NEAFL Swans rookie defender Lewis Melican believes his team’s backline will play a crucial role in defeating GWS Giants on Saturday.
The NEAFL Swans’ back half were immense in restricting Brisbane to just 40 points (5.10) in last weekend’s season opener in Burpengary.
Benefiting from the backline’s immense pressure and rebound, the Swans were able to pile on 25 goals to deliver a 120-point victory and hand Rhyce Shaw his first win as coach.
Melican, who held the centre half-back position for most of the match, said a repeat performance would go a long way to defeating the Giants.
“We didn’t give them a sniff,” he told SwansTV.
“Our pressure was really good in defence. We shut them down early and carried that on.
“It has given us a lot of confidence. We showed from the practice match two weeks earlier that we can keep them to a low enough score.
“The back six we have is pretty strong so we’re hoping to take that form into this week.”
Bias aside, Melican conceded it would take more than just a stout defence to quell last year’s minor premiers who ran over the top of their opponents to record a Round 1 win.
An even spread of contributors, similar to what was seen against the Lions, will be the key to recording the NEAFL Swans’ first win against their cross-town rivals since Round 20, 2014.
“It will take a team effort really, there’s not one spot on the ground where we’ll get up on them,” Melican added.
“Everyone will have to be switched on: 18-man offence, 18-man defence. That’ll get us the win in the end.”
“And we can’t simply rely on those one or two guys who have had senior experience. Everyone will need to put their hand up and help the team.”
Speaking of experience, the NEAFL Swans may be without Ben McGlynn for the clash at Blacktown International Sportspark with the veteran primed for a senior call-up.
Originally scheduled for 12pm at Henson Park, the match has been relocated and will start at the earlier time of 10.30am.
The Swans will take form into the clash after Shaw’s men defeated the Giants by 61 points in the last of two practice matches played between the two sides in the lead up to the regular season.
