We analyse the Swans’ season after its disappointing Grand Final loss to Hawthorn.
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What went right:
As expected, the introduction of Lance Franklin was a major boost for the Swans and apart from a disappointing start to the year John Longmire’s side were excellent.
Sydney were very, very good for most of 2014 and deserved its minor premiership, but there’s no doubt they’ll be burning after Saturday’s performance.
We all know what happened against the Hawks, but if you judge the Swans’ season as a whole it was quite a successful one.
What went wrong:
Grand Final day.
The Swans were insipid throughout the match and were completely dominated by the Hawks in every facet of the game.
Despite having a squad full to the brim of players with finals experience, it was deer in the headlights type stuff.
Overall the Swans were very good and were fully deserving of the minor premiership, but they failed on the day it really mattered.
Star performers:
The Swans had excellent players all over the ground but it was the contribution of Lance Franklin and Josh Kennedy that really lifted the side throughout.
Honourably mentions surely have to go to Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker and Kieren Jack as well. All brilliant in 2014.
The future:
The issues surrounding COLA will make life more difficult for Sydney in the future, but there’s absolutely no doubt they’ll be amongst the favourites to win the 2015 premiership.
Sydney’s list still has enough life in it to challenge for a while yet, but they’ll have to again go head-to-head with Hawthorn as well as fighting off the emerging Port Adelaide and the still-dangerous Geelong and Fremantle.
Season score: 7.5/10
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