After securing second place on the competition ladder at the conclusion of the regular season, the Swans reserves enjoyed last weekend off, and will face the in-from Thunder, who defeated Ainslie to earn their place in Sunday’s knock-out final.
Speaking to SwansTV, reserves coach Jared Crouch said he was expecting a tough match against the Thunder, who have won their last nine consecutive matches.
“We had one win against them earlier this season and then when we travelled up there they had a good win against us, so it should be a fantastic match,” Crouch said.
“They’ve got a lot of good players who have AFL experience and have been very well-coached, so it should be an exciting game out at Blacktown.
“It’s exciting times for the boys and this time of the year, finals football, is what you like playing.”
The last time the two sides met was in round 17, when the Thunder ran away with a 33-point win at Darwin’s TIO Stadium, which coincidently was the last time the Swans lost a match.
Since that performance, the Swans have notched up four-straight wins of their own, including a thrilling one-point win over UWS in round 20 and an impressive 34-point win over Sydney Hills Eagles in the last round.
Crouch said his team have had a number of valuable contributors in the back-half of the year, including draftees George Hewett and Toby Nankervis, as well as last weekend’s AFL debutant, Sam Naismith.
“Georgie Hewett in the last couple of games when we’ve been down on numbers, he’s spent more time in the midfield and has gotten plenty of the football,” Crouch said.
“Harry Marshy, who has moved to half-back, has given us lots of run and drive, and both the young ruckmen in Sammy Naismith, who made his debut, and Toby (Nankervis)have both given us a lot in the centre of ground.”
Crouch said the team had also benefitted from the guidance and experience of Swans veteran Ryan O’Keefe, who has taken on a key leadership role for the Swans reserves this season.
“The team has obviously been led well with a bit of experience in there from Ryan O’Keefe,” Crouch said.
“I know that everyone who has had the opportunity to play with him has benefitted from that experience and he’s certainly helped the team play well.
“Certainly at times it takes the pressure off (the young mids) because Ryan knows all the structures and is able to move them around exactly how he wants them.
“As the season has gone on, knowing that, the mids have had the confidence to go and put themselves in the right position and work with him, rather than being told, and I think that’s part of their development and it’s been really pleasing as the season has gone on.”
With the club having five AFL debutants this year, in Jake Lloyd, Zak Jones, Dean Towers, Tim Membrey and Sam Naismith, Crouch said the most pleasing part of the reserves success this season has been the level of football they have been able to produce.
“A lot of the young boys have improved and many have had a taste of senior football,” he said.
“It is about supporting the seniors.
“Sam Naismith made his debut, Shane Biggs was back playing senior football, Dean Towers played again, and Tim Membrey made his debut, so that’s what has been really pleasing.
“To have the reserves playing at a level and a style that means that at any stage anyone who got the call up would be able to slot straight into the seniors and play their role is terrific, and that’s what has been pleasing.
“Obviously we hope the seniors continue to go on, which means that we need to be playing games, so we’re looking for a big performance from the boys this week against a very, very good side.
“We need to bring our best so we get our opportunity to play in a Grand Final.”
The winner of Sunday’s preliminary final will meet the victor of Saturday’s UWS and Aspley match in the 2014 NEAFL Grand Final.
Sunday's preliminary final from Blacktown will be streamed live via the NEAFL here.
Preliminary Final
Sydney Swans Reserves v NT Thunder
Sunday September 7
12:45pm
Blacktown International Sportspark
B Shane Biggs, Xavier Richards, Matthew Dick
HB Jordan Lockyer, Tommy Walsh, Harrison Marsh
C George Hewett, Daniel Robinson, Zak Jones
HF Jeremy Laidler, Tim Membrey, Brandon Jack
F Patrick Mitchell, Toby Nankervis, Dean Towers
Foll Sam Naismith, Ryan O’Keefe, Tom Mitchell
I/C Abe Davis, Callum Mills, Jack Hiscox, Isaac Heeney
Emg Doug Hadden, Michael Dickson
