RECORD-breaking duo Adam Goodes and Jude Bolton are ready to lead a host of finals debutants into battle when the Sydney Swans face St Kilda in their elimination final at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Goodes and Bolton will set a new benchmark in South Melbourne/Sydney Swans history against the Saints when they both contest their 19th finals match.
It is a record they currently share with premiership-winning teammates Brett Kirk and Michael O'Loughlin, but they will go one clear at Etihad Stadium.
And coach John Longmire is looking to his leaders to show some of the younger Swans the way, with the likes of Gary Rohan, Alex Johnson, Luke Parker and Sam Reid set for their first final.
"It's a great effort," Longmire said of Bolton and Goodes.
"They've been fortunate to play through a successful period of time and play in finals, which is great for the footy club and great for them.
"But it is a nice blend to bring some younger kids in, and quite a few of them, at the same time.
"You've got the top end with some experience there, but also some real excitement and some youth underneath, who are hopefully learning from them.
"That's what we've been trying to manage for the whole year and has been the good thing about the season in general."
Bolton was able to recall his first final, although it was hardly a fond memory.
It came against Essendon at the MCG in 1999, when a 19-year-old Bolton was part of a Swans outfit thrashed by 69 points in a qualifying final.
His next final wasn't much better - a 55-point defeat to Hawthorn in an elimination clash in 2001.
But things would improve, finally winning his first final against Port Adelaide in 2003 and ultimately playing in two Grand Finals, including the 2005 triumph over West Coast.
After 277 games over 13 seasons, Bolton had a quick response when asked if he still gets excited about finals.
"Oh, of course," the 31-year-old said.
"It's the best time of the year to be training and playing.
"I've heard the forecast isn't too good down in Melbourne at the moment, but it doesn’t matter, we're inside the dome."
Longmire expects Goodes and Bolton to have some informal chats with the younger players leading up to the game about the pressures of finals football.
But the Swans coach also wants the youngsters to retain the natural excitement levels they've shown all year.
"You need to understand that it's an exciting time to still be playing," Longmire said.
"You play the game to be playing at this time of the year.
"They need to maintain their focus on the game and just execute the basics.
"You just need to play your role.
"That's what the senior players will emphasise to the younger players, but there's nothing wrong with a little bit of excitement.
"That's what they're in the team for, to provide that bit of zip."
