The NEAFL Swans have been boosted by the timely return of trio Zak Jones, Dan Robinson and Abe Davis ahead of Saturday's Preliminary Final.
All three senior-listed players have been on the mend from respective injuries but are fit and ready to take on Aspley at Blacktown International Sportspark for a shot at the Grand Final.
Robinson busted his shoulder in Round 7 against Essendon, an injury which needed reconstructive surgery and a four-month lay-off. He was taken off the long-term injury list on Thursday.
Jones and Davis suffered ankle injuries eight weeks ago in separate incidents, Jones against Hawthorn in Round 17 and Davis during training.
The pair tackled their rehab together and will now line up for the NEAFL Swans' seventh consecutive finals series.
Sydney and Aspley's road to the prelims have been quite different. The Hornets had to eliminate reigning premier NT Thunder while the NEAFL Swans earned a week's 'break' after claiming the minor premiership.
We say 'break' as the NEAFL Swans were still put through their paces in a big training session at the SCG last weekend in preparation for the do-or-die final.
Despite dropping two of their last four games of the home and away, to the Thunder and fellow preliminary finalists GWS, Rhyce Shaw says there's no cause for concern and expects his players to be up for the challenge.
"I know what the boys can produce and I’m pretty sure they’re going to produce that this weekend,” he said.
"I’m really looking forward to seeing the boys come out and show some real spark and really get stuck in.
"They’re a really even balanced side (Aspley), they play a good brand of footy and are really talented
“They’ve been competitive all year and in previous years. The boys have spoken about what they’re like and they’re a different team in finals so we need to be on our game to get the job done.”
Jones, Robinson and Davis join James Rose and Dean Towers (Round 23 senior emergencies) plus QBE Sydney Swans Academy products Will Gowers, James Bell and Jarrod Osbourne as the inclusions for this weekend's do-or-die final.
They replace Kyle Galloway, Jack Hiscox, Harrison Marsh (Round 23 senior inclusion), Sam Murray, Darcy Baron-Hay, Luke Robertson, Matt Wilson and Jake Veale.
The inclusions take the total number of senior-listed players to 15 with the likes of experienced heads Ted Richards and Jeremy Laidler among them.
"They’re all quality players, they’ve shown that throughout the year,” Shaw said.
“Both Robbo and Jonesy have played senior footy while Abe has had a fantastic year in the NEAFL so to get those guys back is really pleasing.”
“Hopefully they can produce some really good footy even though it’ll be their first games in a while.”
Shaw, a veteran of 18 finals during his playing days, isn’t showing any nerves ahead of his first final as coach.
He said the feeling around the Club is at fever-pitch with the seniors very much part of September which makes it an enjoyable, rather than a stressful, time to coach.
“It has been a fantastic year, I’ve been really blessed with the year we’ve had,” Shaw added. “Hopefully the boys can keep playing well because that only boosts the Club and makes the seniors play well.”
Sydney took home a 64-point win in the clubs’ only meeting of season 2016 but Aspley’s recent success in finals may play on the mind of the hosts after the Hornets defeated the Swans in the 2014 Grand Final before knocking them out in last year’s elimination final.
The winner will progress to the Grand Final and take on either the Giants or Sydney Uni who'll contest the other preliminary final, to be played in the match following.
NEAFL Preliminary Final
Sydney Swans v Aspley Hornets
Saturday, September 2
Blacktown International Sportspark, 11.45am
B: Lewis Melican, Ryan Hebron**, Abe Davis
HB: Nic Newman, Nathan Cooper**, Will Gowers**
C: James Rose, James Bell**, Jordan Dawson
HF: Jeremy Laidler, Ted Richards, Dean Towers
F: Zak Jones, Toby Nankervis, Tyrone Leonardis
Foll: Tom Derickx, Jake Brown**, Daniel Robinson
Inter: Jordan Foote, Brandon Jack, Ned Reinhard**, Jarrod Osborne**
Emer: Matt Wilson**
In: Abe Davis, Zak Jones, Daniel Robinson, James Rose, Dean Towers, Will Gowers, James Bell, Jarrod Osbourne
Out: Kyle Galloway, Jack Hiscox, Harrison Marsh, Sam Murray, Darcy Baron-Hay, Luke Robertson, Matt Wilson, Jake Veale
**Denotes QBE Sydney Swans Academy top-up
