Finals smokey?
Goalsneak Trent Dennis-Lane pushes his claims for a spot in the Swans' preliminary final team with a five-goal haul in the reserves' grand final
GOALSNEAK Trent Dennis-Lane has pushed his claim for a place in the Swans' preliminary final side against Collingwood on Friday, with a five-goal haul in the reserves' NEAFL Eastern Conference grand final loss to Queanbeyan.
Forward Dennis-Lane, who has kicked nine goals in eight senior games this season, was the Swans' most productive forward in their 18.13 (121) to 13.13 (91) loss at Manuka Oval on Sunday.
The Swans fielded a handful of players with recent senior experience, who might also come into calculations for Friday's game.
Reserves coach Jared Crouch felt those players showed glimpses of form, but was disappointed they didn't sustain it for four quarters.
Dennis-Lane could be a handy replacement for small forward Ben McGlynn, who will miss Friday's match with a strained hamstring he suffered against Adelaide in the first week of the finals.
"He showed some reasonable signs, he comes into the mix," Crouch said.
"It's interesting that the guys are able to step up and play with other senior players around them, it does lift them, they do play better.
"Five goals certainly hasn't hurt Trent."
Another positive for former Subiaco star Dennis-Lane is he has already proven he can be a finals match-winner at Friday night's venue.
He kicked 4.1 in an elimination final win over Carlton at ANZ Stadium in 2010 in probably his most significant senior appearance to date.
Dennis-Lane's last senior game was also the Swans' last clash with Collingwood at that venue back in round 20, when he kicked one goal in their eight-point loss to the Pies.
Irish forward Tommy Walsh, who has played three senior games this year, limped off the ground in the first quarter on Sunday and returned in the second.
Dashing defender Tony Armstrong, who has made eight senior appearances in 2012, produced some good moments, but came off the ground in the second half.
Crouch stressed neither Walsh or Armstrong were badly hurt or were ever going to play more than three quarters, in case they were required for duty on Friday.
"He (Walsh) had a bit of a bump and a bruise - he's OK," Crouch said.
"Same with Tony Armstrong, who played half a game. He might be in the mix for those smaller roles."
Queanbeyan, who were the NEAFL Eastern Conference minor premier, advance to next week's grand final, where they will play Brisbane who scored a crushing 21.8 (134) to 10.14 (74) victory over NT Thunder in the Northern Conference grand final.