Swans can't wait for Kangaroos clash
Sebastian Hassett
SMH, May 24
Following the agony of losing to Richmond after the siren, the Sydney Swans hit back superbly to down Hawthorn last week - but even that will pale in significance to the task of halting the AFL's only unbeaten side this Friday night.
The SCG is expected to be at almost full capacity for the visit of North Melbourne, a side that has proven unbreakable over the first nine rounds of the season.
While the Swans themselves have been tracking strongly at 7-2, and look every bit as much a flag contender as Brad Scott's side, they're aware of the size of the test that awaits them under lights - and it's one coach John Longmire is relishing.
"It's fantastic to be able to get the opportunity to do it two weeks in a row against two absolute quality teams. North Melbourne has been the dominant team of the competition so far this year and they're two games clear," he said. "They've just been a really even team. They've played a consistent brand of footy and they're a very even team. They've done everything right to this point, so they deserve to be sitting where they are."
Pieces fall into place in Swans’ front line
Ben Horne
Daily Telegraph, May 24
SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire believes he’s finally got the forward line combination to trouble the heavyweights of the AFL, starting with North Melbourne on Friday night at the SCG.
The Swans appeared to find another dimension last week against defending premiers Hawthorn, when road runner Gary Rohan injected himself upfront with goalkicking powerhouse Lance Franklin.
Along with tough-man Ben McGlynn and x-factor Isaac Heeney, Longmire is confident he has found the perfect mix.
And in another major boost for the Swans, key defensive man Sam Reid is set to return to the AFL — possibly in time for the top-of-the-table Kangaroos on Friday night.
After stumbling against Richmond two weeks ago, the Swans are starting to put together an outfit that once again looks like ominous grand final contenders.
The speed of Rohan and size of Franklin has Longmire licking his lips.
“(Throw) Heeney into that mix as well and when you throw Benny McGlynn in there we think it’s a good combination,” Longmire said.
“We’ve had a pretty young forward line this year for a fair bit of the season … but we’ve got some diversity in our front half which is really important to have.
“Guys who are really good on the deck but who also can take a mark. Guys like Isaac and Gary really compliment what Lance has been doing and Kurt Tippett pushing forward as well has been important for us.”
Reid in the frame
Peter Lalor
The Australian, May 24
Sydney coach John Longmire is considering pitching Sam Reid straight into the cauldron of Friday’s blockbuster against unbeaten ladder-leaders North Melbourne at the SCG.
The fourth-placed Swans will check on concussed fullback Ted Richards later in the week, while centre half forward Reid is scheduled to play his first game of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury.
“He (Reid) will certainly play at some level, he’s been training now for a long time and training really well, so we’ll have some discussions at match committee,” Longmire said.
“The likelihood is he will come back through the reserves and get some game time there.
“But our conditioning staff are really confident he can play big minutes this week based on what he’s done over the last six weeks.
“He is a very important player for us, we’d like to bring him in the senior team as quick as we can, whether it’s this week or not, we’ll have to have that discussion.”
Where would an all-Sydney AFL final be held?
Sam McClure
SMH, The Age, May 24
The prospect of an all-Sydney final has presented the AFL with a number of tough scheduling decisions, one of which could bring ANZ Stadium back into discussions later in the year.
Greater Western Sydney are likely to be allowed a potential home preliminary final at Spotless Stadium, given the club's strong stance that it shouldn't have to play it at the SCG.
And if the Giants' strong form continues, there's every chance the AFL's youngest club could be handed its first Friday night fixture in round 23 against North Melbourne.
GWS and Sydney sit third and fourth on the ladder respectively, after the Giants comfortably beat the Western Bulldogs on Sunday and the Swans put in a gritty display to overcome the reigning premiers Hawthorn on Friday night.
