NEAFL footy is back and the Swans say a strong pre-season has them primed for a clash with the Giants on Saturday.
The Swans will face the Giants in a season-opening curtain-raiser at the SCG off the back of two pre-season wins over GWS.
They also notched up wins over Sydney University and the Swans Academy and Swans captain Dan Robinson said the solid form should hold the side in good stead.
“We always spoke about sewing the seed and making sure that we put our best foot forward when we were playing them both times,” Robinson said.
“It’s always hard to see how the opposition’s going to shape up in Round 1 because in pre-season players come up with limited game time, different quarters and different types of numbers playing on the field.
“So you don’t get a full grasp for it but the boys are certainly confident and hoping to replicate their pre-season performances.”
The two sides have played out a number of thrillers since the Giants entered the competition in 2012, including a one-point heart-stopper in 2016 and a grand final decided by four points later in the season.
Sydney holds a slim 12-10 head-to-head lead over GWS and from the last six showdowns the wins are split down the middle.
Robinson says history speaks for itself.
“A question we often get asked is if it’s actually a true rivalry or is it just a bit of a show,” Robinson said.
“We’ve grown up playing them since they came here and I think there’s a true wanting-to-beat-them rivalry and with them being close to us up in the city makes the rivalry all the more fierce.”
A total of seven first-year Swans will buoy the reserves in their opening-round clash.
Geelong Falcons products Matt Ling and Tom McCartin and defender Riley Stoddart signed with the Swans at the 2017 National Draft last November.
On-baller Angus Styles and ruck-forward Joel Amartey came on board at the Rookie Draft, while Academy players Nick Eynaud and Tom Meacham will also face the Giants.
Robinson says they will all bring plenty to the Swans’ NEAFL side.
“They all add something different,” Robinson said.
“Joel and Tommy are big marking targets and pinch hit in the ruck and Lingy’s got a nice left boot on him and can swat up someone in the middle. So they all bring a different strength to the team and it’s great to see them go out and play to those strengths.”
Who: Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants
Where: SCG
When: 3:45pm (AFL curtain-raiser)
SYDNEY
B: 38. Colin O’Riordan 21. Jack Maibaum 45. Angus Styles
HB: 19. Matthew Ling 36. Aliir Aliir 6. Jordan Foote
C: 1. James Rose 32. James Bell 42. Robbie Fox
HF: 27. Daniel Robinson 30, Tom McCartin 28. Nic Newman
25. Ben Ronke 46. Joel Amartey 33. Ryley Stoddart
Foll: Darcy Cameron 41. Jake Brown 31. Harrison Marsh
Inter: 55. Bailey Stewart 52. Nick Eynaud 54. Dylan Smith 51. Tom Meacham
Emer: 49. Isaac Bartholomeaus 56. Lachlan Dent
New: 45. Angus Styles 19. Matthew Ling 30. Tom McCartin 46. Joel Amartey 33. Ryley Stoddart 52. Nick Eynaud 51. Tom Meacham
GIANTS
B: 49. Billy Clark 25. Lachlan Keeffe 39. Tim Mohr
HB: 13. Isaac Cumming 15. Sam Taylor 42. Jake Stein
C: 43. Dylan Buckley 10. Aiden Bonar 47. Guy Richardson
HF: 33. Lachlan Tiziani 28. Zach Sproule 41. Jack Buckley
F: 44. Kieren Briggs 30. Matthew Flynn 48. Max Beaumont
Foll: 26. Dawson Simpson 34. Nick Shipley 46. Dylan Addison
Inter: 45. Tyh Evans 52. Jeromy Lucas 53. James Peatling 55. Riley Budd
Emer: Nathan Coxall
New: 25. Lachlan Keeffe 15. Sam Taylor 43. Dylan Buckley 10. Aidan Bonar 47. Guy Richardson
