Sydney. The ugly duckling of the AFL. Even when they won the flag, they were criticised. Even by their CEO. Back then their style of play wasn’t exactly pretty but it was effective.
Not many people liked them, or at least the way they played the game. The only exciting player they had was Goodesy, and maybe Bazza if he felt like swinging. But how the has wheel turned.
They’ve missed the finals only three times since 1996. But it’s fair to say they are usually out of flag contention pretty early.
They are the battlers of the AFL. The Bloods stand by their teammates and never give up. But this season they have taken it up a notch, and are in with a real shot.
They have transformed into a team that can play not only defence, but also attacking footy when needed. They have a great spread of midfielders, and the improvement in Lewis Jetta has only helped this.
He’s running, tackling and goal sense has propelled him to be the equal of Cyril Rioli. Their defenders play great roles in closing down their opponent’s space to the ball, and they are selfless.
Teddy Richards has gone from a good defender to a great one. His intercept marks have been crucial, and along with Grundy should be considered for AA honours.
The only area of weakness for them, possibly, would be playing at the MCG. Sure if they finish top two they can play in Sydney, but if they want to win the flag they need to be comfortable playing in Melbourne.
The Tigers did expose them earlier this year, and I’m sure Longmire also wants them to break the Collingwood hoodoo.
It’s been far too long between drinks against the Pies, but so far you wouldn’t put it past the Swannies to win against the odds once more.
What do you think, Roarers? Is 2012 the year for the Swans?
nathan savino
Roar Pro
Sydney won oh how did i predict that ;)
Brewski
Guest
I wonder how many people this match would attract in Melbourne, at the most you would think 65,000 !! ? And considering Sydneys culture of attendance at sporting events, anything over 50,000 would be pretty good, any crowd over 34,000 and the Swans' average attendance will again be higher than any other football team from any code in Sydney. Pretty good considering the SCG is under massive construction.
Franko
Guest
You will find it will be the biggest club football match of the year, whether that be soccer, league, union or football.
Franko
Guest
Hah, we all know they are there but your NRL organizing committee(News Limited/Rupert Murdoch) oddly insists on putting their games only on pay tv so we never get to watch them. Not really the way to build an interest is it!?
Brewski
Guest
I see they are opening up the level 6 tickets which should put it above 50,00 but if they get tp 60,000 that will be great. Good for Sydney, but i would imagine that when the new stadiums in Adelalaide and Perth come on line crowds in at least 3 cities will top 50,000 reguarly - weekly.
Alan
Roar Guru
I hope there is over 70,000 for this game. If the Swannies drew over 70,000 in 2003, surely they deserve another crowd like that now more than ever!
Sports Candy
Roar Pro
How observant of Franko not ot notice there is an NRL team in Melbourne.
Hansie
Guest
But rugby league is stronger in Queensland - hardly Sydney metro - than in NSW.
db swannie
Guest
So Franko a "Fair comp" where cheats are penalised is worse than a comp where the draw is rigged so the bigger teams get more home games,where teams are given unfair advantages over others ,but most of all a comp that rewards teams that LOSE on purpose. I will take the honest comp any day ,over the compromised comp. As for Sydney metro comp,,wow just wow. 7 teams are outside the Syd metro ,One even in another country,something AFL can only dream about.
Franko
Guest
Unlike those muppets over at the NRL, the Victorian run AFL won't strip premierships off a team that worked damn hard to win. Any wonder why one game is OZ wide and the other is Sydney metro.
Sports Candy
Roar Pro
Swans doing well with basically a bunch of no-names and a couple of star players. Should be an improved attendance for the Collingwood game this week compared to the turnout for GWS v Magpies. Can't see why the Swans can't go all the way again this year.
Swans fan
Guest
The Swans can win the premiership, but we need Sam Reid, Mumford, Goodes, Bolten all fully fit. Goodes still looks like hes carrying an injury and not playing at his peak. C'mon Swaaaaaanies!!!!!
Deep Thinker
Guest
You can't discount them on the back of the season they had, but I don't think they will get there. They probably have the most even team, great tackling, great defence, but seem to lack real weapons when it comes to the crunch. They seem to lack a superstar that is likely to get them over the line in the clutch. They are missing the X factor - I don't think Goodes is still in that category.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Don't despair Swannies supporters they can win if they overcome mighty North Melbourne's charge home ( kidding, well praying/hoping mostly ). They are hard as nails, great defenders, get their share of the ball and have multiple goal kickers which is all you need really. A star team rather than a team of stars. I reckon the Collies/ANZ hoodoo will break satdee night and Hawthorn, Geelong will follow. This Sydney team is not a team that needs a "loss we needed" or to lose a grand final before they win one. Much credit to Longmire for fostering attack.
MyLeftFoot
Guest
Mike Pyke......not Marty.
Rensford
Guest
Being Swans member I am full of hope, but realistically I dont see the boys winning the the last game of the year without a star leading forward. in 2005 we had Barry and Micky O, with Sneids and others crumbing. Sam's good but still too young and skinny to be best on ground on G'Final day. If .......... if ......... Adam has a purple patch in September and starts making strong, agreesive angles leads in the fwd 50, then perhaps we'll have a chance; he's not there yet. Could be a Hawks / Swans G'Final; and with Roughy and Buddy in form, and the Hawks midfield stepping up for the big occassion, will be hard for the Swans to close it out. the game, as always, is won and lost in the clearances - but we need a fwd who can kick 5-6 goals on the biggest day of the year. I can only see Adam possibly doing that, and hes been well held sicne coming back from injury
ironmonger
Guest
I think they can go all the way, but need a tall forward to stand up on the day. Goodes didn't take enough marks, Sam Reid is still building strength and Marty Pike is not as mobile as they need sometimes. The good news is that there are options, the bad news is that each tall forward, in there own way is not quite 100% fit for purpose. Longmire knows this and has even tried Josh Kennedy as a hard leading focal point. given that defence is the key to winning matches in the modern rebound style of game, if a team can shut down Sydneys tall options they will give themselves every chance of beating them...