The Official Team

[super dooper]

the swans definitely aren't as potent on paper as they use to be.

Actually think it is..

We will have to play very well...the swannies will be hard to beat.

We have had the media build up... expectation high

Exactly right, this game will be no walk in the park i can assure you.
Sydney are a well drilled unit, and its more HOW than WHO for the swans in their game plan imo

Saying that id be dissapointed if we couldnt start the season with a win

Liking the look of geary playing (attard role of last year)
wanted to see armo play ahead of clinton, but the work man like sydney lineup could suit clinton more than armo in close

My matchups:

Blake on Goodes
Raph on Davis
Max on Micky O
Fish on Hall
Gilbert on O'keefe

if we win say 3 of those matchups, it will go a long way to us restricting the swans to a low score and hopefully improve our chances of winning

Barry on Gehrig (has a good record on barry)
Bolton on rooey (as above)
LRT on Kosi
Mattner on Milne

Schnieder could prove very valuable in this game, cant wait so see him play in the real stuff

A point of note is that they are playing 1 ruckman (jolly) + goodes if he rucks, while we have 2/3 front line ruckmen, rotation of these could prove invaluable late in the game, as was the case in the NAB cup GF

Go sainters, bring back the 4 pts!!!

[Dan Warna]

the swans are notorious slow starters.

IMO we should win this game, the return match will be different issue.

hall has reputedly been carrying an injury too.

swans are tired and injured and playing hard, saints should be all over them.

[chook23]

the swans are notorious slow starters.

IMO we should win this game, the return match will be different issue.

hall has reputedly been carrying an injury too.

swans are tired and injured and playing hard, saints should be all over them.

Hall injured last year........are you saying carrying an injury now?

last sentence..........swans are tired and injured and playing hard.......

this was the case at end of last year......from playing hard style?

[vacuous space]

hall has reputedly been carrying an injury too.

He only played 100 minutes or so in the first three preseason game, then was a late withdrawal for the last one. Obviously there's something bothering him, but I don't think it's anything major. He's still the matchup that worries me the most as I don't think we have anyone ideally suited to him.

[dcstkfc]

Big month for Max. Needs to get through without an injury and show he's still got it.

[Unforgiven]

Big month for Max. Needs to get through without an injury and show he's still got it.

Sab but true, I do not have the confidence that his body can stand upto AFL football which I once had.

[Washedup]

swans are tired and injured and playing hard, saints should be all over them.

Tired, injured and playing hard. All before round 1

[mad saint guy]

i wouldnt he would get murdered...i dont really see how they could match up for our benefit...how many goals did he kick in the nab cup...2?? that hardly makes a goal kicker....

Armo kicked 4 didn't he? With goals in each game except the GF.

[The Jeff]

Yes i've been frantically changing my dreamteam. Had guys like Henderson (Bris), Pfeiffer (Carl) to take out. Also put in Houli and trying to fit Gamble in.

Set Cox as my captain, but haven't managed to set Emergencies yet, as it's slow as treacle.

howd you even get in!?

I wanted to change one backman - just one! So I clicked on trade with 40 mins to go and the next page that came up - 35 minutes later, had removed all 9 of my defenders!!!! I somehow managed to get them back in but couldn't set the emergencies that I wanted. Oh well, at least I got my squad back in.

Extremely frustrating though!!!

[Saints Premiers 2008]

i wouldnt he would get murdered...i dont really see how they could match up for our benefit...how many goals did he kick in the nab cup...2?? that hardly makes a goal kicker....

Armo kicked 4 didn't he? With goals in each game except the GF.

my bad...

i still will cringe to see him lining up on a match-hardened running back

[Eastern]

I love Max. I would turn for Max, I would have Max's babies if he would only service me .

Word going around is that you have already turned. Not that there is anything wrong with that !!

[fugazi]

Jones to go with Okeefe or Kennelly....defensive fwd?

[jill]

Don't think Max will front - & unless 100% why risk him!
This is NOT an easy game - will be a good early test.
GO SAINTERS 2008

[Solar]

I understand that max has a history of hamstring injuries but why all the moan and groan? I have not seen one piece of evidence that max is not 100%? Yes he is coming off a smaller base of match fitness but it's either play him or retire IMO

btw should be a cracker tomorrow night

[Dan Warna]

the swans are notorious slow starters.

IMO we should win this game, the return match will be different issue.

hall has reputedly been carrying an injury too.

swans are tired and injured and playing hard, saints should be all over them.

Hall injured last year........are you saying carrying an injury now?

last sentence..........swans are tired and injured and playing hard.......

this was the case at end of last year......from playing hard style?

there's a rumour going around he played through a minor injury and still carrying one into this year.

it could be a degenerative injury much like hammils and his speed and strength come and go.

yep he's one of those players like voss, hamill, harvey, and yes even luke ball, who even 80% fit is still an elite player and thats what sydney are banking on.

i think much like st kilda and brisbane, sydney have players playing through injury.

from what im reading st kilda are far fresher at this time than sydney.

also sydney have had a history of sort of not hitting their straps till about round 7 or 8 and being written of early.

If so, it could an opportunity to bank 4 points now.