The message to off-season Sydney Swans recruit Daniel Menzel ahead of his first game in red and white is simple, development coach Lloyd Perris says.
A nagging groin injury has limited Menzel to the sideline since Sydney lured him from Geelong during last October’s trade period.
But on Saturday afternoon the crafty 27-year-old forward will run out for his first game in his new colours as the Swans meet Sydney University at Marrickville’s Henson Park.
Perris said he wanted Menzel to commit to the team effort in the clash with the Students.
“Dan has bought in really well into the club. He’s shown his leadership and he’s dragging a lot of the younger guys with him,” Perris told SwansTV.
“We just want him to enjoy the game and get through unscathed. We know he can also kick goals, and if he can do that that’d be great, but we just want him to buy in as he has done ever since joining the club.”
The Swans are eyeing a return to the winners’ column after stumbling in a 67-point loss to the Brisbane Lions at South Pine Sports Complex last Saturday.
Sydney is placed third on the ladder after the opening five rounds of the season with four wins and one loss beside its name, while Sydney University sits fourth with two wins and two losses.
Perris said the Swans had focussed on the defensive side of their game in the week-long lead-up to the cross-city battle.
“It’s been all about defence basically – getting our boys to really buy in on team defence,” Perris said.
“That’s been the main message. We didn’t do it on the weekend and we’ve got to make sure we bring that this week against Sydney University.”
Who: Sydney Swans v Sydney University
Where: Henson Park, Marrickville, Sydney
When: Saturday, 11:30am
Round: 6
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Sydney Swans team:
B: 52. J Pawle 47. T Pink 33. R Stoddart
HB: 51. R Barkley 31. H Reynolds 53. K McKellar
C: 32. J Bell 8. J Rowbottom 25. B Ronke
HF: 4. R Clarke 45. S Wicks 16. Z Foot
F: 19. M Ling 46. J Amartey 2. D Menzel
R: 17. D Cameron 27. J McInerney 1. J Rose
Int: 56. N Brewer 55. S Gaden 49. C Kilpatrick 54. L Swaney
Emg: 57. J Dol 48. K Martin
