It has been interesting to observe the movements of the Sydney Swans this year.
At the start of rge season the Swans were showing that they're finals window had come to an end.
Over the last 10 years, their junior recruiting had fallen behind the pack with early draft picks traded away for experienced players from other clubs.
We also appreciate that the trading of an early draft picks for Hall, from StKilda, Bolton, from Brisbane, and Jolley, the developing Melbourne ruckman, were crucial to their last premiership in 2005. The Swans first since 1933.
This year has seen some interesting developments at Sydney.
We've seen the Sydney admin make a long term decision regarding the coaching position, allowing a steady transfer of the role from Paul Roos to John Longmire over the next 12 months.
The players know exactly where they are heading. There is no uncertainty. No speculation. Everyone of their junior to mature players gets on with the job.
The other aspect is in their list management.
The Sydney admin has chosen to bite the bullet of transformation actively.
So far, we have already heard the retirement announcements of Nic Fosdike 29, Barry Hall 32yo, Michael O'Loughlin 32, Leo Barry 31 & Jared Crouch 31.
There is word that Brett Kirk 32 is being held on for one more year in a similar leadership role to that of North's Adam Simpson in 2009. But that may change if they are successful in recruiting current developing Tiger tagger, Daniel Jackson 22.
Lessons may be learnt by the Tigers who failed to put in a succession plan for Wallace's eventual departure, which has consequently left the football and coaching staff in another quandary about the future.
The Tigers' coaching decision is now down to the last two, and may go either way, but questions need to be asked if a 'real' progressive and successive coaching structure is being built. Whether who wins between Hardwick & Hinkley, the Tigers' need to plan for what comes after that decision, 5 to 10 years down the track. Something it has continually failed in.
The other aspect is with its list.
Early in the season we saw the Tigers' confronted with another set of 'Gaspar' decisions relating to their post-twilight players - ex-captain Kane Johnson 31, Bowden 30, Brown 31, Richardson 34 & Simmonds 30. Also, a decision on 2009 recruit Ben Cousins 30 is pending on the new coach.
Also, the Tigers have a group of near twilight players - Coughlan 26, Pettifer 27, & Tuck 27 - who've had far from an optimal season.
With that comes developing players who have yet to show that they are up to AFL standard. King 25 has the hardness but possibly not the skills. Hughes 22 and Oakley-Nicholls 21 have been major disappointments. And 23yo Jay Schulz, whom the club persevered with when it lost the TAC as a major sponsor in 2004, showed a bit in defence in 2008 but has shown very little in the position he was recruited for, as a key forward.
Also, the RFC carries much anxiety over its recruiting of Bulldog Jordan McMahon in 2007, currently 25yo, which cost them a 2nd round pick that eventually found its way to Westcoast who used it on the 4th Selwood boy, Scott 18yo. This week we finally see ex-Power marginal midfielder Adam Thomson play his first game. He was recruited at a cost of pick #42 in the 2008 National Draft, which was used by the Bulldogs on junior Mitch Banner 18yo, although Banner is yet to play AFL.
For the Tiges there are lessons to be learnt.
But don't we say that every year.
At the start of rge season the Swans were showing that they're finals window had come to an end.
Over the last 10 years, their junior recruiting had fallen behind the pack with early draft picks traded away for experienced players from other clubs.
We also appreciate that the trading of an early draft picks for Hall, from StKilda, Bolton, from Brisbane, and Jolley, the developing Melbourne ruckman, were crucial to their last premiership in 2005. The Swans first since 1933.
This year has seen some interesting developments at Sydney.
We've seen the Sydney admin make a long term decision regarding the coaching position, allowing a steady transfer of the role from Paul Roos to John Longmire over the next 12 months.
The players know exactly where they are heading. There is no uncertainty. No speculation. Everyone of their junior to mature players gets on with the job.
The other aspect is in their list management.
The Sydney admin has chosen to bite the bullet of transformation actively.
So far, we have already heard the retirement announcements of Nic Fosdike 29, Barry Hall 32yo, Michael O'Loughlin 32, Leo Barry 31 & Jared Crouch 31.
There is word that Brett Kirk 32 is being held on for one more year in a similar leadership role to that of North's Adam Simpson in 2009. But that may change if they are successful in recruiting current developing Tiger tagger, Daniel Jackson 22.
Lessons may be learnt by the Tigers who failed to put in a succession plan for Wallace's eventual departure, which has consequently left the football and coaching staff in another quandary about the future.
The Tigers' coaching decision is now down to the last two, and may go either way, but questions need to be asked if a 'real' progressive and successive coaching structure is being built. Whether who wins between Hardwick & Hinkley, the Tigers' need to plan for what comes after that decision, 5 to 10 years down the track. Something it has continually failed in.
The other aspect is with its list.
Early in the season we saw the Tigers' confronted with another set of 'Gaspar' decisions relating to their post-twilight players - ex-captain Kane Johnson 31, Bowden 30, Brown 31, Richardson 34 & Simmonds 30. Also, a decision on 2009 recruit Ben Cousins 30 is pending on the new coach.
Also, the Tigers have a group of near twilight players - Coughlan 26, Pettifer 27, & Tuck 27 - who've had far from an optimal season.
With that comes developing players who have yet to show that they are up to AFL standard. King 25 has the hardness but possibly not the skills. Hughes 22 and Oakley-Nicholls 21 have been major disappointments. And 23yo Jay Schulz, whom the club persevered with when it lost the TAC as a major sponsor in 2004, showed a bit in defence in 2008 but has shown very little in the position he was recruited for, as a key forward.
Also, the RFC carries much anxiety over its recruiting of Bulldog Jordan McMahon in 2007, currently 25yo, which cost them a 2nd round pick that eventually found its way to Westcoast who used it on the 4th Selwood boy, Scott 18yo. This week we finally see ex-Power marginal midfielder Adam Thomson play his first game. He was recruited at a cost of pick #42 in the 2008 National Draft, which was used by the Bulldogs on junior Mitch Banner 18yo, although Banner is yet to play AFL.
For the Tiges there are lessons to be learnt.
But don't we say that every year.
