be to settle the forward line. We've got the next 10 games to try a few different combinations, to try and test guys like tdl, Walsh & Morton, and to adjust for goodes coming back into the side. I think stabilizing the forward line is paramount to our changes of winning the flag in 2012 & beyond.

Come finals, hopefully the forward line will consist of Reid, goodes (70%), 3rd tall of spangher/walsh/possibly the resting ruck, tdl/morton in the 4th position, with the last 2 positions being taken by resting midfielders/semi-permanent small forwards eg mcglynn, rok. I'm not sure what the best combination is, but we've got time to figure it out, but I think we really need to settle on a few key players who will he there week in week out so that everyone knows their roles, because our structure has been poor all season.

3 players that I want to see in the forward line are Reid, goodes & tdl. I wanna see what Morton can do as well. However I'm not sure if we can carry 3 talls AND a resting ruck, time will tell. I'd like to see Walsh hold his soit, but he'll have to preform to keep spang from taking his spot.

One thing I did want to mention regarding our midfielders shouldering the scoring load. While its true our talls haven't been performing, the midfield goal tally is inflated due to the simple fact that we have so many midfielders capable of resting forward and kicking goals, so they're part time forwards really, not pure midfielders. But, if we're to have an impact in finals we need our talls to stand up and contribute. The other reason why our midfielders are kicking goals is because of our forward pressure. We've managed to scramble goals through constant pressure in our f50, and that's a small man's game, which leaves our talls out of action a little bit. The talls come into play when we're working off half back or through the centre. Once we pin it on our f50, the midfielders take centre stage. So no need to panic, but definitely something we need to improve going forward.

Lastly, I'd like to give massive props to horse. It's taken a couple years, but I can see his philosophies really starting to take shape in our gameplan. He's been able to address weaknesses and we're better for it. His focus in versatility has been rewarding thus far, I do however think that we need a couple specialists in our forward line in addition to the resting midfielders just to get that structure right. Im loving the f50 pressure, we've really improved in that aspect of our gane whereas in the last few years we were well behind teams like st Kilda & Collingwood. Is say we're right up the atm.

 

[Spicy Swan]

..........Open

 

[SM]

Back in 2009 when we had a big turn over of our list I made the call that I thought our next big shot for a Premiership would be in 2012/13, so hopefully this can stand true.

If we can make the 4, that essentially gives us 2/3 Finals games (if we lose first week but still hopefully make PF) to get into the boys, and make a big play for a FF over summer, we could have a real shot at it next year.

Not writing this year off just yet though, I think premiership contenders are shifting week by week.

Woops.

 

[Day_night_honourer]

Woops.

Not bad! With your dogs and predictions we have our own red & white Nostradamus!

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

At the start of the year a lot of us were daring to dream of having a crack at a premiership in 2013 or 14. And now here we are with a chance to win it in 2012.

Well maybe we'd bloody better, because in a few years GWS are going to be our direct competition for a flag, and it would be unbearably hideous for them to get one before we get our next.

 

[bedford]

lets just get over this one !

 

[SM]

Not bad! With your dogs and predictions we have our own red & white Nostradamus!

Some would say I have the kiss of death.

 

[bedford]

Some would say I have the kiss of death.

Can you kiss Vonn as soon as possible please

 

[SM]

Can you kiss Vonn as soon as possible please

Even I wouldn't do that.

 

[Tedeski]

Always interesting reading back on our 'expert' opinions.

Isn't it such a great feeling guys?

Have fun everyone because this team has given us one hell of a run & actually have a huge identity in the competition.

Go Bloods!

 

[barry fu]

The Premership window is no longer the case. Horse, and his honorable hencemen have smashed that premiership portal out. And installed Swans style shiny new bifold doors. Which, the club Bloods bandwagon will be trucking through this Saturday - and beyond!

Bish Bash Bosch - BLOODS back in business!

 

[Swansujelly]

Until Goodes retires, it is wide open!