Gary Buckenara analyses Sydney’s list after the 2018 season
SYDNEY recruited Lance Franklin to help win premierships but they’re still waiting. Is time running out? List guru Gary Buckenara looks at where the Swans are at and what they need.
Expert Opinion
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SYDNEY is a remarkable club that keeps backing up year after year and playing finals but is this list still capable of winning a premiership?
It was a mighty effort to play finals – against the odds in the end – after the injury issues the club endured this season. Overcoming such adversity illustrated why this is such a great club.
But ultimately after a strong first half, the year ended in bitterly disappointing fashion - eliminated in week one of the finals by GWS.
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At the mid-way point of the season I had the Swans playing off in the Grand Final they were going that well, so questions need to be asked about what went wrong.
Injuries and illness played a part clearly, with Lance Franklin, Callum Mills, Heath Grundy, Dan Hannebery, Gary Rohan, Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Sam Reid, Nick Smith and Sam Naismith all suffering injuries at various stages. Those injuries tested the depth at Sydney and for the first time that depth was exposed at times.
Reid’s injury was the most critical as too much was left to Franklin as the Swans became far too predictable up forward – he’s so important for structure and as the second marking target. His absence was partly the reason for their inability to kick scores big enough to win games late in the season.
The injuries did, however, allow John Longmire to unearth some future stars. Ben Ronke was a revelation as a quick small forward with elite goal sense, Tom McCartin adjusted to AFL level easily and looked at home as a key forward for the future, Aliir Aliir finally found the form that showcased his unique skill set and held down a key role in defence and Jordan Dawson looked good at times.
Jake Lloyd elevated his game to another level again this year and has become one of the game’s elite halfbacks who is so creative with ball in hand. His emergence is a testament to the Swans’ development program and patience in nurturing talent.
Franklin has now played five seasons with the Swans since crossing from Hawthorn and while what he’s done for the game off the field and for the club on the field has been massive, ultimately clubs are judged on their ability to win premierships. 2018 was another failure.
The question now is: Can the Swans win a premiership before Franklin retires?
I won’t ever write off the Swans because this club has proven time and again how good it is at not only managing their list and making smart recruiting decisions but their development program is one of the best in the league. What I will say is there are some serious challenges ahead and the departures of experienced players Hannebery and Rohan don’t help. Sydney recruited Franklin to win premierships and the club is still waiting. The clock is now well and truly ticking. Franklin has been remarkably durable but for the first time this year we saw signs his body might not be what it once was. I’m not sure they’re still in premiership contention but it also wouldn’t surprise me if they’re there at the pointy end again soon.
Who will replace Hannebery in the midfield? Rohan had speed, which the Swans already lack so where can they inject more pace from? Nic Newman wants a trade but I can see a clear role for him off halfback, so it’ll be a blow if he does find a new club because not only does he add some pace he’s another experienced body who won’t be in the equation.
Who fills those positions?
A lot will be asked of Mills, Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Harry Cunningham and Zak Jones next year to step up and be the future of this football club and take on greater responsibility to regenerate this team.
SYDNEY’S LIST NEEDS
The midfield is an area of concern for the Swans. They are desperate for leg speed and finding a classy and quick midfielder should be the priority. Losing Hannebery will clear salary cap space to chase a star, although it doesn’t look like the club can address the need during this trade period, so the improvement could come from within. Jones and Florent can move into permanent midfield roles and I think Matthew Ling and Ryley Stoddart can add some speed in the future.
Sydney is also crying out for an established key forward. Reid is the answer but his body has stopped him from becoming the star he should be. Can Longmire rely on him to play 22-25 games next year? McCartin will develop but needs to add bulk to his light frame – he’s not the answer yet.
PLAYERS WHO NEED TO STEP UP IN 2019
Reid simply must get his body right. The Swans’ forward line takes on a completely different look when he’s in the team as he’s a genuine marking target. Their ability to push into finals contention almost hinges on him playing alongside Franklin.
Aliir finally returned to the senior team in the second half of the season and showed good form but the challenge now for him is to put together a strong, consistent season where he’s a senior regular from Round 1. That means putting in a big summer on the training track and not letting his standards slip during his time away from the club. Hopefully 2018 was the turning point for him because he can be a really dynamic and creative player, characteristics the Swans are lacking.
Harry Marsh only managed a handful of games and has not played more than nine matches in a season since marking his debut in 2016. He has already been delisted once (at the end of 2015) but the Swans gave him a second chance - is he going to establish himself as an AFL player or be delisted again?
CRYSTAL BALL
The Swans have enough talent to be a top-eight contender in 2019 but I have my doubts that they are a genuine contender in 2019, but it is always dangerous to write them off. It might be time to start reinvesting in the draft and developing their next generation of stars to take over from Josh Kennedy, Jack, Parker, Franklin and Grundy.
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