2009 - Can we handle it??

[liz]

I reckon we will suprise the critics. Does 2003 ring a bell????? Have faith, Hopefully Jesse White, Nick Smith, Cheese Barlow and Matty Laidlaw repay the faith shown in them and play 10-15 games this year each

Yep.

One thing in our favour is that the "kids" we are relying on to step up and contribute are not "kids" in a physical sense. While other clubs each year have brought in oodles of 17 and 18yos and had to rely on them to play senior footy before their time, the guys we need to stand up are almost all into their 3rd and 4th years on the list (longer in the cases of Grundy and Schmidt). They may lack experience and we don't know for sure how many of them are going to prove to be up to it. But at least they have 3 or more pre-seasons under their belt and the physical strength of 21 and 22 year olds, not 18 year olds.

[Bas]

[QUOTE=liz;426850]Yep.

One thing in our favour is that the "kids" we are relying on to step up and contribute are not "kids" in a physical sense. QUOTE]

Which makes it more critical because if these kids fail this year and should be released, we are stuffed because we won't get quality in the draft or in trading unless we give up some big name players.

The other option is the failures stay on another year and we repeat another bad year, that is, if that happens this year.

I suppose best to be positive and sit back and enjoy everyone bagging us to come last again.

[laughingnome]

I suppose best to be positive and sit back and enjoy everyone bagging us to come last again.

Their hatred fuels us.

(Close second: If they strike us down we shall become more powerful then they can possibly imagine.)

[R&WtilIDie]

Geez, why bother even watching?

[hammo]

I don't understand why anyone would be writing off finals in February

[Legs Akimbo]

I don't understand why anyone would be writing off finals in February

Whichever way you look at it, our list is not in great shape going into the season, which is a result of a combination of bad luck and poor management.

Not sure if I would write off finals, but the probability would seem to be low. The reality is that we are quite a way behind the leading teams now in the quality of our 'A' list and depth and quality of 'B' players.

I honestly hope I am proven a miserable pessimist rather than a realist.

[AnnieH]

Whichever way you look at it, our list is not in great shape going into the season, which is a result of a combination of bad luck and poor management.

A few of the geriatrics are recovering ... I'd rather have no Leo Barry or Micky O in Round 1 than have them miss Round 18 when it matters.

I'm looking very forward to seeing the youngins having a run around. Jack should be pumping and ready to go, Reg, Schmidt, Barlow - these guys have enough experience now to make or break ... I'm looking forward to big things.

Shaw ... couldn't be worse as Davis as a recruit from the wobbles (IMHO), but you never know - could be a whole lot better than Willo!!

If McHack can keep up his stellar peformance like last year, Goodesy as captain - Kirk, B2, Mattner ... even B1. There's still plenty of talent on our list.

There are heaps and heaps and heaps of positives.

[ShockOfHair]

I like how we've gone overnight from being too old to missing the experience of senior players.

Barry injury leaves Swans in trouble - AFL - Fox Sports

Barry's injury is another setback for the Swans who have already unexpectedly lost the vast experience this year of Nic Fosdike, who retired because of an on-going knee injury, and Tadhg Kennelly, who retired with a year of his contract remaining to return to Ireland.

[AnnieH]

Let them write us off.
I kinda like flying under the radar.

[giant]

I don't understand why anyone would be writing off finals in February

New year's resolution not to procrastinate.

[msb]

Of course i'd want to make finals, but would it really be the end of the world if they didn't after 6 straight years in them and a premiership? I think swans supporters have been quite spoilt from 1996 onwards bar 2000 and 2002 (where they even won 8 -10 games for memory in those seasons) and the thought of potentially having 1 bad year is freaking people out!

[R&WtilIDie]

It's one thing for the clueless media and opposing supporters write us off, it's another when our own supporters are sticking the boot in, without a minute of football being played.

I personally think this year is going to be very exciting, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.