Sydney youngster Harry Cunningham has praised the side’s leaders ahead of the clash with North Melbourne, saying they have carried the mantle as the Swans have come to grips with the recent spate of injuries.
Veterans Jarrad McVeigh (broken collarbone), Kieren Jack (knee) and Dan Hannebery (calf) all suffered injuries in the loss to Geelong last Thursday, while Sam Reid (Achilles) and Lewis Melican (hamstring) have this week undergone surgery.
While the injuries have cast the spotlight on a host of Sydney young guns presented with chances to shine, Cunningham says the experienced cattle have steadied the ship throughout the testing run.
“The leadership of Kennedy and Parker and the rest has been as elite as it always has,” Cunningham said.
“I don’t think it’s changed too much for those guys week in and week out. They want to lead with their actions and to their credit they’ve been doing it all year and for a number of years now. It doesn’t really change too much for them. They’ll continue to lead by their on-field actions. We’ll back those guys in and jump on board with them.”
Skipper Josh Kennedy (219) and vice-captain Luke Parker (166) have piled up 385 games of experience between them and along with Hannebery have long led the Swans on the inside of the contest.
Kennedy was enormous in the final quarter of Sydney’s clash with Geelong at the Cattery in Round 6, storming to 13 of his 33 touches and six of his 13 clearances as the Swans staged an unforgettable come-from-behind victory.
Vice-captain Dane Rampe is instrumental to the Swans’ back six, while Parker appears to shift a gear higher just when he looks down and out.
A Nick Vlastuin elbow left Parker with a black eye in the Swans’ recent match with the Tigers, but the bullocking on-baller would strike back with a pair of goals in the next 10 minutes.
Cunningham says the youngsters draw a wealth of drive from Parker’s unreserved approach.
“Luke leads from the front with his actions,” Cunningham said.
“He’s as hard as they come and as courageous as they come and that’s a part of Luke’s game he’s developed over a number of years now and he’s well-known for it. He never backs away from anything and he’s one of our best on-field leaders and it’s just what Luke does and everyone’s come to expect it. It’s great to be able to jump on board with him and follow on with him.”
Sydney will be out to crack a two-game losing run in a date with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Cunningham said the Swans would have to return to what they do best as they eye off a return to the top four.
“It’s well-documented we’ve had a couple of weeks where we haven’t played the footy we want to play,” Cunningham said.
“We need to get back on track and no matter who’s playing we’ll back them in and we need to get back to that two-way football we’re known for. We’ll need to get back to defend and then counter-attack from there.
“We’re looking forward to the game.”
