Sydney
Coach – John Longmire
2015 –
Points For – 6th
Points Against – 5th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- John Kennedy
- Dan Hannebery
- Keiren Jack
- Heath Grundy
- Jarrad McVeigh
2015 Rising Star Noms
Isaac Heeney (Round 3)
Ins – Callum Sinclair, Michael Talia, Colin O’Riordan, Callum Mills, Jordan Dawson, Tyrone Leonardis, Tom Papley, Kyle Galloway, Sam Murray
Outs – Craig Bird, Adam Goodes, Lewis Jetta, Michael Pyke, Rhyce Shaw, Sean Mclaren, Lloyd Perris
My Prediction
The Swans have set themselves up to be perennial contenders but last year would have been disappointing for them. For a forward line overflowing with talent and potential you would have to think being the sixth best performed scoring team isn’t really good enough. The forward line losing Franklin to mental illness was far from ideal towards the business end although truth be told, they never really looked like it last year.
Up forward they are loaded with tall talent. Franklin is still elite, Tippett finally started to find some form last year and looks most comfortable as a ruck resting forward rather than a stay at home forward. Reid can play either end but looks more natural up forward. It was his injury last year that was the final nail in their coffin. Heeney was solid up forward although he will spend more time up in the middle next year. They do seem to lack a genuine opportunistic small forward, this is often filled with midfielders resting up there.
The midfield is full of talent but seems a little one paced. They need Rohan to stay fit to break the lines. Parker and Heeney seem to have a bit of toe but they will miss Jetta’s pace. Still they have a good collection of strong big bodied midfielders. They will break even at the least on most occasions. The ruck situation lacks depth but Sinclair is a pretty good get and should operate well with Tippett.
The backline has the advantage of playing a small ground and having a midfield with a good defensive mindset. They have some good KP talls in Richards and Grundy but will be hoping one of their younger talls steps up to take Richards place. Losing Shaws run off half back is in part nullified by Rampe stepping up last year.
It is hard to be excited by the Swans list. It solid and looks like they have probably added another elite mid to the mix in Mills. They have a dangerous forward line which should by now be working really well together. They need to improve on last year. I would think the Swans will finish top two.
that day, at least for the first half.