AFL Asks Questions of Young Swans

Having been beaten in a top of the ladder clash with the Hawthorn Hawks, questions are being asked of a young hopeful Sydney Swans outfit. Previous leaders overnight in the race for the AFL Minor Premiership flag, they now sit second behind the hawks with one game to play. Still level on points but behind on aggregate, they are mathematically able to top the hawks with a win against Geelong at home on the weekend.

Disappointed Sydney Swans after blowing a big lead at SCG

However having blown a 34 point lead, in the second half against the Hawks many coaches have written of the Swans as Premiership contenders due to their inability to hold their nerve against other top sides. Arguably the best coach of all time, Mick Malthouse, went as far as to say recently that "I can't get my head around them being the best side, on points, in the comp - because they're not."

This season is comparable to their 2007 premiership season where the similarly defied the critics and the odds, besting a host of other top teams to eventually win the final by a point. The differing factor is of course age however. With the loss Brett Kirk, Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Craig Bolton to retirement; the swans have arguably found more than adequate replacements alongside a host of young and hungry new midfield stars. The strong 'bloods' culture at the club is extremely strong and their is no lack of confidence. But with the lack of experience on the field, can these young bloods make the right decisions at key moments?

2010 Rising Star Winner Dan Hannebery beats a Hawk