The Sydney Swans clash with the Richmond Tigers at the MCG on Saturday April 3 in their Round three game of the season.
After victories over the Brisbane Lions and Adelaide Crows to start the season, seasoned defender Jake Lloyd says the squad was high on confidence and exciement ahead of their clash against the defending premiers.
The Swans will travel to Melbourne today ahead of their clash and Lloyd said the Swans were looking forward to the opportunity to face ‘the best team over the last 3-4 years’.
“2-0, we couldn’t have asked for a better start to be honest.” Lloyd said.
“As a group, the way we are playing our football at the moment is an exciting brand, our young kids have really bought in as soon as they walked into the footy club and they have really added something different to our side which has been great.”
“The opportunity this weekend, we couldn’t have asked for a better one. The MCG, against the best team over the last 3-4 years we are really excited for that.”
“They are obviously great in a lot of areas but we think if we can bring that pressure around the footy, we have been really good at that over the last two weeks, and keep the ball in our forward half for as long as possible, we feel we have a really dangerous forward line down there.” Lloyd added.
“We feel if we can give them as much opportunity down forward, we can kick a winning score.”
Lloyd had plenty of praise for his younger teammates who have impressed over the opening two rounds of the season.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy products Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell earnt NAB AFL Rising Star nominations following the first fortnight of the competition, whilst Logan McDonald had slotted into the Swans forward line seamlessly, kicking five goals so far.
The three young 2020 draftees have transitioned into the side and system with ease and Lloyd was impressed with their willingness to learn and improve.
“I have been very impressed with just how mature they are, how much they know about the game, their willingness to learn.”
“As a group, they help and drive each other to get better.
“They are very talented footballers but the way they work and the extras they do, it really makes them stand out to other first year players.
“Their impact on games now has been huge. We are obviously only two games in, and there is a lot of the season still to play out, but their ability to have an impact coming straight in."
Lloyd was also impressed by a handful of the Swans young squad, including 21 year old Tom McCartin’s start to the season in defence.
McCartin has been training alongside Lloyd with the defensive group through the pre-season and picked up five coaches’ votes in the round two clash with Adelaide for his 18 touches and six marks.
“Not just our first year guys, but players like Chad Warner, Ollie Florent, these blokes are taking their game to another level.”
“Just the weight of numbers across the board, everyone is playing a role and everyone is delivering which makes it easier for everyone else out there.
"He's really relished the opportunity down back," Lloyd added on McCartin.
"I think Tom's ability to intercept mark, to read the play, he's a strong one-on-one player. It adds a lot for us as a defensive group.
"Especially that intercept marking, and the way we can run the footy off that."
The Swans face Richmond at the MCG on Saturday April 3, 2021. A Sydney Swans membership will be your best ticket to the game, with plenty of options available for our Victorian supporters. Join the club.
