NEAFL coach Rhyce Shaw will take an experienced and in-form side to Brisbane for his coaching debut on Saturday.
On the back on an impressive 10-goal win against GWS in the last of three practice matches, the NEAFL Swans travel north full of confidence ahead of the first round clash against the Lions at Burpengary.
Led by the experience of Ben McGlynn, who is vying for a senior return, the NEAFL squad runs deep with senior-listed Swans as well as a handful of ‘top-ups’ from the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.
A healthy list means the Swans’ depth is shining through, giving Shaw plenty of faith his side can back up last weekend’s dominant performance.
“It’s easy for me to say but it’s in the boys’ hands,” Shaw said.
“The boys have put in a good pre-season. We’ve progressively got better (over the three practice games) so we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against a quality opposition.
“We’ve got guys coming back (from injury) and we’ve had a good representation of senior-listed guys in the reserves.
“We’re just hoping our preparation is okay and the boys are ready to go. It’s going to be a hot game up there in Burpengary.”
Shaw hopes that after a full pre-season training with the senior squad the select group from the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, who will be used throughout the season as top-ups, will be ready to make a bigger impact than in previous seasons.
“They’ve been really good in the three games they’ve played, they’re contributing right across the board,” he said.
“We’re going to rely on those guys to play some good footy as well as the senior-listed guys. They’ve trained with us, they’ve been through the academy system, they now know how we want to play and they’re putting their best foot forward.
“The stronger those guys are, the stronger we are.”
The NEAFL Swans played Brisbane three times last season, winning all by an average of 49 points.
NEAFL Round 1
Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions
Saturday, April 2
Burpengary, 11am
9. Abe Davis
12. Ben McGlynn
13. Toby Nankervis
17. Jack Hiscox
28. Nic Newman
30. Tyrone Leonardis
31. Harrison Marsh
34. Jordan Dawson
36. Aliir Aliir
38. Colin O’Riordan
42. Xavier Richards
43. Lewis Melican
45. Jordan Foote
47. Kyle Galloway
50. Matt Wilson*
51. Callum McFadden*
52. Jake Bartholomaeus*
53. Lachlan Beehagg*
54. Ryan Hebron*
55. Ned Reinhard*
56. Jake Veale*
57. Eli Prescot*
*Denotes QBE Sydney Swans Academy member
