Sydney end of season review: How Neil Cordy would fix the Swans

IT looks like Kurt Tippett will remain at Sydney next season, but is there a youngster just down the road who could take the club to the next level in 2018?

THE 2017 season was the proverbial roller coaster ride for the Sydney Swans.

This one was different than most, which start climbing steadily before the ups and downs come later.

The Swans went down from the start and looked like they’d never return, but mounted a stunning comeback from 0-6 to win 14 of the next 16 matches.

In doing so they became the first team to make finals after such a horror start, they were the form team of the competition, and when they smashed Essendon in the first elimination final looked like they could win the premiership.

COLLINGWOOD REVIEW: HOW TO FIX THE PIES

HAWTHORN REVIEW: HOW TO FIX THE HAWKS

ESSENDON REVIEW: HOW TO FIX THE BOMBERS

Lance Franklin was flying and their core group of midfielders — Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker — now had the added speed and skill of Isaac Heeney and Zak Jones and muscle of George Hewett.

But a shocking performance against Geelong in the semi-final at the MCG was an enormous disappointment after looking so good for so long.

Sydney players celebrate their finals win against Essendon. Picture: Phil Hillyard

THE PROBLEMS

The Geelong semi-final loss exposed some weaknesses which are particularly evident at the MCG, where the Swans are now 2-9 in finals since the 2005 Grand Final.

Sydney’s normally outstanding defence can be exploited with fast ball movement and greater separation of defenders.

Normally Heath Grundy would have been in a position to help Dane Rampe on Patrick Dangerfield, but if he is dragged away from the contest, Rampe, Nick Smith and Callum Mills look nervous.

The Cats also followed the Hawthorn blueprint of keeping the ball away from the Swans and minimising stoppages, where they are the kings.

THE SOLUTION

The Swans still need more skill and speed.

Franklin won the Coleman Medal, but could have won it by 20 goals if he had better service.

He and Jarrad McVeigh are the only elite kicks in the team and Buddy is often left to fend for himself with the quality of ball inside forward 50.

TARGET

Since the departures of Nick Malceski and Rhyce Shaw the Swans have lacked an attacking and skilled defender.

With McVeigh likely to retire at the end of 2018, the need for such a player will grow even stronger.

A player like Greater Western Sydney’s Nathan Wilson would fit the bill perfectly.

The Swans look very solid across the ground in most other areas.

Two years ago the Swans looked in need of key defenders with Ted Richards and Grundy both on the wrong side of 30, but Grundy has found the best form of his career and they have found two replacements in Lewis Melican and Aliir Aliir.

Aliir played just three games this year and the rest in the NEAFL.

Swans football manager said he and Kurt Tippett were required players next year.

It looks like Kurt Tippett will remain at Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

DREAM

Wilson would be a perfect mix of the dash of Shaw and the penetrating kicking of Malceski.

GWS has snared a couple of Swans in Shane Mumford and Jed Lamb, but Sydney is yet to land a Giant.

Why not Wilson? He wouldn’t have to move house either.

COACH

John Longmire has blooded 13 debutants in the past two seasons and has some of the best young players in the AFL with Heeney, Mills, Jones and Tom Papley.

Melican is the perfect replacement for Grundy in the coming seasons and Aliir can move into defence as well.

Franklin is 30 but shows no sign of falling off and Kennedy, Parker and Hannebery are all still in their prime, so the Swans will be right in the hunt next year for another premiership.

BUCKY SAYS

“What they do with Tippett is interesting.

“They could definitely use the salary cap room to get into the market for players from other clubs, but who is going to be willing to take on his huge salary?

“Probably no one — unless the Swans pay a portion of it, and that means that still comes out of the Sydney salary cap.

“It’s a really tough position — they might be stuck with him.” List and trade guru Gary Buckenara.