The NEAFL Swans have been given an added boost ahead of Saturday’s clash with Canberra with the addition of AFL regulars Kurt Tippett and Gary Rohan.
The duo was overlooked for the AFL side as they return from respective injuries which sidelined them for the past two weeks.
Tippett (hip) pulled up sore after training in the lead up to the Round 6 encounter with Carlton and hence was a late withdrawal while Rohan (concussion) was involved in a sickening fall against the Blues that same afternoon.
Instead of rushing them back into the senior side for Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne at Docklands, the coaches thought the pair would benefit greatly from a run in the reserves.
It will be Tippett’s first game at NEAFL level since Round 4, 2014, when the key forward returned from a knee injury. He kicked three goals in what was his first and only appearance at the lower level in red and white.
Together with Jeremy Laidler, Aliir Aliir, Brandon Jack, Jordan Foote and the returning Dan Robinson, both Tippett and Rohan add a wealth of experience to coach Rhyce Shaw's side.
There were no complaints from Shaw who said on Friday his young group will be better players from running out alongside “such calibre.”
“They've both missed a couple of weeks now so they need some game time," Shaw said.
“It's good for the club, we're getting a bit of depth back, so it's important those two as well as the others to play well on the weekend and push again for senior selection.
“It's a great experience for our young guys...we get a sprinkling (of AFL talent) every now and again but this week there's certainly a bit more.
"It's really important that our young blokes watch and learn from those blokes but it's more important that those guys come out and perform because that's how we get better as a club."
Tippett and Rohan will play a big part in the NEAFL Swans’ aims for fifth win on the trot following victories against Southport, NT Thunder and the previously undefeated Brisbane in consecutive weeks.
After a tough opening half, the NEAFL Swans took control of last weekend’s curtain-raiser against the Lions to run away with a 37-point win.
Nic Newman, who’s part of the AFL squad as a travelling emergency, starred with 30 disposals, six marks and a goal.
His absence will be felt but Shaw has full faith in the players selected for the trip to the nation’s capital.
Sam Murray has one of the big improvers this season, his speed and ball use providing a spark in last weekend’s win, yielding two goals, while first-year Sam Fisher has slotted into the midfield with ease averaging 24 disposals over his five games.
Toby Pink has provided a strong target up forward while at the other end Jack Maibaum, having had exposure to the senior level during the JLT Community Series, has carried himself well at full-back.
Against the Canberra Demons, who haven’t been beaten at home this season, Shaw says he’ll need more of the same from the entire squad to get the job done.
“Everyone is playing their role at the moment, they're not only looking to play well at reserves level but their starting to put their hand up to play AFL," Shaw said.
“They're really playing some good football so hopefully they can continue for a bit longer and really press their case.
"The Dees, they are a pretty good outfit. They really work hard, both ways and put a lot of pressure on around the football. They're in some pretty good form, they've taken some big scalps so we will need to be on to beat them."
The NEAFL Swans hold second spot on the ladder with a 1-4 record, one game behind the undefeated Sydney Uni, while Canberra sit sixth with a 3-2 win-loss ratio.
