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A few days after…….

Still pretty disappointed after Sunday’s last quarter fade out by the boys . The more I think about it, the more I have decided that Swans were outplayed and out thought both on and off the ground by the Sharks. I am NOT of the view that the umpires cost us the game (did you hear that Freezin?). Unfortunately we conceded goals in the first half via some player’s lack of discipline and willingness to get involved in incidents not directly related to getting the footy. It doesn’t matter if Mark McGough is a stager or not, what is reality is that Swans boys got sucked into making contact and they paid the price. We gave away so many cheap goals in the first half through 50 metre penalties and off the ball incidents. On the general play Swans could have been 5 or 6 goals in front at half time instead of 10 points and the fight back would have looked a lot harder for East Freo in this situation. You can only hope that the boys will learn from this and use the knowledge next time they are in a final. Malaxos’s tactics in the 3rd of holding possession as much as possible and making Swans chase them were brilliant I thought and contributed to Swans running out of gas late in the game.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I want to say how proud I am of the Swans guys for their season. The first semi was a bit of a microcosm of their year, started brilliantly but faded out at the end. The season has still been overwhelmingly positive for the Black Ducks. What a great break out 2014 for Ricky Cary, 50 goals in his first full year, Nathan Blakely who carried the ruck all season, the leadership of Ryan Davis, Tallen Ames, Swoop and all the senior guys. The solid defence led by Ames, Jetta, Simmo and Howard. The raw potential shown by Conor Blakely and Aiden Anderson. The development of Adam Faulkner, Aaron Elari and Matt Rogers into key players. The exciting teamwork which was shown in its best light in the last quarter against Subiaco in May and in patches last sunday and finally the joy of watching the Colts team make the Grand Final next weekend.

2015 promises more development for the young Swans. I will watch with interest how many of the senior players go around again, it is important to keep a core of them so they can provide guidance to the younger guys coming through.

I am going to take a bit of a break from this forum and I wish both the Sharks and Lions all the best for their final this weekend, and like 90% of the people on the forum I will be gunning for whoever wins to knock off the Eagles in the GF!

Just a small parting observation, over the last month I have noticed an increase in the number of comments that could be construed as personal attacks on other contributors. This is not the banter that goes on between people which is often witty and clever and focuses mainly on footy issues. The stuff I am talking about is derogatory comments about people’s sanity, age, sexuality and even physical threats. I think we should be better than that and if someone disagrees with our point of view we can still debate the issue robustly without resorting to personal insults which is usually an indication that you have lost the argument anyway……..

The season was an outstanding success mate & that's my opinion , the results speak for themselves
Last weekend your guys showed pure heart and deserved to win

Mikeh I hope you will be able to post a couple of comments post our Colts' GF. I have to concur that by any measure we have had an outstanding season on and off the field. Perhaps BH can list all the players we lost from 2013 and to make the finals in both the colts and league and to be in the main competitive in most ressies' games is a great credit to our club, footy players and also to our supporters.

We have some potentially very good players coming through our ressies and colts and I think we can look forward to another good season in 2015 and beyond.

Great post as always Mike we look forward to your continued analysis in 2015.

42 off the top of my head those we lost who played League Footy in 2013 were- Garlett, Cameron & Lobb in the AFL draft.
We also lost Bennell, Neale, C.Pearce, Newman & Walters to the 2 AFL Reserves Teams.
And then on top of that we bared farewell to the likes of Hams, Robinson, Twomey, Hildebrandt, Roach, A.Embley, Lammie, Miles, Parry, Smith, Shea, McKinlay & Daly who all played League footy.
And what some tend to forget was that was also on top of losing the likes of Roberts, Hansen, Motlop, Jacky, Potente, Daniels, J.Embley, Outridge, Van Gronigen etc from the year before in 2012.
And that is not including the likes of Pratt who just hasnt been able to get on the park for any length of time, Krakouer & Spencer heading to WP instead of coming back to us & a very good young forward in Adams who also decided on a change to WP.
In anyone's book that is a helluva lot of experience and talent to lose in 2 years & probably when assessing or reviewing our season needs to be taken into context.

Good luck to the Colts boys in the GF against either Claremont or SF who are both very, very good young sides.

Further to this Notte and Connor Blakely both would have missed the rest of the year with injury after getting hurt last week.
Badly need another key position player who can help out in the ruck

Yeah I hear you mikeh.......actually made it clear that u and DW were not umpirephobic mate unlike a few of your black duck colleagues here.....you are as humble when you lose as when you win.......you are a class poster mate appreciated by all n sundry here on ozfooty!

How many SD boys do you think will get drafted this year BH?........on par with what the Nat class did back a few years back!........

Freezin wrote: Yeah I hear you mikeh.......actually made it clear that u and DW were not umpirephobic mate unlike a few of your black duck colleagues here.....you are as humble when you lose as when you win.......you are a class poster mate appreciated by all n sundry here on ozfooty!

How many SD boys do you think will get drafted this year BH?........on par with what the Nat class did back a few years back!........

I have no idea how many tbh freeze maybe 5 as a guesstimate but I do know a few clubs especially Collingwood have had their crew watching our games from 9am-5pm every game this year so they are obviously looking at a few boys.

Blakely and Anderson will get drafted for sure hopefully not to WCE or Freo hate to see them in another WAFL jumper as you know Freezin having to watch all the boys your club has developed go to EP or Freo.

Reflection...

Young inexperienced side on the park everyweek is going to take its toll by September and Davis, Riggio, Ames, Simpson etc etc aren't going to carry the club to a GF. Another preseason and the knowledge gained from this year will make Swansd a better side in 2015. Banfield and Garlett will also make some difference.