Sydney 2010

[hearts on fire]

I believe the Swans will have a disappointing year, missing out on the eight.

They have been up there for so long and now will have a lean couple of years.

[Mr66]

Might be the surprise packet, fourth to eighth

[Turbo]

Might be the surprise packet, fourth to eighth

Can't see it personally, bottom 8 for sure

[The Sleeping Giant]

Always competitive. Always in the game. 7-10.

[Pidge]

Sydney WILL make the 8

[wycbloods]

Sydney WILL make the 8

Dreaming

[Turbo]

Sydney WILL make the 8

Dreaming

Yep

[stan]

With some key tall inclusions. Jolly is a massive lost, and Im not sure the inclusion of Seaby will cover that. Bradshaw up forward is a definite bonus and and will give them something to kick at in that really small forward line.

Still they are always competative, my tip is that they will miss the 8 and finish 9-12.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Sydney has increased their ruck depth over the pre season with Seaby and Mumford. It won't be hard for Bradshaw to be more consistent than Hall.

[stan]

Sydney has increased their ruck depth over the pre season with Seaby and Mumford. It won't be hard for Bradshaw to be more consistent than Hall.

lol, yeah cant go past that point now can ya!

[hearts on fire]

The Swans look to have a lot of small bodies, looked very small compared to the Saints.

and how bald is Kennelly!!

[stan]

The Swans look to have a lot of small bodies, looked very small compared to the Saints.

and how bald is Kennelly!!

Must have the baldness runing through the family.

I saw Goodes playing up forward alot, if he stays there which im not sure about, and with Bradshaw, they will have a nice combo down there. There backline isnt all bad either, Roberts-thompson, Bolton and Grundy back there look likely types.

Mumford is still young and Seaby goes alright but is coming to the end of his career.

Also looking at there midfield they have some good players through there.

They will surpise a few, still I have picked them 9 - 12 and Im sticking with that.

[bazza1]

The Swans look to have a lot of small bodies, looked very small compared to the Saints.

and how bald is Kennelly!!

Must have the baldness runing through the family.

I saw Goodes playing up forward alot, if he stays there which im not sure about, and with Bradshaw, they will have a nice combo down there. There backline isnt all bad either, Roberts-thompson, Bolton and Grundy back there look likely types.

Mumford is still young and Seaby goes alright but is coming to the end of his career. Also looking at there midfield they have some good players through there.

They will surpise a few, still I have picked them 9 - 12 and Im sticking with that.

Seaby turns 26 this year Stan, still got a few years left him I think!

[stan]

The Swans look to have a lot of small bodies, looked very small compared to the Saints.

and how bald is Kennelly!!

Must have the baldness runing through the family.

I saw Goodes playing up forward alot, if he stays there which im not sure about, and with Bradshaw, they will have a nice combo down there. There backline isnt all bad either, Roberts-thompson, Bolton and Grundy back there look likely types.

Mumford is still young and Seaby goes alright but is coming to the end of his career. Also looking at there midfield they have some good players through there.

They will surpise a few, still I have picked them 9 - 12 and Im sticking with that.

Seaby turns 26 this year Stan, still got a few years left him I think!

Really? I thought the bloke was like 30 odd. Hmm maybe he just looks older than he is?
Fair enough, still for this season I wont change my prediction. But thanks for the correction.

[Rik E Boy]

Seaby turns 26 this year Stan, still got a few years left him I think!

Doesn't matter how much you wash them a spud is still a spud.

regards,

REB

[stan]

Seaby turns 26 this year Stan, still got a few years left him I think!

Doesn't matter how much you wash them a spud is still a spud.

regards,

REB

As for Ruckmen you might want to put your hand up because with Mumford at Sydney you have Ottens as number 1 and blake as his back up. Normally a fearsome duo, but Ottens has struggled with injuries as we all know.

[Rik E Boy]

Seaby turns 26 this year Stan, still got a few years left him I think!

Doesn't matter how much you wash them a spud is still a spud.

regards,

REB

As for Ruckmen you might want to put your hand up because with Mumford at Sydney you have Ottens as number 1 and blake as his back up. Normally a fearsome duo, but Ottens has struggled with injuries as we all know.

Otto will play more football this year than last. So last year we had Blake and Mumford for the majority of the season and this year we'll have Blake and Ottens rucking for hopefully the majority of the year. So while the Ruck is not Geelong's strongest area I'd still put it ahead of a Sydney ruck division that has just lost Darren Jolly.

I'm also a bit confused as to how the state of Geelong's ruck division suddenly improves the overall spudiness of Mark Seaby.

regards,

REB

[blink]

As for Ruckmen you might want to put your hand up because with Mumford at Sydney you have Ottens as number 1 and blake as his back up. Normally a fearsome duo, but Ottens has struggled with injuries as we all know.

Geelong have proved your point stan - that you don't need a gun ruck division to be a successful team!

[hearts on fire]

SNAPSHOT
Coach: Paul Roos
Co-captains: Brett Kirk, Craig Bolton, Adam Goodes
Finished 2009: 12th (eight wins, 14 losses)
Best and fairest: Ryan O’Keefe
Leading goalkicker: Adam Goodes (38 goals)
Leading possession winner: Rhyce Shaw (532)

NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Shane Mumford, Mark Seaby (exchange period), Gary Rohan, Lewis Jetta, Sam Reid, Byron Sumner, Trent Dennis-Lane (NAB AFL Draft), Daniel Bradshaw (NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft), Nathan Gordon, Dylan McNeil (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Dean Moore (general manager - football), Stuart Dew (development coach), Dennis Carroll (welfare and player development manager)

BEST 22
B: Ted Richards, Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: Martin Mattner, Heath Grundy, Tadhg Kennelly
C: Rhyce Shaw, Ryan O’Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Kieren Jack, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
F: Jesse White, Daniel Bradshaw, Lewis Jetta
Foll: Mark Seaby, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
I/C: Shane Mumford, Nick Malceski, Paul Bevan, Trent Dennis-Lane

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
Adam Goodes will hold down centre half-forward this year and his experience will be crucial in a new look forward line. Fortunately for the Swans, their star is a model of durability, having missed just four games in the past 10 seasons. With Bradshaw (knee) expected to start slowly and White still learning the ropes, Goodes’ presence in attack will be crucial.

UP AND COMER
Some might argue Heath Grundy had his breakout year in 2009 but a summer spent tailing Goodes around Lakeside Oval has Grundy primed for a huge 2010. Capable of nullifying an opponent and using the ball well, Grundy is set to follow in the footsteps of co-captain Craig Bolton as a linchpin in the Swans’ defence. His fine effort on Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt during the NAB Cup was a sign of his improvement.

NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Paul Bevan’s ability to play back and forward is part of his appeal, but it is also his achilles heel. The tenacious utility was unable to settle into a role in 2009, despite playing 19 of a possible 22 games. However, his commitment on the training track and some encouraging pre-season performances as a hard-nosed forward indicate he is on the right track.

CHANGING TACK
The Swans are unlikely to venture too far from the accountable, one on one game plan that has served them so well but there will be one crucial difference this year - pace. Already, draftees Jetta and Gary Rohan have added considerable speed in attack and McGlynn's relentless run will be an asset. Kennelly's return will also release Shaw and Mattner to play further up the ground. With three tall targets - Bradshaw, White and Goodes - in the forward 50, the Swans' increased ability to run the ball at speed will be vital.

INJURY LIST
Trent Dennis-Lane (knee) - test
Jake Orreal (back) - 1 week
Daniel Bradshaw (knee) - 4 weeks
Brett Meredith (quad) - 4-6 weeks
Lewis Johnston (foot) - 6 weeks
Kristin Thornton (knee) - 10 weeks
Craig Bird (foot) - 10 weeks

WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"It's definitely been one of our harder pre-seasons, physically, and I think that's been really good. We've got a lot of youth involved this year and it's given us a chance to really work on some areas of our game, skills-wise, as well as the physical fitness side of things. If that's anything to go by, hopefully it will augur for a good year. " - co-captain Craig Bolton

CRYSTAL BALL
With four of their first six games at home (v St Kilda, Richmond, West Coast and Brisbane Lions) and a fit list, the Swans are set for a fast start. However, they'll need to be well placed after round 17. They face a tough run home, hosting Geelong, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs while travelling to meet Fremantle and the Lions. Bottom line? A finish in the lower reaches of the top eight looks achievable.

SEASON OPENER
March 27 v St Kilda at ANZ Stadium.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

[Rik E Boy]

As for Ruckmen you might want to put your hand up because with Mumford at Sydney you have Ottens as number 1 and blake as his back up. Normally a fearsome duo, but Ottens has struggled with injuries as we all know.

Geelong have proved your point stan - that you don't need a gun ruck division to be a successful team!

I don't recall stanley making that point but I'd suggest when your midfied consists of Ablett, Corey, Bartel, Selwood, Ling, Kelly, Enright and Chapman then you might have a bit of success if you have a good tap ruckman and a more than handy ruck/forward.

As far as the Catters rucks goes, Blake is one dimensional but does have a role to play. Ottens remains an imposing figure but admittedly he has struggled to get his body right in the last two seasons.

regards,

REB