Ten minutes is all it took for Sydney’s premiership dreams to fall away from them.
They were physically belittled, intimidated, harassed and crushed in a ten minute period that many of them would have spent all summer trying to forget.
The most important thing is to not let Hawthorn take that psychological edge into 2015, knowing that they have their measure. The one thing that has made this Swans team irresistible viewing in recent times is their work rate and self-belief as a group.
Perhaps the jibes about COLA have made them slightly insular and hardened to outside influences, but as a unit they’re to be admired. Their game style applies maximum pressure to the opposition’s key ball users, then extract it to use the ball on the rebound as quick as possible. This doesn’t mean that they’re a completely reactive team either; their midfield - from Kennedy to McGlynn to Hannebery - has excellent inside extractors.
A larger point would be to see where their largest improvement on last season comes from? Lance Franklin settling down after his first year and Kurt Tippett remaining injury free should see residual improvement in their working relationship. Two fit and firing top 5 key forwards is a disturbing prospect for any opposition team, so as long as the Swans keep up supply, their top 2 prospects will be strong as ever.
Making a grand final in any sense of the word isn’t a ‘failure’, but realistically anything short of a repeat appearance this year would be a fail mark.
This is a squad that talented and battle hardened, with even the inexperienced exposed to the rigour of finals. Miss out on a shot at silverware, and some questions might be asked if they’re selling themselves and the club short.
Players to watch
Gary Rohan
Finally back after 18 months on the sidelines and got some handy finals experience. Uninterrupted pre-season is exactly what the doctor ordered and should provide some extra run and gun to the team.
Dane Rampe
A revelation. Came into the side in 2013 after a spate of injuries as an unknown youngster and has really bloomed into both a decent one on one defender and excellent rebounder. Expected to take his game up another notch in 2015.
Kurt Tippett
Same boat as Gary Rohan, got through the pre-season unscathed. Expect a return of 50+ goals and to remain a nightmare for opposition defences.
Key Games
Round 2 v Port Adelaide – Huge game against the team most likely to challenge both the Swans and Hawks for second spot and a home qualifying final. Four points critical even this early on.
Round 8 v Hawthorn – Maybe not the same grudge level as Geelong v Hawthorn, but these games are modern classics. Two of the best going head to head with nowhere to hide.
Round 11 v North Melbourne – Not an easy trip on paper. North have top four, maybe even top two aspirations and will be looking for any opportunity to knock off a premiership contender.
Finishing positon – 3rd