Sydney Swans player Jonathan Simpkin expects a tough,physical battle when the reserves side battle Queanbeyan on Sunday afternoon atManuka oval

“Queanbeyan will be pretty physical,” said Simpkin.  “Last time we played them, they came out andtried to throw their weight around and knock us around a bit, because we’re ayoung side.”

“We can expect it to be physical early on in the game, andfor it to be a hard, tough game.  Butwe’ll be ready for the challenge and it will be good.”

“It should be good.  It’salways good to play for a premiership. It’s what we play all year for, to win the grand final.  We’ve got a pretty good chance, after winningall year, even though we’ll be a bit short of numbers.”

Simpkin said the side has remained focused throughout theseason, both on winning matches and achieving individual goals in every game.

“Everyone has got their own little goals they want toachieve each week, to try to push to play senior footy.  Everyone wants to get those things right soit keeps your mind off the scoreboard, just wanting to do the right thing allthe time.”

The former rookie, who was promoted to the senior list atthe end of the 2006 season, has noticed a substantial improvement in his ownperformance as 2007 progressed.

“I reckon the second half of my year was a lot better thanthe first half.  I was a lot more accountableand my intensity was up a lot higher throughout whole games.  I’ve been a lot fitter and running out thegames much better.”

Simpkin said, while the side struggled in the daysimmediately following the senior team’s exit from the AFL competition, it’sbeen business as usual for the last week.

“The first few days, everyone didn’t know what to do becausethere was no one around.

“But the last week or so, everyone’s switched back on andlooking forward to the grand final, knowing we’ve only got a week to go so weshould give it our best shot.  It’s beenpretty normal the last week, preparing for the game.”