A long list of Swans looking to follow in the footsteps of reliable defender Colin O’Riordan awaits an all-important clash, with Sydney set to face the Northern Territory Thunder in Darwin on Saturday night.
While O’Riordan is set to ice a storied journey from Ireland to Etihad Stadium for his AFL debut on Sunday, a number of Swans will be out to press senior claims of their own at TIO Stadium.
O’Riordan’s AFL appointment highlights the carrot that dangles for a host of Swans pushing for senior call-ups, including ruckman Darcy Cameron and midfielder Jordan Foote.
Development coach Jeremy Laidler says the two key cogs are on the right track.
“Darcy’s time will come,” Laidler told SwansTV.
“He’s just got to be patient and keep putting the runs on the board.
“Jordan Foote played limited game time last week due to concussion, but in the first half he was finding some good form and hopefully he can put a full game together on Saturday.”
Hard-nosed midfielder Jordan Dawson will bank his fifth game in a return from injury as he works toward an AFL call-up of his own in the Round 15 fixture.
The 21-year-old’s ability to win the inside ball and dish it off to the Swans’ quick outside runners has buoyed the side since he returned to action in Round 10.
While Dawson will relish the chance to test his might against star Northern Territory midfielders Abraham Ankers and Shannon Rioli, key Swans Dean Towers and Alex Johnson have their eyes locked on AFL returns themselves.
Towers will return to the NEAFL after facing Geelong in the AFL last week, and his ability to shift between the ruck, midfield and forward line promises to offer Sydney a massive boost.
Johnson has pieced together a promising stretch of football since returning from his latest injury setback, and the Thunder clash will present Johnson with an important test of his own.
Laidler said Darwin’s climate would present Johnson and company with a massive test.
“A lot of it’s getting back to the basics because the conditions are completely different up there,” Laidler said.
“It gets really hot and the boys have to hydrate a little bit more. They’ll get to Darwin and adapt to the conditions. It’s 30 degrees up there and quite humid. They’ll prepare for that and play on Saturday night.”
The Swans could find themselves in first on the ladder if they clinch a ninth win in a row in the match with the Thunder.
They knocked off the Giants in Wollongong last Saturday to edge from third to second on the ladder and if this round’s results go the Swans’ way they’ll replace the Southport Sharks in pole position.
Sydney has notched its past three wins over AFL clubs in the Gold Coast Suns, Brisbane Lions and GWS.
The Northern Territory sits in second-last on the ladder but has its tail up after carving out a 12-point win over the Redland Bombers last Saturday.
Laidler says the Swans are set for a tough encounter.
“They’re a really hard team to beat up there,” Laidler said.
“So you’ve got to start well and they’ve got some really solid players that if they get going they’re hard to stop.
“It’s going to be a really good challenge for our boys and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
Who: Northern Territory v Sydney Swans
Where: TIO Stadium, Darwin
When: 7:00pm (AEST)
Round: 15
