Age only a state of mind: Colless

***goswannie14*** · 15th September 2007, 01:55 PM

Some interesting thoughts from the head honcho.

Source

They have played 12 finals in the past five seasons - more than any other club - which, considering the intensity of finals football, probably equates to an entire full season of extra games. And the way they play their football - a hard, contested, stoppage brand of football - has to take its toll.

I'm not offended by the talk, we have to prove that is incorrect, and we know there's only one way to do that," Sydney chairman Richard Colless said. "But I am reminded if you wind the clock back five years as we went into season 2003, the overwhelming favourite to finish last was the Swans.

**Nico** · 15th September 2007, 03:08 PM

And Richard if you look in the rear vision mirror long enough you are bound to hit the car in front and come to a sudden stop.

**Zlatorog** · 15th September 2007, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Nico

And Richard if you look in the rear vision mirror long enough you are bound to hit the car in front and come to a sudden stop.

Agree. Why do they continuously trying to justify this years performance by saying it is a result of past appearances in the finals. What are they trying to tell us that they should dwell for the next 10 years in the bottom 8 like they used to? Sydney has only 1 AFL team, don't forget that Colless. You don't have luxury of under performing for a longer period or AFL is a goner in this city, as it's been proved on numerous occasions. Think about it.

**liz** · 15th September 2007, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Zlatorog

AFL is a goner in this city, as it's been proved on numerous occasions.

Since there's only ever been one team based in Sydney and they are still around and pretty well established, how do you work this one out?

***goswannie14*** · 15th September 2007, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by liz

Since there's only ever been one team based in Sydney and they are still around and pretty well established, how do you work this one out?

Just being his normal "optomistic" self.

**Zlatorog** · 15th September 2007, 03:38 PM

By reading what Jim Main was writing about the history of Sydney Swans in the Harbour City. It was very close for them to fold not so long time ago and it can happen again. As long as there's only 1 team the whole code depends on performance of that team for success in this rugby territory. Sure there are other clubs supporters here, but not enough to sustain it financially. As a born pessimist I don't see a bright future for the code in this city until there's a 2nd team that would provide an alternative to the Swans and some rivalry as well.

***goswannie14*** · 15th September 2007, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Zlatorog

Agree. Why do they continuously trying to justify this years performance by saying it is a result of past appearances in the finals. What are they trying to tell us that they should dwell for the next 10 years in the bottom 8 like they used to? Sydney has only 1 AFL team, don't forget that Colless. You don't have luxury of under performing for a longer period or AFL is a goner in this city, as it's been proved on numerous occasions. Think about it.

Did you miss this paragraph.

"Our view is you don't have to finish on the bottom of the ladder for two or three years and go through all the demeaning innuendo of tanking and all this stuff, and if you don't have access to the best kids [in the draft], then you've got to do everything else better than just about anyone else, and that's what we're committed to do.

**dendol** · 15th September 2007, 06:12 PM

Do they really still think that if the Swans spent a few years near the bottom that the club would be at risk of folding again? Surely we've come to a stage where that is no longer an issue. I find it hard to believe that we'd end up back in the days of the early 80's/90's, fighting for suvival, if we spent 2 or 3 years in the bottom 4.

**swantastic** · 15th September 2007, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by dendol

Do they really still think that if the Swans spent a few years near the bottom that the club would be at risk of folding again? Surely we've come to a stage where that is no longer an issue. I find it hard to believe that we'd end up back in the days of the early 80's/90's, fighting for suvival, if we spent 2 or 3 years in the bottom 4.

IMO dedol if we were to spend 2/3 years in the bottom 4 the Swans in Sydney as we know it would be in trouble mark my words.The Sydney sporting public are a fickle lot,dont forget AFL is and introduced sport there,unlike Melbourne where you eat,sleep live AFL.

**bennyfrou** · 15th September 2007, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by dendol

Do they really still think that if the Swans spent a few years near the bottom that the club would be at risk of folding again? Surely we've come to a stage where that is no longer an issue. I find it hard to believe that we'd end up back in the days of the early 80's/90's, fighting for suvival, if we spent 2 or 3 years in the bottom 4.

Which is not even going to happen unless a hole in the world appears at the SCG and Goodes, Eski, ROK, Barry, Bolton, Kirk, Fosdike, Micky, LRT and Davo fall in.

**ROK Lobster** · 15th September 2007, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by swantastic

IMO dedol if we were to spend 2/3 years in the bottom 4 the Swans in Sydney as we know it would be in trouble mark my words.The Sydney sporting public are a fickle lot,dont forget AFL is and introduced sport there,unlike Melbourne where you eat,sleep live AFL.

If anyone there had any foresight they would have planned to bottom out during the Hill redevelopment period...

**bennyfrou** · 15th September 2007, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by swantastic

IMO dedol if we were to spend 2/3 years in the bottom 4 the Swans in Sydney as we know it would be in trouble mark my words.The Sydney sporting public are a fickle lot,dont forget AFL is and introduced sport there,unlike Melbourne where you eat,sleep live AFL.

Personally I don't care if all the Bandwagoners decided to snub the swans. Means I'd get good seats in the members reserve every game.