Thousands of fans poured through the SCG gates when the Sydney Swans last ran out for an afternoon game at the Moore Park venue – and coach John Longmire has called for the red and white faithful to again roll in on Saturday.
The Swans will suit up for their third afternoon home match in six weeks in a clash with Carlton at the family-friendly timeslot of 1:45pm.
A total of 26,149 supporters were in the stands as the Swans toppled the Gold Coast Suns in Round 15, while a season-high SCG crowd of 36,640 turned out for Sydney’s storming win over the West Coast Eagles three weeks prior.
An SCG match in daylight against an in-form Carlton outfit now awaits, and Longmire said his team would love to see plenty of red and white in the stands.
“It’s always a great opportunity to play afternoon footy at home,” Longmire said.
“Hopefully all the families turn up. The good thing about the last time we were here in the daytime was it was great for the families to get out and come to the footy, and let’s hope it’s the same this weekend.”
The Swans are set to face a side that, over its last four encounters, has won two games, lost by no more than five points and climbed off the bottom of the ladder.
The Blues threatened to steal a remarkable comeback victory over the Demons on Sunday, racing to five last-term goals to the opposition’s one to pinch the lead late in the game, but they would ultimately fall five points short.
Longmire expects a challenging Carlton force to arrive at the SCG.
“They’ve absolutely developed in recent weeks,” Longmire said.
“The only two games they’ve lost over the last few weeks have been by under a kick, so they’re playing really good footy. I’m not sure whether they get Patrick Cripps back this week or not, but they’ve been able to play really good, strong footy.”
Carlton co-captain and midfield gun Cripps is a chance to return from a foot injury that’s sidelined him since Round 13.
And on Sydney’s front, veteran defender Jarrad McVeigh and young ruckman Darcy Cameron could also return from injury, while Kieren Jack, Ryan Clarke and Ryley Stoddart all starred in the NEAFL on the weekend.
