THE Swans have named a squad packed with exciting young players including 2010 top draft picks, Jed Lamb and Luke Parker, to take on the GWS Giants and the Gold Coast Suns in the NAB Cup games on Saturday night.
Parker and Lamb, who both performed well in the intra-club match last Friday, are in a 29-man squad to play two 40 minute games at Blacktown Olympic Park, in the new round robin pre-season format.
Swans fans will also get a good look at Lewis Johnston, pick number 12 in the 2008 national draft. He was injured the past two pre-seasons so this will be his debut in the senior ranks.
The Swans will be bolstered by the presence of 2010 Club champion, Kieren Jack, and the AFL’s Rising Star for 2010, Dan Hannebery, who both ran laps during the intra-club game last week.
Coach John Longmire said they were both raring to go, as is promising key position player, Sam Reid, who has had a pre-season interrupted by shoulder surgery.
“We think it’s a strong squad, and we’re looking forward to getting game time into the players and seeing how they perform under pressure again. They’re getting sick of playing each other in scratch matches at training,’’ Longmire said.
“It’s an unusual situation, playing two teams that we don’t know too much about, but all we can do is concentrate on getting what we want out of the game. It’s a chance to see how some combinations work and get a good look at the youngsters.’’
Longmire is also pleased to have ruckman Mark Seaby back in the side, after a long injury break.
Seaby broke his ankle in round six last year at the SCG, and didn’t play for the rest of the season.
While ruckman Shane Mumford is still recovering from knee surgery and will miss the game, Seaby will combine with the Club’s other two ruckmen, Mike Pyke and Daniel Currie, who is yet to debut and is determined to make his mark in senior football this year.
Swans fans will also be looking forward to seeing former Western Bulldogs player Andrejs Everitt playing in the red and white for the first time.
Everitt, picked up in a trade for Patrick Veszpremi, looked impressive in the intra-club game, running off the half back line. He drifted forward and had two good shots at goal that just went astray.
NSW rookie Dylan McNeil, who hails from Albury, will also be making his senior debut for the Club.
New co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will lead the side out with Adam Goodes. McVeigh generally likes to come out last - with Tadhg Kennelly - so he will have to change his habits!
The full squad to play GWS Giants and Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown Olympic Park, Saturday February 19, is:
Mark Seaby, Rhyce Shaw, Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hannebery, Brett Meredith, Trent Dennis-Lane, Nick Malceski, Dan Currie, Jed Lamb, Josh Kennedy, Andrejs Everitt, Craig Bird, Kieren Jack, Gary Rohan, Sam Reid, Ben McGlynn, Byron Sumner, Lewis Johnston, Jude Bolton, Ted Richards, Luke Parker, Dylan McNeil, Marty Mattner, Lewis Jetta, Jarred Moore, Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke, Heath Grundy, Paul Bevan
