Well Luke Darcy and Damian Barrett have called that the Swans will struggle to finish around 4th-6th next year on afl.com.au, so that got me thinking with a couple of my thoughts:
- Shame that we couldn't make another GF but with 8 Premiership players playing under 13 games it was inevitable.
- I reckon with Geelong probably heading down I can see use push top 3-4 easily next year, although I think Freo and Hawthorn will still best us for Top 2.
- Considering the immediate outs and ins of Mattner, Bolton and Morton for Rampe, Mitchell and Tippett I think the we definitely improved our list
- I agree that Richards needs some help down back and he struggled at times, although Grundy was good at the latter half of the year.
- Jesse White probably has to go, should be for like early 2nd draft pick. With Goodes/Reid coming back in there's no spot for him.
- Strong seasons again from Hanneberry, Jack and McVeigh, just need Kennedy to come again with Jetta and Mitchell/ROK for a crack in 2014.
The Swans as a team posted the most votes in the Brownlow for the second year in a row, which is good to hear.
The question still remains, who else will go other than Mattner, Bolton and Morton??
Hawthorn are after a ruck and there have been rumours that mummy will either go to the Hawks or GWS.
AJ comes back in next year, along with Goodes and maybe LRT.
Regarding White, im not sure. He has played at CHb in the 2s so it will be interesting to see if he stays whether he gets a game there in the ones. I think he will follow the cash to the Lions or Dockers.
Esky struggled when he had to play back, so i think he will stay in the mids from now on.
JMV will stay on the HB flank as a run off/rebounding role which he loves.
We had a good season considering all of the injuries we had
Very good summaries their boys.
Just one thing I want to put to you and what you said mailman..
I don't see Geelong slowing down at all mate, they'll be top 4 again next year, no worries about that.
I can see Sydney being between 4-6 next year, fighting it out with Collingwood and the likes.
Geelong have a very good turnover of youngsters so I wouldn't put it past them mate. They'll be up there for the next 5 years.
Quote from: _wato on September 24, 2013, 10:10:34 PM
Very good summaries their boys.
Just one thing I want to put to you and what you said mailman..
I don't see Geelong slowing down at all mate, they'll be top 4 again next year, no worries about that.
I can see Sydney being between 4-6 next year, fighting it out with Collingwood and the likes.
Geelong have a very good turnover of youngsters so I wouldn't put it past them mate. They'll be up there for the next 5 years.
I guess it really depends on who leaves in the off-season but I feel as if last year was a better representation of where Geelong are at.
At the moment their best players are the older blokes and probably will be for the next 1-2 years I'd say. I don't doubt they have strong young players but it takes a while for them to get an AFL standard of consistency.
Did anyone else see Hutchy on Footy Classified?
Buddy to Sydney for Mummy/Reid??
Buddy takes a hit pay wise compared to GWS but Buddy gets more than the Hawks can offer and leaves Melb behind
OMG
Quote from: SydneyRox on September 25, 2013, 12:32:46 AM
Did anyone else see Hutchy on Footy Classified?
Buddy to Sydney for Mummy/Reid??
Buddy takes a hit pay wise compared to GWS but Buddy gets more than the Hawks can offer and leaves Melb behind
OMG
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.
Tippett and Franklin in the same forward line as Pyke/LRT/Reid, just can't see it happening.
Sydney won't give up a young key tall for Buddy, not at all. Plus if you had Tippett and Franklin you'd be good for 5 years but you'd be delaying the development of Reid and the other young forwards.
Quote from: _wato on September 25, 2013, 12:46:51 AM
Quote from: SydneyRox on September 25, 2013, 12:32:46 AM
Did anyone else see Hutchy on Footy Classified?
Buddy to Sydney for Mummy/Reid??
Buddy takes a hit pay wise compared to GWS but Buddy gets more than the Hawks can offer and leaves Melb behind
OMG
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.
Tippett and Franklin in the same forward line as Pyke/LRT/Reid, just can't see it happening.
Sydney won't give up a young key tall for Buddy, not at all. Plus if you had Tippett and Franklin you'd be good for 5 years but you'd be delaying the development of Reid and the other young forwards.
Sorry, which bit of Reid goes did you miss??
LRT has 1yr in him and Pyke 2-3.
Buddy is 26, Tippett is also 26.
Sydney have Membrey (19) ready to then follow.
Ps. Sydney also have a pretty decent record of bringing power fwds into the team, just in case you have been asleep the last 15 years!!
Membrey has class written all over him. 5 goals in the NEAFL Grand Final and presented well.
Quote from: SydneyRox on September 25, 2013, 01:12:52 AM
Sorry, which bit of Reid goes did you miss??
LRT has 1yr in him and Pyke 2-3.
Buddy is 26, Tippett is also 26.
Sydney have Membrey (19) ready to then follow.
Ps. Sydney also have a pretty decent record of bringing power fwds into the team, just in case you have been asleep the last 15 years!!
Hahaha why would you get rid of Reid? Hawks want a ruckman so you'd give Mummy but then Reid aswell for Buddy is definitely overkill. Good luck with two giants down forward in the confinements of the SCG and good luck trying to fit him in your salary cap, because Buddy is hungry for high $$$$$
What happens in 2-3 years when your Hanners/Jack/JPK/Mitchell are asking higher $$$ as they're stars? You won't fit them all in!
Buddy and Heater in would shorten the swannies flag odds for next year in my book...wowie..lol.. ;D
I dont think we can get them both. Not enough trade value for the Pies if we move too much to the Hawks for Buddy!
Still not convinced Heater is right for us either. Our back 6 is pretty solid. McVeigh was there to cover Mattner missing and he and Eski combined for a near AA double, so Mattner retiring means he can stay there and let the new young guns rule the midfield.
Things would get pretty sketchy capwise if we were to have Buddy, Mcveigh, Jack, Hanneberry and Tippett in the team
Tippett and Reid should be enough to build a forward line around.
I'd say offload White and someone like Armstrong and target another solid key backman. I dunno who's leaving though.
Shaw would be ok I guess
The guys in trouble to stay on the list either as trade or getting delisted have to be
Armstrong, Walsh, White, Lockyer, Brown - and until 2weeks ago I would have had Cunningham on top of this list.
Lloyd, Naismith and Robinson will all be fighting to stay on the list as well. Cant see any of them getting the upgrade.
What may save some these guys is the fact we have already lost 3 players to retirement, so massive cuts are not going to be needed.
I can Naismith being upgraded though Sydney Rox especially if Mumford goes.
Lloyd has also done well.
Quote from: Ringo on September 25, 2013, 12:06:46 PM
I can Naismith being upgraded though Sydney Rox especially if Mumford goes.
True. If he goes. But also our record on developing ruck stocks is horrible! Naismith has shown glimpses, but played only 3 games this year.
Even without Mummy our rucks options are still Pyke, LRT, Tippett, White. Sydney have shown it is much easier to recruit a ready made ruckman
Naismith is still too skinny for AFL, Pyke beats him up every ruck contest at training (mostly because of Pyke co-ordination)
Looking forward to Membrey getting a game next year in the seniors, good strong forward.
Blooding 6 newbies this year will also help us for next year, as well as getting the rooster back on the field this year.
According to Sydney papers, Heater has met with GWS regarding next year.
I always thought that when buddy said he liked the environment in Sydney that he meant Sydney and not West Sydney. There have been rumours for a while now that Reid might want to go home, ROK as well. ROK almost left 2 yrs ago but luckily stayed on. I could also see Reid move to CHB, Tippett to rotate between CHF, FF and Ruck, Buddy to rotate between FF anc CHF and Pyke to rotate between Ruck and FF
I agree with Matty that the ones on the chop are Armstrong, Walsh, White, Lockyer, Brown. I dont see White staying and Armstrong might be delisted after not being able to stay in the 1s ahead of Everitt. Walsh was unlucky after tearing his hammy in R10. Brown was next in line after AJ but Rampe and Everitt beat him to the punch. Brown is only 19 though and Lockyer 19, so these guys could be held on to for depth. Lloyd, Naismith and Robinson wont be upgraded unless required. Naismith may get elevated if he goes on my diet and we lose Mummy and dont replace him.
Interesting comments on Naismith Tabs as I thought he was more developed than Longer when the 2 clashed on Saturday in the NEAFL. Was also very impressed with Membrey as well strong mark and found the ball. Armstrong was a little disappointing in the final maybe I was expecting more from him given the first grade experience.
Just noticed that he is 104kg, thought he was lighter. He may get the upgrade them.
Membrey alot like Goodes
Definitely need another key defender, preferably young. I still have hope for Lockyer; he was a talent in the U18's a few years back. I think we should keep Armstrong as well. Walsh and Brown I don't really care much for.
I would love it if we could trade Jesse White for a key defender but I don't think there are many available. Tayte Pears?
As for all the Franklin talk; it ain't happening. If Buddy is going to leave, it will be through the free agency not the trade table. Same with Mumford.
Keen as hell to see Membrey get a go in a few years, looks set to be a star. I expect Reidy to be better than ever next year too seeing as he won't be getting the #1 defender.
As for the 'experts' saying we'll struggle to finish in the top 4; JPK, Jack, Hanners, Mitchell, Parker, McVeigh. All reasonably aged and should once again give us one of the most formidable midfields in the competition. Tippet, Reid, Pyke and Goodes up front will stretch teams defensive capabilities and Jetta/Rohan running around up there will be handy too. Our back six should remain one of the best team defences in the game. I can't really see us sliding outside the top 4.
And I know it's a long way out, but predicted line-ups for next year?
FB: Nick Smith - Teddy Richards - Alex Johnson
HB: Nick Malceski - Heath Grundy - Jarred McVeigh
C: Luke Parker - Kieran Jack - Daniel Hanneberry
HF: Ben McGlynn - Sam Reid - Lewis Jetta
FF: Adam Goodes - Kurt Tippett - Gary Rohan
R: Shane Mumford - Ryan O'Keefe - Josh Kennedy
I: Tom Mitchell, Mike Pyke, Rhyce Shaw, Andrejs Everitt
Am I missing anyone?
Alex Johnson is key to our defence; he's a massive improvement on Rampe who's still an okay player.
Looking at that we may need another small forward. McGlynn hasn't been very good as of late. Maybe Lamb, Cunningham or Brandon Jack?
And is the team perhaps a bit too top heavy? Pyke, Mumford, Tippett, Reid, Goodes...
I think you're strongly underrating Rampe there MC. You also missed McVeigh!
Dropped off in the finals but during the season was easily the most impressive backman this year in terms of performance and skill.
I'd put him in the team over Everitt in a heartbeat, maybe even over Lamb as an interchange replacement
Quote from: Mailman the 2nd on September 26, 2013, 04:19:57 PM
I think you're strongly underrating Rampe there MC. You also missed McVeigh!
Dropped off in the finals but during the season was easily the most impressive backman this year in terms of performance and skill.
I'd put him in the team over Everitt in a heartbeat, maybe even over Lamb as an interchange replacement
*facepalm, I knew I'd miss one :P
I'd rather Everitt. I don't see what everyone loves about Rampe, he's a poor mans AJ. He's a good long kick but that's all he does when he gets it, rarely hits a short target. He doesn't exactly do a stellar lockdown job either. I'm sure he'll improve but right now I think he and Everitt are both liabilities, and I'd rather Andrejs. This is why we need Heath Shaw IMO. Macca can go into the midfield, Smith, AJ, Teddy and Grundy get lockdown roles and Malceski and Shaw create one of the best rebounding combinations in the league. Drooling at the thought of it.
Definitely lacks my boy Rampe who I'd have in over Andrejs anyday, but I'm not a Swans supporter. I do like the rest of that 22 though.
Quote from: NigeyS on September 26, 2013, 04:39:11 PM
Definitely lacks my boy Rampe who I'd have in over Andrejs anyday, but I'm not a Swans supporter. I do like the rest of that 22 though.
how many boys do you have
Not much point having Mummy in the team! :(
I would also prefer Rampe over Everett as well. Think Towers will also find some early game time. Emerg for the last 2 or 3 finals was a good sign.
Waht do we do with LRT??
Quote from: tabs on September 26, 2013, 06:35:15 PM
Waht do we do with LRT??
I am not sure he will continue? 31 Next year. Unless Mummy goes and we need some depth....
Quote from: SydneyRox on September 26, 2013, 06:38:24 PM
Quote from: tabs on September 26, 2013, 06:35:15 PM
Waht do we do with LRT??
I am not sure he will continue? 31 Next year. Unless Mummy goes and we need some depth....
I think he will play on for 1 more to have a goodbye game/year