Squad for JLT game named

[LoveNavy]

They're all fair points sbf.

It's the example that always get trotted out in these circumstances, but if you cast your mind back to 2005, we won the pre season comp, then won the spoon. Conversely the Swans have never played in a pre season final, and they've done ok in the h/a season.

In fact, as someone else suggested, you can find every pattern imaginable if you do a historical comparison of team performance in the ps v h/a.

The long and short - what happens in the p/s has little bearing on what happens in the h/a.

No doubt yesterday was yucko. I don't have an issue with this in the p/s, but if this is a portent of what to expect in the h/a, then it will be an awful season.

Remember also, we have the highest number of u/21's on our list (I think Emily or Grace said 13), so this may also be a factor. Young bodies IMO can't be relied upon week in week out (through no fault of their own), and this, for the present, contributes to a lack of depth. They will tire as the season progresses, and their bodies won't stand up to the rigours of footy for an entire season. Which then means the senior players carry more load, which then etc..............

This.
As much as our youngsters excite, we must be patient. Aside from our established seniors, it's the stopgap players that will fill spots this year. The likes of A Silvagni and RP. The youngsters (years 1-2) will have a balance of exposure and physical/mental development. The likes of Boeky, Sumner, Buckley will need to step up if we're to stay in games. Our recruiting featured quality talls (years 1-2) and quality smalls (year 1). My guess is our next recruits will be the engine room (Cripps type). The former groups develop then look to add the class (marque). This will be our future in the 20-26 age bracket. That's when we should be there abouts (with GWS as they win back-backs) as I see it. I'm looking for development not wins this year. Not to say I won't sook when we get thumped :'(