The Sydney Swans have welcomed back exciting quartet Ben Ronke, James Rose, Ryan Clarke and James Rowbottom for a top-of-the-table clash with the Brisbane Lions at South Pine Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The four young Swans will all return from AFL duty as Sydney hunts for a fifth-straight win to open the season in Queensland’s capital city.
Sydney development coach Jeremy Laidler said attacking the footy had been the focus ahead of a tough trip north.
“We’ve been training our contested work pretty heavily, and especially with young kids you’ve got to nail down the fundamentals of the game. Contested ball and ground ball have been a major focus,” Laidler told SwansTV.
“We know it’s going to go up another level this week. Brisbane are really healthy at the moment; they’ve got just about a full team of AFL-listed players. It’s going to be a good challenge.”
The Swans have defeated the Gold Coast Suns, the Redland Bombers and twice GWS over the opening month of the season.
The faultless record means they're placed second on the ladder ahead of the Round 5 fixture, with Brisbane, Sydney and the Southport Sharks the only undefeated clubs.
Saturday will mark the second time this season the Swans will have travelled to Queensland, with Sydney having met Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in Round 2.
Laidler says time away from Sydney is crucial for his young team.
“Travel is huge for us, especially when we have a few injuries and limited AFL-listed players,” Laidler said.
“It gives our Academy boys a bit of confidence and allows our relationships to build stronger and stronger. We always enjoy being able to get away.”
Who: Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions
Where: South Pine Sports Complex, Brisbane
When: Saturday, 12pm
Round: 5
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Sydney Swans team:
B: 53. K McKellar 47. T Pink 33. R Stoddart
HB: 4. R Clarke 38. C O’Riordan 31. H Reynolds
C: 32. J Bell 25. B Ronke 16. Z Foot
HF: 51. R Barkley 45. S Wicks 49. C Kilpatrick
F: 19. M Ling 46. J Amartey 8. J Rowbottom
R: 17. D Cameron 27. J McInerney 1. J Rose
Int: 59. M Belbasis 48. T Drum 54. I Olsen 52. J Pawle 50. K Veerhuis
Emg: 55. N Coxall 58. P Roseby
