The Sydney Swans will field a strong line up at Friday’s intra-club hit-out at Henson Park, Marrickville.
Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack will all line up in the 4x20 minute quarter practice match.
Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, reigning Coleman medallist Lance Franklin and defender Ted Richards will all miss the match, but remain on target to feature during the NAB Challenge fixtures.
McVeigh strained a calf during Monday’s training session and is expected to be sidelined until week two of the NAB Challenge series, while Ted Richards is close to resuming following a hamstring setback.
After a strong pre-season, Lance Franklin’s training load has been lightened in recent weeks and he is expected to be available for at least one NAB Challenge match leading into round one of the season.
All of the club’s new draftees – except Nic Newman – will feature in the hit-out which kicks off at 5.30pm.
Swans coach John Longmire said the intra-club match was a mini-milestone of the pre-season that the players were looking forward to.
“For the last couple of weeks we have been building our competitive work up and this is a great opportunity for all the players to have a really strong hit-out,” he said.
“Obviously the intensity will build following this match as we head into the NAB Challenge series and then the season proper, but the players are really looking forward to a competitive match.
“We have a good, strong list of players available so it is a good chance to see the senior players as they gear up for the season ahead, as well as the younger players who we hope are pushing hard for senior selection during the year.
“Of our senior players, only Jarrad McVeigh, Ted Richards and Lance Franklin will miss the match, and we expect all of those players to play at some point during the NAB Challenge series.
“It is also great to be taking training into the suburbs and we hope that we can get a good crowd of members and fans to Henson Park to check out how the team is looking heading into 2015.”
The intra-club match isn't the only big event on this week with the Sydney Swans Fan Day taking place this Sunday (March 1) at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.
SYDNEY SWANS INTRA-CLUB
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27 AT 5.30PM. GATES OPEN AT 3.30PM.
HENSON PARK, MARRICKVILLE
