By Zolton
August 5th 2007 @ 10:37pm
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Swannies on a roll
Zolton Zavos writes: After another commanding victory over the weekend, the question should be asked: do the Sydney Swans have a genuine chance for the title this year? Let us know your thoughts.
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~~~~~~~ KB
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Spiro Zavos said | August 7th 2007 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Having watched the Sydney Swans for some time I’ve always had the opinion that they tend to get the wrong end of umpiring decisions. Is it my imagination or is there some resentment in the Victorian Australian Rules establishment against the Swans. Certainly a couple of years ago there was virtually official criticism of their playing style which was deemed to be too stifling with its flooding tactics on defence.
So the conclusion I draw from this is that, in my opinion, the Sydney Swans will have to get past the Victorian establishment if they are to win a second premiership flag. This will be hard but, as history shows, not impossible.
Searly said | August 7th 2007 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
Ironically, Spiro, it is the Swans’ (and Brisbane Lions’) favourable treatment at the hands of ‘the establishment’ that so rankles many of the other clubs. Issues such as financial concessions handed out by the AFL have been identified by the likes of Collingwood President Eddie Maguire as ensuring the playing field is tilted in their favour and away from independently viable Victorian clubs, and has ultimately resulted in the success of these two clubs since the turn of the century.
As far as umpiring decisions are concerned: 1) I hardly think the umps are out there implementing the theoretical bias of the Vicotrian establishment (many of the umps come from other states anyway); and 2) since when does anyone think their team gets a fair go from the umps anyway? Ask my wife what it’s like when I’m watching my lot go around against the Swans! There’s no way I’m thinking “Geez, those poor old Swannies get a rough deal….”.
Ultimately, it’s been in the AFL’s interests to have successful interstate teams, especially from previously untapped states like NSW and Qld, so there’s no suggestion ‘the establishment’ is looking to dud them.
Oh, and Zolt, yes the Swans do have a show this year. If they make the 8 then there’ll be a lot of teams trying to avoid them.
MM said | August 7th 2007 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
Well said, Searly. Take a look at the list of Premiers since 1992 - West Coast (3), Sydney, Port Adelaide, Brisbane (3), Essendon (2), Adelaide (2), Carlton, North Melbourne (2). 10 from 15 for the interstate teams and you could argue North Melbourne are also trying to sell themselaves as an interstate Club most of the time. Maybe it’s about time there was a bit of bias against the interstate clubs so a Victorian club might have a chance at winning a flag!
Chris Beck said | August 8th 2007 @ 4:33am | Report comment
Obviously the AFL has an interest in a national competition, and since Victoria will just “take care of itself” that means more attention can be paid to the interstate teams. Thus the Victorian clubs rise no further than the level of mediocrity that’s required of them.
I think that the interstate teams “have to do a better job” than those in Victoria, since, for example, the viability of the AFL in WA it is totally up to how West Coast and Fremantle do on the field.
Wait until the AFL figures out that the cost of living in WA has gone through the roof in the last couple of years. Watch the complaining from elsewhere should West Coast and Fremantle pick up the same cost of living adjustments that Sydney currently gets.