South Barwon set for clean whiteboard ahead of GFL season under Mark Neeld

New Swans coach Mark Neeld is not putting any expectations on the playing group, but believes the squad is in a ‘really healthy position’ ahead of the season.

GFL: South Barwon v St Joseph's. No 33. Jack Driver for Sth Barwon.

NEW South Barwon coach Mark Neeld believes his side can contend in finals this season after seeing the quality of players he has at his disposal.

The former AFL head coach was announced as Dave Farrell’s replacement after the 2022 season concluded, with the Swans missing the finals with a 9-9 record.

Neeld said he did not want to set expectations on the year, but the list was in a good spot.

“One of the things we’ve done is go in with a very open mind, the football club is in a really healthy position when it comes to the age demographic and the number of players,” he said.

There’s a lot of players come down, we’ve had well over 50 train throughout the summer and the group trains with a high level of intensity and purpose.

“We haven’t set any expectations, I don’t have any line of sight on the other GFNL clubs, we’ll certainly make it about us and what some of the players in the group have been letting the coaches know about.

Sam James for Sth Barwon.

“The 12pm team won the premiership and a number of those players will push for senior games, they’re really keen to see if they can cement some positions in the later team.”

The Swans lost star ruck Luke Davis to Barwon Heads in the off-season, but signed ex-SANFL gun Fraser Fort to replace the quality big man, with South Barwon still yet to decide his best role in the team.

Neeld said the playing group was open to throwing the magnets around, with no one completely set on roles with practice matches looming.

“They’ve been vocal about what style they want to play and what they want to achieve, so we’ll come up with some things and try to implement some things,” he said.

“We certainly have not locked anyone in roles just yet, we have practice matches starting with a game against St Mary’s, then we have Melton and Leopold.

“We’ll have a guide after those three games about the role.

“No one is really set on exactly where they’ll line up, that’s what we’re going to use the practice matches for to decide how we play our best footy as a side.

“Everyone has really bought into that approach, which is great to see.”

The Swans will open their 2023 GFL season against Grovedale at home on April 15.

Originally published as South Barwon set for clean whiteboard ahead of GFL season under Mark Neeld