Swans midfielder Jude Bolton is looking forward to competing on football’s biggest stage this Friday night against Geelong.
With this week’s game the Swans only Friday night fixture for the season, Bolton said he is eager to line up against the reigning premiers in front of a packed house at the SCG.
“I can’t wait for Friday night, the boys are so excited,” he said.
“We don’t get too many opportunities to play Friday night footy and it’s definitely the big stage, and we just can’t wait to play against the reigning premiers.”
Bolton joins a list of Swans players and coaches who have called for more Friday night games on the Sydney fixture, saying there was no reason why Friday night footy in the harbour city would not be as successful as in other states.
“Hopefully (Friday night football) can be a regular fixture,” he said.
“Previously (the AFL) would have been worried about going up against rugby league, but we know by the amount of requests we’ve been inundated with, we know it’s going to be a sell-out this week, so it’s going to be super.
“It’s the big stage and the whole nation will be watching to see how both teams go.”
Adding to the spectacle of Friday night’s match is the possible return of Swans co-captain Adam Goodes.
Bolton said all signs are looking positive for the dual Brownlow medallist’s return, along with small forward Ben McGlynn.
“We can’t wait for Goodsey and hopefully Benny McGlynn as well, so two guys who are really fresh and looking forward to it, and we think our list is really strong at the moment and I just can’t wait to take (Geelong) on,” he said.
“To be honest, I’ve been watching (Goodes) train and it’s been like a mini pre-season for him.
“He’s been able to get a hell of a lot of running in and has been doing some big running session, and hopefully it springboards him for the last half of the year.
“Even Benny McGlynn, (missing a match) was even a blessing in disguise because he had a few niggles here and there, and now he’s going to be fresh and ready to go.”
Friday night’s match is an important game for both teams, with the Swans trying to consolidate their place in the top four and the Cats keen to push further up the ladder after the first half of the season.
Bolton said the Swans will draw confidence from the last time the two sides met, when the Swans ended a 29-game winning streak in Geelong for the Cats.
“It was just a real even contribution from everyone down there (in Geelong) and certainly there is no tougher place to play a game of footy,” he said.
“It gives our guys enormous confidence going in this week that we have beaten this side, but we will need to play just as well to go anywhere near them this weekend.”
But the 290-game veteran dismissed any claims that the reigning premiers were slowing down this season.
“They say (Geelong) haven’t been going too well, but they’ve still been winning,” he said.
“They have got some quality players and plenty of premiership players in their side so it’s a huge test for us and hopefully our guys are up for the challenge.”
