The Sydney Swans finished sixth on the ladder, as they won 15 games and lost seven, in season 2021. They finished just one game and percentage outside the top four, which is where the Brisbane Lions finished last season.
Despite that, they are seventh in relation to this article as they lost to the GWS Giants in an elimination final.
The Swans won seven of their last eight games in the home-and-away part of season 2021. Despite that, they are a team that lost a couple of players through the trade period.
The Swans will be without Jordan Dawson, who was traded to the Adelaide Crows in the off-season. They also traded George Hewett to the Carlton Blues in the off-season. Dawson finishing third in the Swans best and fairest in season 2022. Both players will be sorely missed.
Tom Hickey will have some support in the ruck from Peter Ladhams, who the Swans recruited from the Port Adelaide Power. In season 2021, Hickey finished sixth in the Swans’ best and fairest, featuring in 21 of 23 games. They look set to play with both ruckmen in their best 22.
The Swans have some good experienced players as they had four players named in the AFL All Australian squad: Lance Franklin, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, and Luke Parker. Despite that, they won four of the five games that Lance Franklin didn’t play and also won three of five games that newly appointed co-captain Mills was unavailable for, in season 2021.
Isaac Heeney had a relatively tough season in 2020, when taking into account he only played six of the Swans 17 games in season 2020, due to suffering an ankle injury in Round 6. Despite that, the Swans finished third-last in season 2020, but two of their four wins came with Heeney in the team.
Heeney featured in 21 of 23 games that the Swans played in season 2021. They lost both of the games that he was unavailable for, in Round 5 and Round 8. He finished seventh in the Swans’ best and fairest last season, which he will need to improve on if the Swans are to reach their optimum level. He still managed to average the third-most goals of any Swans player with an average of 1.71 goals per game.
(James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
There’s no disputing that playing in the midfield will give Heeney more opportunity to showcase his talent in season 2022.
Tom McCartin will play as a key defender once again. There’s no doubt that the Swans will be reliant on him. The one game he missed through injury in Round 6, the Suns beat the Swans by 40 points. It indicates that he is an important part of the Swans defence.
McCartin averaged the second most intercepts of any Swans player in season 2021 with an average of 6.68 intercepts per game, a key indicator that he will be a pivotal part of Sydney’s defence this year.
There’s no doubt that McCartin will have to be better in season 2022 than he was in season 2021, as he finished outside the top ten in the Swans best and fairest in season 2021.
Oliver Florent featured in all 23 games that the Swans played in season 2021, but he only finished ninth in their best and fairest. Florent is expected to play on the wing in season 2022. He has plenty of potential, but he must start to produce what he’s capable of in terms of consistency.
Florent averaged the sixth-most disposals of any Swan in season 2021 with an average of 18.96 disposals per game, which should increase in season 2022. Despite that, he only averaged 4.04 score involvements per game.
The scope for growth is there – it’s up to Florent whether he contributes more than he did in season 2021.
Tom Papley was the only Swans player that was selected in the AFL All Australian final team of 22 in season 2021. He was named in the forward pocket, despite only averaging 1.87 goals per game, which shows he doesn’t only have goals to offer.
Despite playing every game, he finished fourth in the Swans’ best and fairest. He only averaged the equal 25th highest average goals in season 2021 of any player in the competition, which he can improve on in season 2022.
Papley is an extremely important player for the Swans; he averaged the second most score involvements of any of their players with an average of 6.30 score involvements per game. Even though he is an exceptional player, he can improve: he averaged the equal 28th highest average score involvements of any player in the competition.
Despite that, his stats don’t tell the whole story as he is able to do some freakish things.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
“Absolute certainty”
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's because he's getting a game now. If they were not going to play, he'd be gone. Good to see him force their hand. Buddy's sluggish form might have helped too.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Why? As I said, I want him playing. If Swans are going to play him, great. The way Buddy played on a fellow veteran in Davis, Logan might be required from now on.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
I see a signed contract :laughing:
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Logan signed on for 2 more years Donny boy. Don’t you look a bit silly now?
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Yep, that fall back instead of following through is infuriating.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yeah. I just want him playing. Angela explained his injury. They'd want to be wary of WC though. Freo are fine but WC should have cash, need and a better mentor than Buddy (Kennedy)
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
Don, Logan McDonald was a first year, 19 year old key forward in 2021. The Bloods will bring him on cautiously. He has bulked up and will play more games in 2022. The kid has a kick like a mule. Big things are expected of him in time. I’m more confident with Horse Longmire’s judgement than yours about resting and playing young players, old boy …
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
Sam Reid has not improved his goal kicking since his first breakout season. He continually lays back and sprays them all over the place. He has a terrible high drop kicking technique. It amazes me how so-called professional footballers, who have nothing else to do but work on their craft, still can't improve such vital skills. Play him in defence where he belongs.
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
Dawson and Hewitt won’t be as sorely missed as you might think. Whilst both players had fine seasons (especially Dawson), the Young Bloods have plenty of talent coming through the ranks to replace them. ‘The Lizard’ Nick Blakey (#22) was a revelation when moved to half back last season before a season ending ankle injury, and at 195cm he and second year Academy recruit Braeden Campbell (#16), both deadly lefties, will provide plenty of run and carry off half back. Hard running 21 year old Justin McInerney (#27) also had a very good season on the wing/half back and will continue to improve. Third year former #5 pick Dylan Stephens (#3) has had an excellent summer, put on much needed muscle and is another hard runner in the mix for more game time off half back/ wing. Will Gould (191/97) who is yet to debut, is a big, strong flanker who needs to make a mark in this his third season. Hewitt’s grunt will be replaced by the explosive Chad Warner (#1) who has the potential to be the next Dustin Martin. If you think that’s a big call (which it is), check out his game against Richmond last season where he kicked some brilliant goals and oozed power and class. He has had an excellent pre-season and is primed for a big third season. His younger brother Corey (#37) also joins the Bloods in 2022, but is more of a running winger similar to Andrew Gaff. The pick of the Young Bloods is future Captain Errol “Golden Boot” Gulden (#21), who reminds me of a young Sam Mitchell and could be just as good in time. A footballer’s footballer, Gulden even has the normally reserved Horse Longmire gushing over his potential and character. He has a bright future indeed. Other up and coming Young Bloods include key forward Logan McDonald (#6), half forward Sam Wicks (#15), midfielder James Rowbottom (#8), ruck-forward Joel Amartey (#36), hard running James Bell (#32) and 2021 draftees Angus Sheldrick (#29) and Matty Roberts (#34). I’m obviously biased, but top 4 in 2022 pushing for the flag in 2023 … Go Bloods!
Kick to Kick
Roar Rookie
It looks like most of us are agreed that Sam Reid has been a solid servant of the Swans who might have some good games left in him playing defence. But I quibble at the reputation Reid has in kicking for goal. His record is actually good. Across his whole career his conversion goal/behinds is a solid 58.7%. That ranks him well above average and 4th among current Swans with more than 50 goals. Heeney is first - just ahead at 60.9%. Then Hayward and Parker at 60%. Notably both Buddy Franklin (58.6%) and Tom Papley 57.6% have worse conversion rates. Reid’s kicking improved after working with Tony Locket. In the last year he managed a full season (2019) he kicked at 68% which is elite. My complaint is his tendency to fade out of games at times.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nup. I've always liked The Swans. I have defended Longmire big time when even Sydney fans wanted him gone. It's a different thing challenging a petulant kid like Chris and hating the Swans.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You'll see.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
"Rested" is forgotten. Not valued. No one wants to be rested when they are better than the players picked.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
He broke his wrist after hitting Brayden Zerk Thatcher. I’m sure he’s fine off the field but I calls it like I sees it
Antony Pincombe
Roar Rookie
You are spot on. Reid is training with the defenders. Paddy is signed and will be a defender. But there is still Barry O’Connor, 196, and Will Gould, 191. As to Reid, he kicked like an Aus Kick 6 year old at times. His kicking was atrocious. Going forward I would rather blokes who can actually get the ball between the goal posts, like Amartey & McLean. Reidy has been a great player but now he is over 30 and with his injury history, things just aren’t going to get better. He was sensational in the 2012 GF. That goal straight down the guts was just super.
Antony Pincombe
Roar Rookie
The height in the defence is not a problem with paddy Mccartin coming in to play there. We have also moved Reid to defence. We also have 196cm Barry O'Connor, 191cm Will Gould. McDonald will play more games this year. He did not have the tank last year, got rested, got injured. but this year I see him kicking at least 40, possibly 50. Heens move to the mids will mean Parker, Kennedy etc spend more time forward. Hayward kicked 28 last year. I think he has a 30-40 in him. Kennedy started out as a HF and scored pretty well. Parks can kick goals and take a pretty good mark. I think the young talls are another facet. Amartey and McLean can take a pretty big grab and kick goals. So, even if we take Heens out for periods to run in the mids the replacements are pretty good. Our big challenge has been our midfield and replacing the champions who have driven the mids for a long time. Kennedy will finish up this season. But by drafting Sheldrick, Roberts, Warner and Rankin we have given more depth there. The developing boys; Warner, Florent, Stephens, Campbell, Gulden, Rowbottom are all on the right track. Another preseason will make them even better.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Perfectly sensible to hate the swans. They’re my bugbear as well
Antony Pincombe
Roar Rookie
You really hate the swans don't you Don. On what do you base this prediction? We just drafted some great mid talent. We have a young, developing list, we have good experience to guide them. If any side falls off the perch it is West Coast. i think they will finish near the bottom. Your mob have been promising for 3 seasons and we waltzed past them, 16th to 6th last year. We picked up a good ruck in a trade. So, tell me Don, on what criteria do you base your baseless predictions
Antony Pincombe
Roar Rookie
The fact is Logan is very happy where he is. The Eagles have got no hope. He was not an Eagles fan, his side was Collingwood. He did not follow either Western side