Please note that the Sydney Swans reserves practice game against Ainslie scheduled for Saturday March 17 has now been cancelled.
The Sydney Swans reserves side will have their first taste of football action this weekend when they take on Ainslie Football Club at Lakeside Oval.
Led by new coach and recent Sydney Swans Hall of Fame inductee Jared Crouch, the Swans will be looking to make amends for last year’s Eastern Conference grand final loss to the Ainslie team.
Crouch said his team is eager to get out on the field after a solid pre-season.
“It’s been a long pre-season and a couple of them have had a little taste of footy, but because of the different structure this year a few of them haven’t,” Crouch told sydneyswans.com.au.
“They have been training incredibly hard and have been hanging for their game so it’s going to be exciting to see what they produce after a long pre-season.
“They will be rusty, but at the same time they will just get out and enjoy it.
“We’re just excited to get them out there and we hope with all the training they’ve done and the video review they’ve done that they’ve improved from last year.”
Crouch said the team will boast a combination of youth and experience for this weekend’s clash.
“We do have a number of experienced players like Jarred Moore, who is a fantastic leader, and we’ve also got Tommy Walsh,” he said.
“There is plenty of experience in there, but there is also that great enthusiasm of youth like young Biggsy (Shane Biggs), who has had a taste of senior football, but this will be his first opportunity to play a full game and he’s excited.
“It can be difficult coming on and off the field and only playing small periods, this gives (the players) the chance to find their feet early and then get a feel for the game and put their best foot forward to impress for senior selection.”
Crouch said this weekend’s match will be the perfect preparation for next weekend’s big games against GWS in the seniors, and the reserves clash between the Swans and UWS - GWS's reserves side - in the first round of the NEAFL.
“Playing in front of a big crowd at ANZ Stadium the following week is going to be very exciting for the youngsters,” he said.
“You talk about the Swans/GWS rivalry; well we get the first crack at them so the boys will be excited about that.”
The reserves will kick off at 2.30pm today at Sydney's Lakeside Oval.
The Swans reserves team to face Ainslie will be chosen from the following:
Jesse White
Jarred Moore
Nathan Gordon
Tommy Walsh
Shane Biggs
Dylan McNeil
Brett Meredith
Mark Seaby
Mitch Morton
Campbell Heath
Jack Lynch
Trent Dennis-Lane
Andrew Moody
Stephen Wray
Jordan Weir
Lachlan Kilpatrick
Nathan Kenny
David Lycakis
Brandon Jack
Blake Guthrie
Click here for the 2012 Sydney Swans reserves fixture
