The Sydney Swans reserves are excited to be playing in the curtain raiser to the main game on Saturday at ANZ Stadium.
The reserves are top of the ladder in the AFL Canberra competition, and their match against Queanbeyan starts at 3.50pm.
Reserves coach Daniel McPherson says the players all seem to lift when they know they have the chance to show their wares to Swans fans and the senior coaching staff.
The reserves have played in Canberra for the past five weeks, due to a combination of wet weather in Sydney and the fixture, so can’t wait to get back on home turf.
“We’ll have a good mix of exciting young guys and experienced senior players in the reserves this weekend,’’ McPherson said.
“Senior players such as Ted Richards, Henry Playfair and Jarred Moore will be running around, as well as our up-and-comers including Campbell Heath, Kristin Thornton and Lewis Johnston.’’
Johnston, a first round draft pick in 2008, has been finding his form after missing all of 2009 with injury and has shown why he was so highly rated at junior level.
He has played mostly in the forward line for the reserves, with occasional stints in defence.
McPherson said rookie listed players, Nathan Gordon and Dylan McNeil, who both hail from NSW, had also been impressive recently and were worth watching.
“They are both going really well. Our fans will see a great blend of familiar faces and young kids, so they should make an effort to get to the ground early on Saturday,’’ McPherson said.
There will also be some players running around who fans probably haven't even heard of before. Under the rules of the AFL Canberra competition, the Swans reserves must use at least five "top-up'' players each week, who aren't on the Swans list but are drafted in from local club competition.
The reserves have won seven games this season, drawn one and lost one, but are clear on top of the ladder.
After the reserves game, Grammy Award winning band, Train, will perform at 6.40pm, before the blockbuster between the Swans and Collingwood starts at 7.10pm.
