One of the most experienced Swans statesmen has praised the contribution of the side’s youngsters ahead of Sydney’s clash with Richmond on Thursday night.
As a host of young Swans prepare to meet some of the hottest up-and-comers in the competition, 30-year-old Sydney defender Nick Smith says they have been immense.
The likes of Swans young guns Oliver Florent, Ben Ronke and Will Hayward are set to face young Tigers Daniel Rioli, Jason Castagna and Dan Butler.
“The thing that’s surprised me most is the young boys’ consistency,” Smith said of the young Swans on Radio Sport National.
“Often with young guys is they’ll pop up for a game or two but sometimes their consistency can let them down. But that hasn’t been the case at all and there’s no doubt that a lot of our success as a side this year has to be credited to the younger boys.”
Florent has gathered 20-plus disposals in every game since Round 8 and tallied a game-high 29 touches in Sydney’s most recent outing, helping the Swans to a gritty win over the Eagles at the SCG.
His ability to find space, rack up a string of uncontested marks and use the ball effectively has stood out over the opening 14 rounds of the season.
The 19-year-old took out the Round 11 Rising Star nomination after playing a starring role in Sydney’s win over Carlton.
But while Florent has stamped his impact in the midfield, the likes of Ronke and Hayward have played vital roles in the Swans’ forward 50.
Ronke became the first player in VFL/AFL history to record seven goals and 10 tackles in a game in Sydney’s match with Hawthorn in Round 8 to claim a Rising Star nomination.
The likes of young defenders Zak Jones and Jake Lloyd are thriving alongside Smith, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe and Jarrad McVeigh, while midfielders Isaac Heeney, George Hewett and Harry Cunningham are enjoying strong form of their own.
Smith said the long list of young contributors would hold the side in good stead.
“Anytime you’ve got 22-25 players is a really exciting time,” Smith said.
“I don’t think you can win big finals if you don’t have 22 guys on the day contributing, so it’s really exciting that we have good depth and younger guys who can play roles for us.”
Ronke has starred at home and away in his first season at AFL level and Smith applauded his influence ahead of the trip to Melbourne.
“He’s been such a good addition to the side,” Smith said.
“His energy, his pressure and his ability to finish has been really good.
“He pulled one out of the bag against Hawthorn but I’d say he’s played really good footy every game this year.”
