Best decisions Swans have made

[NobleBlood]

Apparently discontent to rate the players as equally good? I guess thats predictable. If I had said the same thing on the Essendon page, they'd be saying "McVeigh shits all over Jude Bolton!"

If you're serious, you just blew ANY credibility you might have hoped you had ... Jude Bolton's under-12 training shorts still hold more talent than anything Mark McVeigh has ever done.

You did just win my personal award for least intelligent statement I've read on the Swans BF board.

I shall endeavour to win back your flimsy respect.

 

[MF]

I don't think it's as bad a call as some are making out. In their prime Jude and Mark McVeigh are on par. I think the last year or 2 of their careers has put Jude in front though and it's a big call to suggest that we made a mistake picking Jude ahead of McVeigh.

 

[NobleBlood]

Funny how quickly people forget Roos telling Jude he was up for trade in 2008, and how no one sought to take him. He came good and turned into a great player, but so is Mark McVeigh. Both have seen periods of mediocracy (like now, for McVeigh). McVeigh has seen a tonne of injury but, so in that sense, we dodged a bullet.

Most of you completely failed to read that I would only take McVeigh over Jude because he's from Sydney. It was the foundation of the decision. If you're a Swans fan living in Melbourne, this will be harder to appreciate.

 

[MARK In TIME]

Mark McVeigh is in NO WAY better than Jude Bolton and if recent form is anything to go by, he is light years behind. How he managed to get resigned is a mystery to me and many dons supporters I suspect.

The big mistake was missing out on Lenny Hayes. In that draft of 1998 we had three picks in rd 1: Nic Fosdike (3), Ryan Fitzgerald (4) and Jude Bolton (8). He went with pick 11.

We should have got him at least with one of those picks. He wasn't just a NSW junior, he was a product of the Sydney competition. He was the talented, courageous captain of the NSW/ACT Rams who lived in the the north of Sydney and loved the Swans and the SCG. Lenny Hayes would have been a perfect fit and a wonderful representative to the growth of AFL in Sydney.

Looking at him play for that scum of a club makes me sad. In my mind he plays like a blood, not that cheap, tarnished, rip-off they keep professing - 'Saints Footy'. Euh.

 

[TRAWP]

... Bolton was a large part in 05 and 06 and also he has been part of the Leadership group for about as long. Bolton's leadership beats anything Mark can provide.

 

[bloodsbigot]

The best decision the swans have ever made is picking Paul Roos over Terry Wallace.

In fact, I would say Paul Roos was our best ever recruit due to the impact he has had at the club.

 

[Tuco]

I still think Tony Lockett was the best player we ever recruited.

Best Decision was appointing Roos coach, though. If Eade had continued Roos would have left, Kirk would have been delisted, and Goodes would have asked for a trade (no joke people). Unlike some coaches we've had he knew how to listen to players - in particular to Maxfield who is the most underrated asset this club has ever had.

Agree whole-heatedly on the Terry Wallace handpass. No contest.

 

[Swans120]

Jude Bolton has not just recently become a good player. He was a fantastic part of our 05/06 years and then started to stall a bit. Hence why he was supposedly up for trade. Since then he has risen to become one of the best inside midfielders in the competition. Not only is it ridiculous to state it was a mistake to take him over Mark McVeigh but you stated it as OUR WORST DECISION MADE. The worst recruiting decision made by this club was to take Jude Bolton instead of taking Mark McVeigh. That is quite a statement. Ridiculous as it is ignorant.

And if you were ask Essendon fans who they'd prefer over their careers I'm pretty sure those who know what they're talking about would take Jude every day.

 

[NobleBlood]

Jude Bolton has not just recently become a good player. He was a fantastic part of our 05/06 years and then started to stall a bit. Hence why he was supposedly up for trade. Since then he has risen to become one of the best inside midfielders in the competition. Not only is it ridiculous to state it was a mistake to take him over Mark McVeigh but you stated it as OUR WORST DECISION MADE. The worst recruiting decision made by this club was to take Jude Bolton instead of taking Mark McVeigh. That is quite a statement. Ridiculous as it is ignorant.

And if you were ask Essendon fans who they'd prefer over their careers I'm pretty sure those who know what they're talking about would take Jude every day.

Yawn. Almost indentical post on previous page.

 

[swansfan51]

Best decision - probably Tony Lockett, not just for his on field ability but the immense exposure and media profile boost the club desperately needed

Worst decision - the recruiter who scored Willoughby, O'Keefe and Veszpremi in the first round

Best handball - Terry Wallace, by a mile

 

[Swans120]

Yawn. Almost indentical post on previous page.

Yet you haven't told us why you think Mark McVeigh (supposedly a "great player") ought to have been drafted ahead of Jude Bolton. If you're only reason for it is that he is from NSW it is not a strong argument.

You claimed it was the worst recruiting decision made by this club. This is what i really cannot believe.

 

[Caj]

Both of these players were highly regarded by the swans but were taken from us by the Kangaroos. Our recruiter who found these players in the first place became the coach or assistant at the kangaroos and talked them into leaving Sydney meaning we would loose them for nothing if we didnt trade them.

This is what i remember reading about a year ago simply put we had no choice much like Anthony Rocca

Nah we were just incompetent, i doubt it would have taken much convincing to get 2 17 year olds to come and play AFL at the swans with the alternative of sitting out of football for another year

 

[NobleBlood]

Yet you haven't told us why you think Mark McVeigh (supposedly a "great player") ought to have been drafted ahead of Jude Bolton. If you're only reason for it is that he is from NSW it is not a strong argument.

You claimed it was the worst recruiting decision made by this club. This is what i really cannot believe.

I'd rather people just dropped it, but I will have a final crack at explaining myself.

I have a twisted fantasy in building a Sydney Swans team full of NSWelshmen. I used to get bagged out all the time at school for liking AFL, and I harbour a soft spot for those in our state that pick the true code. I've never forced AFL on others, but people always forced their dislike of AFL on me. I'm sure everyone has probably experienced this at some level too. So yeah, it's a little silly. Also, Jared McVeigh is my second favourite player, and his brother is a lot like him.

I definitley got excited saying that was the worst decision. I didn't really invest myself in the questions, or expect many to actually read them. This AFL forum is more busy than the other I post on. It seemed boring to just say someone like Paul Chambers. Very boring. Jude wasn't a bad decision whatsoever. I'm likely just confusing the disappointment that Mark McVeigh couldn't in some way have made the team. I didn't mean to discredit Jude Bolton. He is amazing and I've oft screamed out my love for him and campaigned to my family about how valuable he is to us.

Getting rid of Adam Schneider and Sean Dempster for some second round pick would of made more sense to write, particuarly as the former is a NSWmen. But that's another discussion in itself.

Claims that Mark McVeigh is trash as a player are misguided though. In 2007 when he was 27, he won 13 Brownlow votes in the 14 games he played that year. He missed the rest to injury. He's blue collar like Jude, and I like him.

 

[TRAWP]

I'd rather people just dropped it, but I will have a final crack at explaining myself.

I have a twisted fantasy in building a Sydney Swans team full of NSWelshmen. I used to get bagged out all the time at school for liking AFL, and I harbour a soft spot for those in our state that pick the true code. I've never forced AFL on others, but people always forced their dislike of AFL on me. I'm sure everyone has probably experienced this at some level too. So yeah, it's a little silly. Also, Jared McVeigh is my second favourite player, and his brother is a lot like him.

I definitley got excited saying that was the worst decision. I didn't really invest myself in the questions, or expect many to actually read them. This AFL forum is more busy than the other I post on. It seemed boring to just say someone like Paul Chambers. Very boring. Jude wasn't a bad decision whatsoever. I'm likely just confusing the disappointment that Mark McVeigh couldn't in some way have made the team. I didn't mean to discredit Jude Bolton. He is amazing and I've oft screamed out my love for him and campaigned to my family about how valuable he is to us.

Getting rid of Adam Schneider and Sean Dempster for some second round pick would of made more sense to write, particuarly as the former is a NSWmen. But that's another discussion in itself.

Claims that Mark McVeigh is trash as a player are misguided though. In 2007 when he was 27, he won 13 Brownlow votes in the 14 games he played that year. He missed the rest to injury. He's blue collar like Jude, and I like him.

You do realise their isnt the best AFL upbringing in NSW at the moment.
The strength isnt there, and our BEST players are all Victorian. We would of never won the 2005 GF of the back of NSW players alone. It's a long leap to be insinuating the use of a full NSW and rather daft if you're a true AFL supporter.

 

[Swans120]

Ok fair enough then. A bit of misunderstanding on both sides then i suppose.

I do get a bit over the top when it comes to Jude cause he's my favourite Swan and IMO the most underrated player in the competition and has been for the last 2 years.

FWIW, I'm a Sydney boy myself but I don't really have the same passion to see the side full of NSW-men. Not sure why really but i think the fact we have far more of them on our list than any other club is good enough for me. I wish we had managed to pick up Lenny Hayes but the strength of footy in NSW isn't at that level yet i don't think. It seems NSW can and does produce a few absolute stars but the depth is just not quite there yet.

Good call, CAS, on Stuey Maxfield. His role at the club during his playing days and then after when he tragically couldn't play the '05 GF and helping to set up the Bloods culture only seems to now be getting the attention it deserves (no doubt as the 2 guys who get the most praise for it are retiring). But Roosy/Kirky always give him the highest praise when they talk about him.

 

[NobleBlood]

You do realise their isnt the best AFL upbringing in NSW at the moment.
The strength isnt there, and our BEST players are all Victorian. We would of never won the 2005 GF of the back of NSW players alone. It's a long leap to be insinuating the use of a full NSW and rather daft if you're a true AFL supporter.

These guys are all current players. Swans in red.

Lewis Roberts-Thomson
Kieran Jack
Paul Bevan
Brett Kirk
Henry Playfair (retired just a month or two ago)
Jarrad McVeigh
Adam Schneider
Dylan Addison
Lenny Hayes
Hamish McIntosh
Ben McGlynn
Justin Koschitzke
Mark McVeigh
Daniel Cross
Ryan Houlihan
Cameron Mooney
Brent Staker
Tom Hawkins
David Trotter
Sam Gilbert
Nicholas Naitanui

You could easily make a team out of those guys. Obviously its stupid to assume that the Swans had the power or position to get even half these guys during the years of trading. But as you can see, there is a pool of talent. In a State of Origin, we'd be competitive.

Your point is valid though. There are plenty of very good Victorian players, and our best players are Vics. I just hope that in the next 10 years, we can add another 5 NSWmen to the ranks.

 

[NobleBlood]

Ok fair enough then. A bit of misunderstanding on both sides then i suppose.

I do get a bit over the top when it comes to Jude cause he's my favourite Swan and IMO the most underrated player in the competition and has been for the last 2 years.

I've had to defend Adam Goodes against an army of haters on a previous forums describing him as a "cheat', "thug" and undeserved off any individual accolades. On Youtube, it degenrates to racist slander. Lol.

I wear his badge on my Swans cap to games. I know "over the top" intimately when it comes to insulting Goodesy.

Lenny Hayes will always be a hole in my heart. I love him to death.

 

[disgruntled goat]

I don't think it's as bad a call as some are making out. In their prime Jude and Mark McVeigh are on par. I think the last year or 2 of their careers has put Jude in front though and it's a big call to suggest that we made a mistake picking Jude ahead of McVeigh.

Nah, I can't agree.

Mark McVeigh thinks he's tough, always has. Jude IS tough, has always proved it the best way possible, not by wanting to fight blokes but by being first to the ball, at the bottom of packs, by never giving up, by bleeding for the team week after week.

Jude also has always had more skill than McVeigh elder.

McVeigh, even in 05-06, was not in Jude's league, and one of Essendon's biggest problems is the belief the club put in ordinary footballers such as McVeigh, A Welsh and co.

 

[Danair]

Best decision - Paul Roos
Worst decision - Picking Vezpremi before Cyril Rioli

 

[lotto]

Best Recruit:
our time it's Stuart Maxfield, has done so much for the club even through family drama and his playing days are over, the work he does with the youngn's he's a great clubman no matter what tigers fans say.

spot on CAS Stuey is largely credited as instigating the return of the Bloods culture. I dare say that without this taking place, we would be up to 77 years without a flag.

 

[grub29]

These guys are all current players. Swans in red.

Lewis Roberts-Thomson
Kieran Jack
Paul Bevan
Brett Kirk
Henry Playfair (retired just a month or two ago)
Jarrad McVeigh
Adam Schneider
Dylan Addison
Lenny Hayes
Hamish McIntosh
Ben McGlynn
Justin Koschitzke
Mark McVeigh
Daniel Cross
Ryan Houlihan
Cameron Mooney
Brent Staker
Tom Hawkins
David Trotter
Sam Gilbert
Nicholas Naitanui

You could easily make a team out of those guys. Obviously its stupid to assume that the Swans had the power or position to get even half these guys during the years of trading. But as you can see, there is a pool of talent. In a State of Origin, we'd be competitive.

Your point is valid though. There are plenty of very good Victorian players, and our best players are Vics. I just hope that in the next 10 years, we can add another 5 NSWmen to the ranks.

McIntosh and Houlihan are both Victorians and I think you are clutching at straws with Naitanui.You could add Dylan McNeil, Taylor Duryea,Jordan Williams, Taylor Walker,Craig Bird,Scott Reed,Luke Breust, Nathan Gordon, Ranga Ediriwickrama, Will Sierakowski, Ryan Davis, Kade Klemke, Matthew Suckling, Khan Haretuku, James Wilsen, Malcolm Lynch,Adam Prior,Sam Rowe and Jason Tutt if you like.All were NSW players listed in the past few years.

 

[TheGoatBaron]

McIntosh and Houlihan are both Victorians and I think you are clutching at straws with Naitanui.You could add Dylan McNeil, Taylor Duryea,Jordan Williams, Taylor Walker and Jason Tutt if you like.

Pretty sure Hamish McIntosh is from NSW dude.

 

[TRAWP]

Well even with the list provided it doesnt even field a team, and added to that their isnt much hope for some moulding as there is 2 mediocre ruckmen, 3 KPF and a sh*tlist besides that. With a half decent squad, wouldnt beat Cats current team.

 

[grub29]

Pretty sure Hamish McIntosh is from NSW dude.

I can assure you TLW he played at Lavington(NSW) and lived at Yackandandah(VIC).He represented Vic Country at the U18 champs.

 

[TRAWP]

I can assure you TLW he played at Lavington(NSW) and lived at Yackandandah(VIC).He represented Vic Country at the U18 champs.

He is indeed correct TLW
He was playing in U18s for them when I was playing in Juniors, met him once of twice.