Jude urges Swans to dig in
Sydney Swan Jude Bolton is looking for an improved effort from his side against Fremantle this Saturday night
Speaking ahead of the club’s final training session before hosting the Dockers at the SCG, Bolton said the result of last weekend’s game forced the Swans to take a good hard look at their recent performance.
“Obviously in the analysis we had to be pretty brutal on ourselves because it was an ordinary performance last week against Hawthorn and they really comprehensively beat us,” Bolton said.
“As a player, you don’t like seeing bits of footage where you could work a bit harder and there were times that we were pretty soft.
“There were some efforts that were un-Swans-like in a sense and we just want to make sure we really dig in this weekend.”
Bolton added that the Swans were also frustrated to have not put on a better performance against one of the competition’s top sides at Melbourne’s home of football.
“They are a quality side Hawthorn and it’s just a shame to not perform on the big stage,” he said.
“It was a big moment for the club to be playing down there on the ‘G and that chance is gone now and we move on.”
The Swans host an in-form Fremantle outfit this weekend, who are coming off an impressive 27-point win over Collingwood last round. Like the Swans, the Dockers will also be looking for their sixth win of the season and to consolidate their spot within the top eight.
Bolton said Saturday night’s match would be another difficult task for his side and highlighted Fremantle’s on-field pressure as one of their strengths.
“(Fremantle) are a quality side and they’ve obviously lost a couple with injury, but we saw how well they jumped Collingwood last week and their pressure has been elite,” he said.
“You only need to look at the scoreline early on last week and we were found out I guess, and (Hawthorn) are a good quality side and they came to play as well.
“We’ve got to expect the same from Fremantle as well, and their pressure is elite and we’ve got to expect the pressure is going to be on this weekend.”
Now in his 15th season with the Swans, Bolton is still yet to decide whether this year will be his last at the club.
“I’m always on one-year deals, so I’ll deal with that when the time comes,” he said.
“I’m just playing every game like it’s my last and just enjoy it, and I’m really enjoying the list we’re working with.”