Sydney 2018 report card: Tough end to inconsistent season leaves Swans searching for more goals

SYDNEY made the finals for the ninth-straight year, but their season was all over the shop. It’s not all doom and gloom, but the Swans desperately need to find some goalkicking help for Lance Franklin. Is Pie Darcy Moore the answer?

The Swans know Lance Franklin needs more goalkicking help but is Collingwood's Darcy Moore the answer?

IN many ways, Sydney’s 49-point elimination final loss to Greater Western Sydney summed up their season.

A ninth-straight finals appearance is nothing to scoff at, but there are some glaring issues.

The side’s midfield grunt is not what it was, the game plan not one that stacks up as well as it once did and there is a clear over-reliance on star forward Lance Franklin.

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Help wanted: Lance Franklin starred for the Swans in 2018, but he needs more help. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

Sydney ranked ninth in clearances and tackles this year, recorded the worst percentage of the top-eight sides with an average score of just 80.5 points and Franklin was the only player to kick more than 28 goals for the year.

Yes, the Swans got some games into some promising young talent.

But the golden run might be over, unless some sweeping changes are made.

TRADE TABLE

After 10 years, 208 games and a premiership, midfielder Dan Hannebery wants out, having requested a trade to St Kilda that will get done in some shape or form.

Gary Rohan looks set to end up at Geelong, while Nic Newman has reportedly toured North Melbourne having been unhappy at the Swans.

Collingwood swingman Darcy Moore remains out of contract and has been linked to Sydney all year.

The Swans are reportedly keen on prying Darcy Moore away from Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images

DRAFT STRATEGY

The Swans have a reasonable hand at the draft table with three picks in the first two rounds as it stands, but one of those looks set to be used on father-son Nick Blakey.

The son of 359-game AFL great John Blakey, the classy left-foot utility has nominated Sydney as his preferred destination having been involved in the Swans’ academy.

A little more midfield speed and some key-position options would also be on Sydney’s shopping list.

Young gun Nick Blakey has nominated Sydney as his preferred destination. Picture: Getty Images

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

■ Qualifying for a ninth-straight finals campaign, having finished sixth on the ladder with a 14-8 record.

■ Star forward Franklin being named All-Australian captain after another sterling season which yielded 57 goals.

■ Beating every fellow finalist at least once during the home-and-away season except for Richmond.

WHO WINS B&F?

Franklin finished second last year behind Luke Parker but has been the Swans’ clear standout in 2018.

Sydney will be hoping young buck Ben Ronke can develop into a consistent goal threat. Picture: Phil Hillyard

NEXT YEAR’S GOAL

It should be all about getting more games into some of the promising young youngsters — Oliver Florent, Will Hayward, Callum Mills, Tom McCartin and Ben Ronke to name but a few.

Some more avenues to goal also need to be found, desperately, for Franklin cannot do it all and won’t be there forever, his 32nd birthday coming up quickly in January.

ROBBO SAYS

Had a run of six wins from Rounds 8-13, lost four of the next five, beat Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS and then lost their last two against Hawthorn and GWS in the final. They were all over the shop with performance and died at the end. The Swans need to find more avenues to goal and Darcy Moore would be ideal — if they can get him.

Dan Hannebery looks on the way out as the Swans lament a missed opportunity. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

BOOK GRAND FINAL TICKETS…

2020? It’s hard to ever write off the Swans, and they would be determined to make the most of the tail end of Franklin’s career. With plenty of young talent, a speedy rebuild-on-the-run is entirely possible.