The Sydney Swans will welcome back three State of Origin stars for their final hit-out of the pre-season next Monday, but assistant coach Dean Cox insists the club is much more focussed on responding to last week's defeat to the Giants.
Callum Mills, Jake Lloyd and Tom Papley will slot back in when Sydney meets North Melbourne in the Marsh Community Series at Tasmania’s Kingston Twin Ovals.
The gun trio could do nothing but watch on as Sydney fell to GWS at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday – and they’re intent on making a difference in the clash with the Roos.
But Cox says the Swans must assess their pitfalls in the performance against the Giants.
“When you consider the calibre of those players we had in the State of Origin game they are some big inclusions, but there are some other things we have to look at before worrying about them coming back,” Cox said.
“One thing you’ve got to do is analyse it like we would after every other game. There are certainly plenty of things to come out of it and none more so than effort and intensity.
“One thing this club has prided itself on for a long time is making sure every time you represent this footy club you put in the effort that’s required. That wasn’t there on the weekend so it’s got to get addressed. We’ve only got one practice game to respond and we’ve got to turn it around on Monday.”
While Sydney was uninspiring in its match against GWS, the three State of Origin stars shone at Marvel Stadium a night earlier.
Papley booted five goals to spearhead Victoria to a 46-point win over the All Stars, while Callum Mills was a stand-out in defence and went agonisingly close to hauling down one of the all-time great grabs.
Lloyd was the quietest of the three on the night but reminded the footy world of his rocketing rise when he lined up in a ‘Big V’ defence with star names like Mark Blicavs, Lachie Whitfield and Bachar Houli.
Cox expects the Swans’ State of Origin trio to give the team a significant boost in next week’s clash with the Roos.
Congratulations to all involved in tonight’s State of Origin for Bushfire Relief.
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 28, 2020
The winners, Victoria with our very own @TomPapley (who kicked 5 goals! ??) and @J_Lloyd_10 whilst @CallumMills_14 had a very nice game for the All-Stars. pic.twitter.com/jDZi6Ai7ci
“They got asked to play in the State of Origin game because of the impact they had on the footy field last year and because they’ve continued to do that in the pre-season,” Cox said.
“They played well against the best on the weekend, and we need to get them back for this North game, because it’s the last game before we get the season underway.”
Meanwhile, star Swan Isaac Heeney could return from a broken thumb suffered in pre-season training in January.
