Instead of battling a long injury list, with the likes of Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw and Sam Reid on the sidelines, the Swans co-captain said by comparison the selection committee would be spoilt for choice heading into Saturday afternoon’s qualifying final against the Dockers at ANZ Stadium.
Speaking to the media after announcing the club’s new partnership with Transport NSW, Jack said his side were far better placed to battle Fremantle this week than what they were at a similar time last season.
“We’re probably feeling a lot fresher than what we did last year heading into the finals series,” Jack said.
“We were missing some players and were probably a bit battered going into the finals, but (this year) we feel good, we’re in form, we’ve got a strong list to pick from.
“We’ve probably got 26 or 27 players to pick a side from, so it makes for a tough selection, but it’s a good place to be around.”
In addition to having a much healthier list on the eve of this finals series, Jack said the Swans’ potent forward line would also give the club a better chance against the Dockers.
With 2014 Coleman medallist Lance Franklin likely to return after missing last week’s match against Richmond with knee soreness, Jack said the three-pronged attack of Franklin, Tippett and Adam Goodes could stretch the Fremantle defence this week if the delivery is suitable.
“Structurally they are players who you can’t substitute or replicate,” Jack said.
“They add to our mix, they add to our forward line, and make us more potent down there, so we just need to make sure we give them the right opportunities and the most chances to do what they do well.
“That’s probably the strength of our side when we’re at full strength.
“When we’ve got Buddy up, Tippo and Adam Goodes down there, you can’t put your number one defender on all of them.
“It’s a strength for us, but it relies on us getting the ball in the right places for them.”
Instead of facing a hostile Dockers crowd, the Swans will host their first home qualifying final since 1996, when the Paul Kelly-led Swans hosted Hawthorn at the SCG.
Jack, who said he recalled watching the Swans play two home finals during the 1996 finals series, called on all Swans fans to help the team make the most of their opportunity to play home finals.
“It’s a dream come true really,” he said.
“We’d much prefer to be playing here than interstate.
“We’re in Sydney, this is our home town, and we’ll have our home crowd support, so it’s going to be great.
“It creates a special feeling around Sydney and hopefully we’ve got a big month ahead.”
Jack said he hoped the red and white crowd could replicate the atmosphere the team was confronted with when they took on the Dockers at Patersons Stadium last September.
“It was a hostile environment,” he said.
“The crowd was going nuts and it was intimidating.
“We need to get one back and hopefully our crowd can create a similar sort of environment.”
