Who has been the hardest worker this pre-season and who is the most improved?
With just a few days remaining until the Sydney Swans’ season opener against GWS this weekend, SwansTV caught up with the club’s four assistant coaches – John Blakey, Henry Playfair, Stuart Dew and Marty Mattner - to get their thoughts on who has led the way this pre-season…
John Blakey
Who has been the hardest worker this pre-season?
Being the defensive coach, I’m going to pump up all my defenders. I think the hardest worker on the track this year has been one of our recruits, Jeremy Laidler. He’s worked extremely hard to get his fitness levels back and play a part in our NAB Challenge series.
Who has been the standout performer in the NAB Challenge?
I’ll have to go with one of my defenders and I think Heath Grundy’s form early in the year has been very good. We look to him to continue that in the early rounds this year.
Who has been the biggest improver this pre-season?
The biggest improver I think would be Tommy Mitchell. With another pre-season and after playing a dozen games last year, he played some very good football in the NAB Challenge and I think we can expect some big things from him.
What are you most excited about heading into the 2014 season?
I’m most excited about having our best side out on the park. I think if we can get Goodesy, Tippo and Buddy firing up the forward line and have a lot less trouble with injury this year, then I’m very excited about seeing our best side running around out there.
Henry Playfair
Who has been the hardest worker this pre-season?
The hardest worker in my department would probably be Sam Reid. He came back from injury last year and hasn’t been out there the whole pre-season but worked really hard firstly to get back on the track and then has worked hard since he’s been on the track to train really well and get himself in good shape.
Who has been the standout performer in the NAB Challenge?
Probably Gary Rohan. He’s had a pretty solid pre-season and played really well in the practice games, particularly against GWS and West Coast, where he kicked three goals. He was a little bit quieter on the weekend but he’s set himself up for a big season.
Who has been the biggest improver this pre-season?
Out of the forwards, probably Dean Towers. He’s a young guy coming through who we drafted a couple of years ago, and he’s really improved this season as a forward. He played a little bit down back last year but he’s come into the forwards group this year and has done really well in the NAB Challenge games, which was good to see.
What are you most excited about heading into the 2014 season?
I’m excited about having all the guys back from injury and the new recruit, Lance Franklin, and just seeing how they all work together. It’s four guys who didn’t play much last year ready to go in round one, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they gel together and how they play.
Stuart Dew
Who has been the hardest worker this pre-season?
I’d probably say Luke Parker because he doesn’t miss a session and also Jarrad McVeigh, who has led by example.
Who has been the standout performer in the NAB Challenge?
We had a couple of good players but I’d have to say Tom Mitchell and Jarrad McVeigh.
Who has been the biggest improver this pre-season?
Probably Harry Cunningham. He forced his way into the side last year and has had a really good pre-season. We’re really looking forward to Harry having a big year and he’s still only young.
What are you most excited about heading into the 2014 season?
What am I most excited about? Well, we think our list is in good shape and we’re looking forward to taking it as far as we can. We want to get good momentum early because obviously you enjoy it more when you’re winning.
Marty Mattner
Who has been the hardest worker this pre-season?
Probably one of the young guys Harry Cunningham has worked really hard and has come back in really good condition and he’s been really good over the pre-season.
Who has been the standout performer in the NAB Challenge It’s been good to see Gary Rohan back play. The other standout would have to be Jarrad McVeigh. He’s followed on from his form from last year and has been really good over the last couple of weeks in the midfield.
Who has been the biggest improver this pre-season?
I would have to say Harry Cunningham again. He’s worked really hard in the off-season and the pre-season and he’s been in some really good form through the NAB Challenge.
What are you most excited about heading into the 2014 season?
Just getting into the season and round one. I’m looking forward to it and it’s been a pretty steep learning curve over the last few weeks getting into the coaching when we’ve started playing games but I can’t wait for round one.
