We've seen the (short-to-medium) term future, and it ain't pretty...

[Cheer Squad]

I think today's game was quite telling in a number of ways.

From what we've grown used to since Roos took over, this was one of those games that, ordinarily, most people would expect us to win. But we ended up on the receiving end of a reasonably heavy defeat.

We had better get used to it for a while, because the next top 4 Swans team has not even begun to take shape.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We should have started the serious business of strategic trading after 2006, when our playing list was full of hard currency. Look at who has gone since then, and the manner in which they've gone.

We handled the upside from 2003-2006 brilliantly, but not the downside. The next couple of seasons are going to be a challenge for the club and code in Sydney.

[Bloody Hell]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We should have started the serious business of strategic trading after 2006, when our playing list was full of hard currency. Look at who has gone since then, and the manner in which they've gone.

We handled the upside from 2003-2006 brilliantly, but not the downside. The next couple of seasons are going to be a challenge for the club and code in Sydney.

Indeed, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

That said you don't show a swathe of premiership players the door. What kind of club culture does that build?

[Donners]

Was there really that much currency there? It was an older, blue-collar side. Look at the minimal amount we got for two young premiership players in one trade.

I would have been a lot happier if we'd not traded for Everitt with a pick that was used on a key position player who would be very helpful for us right now.

[liz]

I would have been a lot happier if we'd not traded for Everitt with a pick that was used on a key position player who would be very helpful for us right now.

'Cept that in the 2006 draft we took Currie, White and Faulks. So another pick would probably have been used on a smaller player. Were there any talls taken in that year in the 30s or 40s who are looking the goods now?

[Jeffers1984]

'Cept that in the 2006 draft we took Currie, White and Faulks. So another pick would probably have been used on a smaller player. Were there any talls taken in that year in the 30s or 40s who are looking the goods now?

Kurt Tippett..

But like everyone says, hindsight is such a lovely thing.

[liz]

Kurt Tippett..

But like everyone says, hindsight is such a lovely thing.

Tippett was taken with the pick before the one we traded for Spida. So unless we're going to debate the DOK pick, he's not really relevant.

Just had a look at the draft list, and Colin Garland is one who does stand out. Westhoff is another taken very late (but after Faulks, so we still could have taken him anyway).

One name that does jump out from the list is Josh Hill. Not a true KPP but a fantastic get from that late in the draft.

[Robbo]

White and Johnstone are the blokes we should be looking to build our forward line around. White has shown a bit this season while Johnstone is very highly regarded. We could have a very good duo there.

I think the midfield will be OK. Vez, Bird, Meredith, Jack and Hannebery could be a very good group. Smith, Moore and Thornton have all shown they can handle themselves.

Jolly could play for another 5 years yet, and from the reports Currie is coming along very nicely.

The big worry for me is where the backline will be in 5 years. We don't have a genuine key backman coming through which is a big concern. Bolton isn't getting any younger and when he goes we will be left with Teddy and LRT. Grundy is decent but isn't a genuine full back.

[Donners]

Barry was very much a manufactured key defender, and he was on the verge of All Australian for a few years. Perhaps there is somebody else who can make a similar move.

[doctor swan]

barry did get all aus selection twice

[TheHood]

I think we were flat today because of Barry's departure. It wasn't a funeral but it might as well have been. Sad day for the club IMO.

That said, it meant we werent up to punching above our weight as we usually are. We're doing it too often now.

I think we have some cattle, this is the year we give them their chance and next year is the time to make their names.

I am already looking forward to the new generals in the forward line and the new leaders after Kirk. Bird and Jack are future captains.

[satchmopugdog]

It may not be pretty But there is always something to look forward to.

I didn't get any vision of the game today but I saw Sophie's photos on Facebook and the Barry Hall thing was unbelievably emotional...I was a bit shocked......it reminded me of the game we played after George Stone's son died..the players were very flat.

[Bas]

I never thought we had a chance of winning today. Very optimistic for anyone who did.

I think Halls leaving had very little to do with the way we played. Comparing Hall leaving to the game after the death of George Stones son is ridiculous. I was at that game. Today people were more scratching their heads as to such a waste of talent. However him playing today would not have changed the result. Lets not let fantasy get in the way of fact.

Hall was being interviewed by Rowan Smith in front of Churchill Stand when the Swans ran out after half time. Not a single player looked in that direction. They ran on, ran past and went out to jog around centre square. It's interesting that Hall was not wearing his official Swans gear either today or last Thursday night. He is still a contracted player. I would have thought that it had to do with appearance and now Hall was on his own and no longer representing Sydney. Just a thought.

We got beaten by a better side today, end of story.

[Hartijon]

I can't see any more reason after today not to have a red hot go in every game with the players who have not been tested yet. We all know Ablett's and Couch's and Malceskis potential ,lets rebuild around the tested late 20's aged players who are in form and the new boys.Time to drop dead wood! To start with White CHF,Pyke as second ruckman,get Ted out of the forward line. The goals Ted and Couchie missed as professional players would have been kicked by most half decent 16 year olds.By the end of the season we will have a core of a new team then out with the cheque book and buy some of those suggestions in another thread.I was one who wanted this policy after the Dogs game when it was obvious we would not be challenging for the flag this year...well better late than never!

[bigswan]

I agree Hartijon. Build on what we have now. The youngsters must be given game time to show what they can do. Ted back to the backline. Pyke into the ruck. We will lose games but in the long run, the team will benefit.

[satchmopugdog]

I think Halls leaving had very little to do with the way we played. Comparing Hall leaving to the game after the death of George Stones son is ridiculous. I was at that game. Today people were more scratching their heads as to such a waste of talent. However him playing today would not have changed the result. Lets not let fantasy get in the way of fact.




I did say that I was only going on the photos I saw on Facebook and the emotion in those was very raw. That was the vibe I got and I cannot control intuition.

So stick your go at me where the sun doesn't shine.

[10Totti10]

I think it will take 2 years at most until we are a top 8 team again. Next year players like Bird, Jack, Barlow, etc will being playing their 3rd year of senior footy, while Veszpa, Meredith, etc will be playing their 2nd. Unlike other teams who have had to rebuild, we have put plenty of years into our youngsters and a couple more and they will be very good players. If u generate good midfield it will fastrack forwards such as White and Johnstons development. If Pyke can learn to tap to advantage and improve his skills, him and currie will make an awesome ruck duo and we will have one of the best rucks in the comp. I am worried about our defence which is why I stress that we make a move for a player such as Maguire from the Saints.

[SwansFan1972]

Definitely a disappointing game for us, and we come out the other side feeling a bit gloomy about the future. On the upside, it is a feeling we haven't had for a few years now, imagine being a Dockers or Tigers fan! And we probably aren't as badly off as it appears at the moment.

And interestingly, all those Dons fans leaving the ground pleased with themselves (a cadre of ferals took up residence behind bay 17 and were trying to give pies fans a run in the "most obnoxious" stakes), a win like yesterday's papers over their cracks.

While many are raving about their speedy midfield/good kids etc, they are vulnerable to a fall similar to ours - all that midfield talent is delivering to a pair of forwards who are going to exit very close together, and sooner rather than later. When that happens, they could find themselves very quickly in a similar situation to the Swans.

When it's a little hard to find a silver lining on your own cloud, I'm happy to look for a bit of tarnish on someone else's! :)

And hey, thank heavens we aren't Freo. Where do they go after a result such as last nights'? 130-13 (that's the final game score Crows v Freo, for those who haven't seen/heard). They had a point to half time. 1.6 thereafter. Eeeuw - what a train wreck!

[Number 43]

Jack, Bird, Meredith, Vezpremi, Johnstone, White, Moore, Hannaberry, Currie, Gilchrist (saw him last week ...very good) all good prospects for the future. We will also have plenty of salary cap room and draft picks this time around. Let's not get too pessimistic about the future.

[Robbo]

Come trade/draft time this year I think a quality young key backman needs to be the priority.

[johnno]

The biggest difference I see with the team, now compared to 2-5 years ago is how easily opposition teams are moving the ball from one end of the ground to the other against us with very little pressure and the exact opposite for us. This was definately not the case a few years ago.

[Dalai Lama]

In many ways Fraser Gehrig was not pretty - but he went on to be a Coleman medalist?

[floppinab]

The biggest difference I see with the team, now compared to 2-5 years ago is how easily opposition teams are moving the ball from one end of the ground to the other against us with very little pressure and the exact opposite for us. This was definately not the case a few years ago.

+1. It seemed the majority of their goals came front very quick footpassing wide on the wings into a subsequently very open forward line. They made us look very slow in putting pressure on the ball carrier. For mine that was the greatest concern, our old firm unable to keep up with that speed and the new firm without the smarts to shut it down.

Still scratching my head with White's non-inclusion. Is the coach trying to send him a message re. his party boy ways???

[Melbournehammer]

I agree. We look really really slow on the ball and in the half forward line. All of our pace is a long way from the action - mattner, shaw, crouch even are so far from where the ball comes from

and this is also the reason we are still the only side that cannot clear the defensive 50 - and its not because of shaw but because we are so slow that we simply are unable to run into space.

[Bas]

I did say that I was only going on the photos I saw on Facebook and the emotion in those was very raw. That was the vibe I got and I cannot control intuition.

So stick your go at me where the sun doesn't shine.

I apologise as I was not having a go at you. I should have been more careful in my response but comparing Hall leaving to the death of a child did strike a raw nerve with me. I'm sure that was not your intention either.

Did you mean Hobart?