Nick Smith says the Sydney Swans are expecting a highly competitive season opener this weekend, when the team takes on GWS at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With the likes of Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw and Josh Hunt joining the GWS squad at the end of the 2013 season, Smith said the Swans were ready for a tough hit out against their cross-town rivals.
“They are getting better every year,” Smith told media on Monday afternoon.
“We’re under no illusions and they’re going to be really competitive this year.
“They’ve got Shane Mumford and Heath Shaw, so they’ve picked up some really good players and their younger players are getting a bit older and more experienced.
“We played them a few weeks ago out in Canberra, so they have definitely improved and now they’ve got some older guys too.”
GWS aren’t the only Sydney team who have had a positive pre-season, with the Swans also posting a successful campaign leading into the 2014 season.
Smith said the Swans, who capped off their pre-season preparations with a 27-point win over the Brisbane Lions last weekend, were in better shape now than they were at the same time last season.
“I feel as a group we’ve probably had a better pre-season,” Smith said.
“It’s hard to tell until we starting playing games, but I feel at this stage last year we might have been a little bit more behind.
“We’ve played a few more practice games and those kind of things, so that will hold us in better stead.
“It’s been good to get through the pre-season games with no real injuries and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
The Swans will have a reasonably fit list to choose from heading into round one, with forwards Adam Goodes and Kurt Tippett the only senior players unavailable for Saturday’s round one clash.
New recruit Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin will be available for Saturday’s round one match, which Smith said was a major coup for the club and its fans.
“It’s great to have him on our team,” Smith said.
“He’s been training really well and has played a couple of games so we’re really looking forward to him running out in the red and white on Saturday.”
Smith said there would also be plenty of competition for spots leading into the season opener and throughout the season, with new recruit Jeremy Laidler and returning defender Alex Johnson set to be in the mix over the next few weeks.
“There are going to be spots up for grabs all year which is a good thing because we were a bit short at the end of last year,” he said.
“Alex Johnson is not too far away and he’s going to play in the reserves this week.
“We got Jeremy Laidler from Carlton who is another really good addition.
“I think he’s pretty similar to a Marty Mattner type.
“He’s a courageous player, he’ll get across and he’s pretty honest in his effort and all those kinds of things.”
