Thanks to TooSerious member "Sean" for this review of Sydneys season.

[span style="text-decoration: underline">Rambling Swans Report


It’s been a season of three halves for the Swans. After the draw against Melbourne, they got away well, with wins over the Dons and West Coast.  Out at ANZ against the bombers that day and watching us sneak home late, I remember thinking there was a bit of the ’05 vibe about the boys. We had a habit of coming back strong in the second half in that era and we pulled it off that day.

Things kind of went as expected for the year until round thirteen, which would see a distressing mid – season slump with some expected losses, but also some unexpected to the Crows (in an awful wet game) and culminating in the defeat by Richmond in round 21. Won only 2 from 8 (against GC and WBD) and things were looking dire.

This would all turn around to beat the Saints after some early inaccuracy, and culminating in a brilliant victory down at the Cattery. Definitely the highlight of the H+A season.

Typically the Swans have been strong in the midfield and backs with players like Grundy, Bolton, Matner, and Richards continuing the hardworking Bloods ethic.

Most of the issue all year has been the forward line and the missing big target that can really impose himself on a game. Jesse White looked OK early, but with a good defender seems to be negated pretty easily. These days he seems to be deliberately moving the key defender he inevitably draws out of the forward line so perhaps not a bad thing. But he found himself in and out of the team.

Former Defenders Andrejs Everitt , and LRT have been effective options, and even Rhys Shaw has had a go. Fortunately for the Bloods, Sam Reid is looking like a great pair of hands, and if he can bulk up a bit, we should see a great future from. And of course a resting Goodes, ROK, and Mumford have all pulled some good shifts through the forward line.

Finally, for the last few weeks Spangher has looked like he is also going to be a worthy pickup. Anyway – onto to the good bad and ugly – with the inevitable and expected pun kicking us off.

Join us over the break as Sean reviews the key Sydney players & takes a quick glance at some guys to keep eye on for season 2012.

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[span style="text-decoration: underline">THE GOODE.

Adam Goodes – To the relief of just about everyone, Goodesy returned to the centre of the park, and batted out an average of 108. With the sub rule he seems to be resting up forward which is working well for everyone. I wonder how much longer he can keep the effort up (31 this year) but he has returned to the form that makes him the legendary player he is.

Shane Mumford – Finished equal second behind Big Cox, and threw out some massive scores towards the end of the season. Mummy has obviously become one of the elite rucks of the competition. That said – at 551k he will be expensive and likely to drop early next season. But as he was largely responsible for my unlikely league grudge win this year, I suspect I’ll find a place for him.

Ryan O’Keefe – Funny – out at the game I found him often inaccurate in front of goal, but his midfield efforts finished him with an average of 103. And let’s face it – it’s easy to forgive him with 4 straight against the Saints in the final!  Whatever injury plagued him in ’10 seems gone, and he will be on a lot of forward lists next year.

Ted Richards – Forgive me for putting him here, it’s not for his Supercoach scores, but for his attitude and play sense every week. Forced to fullback by the injuries of Craig Bolton, he has made the position his own. I normally sit behind the goals at the game, so watching Ted play week in and week out has been a real highlight of the year.

[span style="text-decoration: underline">THE BADDE

Kieren Jack – My “Big Statement” for the year was that Kizza would be one of the elite mids of the competition this year. Partly because of injury, and partly because of recognition from other teams of what a gun he is (winning the ‘10 B+F does that for you) it hasn’t eventuated this year. I am sure he’ll turn it all around though. Look out next year for him.

Gary Rohan – Ranga has had injuries keep him out of the team nearly all year which is a massive pity as he will turn into one of the Swans real guns in the next year or two.

[span style="text-decoration: underline">THE UGLY

Trent Dennis “Penny” Lane – With a great preseason I thought we’d see TDL in the team a lot this year and it just hasn’t happened.  I guess with Hanneberry and McGlynn playing that crumbing forward / midfield role it’s just too competitive.

Mark Seaby –Seaby has had a hard time finding a place in the team. He was brought on as the Sub in the first game against Melbourne and found himself in and out of the team all year. I wonder if he could reinvent himself as a forward option, because it seems the era of the second ruckman is over. Hope to see him back ‘cos he’s a great player.

Lewis Jetta – So much potential , so much speed. It’s that leg speed that makes him a killer sub option, but frustrating for us who find Jetstar such an exciting player to watch.

[span style="text-decoration: underline">Watch Out For

Sam Reid – With another 5-10 kilos Reid is going to be one of the killer forwards of the competition, if not next year then the one after.

Matthew Spangher – Suddenly popping up forward and doing some really good things. Might well be a good mid – price defender option next year.

Kieren Jack – Will bounce back, and is currently a bargain.

Jed Lamb and Daniel Currie – Early draft picks who did great in the preseason this year – But also because when they both play on the same game Dennis Cometti will possibly wet himself.