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October 28, 2005
Final Primary List Lodgement
The Sydney Swans have today finalised its Primary List leading into the National Draft with the delisting of Ben Fixter and Jarrad Sundqvist and the elevation to the Senior List of rookies Heath Grundy, Earl Shaw and Luke Vogels.
While Benny's de-listing had been known thanks to him popping up at Brisbane training this week, the de-listing of Sunny and elevating three rookies certainly surprised me to say the least. Can understand that Sunny has had plenty of time to prove himself but felt he was worth another year at the least because of his talent and size.
Sad to see them go (but there is every chance we'll re-draft one of them, like we have the past two seasons with Heath James and of course famously Amon Buchanan) and I wish them all the best, in particlar Sunny because he was a real down to earth guy and took the time to chat with you.
The rookies that were elevated, well what can I say about them except that they certainly add much needed size to our senior list.
Posted by robbieando at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)
Swans Blog Summer Update
Long time no post I know, but never fear I plan to over this long weekend to start writing up my season 2005 report card, name my 2005 player of the year and start work on my Phantom Draft which is moving from RWO to here after 3 years of getting it wrong badly, I certainly expect this trend to continue.
No major news from the Swans to report other than Ben Fixter is training with the Brisbane Lions after being delisted, but as of yet no offical word has come from the club so I don't know the full reasoning given behind this.
Amon Buchanan, Nick Davis and Ryan O'Keefe all were picked and played for Australia in the International Rules series which didn't feature Tadhg Kennelly for the Irish who is back home injured. He must be enjoying his stay at home because reports out of Ireland that he wants to head home at the end of next year when his contract is up, keep popping up.
Other that the only other news is that all injured players are comming along well and Ryan O'Keefe is close to re-signing a 3 year deal in the comming weeks.
Anyway until next time, keep on enjoying that Premiership feeling.
Posted by robbieando at 01:16 PM | Comments (1)
October 07, 2005
Trade Deadline News
On the last day of dealing the Swans added no extra players via a trade, but managed to ship Jason Saddington to Carlton for Pick 52 and Mark Powell to North for pick 62.
Not much I can say except, gee we must not rate the draft that much.
Posted by robbieando at 06:12 PM | Comments (0)
October 06, 2005
Ted Richards, Now A Swan
In the Swans second deal in as many days the Swans have trade our first round pick (number 19 overall) for Ted Richards of Essendon and in doing so beating out the attempts of 5 other clubs in the race for the young defenders services. The Swans also swapped their 3rd Round Selection (number 51 overall) for Essendon's fourth selection (number 55 overall).
As I have stated, Richards adds much needed height to our defence and allows the club to take a punt on a young defender in the draft without worrying whether to play him or not, if injuries hit. Also the trading of our first three selections pretty much ends the Peter Everitt chase and more than certainly means Saddo and Powell are out the door tomorrow in exchange for draft picks in the 25-50 range.
I do a final update on all the trade deadline news tomorrow night.
Posted by robbieando at 09:29 PM | Comments (1)
October 05, 2005
Swans Land Their First Trade
The Swans today landed their first major piece of the trade period by claiming Paul Chambers from Geelong for our 2nd Round Draft Pick, number 35 overall, and in doing so forfilled their aim to trade for an expirenced ruckman to fill the void left by Jason Ball's retirement.
While the news all week has been pointing towards the Swans looking to do a deal with the Hawks for Peter Everitt, the Swans seem to be either getting a backup plan in place and still hope to make a deal which would likely see Stephen Doyle leave the club or they have decided that the Hawks won't deal and have given up.
I think the latter is the more likely but if we still miss out on Everitt a ruck department of Jolly, Chambers, Doyle and Eriksen should be good enough to repeat the feats of this year. With that out of the way, talk moves to the key positions and Teds Richards name again came up with a deal which saw a stright swap between Sydney and Essendon for Richards in return for Saddo.
The wheels are turning......
Posted by robbieando at 10:04 PM | Comments (1)
October 04, 2005
2006 Fixture Released
Here is the Swans fixture for the 2006 season where we must defend our premiership (God I love saying that). Pretty good draw we got there with only the one trip to Perth and Adelaide again. Essendon has lost its place at Telstra Stadium in place of Geelong. Now lets bring it on.
Round 1 - Essendon vs. Sydney (TD) Saturday Night
Round 2 - Sydney vs. Port Adelaide (SCG) Sunday Afternoon
Round 3 - Carlton vs. Sydney (TD) Saturday Night
Round 4 - Sydney vs. Melbourne (SCG) Sunday Afternoon
Round 5 - Sydney vs. Geelong (TS) Saturday Night
Round 6 - Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney (Gabba) Sunday
Round 7 - Richmond vs. Sydney (TD) Saturday Afternoon
Round 8 - Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 9 - Hawthorn vs. Sydney (MCG) Saturday Night
Round 10 - Kangaroos vs. Sydney (Manuka) Sunday
Round 11 - Sydney vs. St. Kilda (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 12 - Sydney vs. Collingwood (TS) Saturday Night
Round 13 - Sydney vs. Fremantle (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 14 - Sydney vs. Adelaide (SCG) Sunday
Round 15 - West Coast vs. Sydney (Subi) Saturday Night
Round 16 - Sydney vs. Richmond (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 17 - Port Adelaide vs. Sydney (AAMI) Saturday Night
Round 18 - Sydney vs. Essendon (SCG) Saturday Night
Round 19 - Melbourne vs. Sydney (MCG) Saturday Afternoon
Round 20 - Geelong vs. Sydney (Skilled) Saturday Afternoon
Round 21 - Sydney vs. Brisbane Lions (TS) Saturday Night
Round 22 - Sydney vs. Carlton (SCG) Sunday Afternoon
Posted by robbieando at 08:01 PM | Comments (2)
Trade Talk
Well its that time of the year again and that means endless rumors and talk about "said" player going to "said" team for "said" value. Even though we are just a week past our success in the Grand Final the Swans are more than just involved in this meat market of a week and "It Never Rains" will try and keep everyone up to date, with media rumors (none of these "my mate knows...." rumors that pop up on the net) and any dealings that the club becomes involved in.
I'll start this ball rolling with this post containing a few of the early rumors and the belief factor include, so here goes nothing.
Peter Everitt (Hawthorn): Could be the blockbuster trade of the trade period. The Swans have made it known they want a ready made ruckman to replace Jason Ball and see Everitt as the perfect replacement in type and abilty. Hawks don't want to give him up but looks like Everitt is about to force their hand and ask to be traded to Sydney to join his "mate" Barry Hall. Would cost us a fair bit for a 30+ ruckman, but hell I wouldn't turn down a current All-Australian Ruckman.
Beau McDonald (Brisbane): Seen by many to be the Swans back up option for the ruck position if it can't get Everitt to the club in a trade. Wanted at the Lions and is close to signing a one year deal to stay put which leads us to,
Clark Keating (Brisbane): While Brisbane aren't willing to let McDonald go, they might be willing to let Grand Final hero Keating go to free up space in their salary cap. I would stay clear of him however.
Ryan Lonie (Collingwood): Big bodied midfielder cum forward/defender which we have plenty of in our side, so God knows why we would be wanting him.
Ted Richards (Essendon): Another "what the" rumor but this one might have legs as the Swans need depth in the key positions both forward and most important of all down back and Richards could fit well into the Full Back role if required. Essendon have asked for a first round pick, but we might be able to get away with a second or even third round pick.
Now on the other side of the ball the Swans have Jason Saddington and Mark Powell asking to be traded with Saddo likely to end up back under Rodney Eade at the Bulldogs and Powell we might be able to get a third round pick out of a club for.
That's it for now, I'll keep you all posted
Posted by robbieando at 07:41 PM | Comments (1)
October 01, 2005
Kirk Takes Home the Bobby
In a Best and Fairest win that sums up the Swans season, Brett Kirk ran away with the Bob Skilton Medal to upset the favoured Barry Hall 575 votes to 501. Craig Bolton capped a magnificent year with 482 votes to take the third place and show how under-rated he is. Amon Buchanan finished fourth with 442 votes.
When handing out the award named in his honor Bob Skilton said the midfielder "optimises what football is about" believing that from the time he came to the club in 1999 "if we have ever had a better player, then I haven't seen him."
For Kirk this goes to show how far he has come as a player since been rejected by the Swans in our Grand Final year of 1996 only to turn up on our rookie list 3 years later and earn a full time spot on the senior list 2000. Since then he has turned himself into one of the game premier inside midfielders, after being first used in a tagging role that in time allowed him to become an International Rules representative in 2003 and 2004, Best and Fairest runner up also in 2003 and 2004 and gain All-Australian selection in 2004. Those honors, plus this year gain a premiership medal, Best and Fairest win and a run with the captaincy make his story one of the best in a long time to come out of football.
Other awards from the night included:
Player of the Finals Series: Jared Crouch
Rising Star: Sean Dempster
Most Improved: Amon Buchanan and Luke Ablett
Players' Player: Barry Hall
Best Clubman: Jude Bolton
Sydney Gas One Percenter Award: Amon Buchanan
Life Memberships: Paul Roos (Premiership Winning Coach), Adam Goodes (150 Games), Ben Mathews (150 Games), John Gerahty (Club Director) and Graeme Cox (Service to the Club)
Posted by robbieando at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)