Sydney Swans: the success story of 2012
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Sydney Swans and Geelong compete at the SCG (Slattery Images)
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The Sydney Swans have experienced a meteoric rise back to relevance in the AFL during the 2012 season. Over halfway through the season, they are now sitting atop the table.
It’s much too premature and tight to call anything major for the Swans. They still may predictably bow out in the semi-finals again come September, but the situation they’re in is incredible enough.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The Swans were supposed to plummet after losing key players like Michael O’Loughlin, Craig Bolton, Daniel Bradshaw and Tadhg Kennelly to retirement over the past few years. It’s only natural, you slowly rise and then fall only to rise again. It’s how the AFL works.
But they’ve risen again, faster than anyone thought. Adam Goodes defies time, still tearing up the opposition at 32. Josh Kennedy burst into relevance with a sparkling start to the year, while Kieren Jack and Daniel Hannebery continue to improve until the guidance of veterans Jude Bolton and Jarrad McVeigh.
Young gun Sam Reid has stumbled a bit over the 2012 season but is finding form, booting a career best 6.1 against the Lions the past weekend, while Lewis Jetta has made a case for most improved in the AFL this season, hurting teams on the scoreboard and all over the ground.
The backline has found itself after losing piece after piece over the years. Names like Alex Johnson and Ted Richards may not be as well known as the Zac Dawsons and Heath Shaws of the league, but they’re proving every bit as capable as the Swans boast one the strongest defences in the AFL right now.
This is hardly saying the Swans are perfect, or even destined for September success, but sitting atop the table with only three losses to their name is promising for the red and white outfit. With games against the Eagles, Saints and Blues coming up in the next month, the Swans premiership credentials will really be put to the test.
In such an open league, we may be singing a different tune in a months’ time about the Sydney Swans, but right now they’re looking every bit the success story of 2012.
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Adam Goodes, AFL, Sydney Swans
July 12th 2012 @ 9:22am
Hamish said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:22am | Report comment
This article will guarantee they get flogged at pattersons…
July 13th 2012 @ 10:48am
Reece Jordan said | July 13th 2012 @ 10:48am | Report comment
I wouldn’t be surprised. The Eagles are hard to beat up at Pattersons, and they’ll really test our mettle. It’ll take something special to beat that fantastic football club, but I have hope that if any team can, it’s Sydney. For now, I wait with bated breath.
July 12th 2012 @ 11:23am
Pope Paul VII said | July 12th 2012 @ 11:23am | Report comment
Lynch and Shuey are out.
July 12th 2012 @ 5:05pm
Stewie said | July 12th 2012 @ 5:05pm | Report comment
and Waters…
July 12th 2012 @ 12:53pm
Harry said | July 12th 2012 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
Terrible article. No insight, just “hey they have only lost 3 games, amazing”. Lines such as “but the situation they’re in is incredible enough” aren’t backed up. Why is this “incredible”? Maybe some data on who they have beaten, why their percentage is so high, and the fact that they could still miss the finals – yes, check out the draw and table predictor.
July 13th 2012 @ 10:47am
Reece Jordan said | July 13th 2012 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Thank you for the constructive criticism and I’m sorry you did not enjoy the article. I wasn’t intending on writing a full-blown analysis or review of the Swans’ 2012 season and I apologise if I gave that impression. As a Swans supporter, I’ve been rapt but grounded with our progress in 2012 and felt that it had been under-acknowledged. Of course, after submitting this, Andrew Sunderland then wrote a brilliant article about the Swans (http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/07/12/heres-to-the-swans-winning-the-flag/), so that’s been taken care of now, but at the time I felt it would be worth quickly touching on some of the underrated performers in the Swans 2012 outfit. But I’ll take your advice on board, it is good advice – sounds like my debating coach!
July 14th 2012 @ 10:11am
Bludger said | July 14th 2012 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Biggest drawing football team in all codes year in year out in Sydney. Remarkable effort for the Swannies.
Great bunch of core fans up there too.
Well done all round!
December 21st 2012 @ 8:05pm
Arm said | December 21st 2012 @ 8:05pm | Report comment
Great article. Also great vision. No one gives the Swans credit nor does the media cover them. You will do the Swans a favour by producing more articles in 2013. I also think you find that Harry is a troll.