Sydney champion Dan Hannebery has revealed the Swans have worked hard on their ball movement into the forward line and have no intention of sliding down the AFL ladder as some pundits are predicting.
Stung by tumbling out of the 2015 finals in straight sets, Sydney have worked on tweaking their game to ensure they remain among the premiership heavyweights.
One area is their delivery into the forward line, where they possess strong marking targets in Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid, but were only the sixth-highest scoring team after the 2015 home-and-away season.
“We thought there was some positives to take out of the finals, although we’ve identified some areas we needed to work on – different ball-movement things,” Hannebery said on Monday.
“Some ball movement into the forward line, which we’ve been working really hard on this pre-season and need to do throughout the year.
“We think that’s probably our gap.”
The perennial finalists who have won 15 or more games the past four seasons and made two grand finals in that time, Sydney have missed the top eight just once in 13 seasons.
The loss of five premiership players with almost 1000 games’ experience – Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Jetta, Mike Pyke and Craig Bird – has prompted suggestions 2016 might be the year Sydney finally bottom out and hit the skids.
Hannebery was adamant that wouldn’t be the case, placing his faith in the anticipated improvement of several younger Swans.
“I’m really confident with the guys we’ve traded and drafted and young guys that have played 20 or 30 games, that there’s enough to come in and fill the roles we need to,” Hannebery said.
“If you look at the list on paper, it’s still really strong and I’m still really confident that if everyone is out there on the park and playing to near their potential, then we will have a really strong year.”
Hannebery compares the Swans’ situation to his earliest years at the club, when they lost several senior stars including Brett Kirk and Michael O’Loughlin, but had other players step up.
He expects the emerging talents of Dean Towers, Brandon Jack and Dan Robinson to do that and predicts improvement from Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd.
At 24, and with 144 games under his belt, 2015 All Australian and AFL Coaches’ Association player of the year Hannebery said he was trying to help develop younger players and improve his leadership ability.
“It’s still got a long way to go and that’s an area where I think I can take my game to another level,” he said.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Hannerbry and McVeigh are guns as well though
Brian
Guest
I wouldn't worry about these lists before the 2014 GF they also released a list where Sydney had 7 A Graders to the Hawks 5 and more B Graders as well. Everyone an expert in hindsight.
Hyena
Guest
I think there are a lot of positives for the Swans in the coming couple of years. The average age of the team has dropped to about 23, there are a number of exciting young players coming through (B. Jack, Robinson, Rose, Heeney, Mills) a strong midfield including Kennedy, Hannerbury, Mitchell, Parker. Multiple forward targets and historically one of the better defences. They have also recruited to plan for Teddies retirement and picked up a spare Ruckman. Fingers crossed injury free they should still be a force to contend with.
Penster
Guest
Jetta was in excellent form in 2014, except that one day in September when you're meant to bring your best ....... Must have rattled him as he never really got back to form in 2015, chase and tackle was lack lustre at best.
Slane
Guest
Fox sports released an article listing Champion Data's 'elite' players yesterday and the Swans only had 2 on that list(Buddy and Kennedy). Compared to 8 at Hawthorn, 6 at WC, and 5 at Freo, Sydney looks a little light on 'top-end' talent. Hopefully the youngsters can step up and drive this team into contention.
TomC
Roar Guru
He might do, but I'm doubtful about how much improvement he has in him at the age of 25 after a few years in the system now. Not too many players bloom this late.
Stewie
Guest
Towers will play rnd 1 in 2016 I reckon. Had some really decent games towards the back end of the year.
Stewie
Guest
He didn't have as much impact in terms of goals, but he was the most accurate kick in our side. Lacked defensive accountability at times, and didn't use his pace as much as 2012, but still was decent in 2015. Better than 2014 at least :P
Stewie
Guest
*Sinclair, but yeah close enough :P I've checked a few of his highlights from his time at WCE and I've been impressed quite a bit by his agility. It'll be good to have a young, athletic, healthy ruckman running around for us. First time since, what, Darren Jolly?
Lroy
Guest
Callum Wilson is a very good player, he just does the business week in week out. No flash, but an old school ruckman. He can take a grab up forward and kick a goal if needed as well. I for one would have preferred the Eagles kept him. ;-)
Penster
Guest
Jetta didn't do much in 2015, neither did Goodes although you can't quantify leadership with stats. Isaac Heeney is the most exciting thing I've seen at the Swans for a long time. Can't see them rocking the top 2 come September but they'll be thereabouts.
TomC
Roar Guru
I'm pretty bullish about the Swans. I think their kids are much closer to making a really good contribution than most of the other teams in that part of the ladder. Not so much Towers, but certainly Cunningham, Lloyd and Heeney. They were without some of their key players at the business end of last season, so I don't read too much into them missing the prelim.
Stewie
Guest
Think of the players we lost. Goodes had one or two good games in 2015, but probably should've retired a year earlier. Pyke was playing with one functional knee for most of 2015. Bird wasn't best 22. Shaw was inconsistent in his disposal efficiency and also should've left a year earlier. Only Jetta was a truly important player for us that we lost. We've lost a buttload of experience, sure, but our list definitely isn't "aging" (the only worrying thing is Ted Richards). Plus we've fulfilled needs in the trade period, bringing in an athletic youngish ruck and someone to help out in key defence. Then there's Mills who is an absolute gun. Will we fall in 2016? Maybe a bit, but it's not the Apocalypse.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
'... and have no intention of sliding down the AFL ladder ...' Show me a club that does intend to slide down. Regardless of intent, Swans are likely to slide down. Don't think they will slide out of the 8 but I can't see them being serious top 4 aspirants.
WhereIsGene
Guest
2016 is the year GWS goes past Sydney and the Swans administration begins to rue paying Buddy $10 million. (assuming they didn't already last September)