With exactly one month until the 2021 AFL premiership season, the Sydney Swans had a solid intraclub hit out at Moore Park today.
There were plenty of promising signs on both teams and Sydney Swans Assistant Coach Ben Matthews said that the group got a lot out of the match and importantly, got through without any injuries.
"The match simulation gives players the opportunity to get some time in and work on cohesion amongst each other and we saw some real positives today," Matthews said.
"Will (Hayward) and Isaac (Heeney) both kicked four goals up forward and Paps (Tom Papley) kicked a few too.
"Down the back Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin and Lewis Melican got the opportunity to play alongside each other and test their skills together.
"Through the midfield, Tom Hickey was a real shining light, he's going from strength to strength so that's a positive. He's working with his midfield group of Kennedy, Parker and Mills well."
"There were lots of positives but its only against ourselves so we still have plenty of work to do."
"We start playing opposition next week, GWS, in an organised match so that will be a real test for us and against AFL opposition the intensity goes up."
Ollie Florent was lively throughout the midfield, busy in the contest and linked nicely with the forward line and spoke post game on the importance of getting match time in.
"It was good to play close to a full game today," Florent said.
"We have all put in the work over the break and preseason and we have full faith in each other for round one and the weeks to come."
While only young himself at 22-years of age, Florent has been impressed by some of the fresh faces at the club with the likes of QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Braeden Campbell and pick four Logan McDonald impressing in recent weeks.
"They have shown some really promising signs, we fully back them to play their roles and they aren't shy of a contest and are great blokes to have around," Florent said.
With just one month until the Swans head to Brisbane to face the Lions in Round 1, the coming weeks will see a practice match against the Giants before the Marsh Series game against the Suns on Sunday March 7.
Ticket information for the match against the Suns can be found here.