Aces come up trumps for Sydney Derby
Ben Horne
Daily Telegraph, July 11
SYDNEY Swans captain Josh Kennedy is set to return for Saturday’s derby against a Giants outfit hopeful of welcoming back a trio of aces.
The skippers squared off on Monday at Spotless Stadium ahead of Saturday’s showdown and Kennedy gave a strong indication he’s put quad tightness behind him.
Sydney will need their inspirational leader on deck as well, particularly if GWS coach Leon Cameron’s wishes come true and he welcomes back injured stars Toby Greene, Steve Johnson and Zac Williams.
Greene has been sorely missed with an ankle injury as the side has stumbled to two consecutive draws, while the injection of experienced war horse Johnson (knee) could also be crucial — and Cameron says he’s confident of both taking the park.
Kennedy — arguably the most influential midfielder in the AFL — will return for the Swans after a precautionary rest against Gold Coast.
“It’s pretty good, I was close to playing last Saturday, so I’m pretty confident of coming up this week,” Kennedy said of his recovery.
“The fear of doing a bit more damage (kept me out) so we took the conservative approach and hopefully that holds me in good stead for Saturday.
“We’ll probably assess it (Tuesday) but I’ll definitely train on Thursday.”
A Patton is emerging
Ben Horne
Daily Telegraph, July 11
GWS have a message for Sydney Swans goal freak Lance Franklin: there’s a new General in town.
Giants big man Jonathan Patton has been kicking the house down in recent weeks and now has a golden chance to lay down a marker for the Coleman Medal against the Swans’ best in the business.
Three of the most lethal kicks in the AFL will face off against each other in Saturday’s Sydney derby, which has the potential to boil over on the field according to GWS coach, Leon Cameron.
Three-time Coleman Medallist Franklin leads the pack with 43 goals for the year, just two ahead of Jeremy Cameron, GWS’s mainstay upfront.
However, the dark horse for the goalkicking gong is fellow Giant Patton who has booted bags of four, four and five in the past three weeks.
Patton has 31 goals for the season and his hot streak is one of the reasons why Swans coach John Longmire is “frightened” that the second-placed Giants might be capable of going to another level again before finals footy.
Returning Giants expect no mercy in Sydney Derby
Greg Denham
The Australian, July 11
The timing could not be better for Greater Western Sydney to regain three quality players for Saturday’s clash with the league’s most in-form club, Sydney, at Spotless Stadium.
Following consecutive draws against Geelong and Hawthorn with a team comprising stopgap players off their rookie list, the returns of Toby Greene, Zac Williams and Steve Johnson will be timely against the Swans, who have the best winning sequence in the AFL — winning five straight games and eight of their past nine.
On an injury-hit GWS list that last week lacked nine of their best players, Greene (ankle) and Williams (hamstring) have missed the two drawn games, while Johnson, with ongoing knee soreness, missed last weekend.
Both clubs will regain class players, with Sydney captain Josh Kennedy certain to be recalled after being rested against Gold Coast on the weekend with minor quadriceps tightness. The Swans will also consider recalling first-year forward Will Hayward, who has missed the past fortnight with a foot problem.
Kennedy, who has been in outstanding touch over the past two months, appeared confident yesterday.
“It’s pretty good, I was close to playing on Saturday so I’m pretty confident of coming up this week,” he said. “The fear of doing a bit more damage … so we took the conservative approach and hopefully that holds me in good stead for Saturday. We’ll probably assess it (today) but I’ll definitely train on Thursday.”
Improving Giants a ‘frightening’ prospect, says Longmire as clubs set stage for derby
Rob Forsaith
AAP, SMH, July 11
The prospect of injury-hit AFL premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney lifting another level is "frightening", according to John Longmire.
Sydney coach Longmire and GWS counterpart Leon Cameron visited Spotless Stadium on Monday, when they were flanked by respective captains Josh Kennedy and Phil Davis for a press conference.
None of the four were ready to light any fuses or lob any barbs ahead of the derby that will unfold, most likely in front of a sold-out crowd, at the same venue on Saturday night.
Instead there were mountains of mutual respect, with Longmire leading the way when asked if the Giants have room for improvement given their patchy form this year.
"If that's the case, it's a bit frightening," Longmire said.
"Because they're sitting second on the ladder now with 11 wins.
"They've got an incredible depth in their team, which has been demonstrated by how they've handled their injuries this year. They're a very strong team."
