Sydney Swans co-captain Luke Parker says the squad relished the opportunity to tackle their Friday morning training session in front of a flood of fans at Bat and Ball Oval.
Swans fans were encouraged to show their support during the three-hour summer’s grind, which saw the majority of Sydney’s players compete in a simulated match.
Lance Franklin continued in his rehabilitation from groin surgery instead of participating in the game, but a long queue of kids were rapt to have the star forward sign their guernseys, caps, posters and footballs.
Young midfielder Isaac Heeney and towering Swan Callum Sinclair also proved popular among the fans, and Parker says the Swans were thrilled to welcome them to the session.
“It was great to have so many Swans fans come out and cheer us on,” Parker told SwansTV.
“It’s always great to have the exciting atmosphere out here and see the younger ones having so much fun. For the families to be able to bring the kids down in the school holidays is great for us and it really gets our energy right up.”
The young fans weren’t the only fresh faces in attendance, with Parker underscoring the tremendous work at training of Sydney’s seven recently recruited draftees.
The Swans snapped up Nick Blakey, James Rowbottom, Justin McInerney and Zac Foot at November’s AFL Draft, before signing Durak Tucker, Harry Reynolds and Sam Wicks as rookies.
McInerney and Foot were particularly involved on Friday, with the two speedsters churning out a mountain of running on the wings during the simulated game.
“Their willingness to learn has been fantastic and their attitude to training has been great,” Parker said.
“They attack every session and the young boys provide a heap of excitement. They’re now surrounded by AFL players for the first time and you can see how much they thrive off it."
Two keen fans enjoying a special moment with star forward Lance Franklin.
A young fan takes a photo she'll never forget with gun midfielder Isaac Heeney.
Two passionate Swans fans watching on as their favourite stars grind through the session.
Looking the part: Three huge Swans fans wearing their colours with pride.
