Soaring Sam takes pressure off Kurt
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, August 18

THE sterling form of talented young big man Sam Naismith is set to give Kurt Tippett an armchair ride when he returns to action in Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne in Hobart.

Tippett hasn’t played football at any level since damaging his hamstring tendon in the Round 12 loss to Greater Western Sydney but it’s not his lack of match practice which will see him play second fiddle to Naismith.

The ruckman from Gunnedah has been a revelation since stepping in for the injured Callum Sinclair in Round 16 turning the Swans into the No.1 team for scoring from stoppages.

John Longmire’s men have improved to a massive 30-point differential since Naismith became the No.1 ruckman six weeks ago.

From Rounds 1 to 15 when Tippett and Sinclair were carrying the ruck duties the scoring differential was +7.8 points from clearances which ranked them fifth in the AFL.

Swans leaders showing the way
Andrew Wu
SMH, August 18

Sydney captain Jarrad McVeigh says the Swans' leaders have made a concerted effort this season to show the way for their youngsters, whose performances have allowed the club to remain a contender while regenerating its list.

The Swans invested heavily in youth after losing five of their heroes from the 2012 flag last year and close to 1000 games worth of experience. They have blooded seven debutants and at times fielded as many as 10 players yet to reach 50 games. Their 22 on the weekend which thrashed St Kilda were younger and less experienced than their up-and-coming rival, who are in the final phase of their rebuild.

But instead of tumbling down the ladder, which is common for teams playing so many newbies, the Swans are flag favourites on the eve of the finals, similar to Hawthorn, who have also played seven first-gamers.

The form of Sydney's senior players has reduced the pressure on their newcomers. Of the Swans' seven-man leadership group three – Luke Parker, Dane Rampe and Heath Grundy – are serious chances for maiden appearances in the All Australian team, while Josh Kennedy and Dan Hannebery have maintained the high standards from last year, where they ran one-two in the club's best and fairest. McVeigh and Jack, though probably not in the form that delivered them Skilton Medals, are still delivering for their team.

"You want to set the tone during the week and on game day, I think we've done that," McVeigh said.

"The young boys get on board that but credit to them the way they come in, they know the systems, their pre-seasons were unbelievable and it's showing through the season now. They belong at AFL level."

AFL ready to hijack Sydney to fill league final vacuum
Adam Pengilly
SMH, August 18

The AFL is planning to hijack the opening weekend of the NRL finals series in the Harbour City with the continued success of the Sydney Swans and emergence of the Greater Western Sydney Giants, potentially gifting the national code a marketing bonanza in rugby league heartland.

Sydney's flailing NRL clubs means the bumper opening weekend of the finals series could feature just one match in the city – potentially none if Cronulla tumble out of the top two – with the AFL to get a free kick in an area it has long targeted for growth.

Should the current NRL and AFL ladders be replicated at the end of their respective regular seasons – the former has three rounds left and the latter two – Sydney is likely to be caught up in AFL mania with two finals matches to outstrip rugby league representation for the weekend.

The dominance of interstate-based NRL sides this season – the Storm (first), Raiders (third), Cowboys (fifth) and Broncos (sixth) are all legitimate title contenders – is set to render the opening weekend of the finals a cross-continent one with Melbourne, Townsville and Brisbane in line for hosting rights.

Only the minor-premiership chasing Sharks, who have a draw and two losses in their past three matches after a club record 15-game winning run, look set to ensure rugby league is staged in Sydney as the finals begin. They would play a qualifying final at Allianz Stadium on a Friday or Saturday night.

But is not completely beyond the realms of possibility of Sydney being left with no finals matches until week two should the stunning form of the Raiders, just four points shy of the Sharks, continue.

New Sydney Swan remembers his roots
Melissa Seiler
Southern Courier, August 18

MAROUBRA Australian Rules player Jordan Foote says he is not complacent after his debut with the Sydney Swans and he hasn’t forgotten his roots either.

“It’s great to get back down to my junior club at the Maroubra Saints — I pop in now and again,” the 20-year-old said, after visiting the kids training at Heffron Park last week.

“It took me back watching the younger ones kicking the footy around.”

Foote started his AFL career with the Saints at age five, back when their training ground was at the Village Green at the University of NSW.

“The club was still up-and-coming and we sometimes struggled to field a side ... we’d even borrow players from our opposition when we didn’t have the numbers,” he said.

“All my memories of those days coming up with Maroubra are of great mates and just enjoying the game.”