Opinion Your 2025 expectations

[Heeney2Franklin]

It's a double edged sword, because although we were losing the midfield battle most oppo teams were so incompetent in their attack that it played into our hands being the best rebound team. I have no doubt that if we actually manage to improve our midfield, our rebound scores will dry up a bit, and those out of the middle plays don't tend to be as clean in regards to hitting up forwards in space. You risk going too far the other direction and becoming a Melbourne who have contested inside beasts but can't manage a winning score. Even Brisbane suffered this a bit at times where they too have had many qtrs where Neale and Dunkley dominated so much yet they looked rubbish trying to put on a score, hence their topsy turvy and at time flaky season - imo they only got the chocolates because the dominoes fell their way at the right time, GWS should've got the job done on them. There's a reason why we were 4 games clear atop with everyone scratching their heads as to how that happens without great midfield numbers.

I still think we need to stick to our current gameplan for the most part but with the addition of someone like Sheldrick who can help on the defensive side of midfield stoppages. That way we become less leaky and more well rounded without overly committing one way or the other. I still think in todays game focussing more on rebound is the way to go.

Soon as Brisbane came back from 8 goals down in a quarter i knew we were doomed another fairy tale team

 

[Bloodz2005]

It's a double edged sword, because although we were losing the midfield battle most oppo teams were so incompetent in their attack that it played into our hands being the best rebound team. I have no doubt that if we actually manage to improve our midfield, our rebound scores will dry up a bit, and those out of the middle plays don't tend to be as clean in regards to hitting up forwards in space. You risk going too far the other direction and becoming a Melbourne who have contested inside beasts but can't manage a winning score. Even Brisbane suffered this a bit at times where they too have had many qtrs where Neale and Dunkley dominated so much yet they looked rubbish trying to put on a score, hence their topsy turvy and at time flaky season - imo they only got the chocolates because the dominoes fell their way at the right time, GWS should've got the job done on them. There's a reason why we were 4 games clear atop with everyone scratching their heads as to how that happens without great midfield numbers.

I still think we need to stick to our current gameplan for the most part but with the addition of someone like Sheldrick who can help on the defensive side of midfield stoppages. That way we become less leaky and more well rounded without overly committing one way or the other. I still think in todays game focussing more on rebound is the way to go.

During the H&A season I whole heartedly agree with you, however it’s a taxing was too play & for me it helped contribute to us running out of gas toward the backend of the year, by late season teams didn’t or weren’t allowing us to rebound as effectively as we did at the start of the season, but I do understand your point on our delivery into the FWD line & certainly needs to improve, get this right & my point about Guldon,Heeney, Warner being 2nd or 3rd in the chain as examples are some of our best uses of the ball,
We have had two GF spankings which tells us certain areas need to change it doesn’t hold up, & only just my opinion & observation but having a game plan heavily reliant on a rebound / slingshot is 1 area we can or should add a new dimension within our plan, I do agree with you on us being one of the best at it so to speak but results show us & tells us we need to make some changes,
Thanks for the chat mate,

 

[31400]

Pretty low to be honest.

Probably has more to with being wary after the psychological battering from the granny, but there you have it. Seeing Gulden missing half the season doesn't help either. And how will Coxy fare?

A lot of variables at play this year.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I’m not feeling optimistic.

History shows sides coming off a GF belting struggle the next season.

1. We struggle to 8th & go out first week of finals
2. Membership steady
3. Paton and Snell debut for the club

Warner’s contract saga drags on & becomes a frustrating distraction. He ends up leaving.

I was feeling pessimistic pre-season.

But as it transpires, I was too optimistic.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I was feeling pessimistic pre-season.

But as it transpires, I was too optimistic.

Yep i didnt have much hope but didnt expect a drop that stark and the losing margins are awful we are allowing 11-12 goal streaks! which should not happen

 

[Jewelsbon]

I was feeling pessimistic pre-season.

But as it transpires, I was too optimistic.

Pretty much sums up my feelings too DQ

 

[zyzzbruh]

It's a double edged sword, because although we were losing the midfield battle most oppo teams were so incompetent in their attack that it played into our hands being the best rebound team. I have no doubt that if we actually manage to improve our midfield, our rebound scores will dry up a bit, and those out of the middle plays don't tend to be as clean in regards to hitting up forwards in space. You risk going too far the other direction and becoming a Melbourne who have contested inside beasts but can't manage a winning score. Even Brisbane suffered this a bit at times where they too have had many qtrs where Neale and Dunkley dominated so much yet they looked rubbish trying to put on a score, hence their topsy turvy and at time flaky season - imo they only got the chocolates because the dominoes fell their way at the right time, GWS should've got the job done on them. There's a reason why we were 4 games clear atop with everyone scratching their heads as to how that happens without great midfield numbers.

I still think we need to stick to our current gameplan for the most part but with the addition of someone like Sheldrick who can help on the defensive side of midfield stoppages. That way we become less leaky and more well rounded without overly committing one way or the other. I still think in todays game focussing more on rebound is the way to go.

Bump. Not to toot me own horn but playing out like clockwork at the moment.

 

[Tedeski]

Below is a list of my expectations for the rest of 2025.









.

 

[GreyGooseGuy88]

We must get a top 5 draft pick. Play to win still but it's time to see what other players can do ie Buller, Snell, Mitchell, Hanily, Leidler, Green etc

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

The next Swans premiership player hasn’t been born yet

 

[Bloods86]

I'm excited for the 2nd half of the season. Bought my Port ticket and going to head over to the SCG for the first time vs North in July.

I may have bought my Port ticket and already had booked an extra day off for the North trip before the Crows game... but can only get better from here. Right?

 

[Dubai Quacker]

We must get a top 5 draft pick. Play to win still but it's time to see what other players can do ie Buller, Snell, Mitchell, Hanily, Leidler, Green etc

We've seen what the players you've listed can do.

So far, its not much at VFL level (Hanily semi-excluded) and hence will be even less if they're gifted games in the AFL.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

We've seen what the players you've listed can do.

So far, its not much at VFL level (Hanily semi-excluded) and hence will be even less if they're gifted games in the AFL.

Buller,Snell and Campbell have been given zero opportunity in a side that lost by nearly 100 there is no telling what kind of players they could become.

Hanily there is plenty to work with Green and Leidler less so.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Buller,Snell and Campbell have been given zero opportunity in a side that lost by nearly 100 there is no telling what kind of players they could become.

Hanily there is plenty to work with Green and Leidler less so.

I assume you mean Mitchell, not Campbell?

Buller & Mitchell have been on the list since 2023.

They've all had opportunity - to shine in the VFL. I can't understand how you can say they've had "zero opportunity". If you perform in the VFL, you get promoted when an opportunity arises. They simply haven't performed to the level needed. Sure, playing in a better VFL side would help ... but they (as AFL listed players) need to be making the VFL side better!

Snell has had a bit of a stop-start year .... but like everyone else, if he improves and performs, he'll be elevated to the seniors. Unlike Buller & Mitchell, however, he has a bit of time on his side.

Green is really worrying me. I'm not seeing much at all. But the club evidently has faith.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I assume you mean Mitchell, not Campbell?

Buller & Mitchell have been on the list since 2023.

They've all had opportunity - to shine in the VFL. I can't understand how you can say they've had "zero opportunity". If you perform in the VFL, you get promoted when an opportunity arises. They simply haven't performed to the level needed. Sure, playing in a better VFL side would help ... but they (as AFL listed players) need to be making the VFL side better!

Snell has had a bit of a stop-start year .... but like everyone else, if he improves and performs, he'll be elevated to the seniors. Unlike Buller & Mitchell, however, he has a bit of time on his side.

Green is really worrying me. I'm not seeing much at all. But the club evidently has faith.

You dont think Buller deserves a sustained run based on these performances in a side thats barely functional?

VFL Stats - Jack Buller

vfl.aflmstats.com

 

[Bloods86]

I assume you mean Mitchell, not Campbell?

Buller & Mitchell have been on the list since 2023.

They've all had opportunity - to shine in the VFL. I can't understand how you can say they've had "zero opportunity". If you perform in the VFL, you get promoted when an opportunity arises. They simply haven't performed to the level needed. Sure, playing in a better VFL side would help ... but they (as AFL listed players) need to be making the VFL side better!

Snell has had a bit of a stop-start year .... but like everyone else, if he improves and performs, he'll be elevated to the seniors. Unlike Buller & Mitchell, however, he has a bit of time on his side.

Green is really worrying me. I'm not seeing much at all. But the club evidently has faith.

Bit of context missing there with Buller injuries. Had a lot less time than some.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Bit of context missing there with Buller injuries. Had a lot less time than some.

Thats fair.

I suppose my view is influenced by having seen him play for Claremont in the WAFL before he was drafted. He was good, but never a real stand-out at WAFL level.

As a result, I've never really gotten my hopes up. And I reckon his window of opportunity may have shut - with no Logan or Armatey & McLean doing absolutely nothing ... he STILL can't get a game.

I think that's telling.

But I still don't agree that he's had zero opportunity.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Thats fair.

I suppose my view is influenced by having seen him play for Claremont in the WAFL before he was drafted. He was good, but never a real stand-out at WAFL level.

As a result, I've never really gotten my hopes up. And I reckon his window of opportunity may have shut - with no Logan or Armatey & McLean doing absolutely nothing ... he STILL can't get a game.

I think that's telling.

But I still don't agree that he's had zero opportunity.

Thats on the coaches not him they are choosing to play defenders ffs

 

[Bloods86]

Thats fair.

I suppose my view is influenced by having seen him play for Claremont in the WAFL before he was drafted. He was good, but never a real stand-out at WAFL level.

As a result, I've never really gotten my hopes up. And I reckon his window of opportunity may have shut - with no Logan or Armatey & McLean doing absolutely nothing ... he STILL can't get a game.

I think that's telling.

But I still don't agree that he's had zero opportunity.

I think he's had some opportunity too, but if the window has shut then that's a flaw with our coaches.

Half a season in 2023 with a team he played a big part in fixing up by providing forward structure and was reasonably prolific (22.13 in 8 games). Injury impacted 2024. Then just under half a year with the rabble we have now, where in recent weeks he's been better and had more impact than his scoreline suggests.

 

[bedford]

Amazing that the club had set itself to win a flag in 24/25 ###### and the next

 

[GreyGooseGuy88]

We've seen what the players you've listed can do.

So far, its not much at VFL level (Hanily semi-excluded) and hence will be even less if they're gifted games in the AFL.

Some players just lift when playing seniors, we need to get some games into our fresh faces to see if they show anything.

 

[Kennedy Parker]

The next Swans premiership player hasn’t been born yet

Gimmick infringement.

Millky95

 

[Millky95]

Gimmick infringement.

Millky95

I'm always ahead of the curve

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I hope the reserves players yet to debut are not feeing like they haven’t had opportunity.

It is really really simple to earn a seniors position (read simple, not easy): play your role for the team, win your contests, run hard, tackle hard, execute your skills. Simple.

If there are reserves players who think they are ticking those boxes and feel hard done by, they need a reality check.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

This is a looong post, but I promise I will get to my expectations for the year.

I have been thinking a lot about why the club finds itself where it is now. I believe the seed of failure is often planted during times of success.

I look back to last year’s run and there were danger signs that the club was becoming self involved, insular. The players started becoming “stars”. Longmire would talk more and more about the crowds and how special it all felt. Grundy did promotions for singles to mingle at home games. Heeney had his embarrassing video after being suspended. Mills rushed back too soon to join a team that didn’t really need him, then got re-injured.

We then hit a rough patch and team plummeted. Horse looked shell shocked after the Port game. Teams found out our game plan and our team was exhausted. But there was something more - this didn’t explain the regular runs of multiple goals we let through, it didn’t explain the manner of the losses.

The team stopped playing for each other.

We recovered somewhat but I don’t think anyone thought we got back to our best. Our final against GWS was truly terrible until they ran out of legs in the last quarter. We beat Port because they were emotionally exhausted from the Hawks game the week before (the Hawks would have slaughtered us).

Then in the lead up to the GF, our “captain” made it about him and made the coaching staff have to not pick him after the final training session. Rampe, who was supposed to be preparing the team for the biggest game of their lives, then had a cry with Mills - and thought this should be an area of focus at his press conference.

Compare that with Fagan who matter of factly ruled out a star Brisbane player at the start of the week, and then said player immediately got around the boys and did everything he could to make his replacement a success - and he was genuinely for said player to win the premiership.

Then came the GF day, and the team’s insular thoughts and the memories of 2022 made the pressure unbearable. Their focus was not on helping their team mates to win, it was on their fears. They were each individually bearing a weight of expectation that only a team can handle.

When game started, the swans players were in slow motion. With all the mental will in the world, they could only muster a jog in defence - it was like they were running underwater.

Everywhere the players looked, structures were crumbling. And they all tried to dig out of the hole by themselves, which only made matters worse. The panic spread like wildfire and the game was over by half way through the second quarter.

After the seasons, the coach changed and the new one made them review the game in excruciating detail (full disclosure: I was a big fan of this at the time). This only imprinted more on each individual that the failures were about what they did wrong, and how they didn’t live up to expectations.

The new season started and the team started okay, with some scrappy but brave-ish losses to front runners. Then we started to topple, then recover, then fell over. And the same feeling came back.

Rampe mentioned yesterday that the team spent a lot of time talking about what wasn’t working in the lead up to the last game. It seems like this week the team had some punishing sessions to instil standards on effort required.

I agree with Buckley assessment that the team’s hearts are broken. The players are going out each week with enormous fear of the wound reopening, and then crumble once things start to feel all to familiar again. They stop playing as a team, and everything becomes one out.

The team is often criticised for relying too much on its stars but I am not sure this is the mentality. I think it is that each player starts to rely on themself, and then it is only the stars that can still make an impact because they have the talent to do so - but their impact is still less than if they played as a team.

The temptation is to look back and think about everything the team and coaches should have been done differently, and understand why and address those root causes. Or to assess the new contested game plan and think that is the culprit. However, that would only repeat the same insular spiral that got us to where we are now.

I think the solution is simple but really tough to implement. The plays need one sole focus: playing for each other and the jumper. You cannot feel fear when you are fully focused on someone else (your team mates) and something bigger than you (the jumper) - fear can only be felt when you see thinking about yourself.

The players need to be given permission to dare to fail. They need to know that making a mistake or losing a game does not matter - it never has. Let me prove it - who here looks back on the 2006 GF loss as a disaster? I reckon no one. I know how you all feel about 2014, 2022 and 2024.

The only failure is to fail to play for each other and the jumper. That is the only thing matters. The reason people like team sport is not winning, it is about being part of something that is greater than the individual.

Fans and members will love the players unconditionally if every minute of every game the players play for each other and the jumper. Nothing else matters, and everything else will work out on its own if this happens.

So my expectation for the year is simple: I want the players to play for each other and the jumper. I don’t care where we place or how big a loss may be. I want to see my team leave the field knowing they did everything they could to win - and I want to see them feel devastated each time they lose, and then bounce back the next week, daring to win and daring to lose - but always play for each other and the jumper.