The Swans

[Strawbs]

I watch the Swans every week and I often wonder if our coaching staff show our players footage of how ferocious the Swans are. Their commitment to run, stick tackles and do the hard things is phenomenal. We played a Sydney- like game in Perth on Monday night. The next step is to play with Sydney intensity every week. Reckon our coaches play footage of the Swans to our blokes? I hope so.

 

[HeadandShin]

I watch the Swans every week and I often wonder if our coaching staff show our players footage of how ferocious the Swans are. Their commitment to run, stick tackles and do the hard things is phenomenal. We played a Sydney- like game in Perth on Monday night. The next step is to play with Sydney intensity every week. Reckon our coaches play footage of the Swabs to our blokes? I hope so.

Whats Essendon medical footage got to do with it??

Seriously though - I live up here and dislike the swans immensely (which as we know is warped respect). Unlike certain Melbourne based teams who will fill the G even when total crap, the Swans will lose fans and members faster than winnyblues logging off on Monday night, if they are not competitive (2 seasons outside the 8 would hurt there numbers real bad). I believe it's part of their culture now. They were boring as hell under Roos, but under Longmire, have added a new level of offense (take it either way) to the hard edge.

Loved Monday night from our guys, Maintaining that level is the key. We could do a lot worse than taking after the swans. (My Sydney mates wouldn't believe I just said that without going into rant bout concessions and other AFL concessions).

 

[Harmichael]

I watch the Swans every week and I often wonder how well we'd have gone over the last thirty years with all those concessions.

 

[Grechy]

Hawthorn belted them a few weeks back & Geelong beat em in Sydney. They are as great side but the media jumping on them as flag favourites always forget these things.

 

[Strawbs]

Maybe that's because Hawthorn and Geelong beat the Swans in the H & A season last year but the Swans still won the flag. Regardless of media hype and concessions, surely we still want the Tiges to play with that intensity.

 

[Roachy8]

Regardless of how they got to where they are, you can't help but admire the character and professionalism of The Swans.
Where a circus act when 'formed' way back when with Capper & Edelsten etc... but to gain a foothold in the hopelessly parochial Sydney market there had to be a particular glam strategy.

& just quietly is Ryan O'Keefe the most underrated footballer in the comp?
268 games, 30 odd years old and still absolutely killing it as a tough, consistent high half-forward midfielder week in week out.
15 tackles last night... 14 two weeks ago against The Pies... looks like a teenager!

Respect.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Swans are currently in ominous form...benchmark team of the Comp in terms of sheer professionalism...Cats a close second...

 

[Squibbs]

Geelong vs Sydney Grand Final.
(Hawthorn vs Geelong Prelim...hehe)

 

[HeadandShin]

Geelong vs Sydney Grand Final.
(Hawthorn vs Geelong Prelim...hehe)

Then it must be Sydney vs Richmond in the other. If we make finals we'll make the prelim. 30 years of history to back that up.

 

[Dusty Cotch]

Hawthorn belted them a few weeks back & Geelong beat em in Sydney. They are as great side but the media jumping on them as flag favourites always forget these things.

Mate they have been scary good the last 3 weeks.. They were also going to be slow to start this year. Their intensity across the ground for the whole game is what we should aspire to. We can do it, we did it against the Eagles it just has to become the norm for us. The Crows wilted under the pressure we have to do exactly the same!

 

[Tetley Tigers]

Best "team" in the AFL, in that they don't rely on one or two stars to get them over the line, throw Freo into that mix as well.

 

[Tigerbob]

Best "team" in the AFL, in that they don't rely on one or two stars to get them over the line, throw Freo into that mix as well.

Love the way the Swans play their football. Just brilliant.

They look ominous indeed. Tippett to come into this machine. Look out.

 

[docko911]

Would love to play them in a Grand Final because they always struggle against us at the MCG. They are good but many teams are capable of beating them including us.

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

I watch the Swans every week and I often wonder if our coaching staff show our players footage of how ferocious the Swans are. Their commitment to run, stick tackles and do the hard things is phenomenal. We played a Sydney- like game in Perth on Monday night. The next step is to play with Sydney intensity every week. Reckon our coaches play footage of the Swabs to our blokes? I hope so.

If they don't they should, just look at the player Morton has become. Culture.

 

[Calcium Man]

& just quietly is Ryan O'Keefe the most underrated footballer in the comp?
268 games, 30 odd years old and still absolutely killing it as a tough, consistent high half-forward midfielder week in week out.
15 tackles last night... 14 two weeks ago against The Pies... looks like a teenager!

Respect.

What is his contract status? Would love a guy with that kind of leadership and professionalism to come into the club

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Swans couldn't trade him in 2008...
Hawthorn would not swap their 2009 draft pick 16 for him...with which they used to pick up Ryan Schoenmakers...
Who would you rather have in 2013...

 

[nut]

Every player built like a brick shit house... their old players playing like they are 21.... Wonder what Supplemenst they are on?? what ever they are on they have one huge, fit football club.

 

[Mr Magic]

If they don't they should, just look at the player Morton has become. Culture.

don't think its culture in terms of a special environment other than generally in the window and competition for spots etc..

think it is chance to play in a premiership, last chance or no paycheck

plus if you are around people that are striving to a goal for success stands to reason it will rub off.

I do not think there is anything unique at the Swans that drives them IMO, like the shinboner spirit(BS)

 

[Roachy8]

don't think its culture in terms of a special environment other than generally in the window and competition for spots etc..

think it is chance to play in a premiership, last chance or no paycheck

plus if you are around people that are striving to a goal for success stands to reason it will rub off.

I do not think there is anything unique at the Swans that drives them IMO, like the shinboner spirit(BS)

The factors you list are in fact culture are they not?
Swans have their "Bloods" edict as well whatever that actually is.
I would suggest they have the best 'culture' in the comp.

 

[Mr Magic]

The factors you list are in fact culture are they not?
Swans have their "Bloods" edict as well whatever that actually is.
I would suggest they have the best 'culture' in the comp.

no they are not IMO, they are dependent on the playing list's ability comparative to the comp along with other factors as opposed to a separate wow atmosphere ingredient, but cultural enthusiasts would love to claim it so they can make themselves relevant,

I can make the culture great at your club, create a position, give me a fat wage, and we will be well rewarded while we play piano music in the lounge

 

[Roachy8]

no they are not IMO, they are dependent on the playing list's ability comparative to the comp along with other factors as opposed to a separate wow atmosphere ingredient, but cultural enthusiasts would love to claim it so they can make themselves relevant,

I can make the culture great at your club, create a position, give me a fat wage, and we will be well rewarded while we play piano music in the lounge

Depends on what your definition of culture is.
It does not only need to be the visible stuff (or audible stuff ).

It is the unspoken bond that players and coaches have for each other. It is the willingness to go 100% every game, every training session, every recovery session. It is the want to throw your body into dangerous situations to create space for a teammate. It is the desperation to chase and tackle when you have busted lungs. It is the way you handle yourself around the club during the week... the ethics you have. The mateship you feel.
There is a whole lot more.

You talk about the playing lists ability comparative to the comp and although this obvioulsy has a big impact on resultes, it does not have an impact on whether players get the best out of themselves.
A good culture (& I do belive the word is heavily overused in relation to football teams) is a massive part of players fullfilling their potential.

 

[Mr Magic]

Depends on what your definition of culture is.
It does not only need to be the visible stuff (or audible stuff ).

It is the unspoken bond that players and coaches have for each other. It is the willingness to go 100% every game, every training session, every recovery session. It is the want to throw your body into dangerous situations to create space for a teammate. It is the desperation to chase and tackle when you have busted lungs. It is the way you handle yourself around the club during the week... the ethics you have. The mateship you feel.
There is a whole lot more.

You talk about the playing lists ability comparative to the comp and although this obvioulsy has a big impact on resultes, it does not have an impact on whether players get the best out of themselves.
A good culture (& I do belive the word is heavily overused in relation to football teams) is a massive part of players fullfilling their potential.

I understand that, but that is a high performance culture that all clubs should have IMO,

Unless you are a MFC where other things might be on the agenda, or other clubs where maybe they have leadership/competency issues, culture of itself should not really be a significant differential between competent competing clubs!

BTW see the part in bold, categorically disagree with that. There is every reason it will have an impact. If the list allows you to get to a GF you will play harder i the GF. If the list lets you go to Mad Monday after Rd22 you will not play as hard round 22 than in a GF for example.
If you want proof see opposition teams fluctuate in intensity in a game compared to junk time!!
It is like playing when they want to get rid of the coach, etc..
the other thing is if the playing list is good that you have to earn your spot obviously you have to and have more incentive to play harder!!

 

[_Wang_]

If they don't they should, just look at the player Morton has become. Culture.

Morton isnt a better player at all he's pretty much the same except in a better team.. Talented player who shows up in junk time like against the Crows.. He is depth only up there and he may as well clean out his locker now Tippett is about to debut.. He won a Bradbury premiership sure and good on him but like his brothers a waste of talent..

 

[Roachy8]

I understand that, but that is a high performance culture that all clubs should have IMO,

Unless you are a MFC where other things might be on the agenda, or other clubs where maybe they have leadership/competency issues, culture of itself should not really be a significant differential between competent competing clubs!

BTW see the part in bold, categorically disagree with that. There is every reason it will have an impact. If the list allows you to get to a GF you will play harder i the GF. If the list lets you go to Mad Monday after Rd22 you will not play as hard round 22 than in a GF for example.
If you want proof see opposition teams fluctuate in intensity in a game compared to junk time!!
It is like playing when they want to get rid of the coach, etc..
the other thing is if the playing list is good that you have to earn your spot obviously you have to and have more incentive to play harder!!

I agree that success breeds success and even the best performing outfits have off days and switch off during junk time but I don't see that as supporting an argument that culture has no impact on a teams results.

So you reckon the Swans flag last year, results this year as well as over the past 10 years or so are only due to their amazingly talented list?

Agree by the way that a high performance culture is something that all clubs should have.... IMO some have built (& don't ask me how they do it) a culture more likely to maximise available talent and opportunity than others.

 

[Del65166]

Culture in the swans case looks lilke good 'work ethic'...

they managed to get a good list...
players with lots of experience at high level...mixed with good young uns.
(throw in some salary cap advantages )

When we do finally get to finals level it is crucial we stay there for a long time. Tuck and Newman sticking 1 more year at least is important.

I like what the club is dong this year....topping up with players to get in the 8. And we improve on that next year .