Ending an era

The Sydney Swans' slide from the AFL's elite began with Collingwood, was re-ignited by Collingwood, and then was rather emphatically completed by Collingwood last night. The slide from premiership contender to also-ran began when Collingwood dominated and borderline embarassed Sydney in last year's elimination final. That Saturday night at the MCG only a magnificent effort from Adam Goodes prevented Sydney from losing by ten goals. The Swans started season 2008 in fantastic fashion with 9 wins and a draw to just 3 losses after 13 rounds. The season started its downward spiral in Round 14 after the Pies controlled precedings against the Swans with a 29 point victory (where the final margin flattered the Bloods) in Sydney. In that match the Swans looked like an old, slow and tired team that simply couldn't match Collingwood's youth and swagger.

Last night we saw that same Sydney team, a team that has regrettably shown up just about every week since the loss to the Pies in Round 14. Bookended by the two losses to Collingwood, Sydney have gone 2-6 over the past 8 weeks with the two wins against Carlton and Fremantle by a combined margin of 6 points. In fact the Swans were one regulation 25m kick from Matthew Pavlich away from being 1-7 over that stretch. Although this is not to say the Swans have not been beaten by bad teams in this stretch. The losses have come to Collingwood (twice), Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Adelaide - all teams that will play finals. There is no shame losing to these teams, but what is distressing is the manner in which they lost. Losing to Collingwood without Alan Didak, Heath Shaw, Rhyce Shaw, Dale Thomas and Nathan Brown. Losing to Geelong by 7 goals at home without the Cats having Matthew Scarlett, Paul Chapman or Darren Milburn. Losing to a Bulldogs team horribly out of sorts. And most of all losing to the Crows who were coming off a five game losing streak, at home, and only managing to muster 6 goals for the night.

The Swans are dying a slow death. Slow being the key word. Adam Goodes aside, the Swans don't have a single player that provides dash or any form of run in the midfield. Jarrad McVeigh has been a revelation, but he is a run-with player, not someone that is going to create that much himself. Jude Bolton and Brett Kirk are hard-nuts, high on heart, low on skill and speed. Nic Fosdike's career has seemingly run its course. Same goes for Jared Crouch. Youngsters like Kieran Jack and Heath Grundy look promising but won't have a sizable impact immediately. The Swans much heralded defence looks painfully average nowadays. Nick Malceski and Tadgh Kennelley have taken steps back this season. Mattner provides dash, but also a surplus of ill-advised decisions. Lewis Roberts-Thompson and Ted Richards don't inspire much confidence, and Leo Barry is done.

The Sydney forward line has been its trump-card in recent years. The big names and fantastic structure have made sure that the Swans make the most of their opportunities inside 50. Not so much anymore. Ryan O'Keefe is a brilliant player but nowadays he finds himself further up the ground, away from goals. Michael O'Loughlin is well past his best. Amon Buchanan is a handy player, but not a game-changer by any means. Heath Grundy is still developing. Barry Hall has lost it completely and quite clearly needs to be traded or re-consider his career choice. Last night was a disgrace from Hall. As for the 'fantastic' structure? Simply double team Hall in the air and deny space at his feet. The Swans forward line needs a makeover.

The Swans success in 2005 and 2006 was based on teamwork, intelligence and heart. They were never the flashiest team, they liked to grind it out. They worked hard for each other, held each other accountable and strategically they were the best team in the comp - they played games on their terms. They were personified by the courage and determination of leader Brett Kirk, and they had Adam Goodes, the one game-breaking player that elevated them from 'good' to 'very good'. But as the Swans found last year, and this year again, hard work is one thing - you need the talent to go with it. Unfortunately the Swans are a bit short in those stocks. I think the Swans are now too old to re-arrange parts and go at it again next year with a veteran list, as they have in previous years. Signing Ben Cousins or trading for Daniel Kerr isn't going to turn the Swans into a contender. In little time Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin, Brett Kirk, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch will all be retired very soon. Nick Davis and Tadgh Kennelly may not be around for much longer. I think the go must be to trade for youth, trade for draft picks, recruit cleverly and go at it again in about three years with Adam Goodes, Ryan O'Keefe, Craig Bolton, Nick Malceski, Darren Jolly and Jarrad McVeigh are still close to their primes. Because as we witnessed last night, what the Swans have now just isn't going to cut it.