The Sydney Swans - A Supporters View
A Sydney Swans supporter could be pardoned for thinking this pre-season is purely a carbon copy of all other pre-seasons in the Paul Roos era. The low-scoring, two-point loss to the Hawks in Round 1 would be all the proof you need to confirm it. However, something exciting and unusual is going on in the Harbour city this summer: The Swans are fit, firing and if early form is anything to go on – the Swans are in with a chance to win a few early games (for a change).
Everyone knows the coach has his stock-standard responses to the media and the fans have the choice to believe it or not. At the start of the pre-season, Paul Roos told us that due to the uncharacteristic early exit to season 07, the team had progressed further along the preparation time-line and are in good shape for the 2008 season. To most Swans fans this was the case of “nothing we haven’t heard before” and most of us thought we’d rather believe it when we saw it than take his word for it. Read more
Bolton Named Swans 3rd Captain
I wonder what Nick Davis thinks about this? after getting on his high horse and publicly announcing he is ready for the Swans Captaincy. It was announced today that Craig Bolton will join Brett Kirk and Leo Barry as the Swans 3rd captain for the 2008 AFL Football Season. Paul Roos said of Bolton:
“Craig has shown outstanding leadership qualities around the club and also the community for many years and we believe he brings to the table attributes which will complement those which we already have through the other two captains, Leo Barry and Brett Kirk.”
Bolton was averaging 15 possessions, 6 marks, and just under 2 tackles per game in 2007 and from all reports is avery well respected person amongst the players. A better choice than outspoken Nick Davis in my humble opinion!
He Certainly Doesn’t Lack Confidence
Nick Davis has never been lacking confidence and these couple of quotes are indication that he thinks he is traveling alright leading into the 2008 AFL Football Season.
“I have been pretty good. Yeah, I’ve been all right”
- Speaking about his performances during pre season
“I announced to the team I was available for the captaincy,”
- Just letting everyone know he want the Captaincy
He would want to get a kick this year as these type of comments tend to attract some good sledging attacks. The boys from Collingwood will be reading these comments with interest I bet!. It is a pitty Nathan Buckley still isn’t playing as I hear he has had a couple of good episodes with Davis.
These comments are on the back of other comments he has made about everyone writing the Swans off for 2008.
“I can’t see that we’ve got any worse than last year and I think we’ll get better, so dismiss us at your peril,”
I am not sure the coach would be all that happy with the latest comments from the prospective captain.
The Swans meet Hawthorn in their NAB Cup opener in Launceston, the look like they will be missing skippers Brett Kirk and Leo Barry. They will also be without Adam Goodes and Craig Bolton, one of whom will be announced this week as the third captain. Barry Hall who is recovering from his Extreme Makeover will also be missing making Davis the oldest and most experienced player in the side.
God help the Swans!!!
The Swans On The Slide in 2008
It has all been quite in the Harbour City with not much talk coming out of there over the pre season. With an average age of 24.7 the Swans are in the top 3 in the AFL for the oldest playing list. After five consecutive final-eight finishes I think the Swans may just miss their chance this year.
Let’s have a look who they have gained and discarded.
ADDITIONS:
Exchange period – received: Martin Mattner (Adelaide), Henry Playfair (Geelong)
Rookie elevation: Ed Barlow, Luke Brennan, Kieren Jack
Scholarship elevation: Craig Bird
NAB AFL Draft: Brett Meredith (Northern Knights), Patrick Veszpremi (Northern Knights)
NAB AFL Rookie Draft: Brendan Murphy (County Carlow, Ireland), Jake Orreal (Western Taipans)
DELETIONS:
Retired: Stephen Doyle
Exchange period – traded: Sean Dempster (St Kilda), Adam Schneider (St Kilda)
Delisted: Jonathan Simpkin, Simon Phillips, Luke Vogels, Matthew Davis (rookie), Matthew O’Dwyer (rookie), Sam Rowe (rookie), Earl Shaw (rookie)
No Depth
Well the word around the traps is that the Swans depth is no good and the youngsters they have are just not up to it. In season 2007 the Swans just didn’t seem to hit their straps like I had expected them to. They did have a few injuries but the depth at the Swans was tested and I think failed. The didn’t really pick anyone up that stands out although Mattner will slot in on a Half Back Flank probably but Henry Playfair will struggle to play senior footy and is just a player. I just reckon they looked flat for the entire year and is something that they need to snap out of in 2008. Ed Barlow looked like a player that may eject some much needed enthusiasm into the side when he debuted late in the season, he has pace something the Swans need and can also play in a number of positions. Paul Roos has stated that the Swan have 12 months to have another crack and then all may be over for a while as they may need to start a rebuilding phase. Read more
