Despite both teams playing 18 matches this season, the uniqueness of the NEAFL fixture has meant that the two sides will face off for the first time on Saturday in the competition decider.
Speaking to SwansTV ahead of his side’s Grand Final clash, reserves coach Jared Crouch said his team had done their research on the Hornets and were ready to take on an unfamiliar opponent.
“It is a bit of an unknown for both sides given we haven’t played against them,” he said.
“We have heard about them and we know they’ve got young Matthew Payne, who won the MVP for the competition, so he’s obviously a very good, young player.
“They’ve also got Eddie Sansbury (former North Melbourne player), and Robbie Copeland who was up there at Brisbane, so they are a very capable side and are very well coached.
“They’ve got some big strong bodies and they obviously played extremely well to beat UWS last week, so we’re looking forward to the contest.”
After finishing the regular season in fourth place, Aspley won their way through to the NEAFL decider with an impressive 45-point win over UWS at Blacktown last Saturday.
Crouch said last week’s win, coupled with the Hornets’ home ground advantage, would make the Brisbane side a tough opponent this weekend.
“They’ll obviously have a good home crowd supporting them and cheering them on, so that will give them a bit of an advantage up there, but we’re looking forward to the challenge of travelling up there for a Grand Final,” Crouch said.
“We haven’t played against them, but we will watch some vision of their last couple of games and we’ll do some research on their players so we get a little bit of a feel for how they like to move the ball and how they defend.
“We’ll come up with some strategies this week to plan out how we will come up against them.”
With the Sydney Swans still alive in the AFL finals campaign, Saturday’s match will also be the last chance for a host of young Swans to put their best foot forward to be considered for selection for next Friday night’s preliminary final at ANZ Stadium.
Crouch said it was important his players maintained the highest standards in Saturday’s Grand Final and practiced playing the Swans’ style of football.
“It’s really important for those guys to, not only be playing matches, but to be putting their names forward,” Crouch said.
“We all remember a couple of years ago Mitch Morton, after he battled away for most of the year in the twos, towards the finals he got his opportunity.
“Whether it is someone who has AFL experience in a Jeremy Laidler, who has played a lot of games this year, or possibly someone like a George Hewett who is yet to debut, it’s really important for them to keep playing their best football.
“It is exciting; it is finals football, and going into a NEAFL Grand Final is still a great experience, but it is about doing everything they can to improve and be in good form so if there is an opportunity (in the seniors) they can play a role if required.”
Crouch encouraged all Swans fans – both in Brisbane and interstate – to make the trip to Aspley to support the Swans reserves as they vie for their first NEAFL premiership.
“Any of the Swans Brisbane-based supporters should come along and cheer the boys on,” he said.
“But remember, the seniors aren’t playing so there’s no excuse for the fans here in Sydney not to jump on a plane and come up to Aspley and cheer the boys on.
“The boys have played some great football, so I think the fans will be impressed with what the boys put out on the field.”
NEAFL Grand Final
Sydney Swans Reserves vs Aspley Hornets
Graham Road Oval, Aspley
Saturday September 13, 1:30pm
