Following impressive performances in the Swans’ qualifying and preliminary final victories over Fremantle and North Melbourne, respectively, the club has opted to stick with the same 22 players.
Speaking to SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection, John Longmire confirmed that all of his players, including Sam Reid, managed to get through the club’s final training session on Thursday unscathed.
2014 AFL Grand Final preview
“Everyone got through training fine, so we go into the game this week unchanged,” Longmire said.
“Reid did everything that he had to do and did the whole session and our medical staff were happy with the way he moved.
“He looked good out there, so he’s ready to go.”
With a short injury list and most players available for selection, Longmire said it was important to maintain consistency leading into this year’s season decider.
“It’s good to have the squad ready to go, and they’ve played together for a few weeks now, which is also a good thing,” he said.
“Even though we’ve got a few emergencies that are also in good form, it’s important to have that 22 ready to go.
“It doesn’t guarantee anything for the weekend, but we’ll prepare and look forward to the challenge ahead of us.”
Of the 22 Swans players set to line up on Saturday, six will play their first AFL Grand Final, including Ben McGlynn and Gary Rohan, who both missed out due to injury in 2012, as well as Kurt Tippett, Dane Rampe, Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd.
Longmire said those six players had been offered plenty of advice for the task ahead, adding he was confident they would be able to perform on the AFL’s biggest stage.
“They just need to make sure they get the balance right between switching on for the game and concentrating on the meetings and training sessions, but also when to switch off,” he said.
“They’ve got a few experienced players around them who will help them do that, and I’m sure they will be able to get that balance right.”
SwansTV: Around the Barrel Grand Final edition
The Swans face one of the most accomplished sides in the league in Hawthorn on Saturday, with the Hawks set to feature in their third successive Grand Final.
Longmire said they boasted talent in all areas of the field, adding the Swans would need to perform at their absolute best to be competitive on the day.
“We just need to make sure we play the kind of football want to play,” he said.
“We need to pressure the opposition whenever they have the football and get it back as quick as we can.
“We need to turn our defence into attack, and also around the stoppages make sure that our contested ball and hard-ball gets are up to standard.”
The coach called for his players to make the most of the experience in Melbourne, including Friday’s annual Grand Final Parade, before switching focus to Saturday’s game.
“You don’t often get to Grand Finals,” Longmire said.
“So you’ve got to enjoy that element and make sure tomorrow afternoon we take the time to relax and then start thinking about our job ahead.”
2014 Grand Final Week Events
Hawthorn have made two changes to their team for Saturday's Grand Final with ruckman Ben McEvoy and forward Cyril Rioli named in place of Jonathon Ceglar and Jonathan Simpkin.
Ceglar, Simpkin and Brad Sewell have been named as the Hawks' emergencies.
AFL Grand Final
Sydney Swans v. Hawthorn
MCG
Saturday, September 27, 2014
2.30pm
B N.Smith, T.Richards, R.Shaw
HB G.Rohan, H.Grundy, D. Rampe
C K.Jack, J.Kennedy, L. Jetta
HF D.Hannebery, L. Franklin, H. Cunningham
F A. Goodes, K.Tippett, B. McGlynn
Foll M. Pyke, L. Parker, J.McVeigh
I/C C. Bird, J. Lloyd, N.Malceski, S. Reid
Emg J.Laidler, T.Mitchell, D.Towers
No Change
