TOPIC:

mikeh wrote:

Southerner wrote: So ..... that's the OUTS:- Robinson , Hams , Hildebrandt , Garlett , Lobb , Cameron , Newman , Neale

INS:- None mentioned as yet - any bolters ???

Southern in answer to your question, here is a blog from Greg Harding that appeared on the SDFC website a few days ago. I think it points to 2014 being a year of short term pain for (hopefully) long term gain. They are going to find it very hard to recruit because of their financial issues so it is a matter of necessity that they go back to their youngsters, although Harding presents it as a decision that has been made by the club to develop our own and promote from within

"The group has an extremely different look to it than 2013 as 10 players make their move to greener pastures. Rory Lobb and Dayle Garlett received their opportunity at the National Draft on Thursday and was followed by Charlie Cameron, who was picked up by Adelaide Crows in the Rookie Draft. All three of these boys should be commended for all of the hard work they have put in over the past 12 months. It is also a great effort by the footy club to be able to assist these players onto the biggest stage in the land. All three have a great opportunity ahead of them and it will be good fun watching their development. There was a little relief when all three were given their chance outside of WA because it would have been a painful twist to see them play for East Perth or Peel in the revised alignment system.

Speaking of that system, we have also lost Jamie Bennell, Lauchie Neal and Murray Newman to rival WAFL clubs. They combined for about 30 games last season and Jamie was especially damaging for long periods of the year. All we can hope for is that they all stay fit, along with guys Sunny Walters and Nic Nat and therefore continue to play great AFL footy. Imagine seeing Nic or Son Son playing against us….would make most of us cry I reckon.

Also moving on are Hilderbrandt and Twomey (Subiaco) and Tommy Roach who is returning to Melbourne to pursue work opportunities. Hamsy is also looking like he'll make a move to the country with his partner and 2 children in the near future. If he stays in Perth he'll play for Swans but the odds are that he'll be in the black and white of the Busselton Magpies!

We tried to secure the services of Andrew Krakouer for the next few years but it just wasn't to be. The relationship between Swans and Krakky has been mutually beneficial for both parties and we wanted that association to continue but unfortunately Andrew didn't choose us. So we simply move on, and look to unearth the next champion from within our own ranks.

As you've seen over the past month or two, we have been quiet on the recruiting front and that reflects a rock solid commitment by coaching staff and the board to throw all of our resources into "developing our own and promoting from within". It’s a philosophy that will see great opportunity arise for our young kids coming through the system. Our final team from 2013 is missing 12 players and for the squad today, that provides them with an exciting opportunity to work hard and to secure a position in our side for round one. Our zone is a ripper, and that can be seen in the players that have elevated to AFL level in recent years, and we will throw all of our resources into making sure that our home grown talent gets the opportunity to pull on a Swans jumper. If we see a young player from another club that can add value and help fast track the development of others around him then yes, we will look to recruit the odd player but the only way of having sustained success is through developing your own kids and in 2014 and beyond, that’s what you see.

So right now, who will stand up from our current list of young guns? Boekhorst, Howard, Broad, Latch, Faulkner and Nathan Blakely all have had a strong taste of WAFL footy and we look for them to take the next step. But it’s the next crop that have to make big strides quickly. Kids like Connor Blakley who has already played senior footy as a 17 year old, must come on really quickly over the summer and claim a permanent place in the side. Anderson, Firns, Whitsed, Coniglio, Nelson, Murray (and the list goes on), are names that most supporters would not have heard about that are coming through our colts. It is these players we speak about who we must develop quickly in order to take the place of more experienced players that have moved on.

In all honesty, this is what WAFL footy is about. Local kids from Midland, Swan View, High Wycombe Bunbury and the Pilbara playing for the club in their local area and we need everyone to get behind us and support the young blokes as they come through. Kids always stand up when given the opportunity. Lobb, Cameron and Garlett are testament to that. So which individual will put their hand up and be the next breakout star? The answer to that will be revealed over the summer and it will be exciting to see who emerges.

We also have a loyal bunch of senior lads eager to teach the young players how to play and conduct themselves, and they shouldn't be forgotten. Riggs, Davo, Tony, Amesy, Swoop, Jetts, Bluey Elari, Simmo, Cass and Kirky Ugle will have huge roles over the coming years in providing strength and leadership to this developing group. They are all quality people and will do a great job.

I’ll stay in touch over the coming weeks leading into Christmas for updates on pre-season.

Only a few months until we crank up for good in season 2014.

Thanks for bringing this thread up again BH. Gave me another chance to read Harding's statement back at Christmas time. Pretty spot on I would say! Also I was dead wrong about the short term pain for long term gain. Interestingly Swans were also 10 wins and 2 losses at this stage of 2010!

Mikeh....the only thing Harding stuffed up there mate was using the words opportunity along side the name Garlett, everything else is pretty well nostradamus spot on......really good to see Harding has won you SD boys over...thought he had metamorphed into an umpire there for a wee while when SD were struggling....hopefully the Perth Footy club use Harding as an example for sticking with McMahon for another 3 yr contract!