Sydney Swans forwards coach Steve Johnson has backed the team’s two-pronged makeshift ruck attack to fire on the biggest stage in the competition on Saturday afternoon.
Towering duo Sam Reid and Aliir Aliir will shoulder Sydney’s ruck load as the Swans descend on the revered MCG, with the pair set to replace the injured Callum Sinclair in the clash with Essendon.
The Bombers are faced with a hard-hit ruck department of their own, with Zac Clarke and Shaun McKernan set to carry out the duties in Tom Bellchambers’ absence.
Sinclair is expected to miss the next 3-4 games due to a shoulder dislocation he suffered in last week’s SCG win over the Gold Coast Suns.
But Johnson is confident pinch-hitting big men Reid and Aliir will seize the challenge in his void.
“It obviously wasn’t ideal that we lost Sinclair last week, but when he went down Sam Reid and Aliir spent time in the ruck,” Johnson said.
“They’ll spread the ruck duties again this week, they played out the game really well last week and they’ve helped out Sinclair in the ruck right throughout the year.”
An injury-hampered Reid managed just one senior match in season 2018, but he has this year booted 19 goals in 14 games in a comeback campaign that’s earned Johnson’s big tick.
At the other end of the ground, Aliir has built himself into a formidable defender with his intercept marks, precise ball movement and ability to clamp a dangerous key forward.
Johnson said how Reid and Aliir are used in the Bombers clash would be decided as the game progresses.
“It probably just depends on how we’re looking forward of the ball – whether we need to play Sam more forward or whether we need Aliir down back,” Johnson said.
“We’re looking at it with an open mind. Sam might start in the ruck and then it depends on how we’re travelling.”
The Swans will be on a mission to grab a fourth win in a row in Saturday’s match, and Johnson says they will relish the challenge.
“It’s going to be a cracking game,” Johnson said.
“It’s a good opportunity for our young team to go and play at the MCG, we haven’t played there this year and we’re really looking forward to that.”
