Training intensity has been a focal point for the Sydney Swans as they prepare for an all-important intra-club practice match next Friday.
 
With competitive matches on the horizon, the Swans built up their conditioning with an 80-minute game simulation session in humid conditions at Lakeside Oval this morning.
 
Swans assistant coach Stuart Dew said the players were looking forward to testing themselves in the heat of battle.
 
“They’re sick of doing training drills, they’re ready to get into the games,” he said.
 
“The boys are excited for the intra-club – it’s been quite a solid summer so I think they’re looking forward to testing themselves.”
 
Dew’s side claimed bragging rights in the session today in what he labelled an important hit-out.
 
“There’s no favourites out there, it was pretty even all day,” he said.
 
“It’s a mix of competitiveness – we obviously don’t want any injuries – good fitness, really running on top of the ground and looking forward to building up good game time ready for NAB one and the season proper.
 
“Luckily the team I was looking after won, so it’s good, we’ve got bragging rights back from last week.”
 
A mix of the Swans’ experienced campaigners and rising stars stood out during the session.
 
Dew said it was good to see draftees Lewis Melican, James Rose and Jack Hiscox in action.
 
“It’s pleasing to see those guys (out there) – they’ve had a long summer, probably their hardest summer – but to top it off with a good hit-out, they should feel good about themselves.”
 
He said Hiscox, who was taken by the Swans with pick 38 in the 2014 AFL Draft, was particularly impressive.
 
“He’s a super runner, but what he showed today is he can find a lot of the ball as well,” Dew said.
 
Utility Harry Cunningham, who played every match last season, and yet-to-debut small forward Dan Robinson were also heavily involved, while Sam Reid spent a large amount of time in defence marking Kurt Tippett.
 
Dew said ruckman Myke Pyke had performed strongly after an interrupted pre-season.
 
“(He’s) building back into it,” he said.
 
“He’s always itching to do more and we had to hold him back.
 
“We’re really pleased with Pykey and he’ll up the ante again next week.”
 
The Swans' intra-club match will be at Henson Park, Marrickville on Friday, February 27, starting at 5.30pm.
 
The match will be the club’s final hit-out before the NAB Challenge series.