The Sydney Swans only jump on a plane bound for the Northern Territory once a year, so it’s of no surprise they’re full of vigour ahead of this week’s trip.
The Swans are hungry to strike back from last week’s loss to the Gold Coast Suns, and they will get their chance in a clash with the Northern Territory Thunder at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
Sydney development coach Lloyd Perris said there was a buzz among the team ahead of the trip north.
“We’re really excited to get away to the NT,” Perris told Swans Media.
“The trip up to Darwin is one of the best things about playing in the NEAFL. We’ve got two nights up there and it’ll be good for the boys to get away together. It’s obviously also a very different climate up there, and the boys are looking forward to it.”
The Swans last met the Thunder in Darwin in a 74-point win in Round 15 last season.
A new-look Sydney side is in line for Saturday’s Darwin visit, with veteran Kieren Jack and off-season recruit Daniel Menzel both set to don the red and white.
A host of other Swans who’ve made their AFL debuts will join the star duo, with Ryan Clarke, Robbie Fox, Ryley Stoddart and Justin McInerney all set to feature.
Perris says intensity will be the focus as the Swans look to fight back from last week’s 28-point defeat to the Suns.
“We just want to see them put in a four-quarter effort – apply consistent pressure and defend hard for four quarters,” Perris said.
“That’s basically the message. We showed on the weekend that when you don’t do that you allow teams to score heavily, and you can’t afford to do that in football. It’ll be about playing hard footy for four quarters, and we know we’ve got to do that against the NT up there."
The Swans are placed third on the ladder with seven wins and four losses chalked up, while the Thunder is running last with one win and 10 defeats beside its name.
Who: Sydney Swans v Northern Territory Thunder
Where: TIO Stadium, Darwin
When: Saturday, 6:30pm (ACST)
To tune in to the live stream click HERE.
Sydney Swans team:
B: 51. R Barkley 59. J Rayner 48. C Flanagan
HB: 56. K Martin 41. H McLean 33. R Stoddart
C: 32. J Bell 15. K Jack 27. J McInerney
HF: 16. Z Foot 47. T Pink 42. R Fox
F: 49. C Hirst 46. J Amartey 2. D Menzel
R: 60. M Knoll 45. S Wicks 4. R Clarke
Int: 55. J Barling 50. C Kilpatrick 53. K McKellar 52. J Pawle
