NEAFL coach Rhyce Shaw hopes being surrounded by senior Swans preparing for a qualifying final at AFL will help his side prepare for Sunday’s NEAFL Grand Final against the Giants.
The Swans reserves side is through to the premiership decider after a convincing 82-point win over Aspley in Saturday’s Preliminary Final.
In his debut season as coach Shaw has led the side to the minor premiership losing just three matches during the home and away season.
Such has been the success of the former premiership defender in his first season in charge that Shaw was named NEAFL Coach of the Year.
“I have been blessed with the players that I have got to coach because they make my job easy,” he said after Saturday’s win over Aspley.
“It is really pleasing as the boys played a fantastic game.
“We kept to our standards which was really important and we got the result that we were looking for.”
Shaw admits being able to utilise the experience of the club’s AFL listed players in preparing for the Grand Final will be important.
“We are looking forward to it and it is going to be a cracking game,” Shaw said,
“Our seniors are going into their first final this weekend so there is going to be a fair bit of excitement around the place so our guys will feed off that.
“Hopefully being around that excitement will help them prepare for the Grand Final on the weekend.”
A number of experienced Swans are set to line up in the match should they fail to break into a strong AFL side for Saturday’s qualifying final.
Defenders Jeremy Laidler and Ted Richards were both outstanding during the Swans win over Aspley.
Young pair Zak Jones (17 disposals and one goal) and Daniel Robinson (21 disposals) both made impressive returns from injury during the win over Aspley.
Sunday’s match against the Giants will kick off from 1.30pm on Sunday at Blacktown International Sportspark.
