Sydney defender Dane Rampe says doubters has spurred Swans ahead of top-four showdown
AS DANE Rampe reveals the driving force behind the Swans’ surge back into premiership calculations, Neil Cordy says there’s six reasons not to miss this weekend’s Syudney-Hawthorn blockbuster.
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DANE Rampe says being written off a month ago by a large slice of experts has been a motivational force in the Swans surge back into premiership calculations.
After losing four games from five, including one to bottom placed Gold Coast, Sydney have won their last three against contenders Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS to bounce back into reckoning.
They face Hawthorn at the SCG on Saturday night in a virtual playoff for a top four finish.
BUDDY BRILLIANT: SWANS COME UP TRUMPS
Rampe says living in Sydney can shield players from the scrutiny of the traditional AFL states but there has been a real opportunity for Swans players to use the criticism as a spur.
“You can use it as motivation going forward,” Rampe said.
“Individually in the back of everyone’s mind we want to prove the doubters wrong. I think we’ve done it over the last 15 years. We are more than confident in our ability, our systems and the way we go about it.”
The stirring victory over the Giants made it nine consecutive finals appearances for the red and white and 15 from the last 16 years.
A month ago that run looked to be at an end when they slumped from top four to out of the eight. Like the 0-6 start to last year the Swans found a way to work their way back into the finals. The key defender says it’s all about the club culture.
“When you come into the club you are taught a certain way of going about things and it’s held us in good stead,” Rampe said.
“That’s what you revert to when you are under the pump like last year when we were 0-6. Fingers crossed you can keep going on an upward trajectory and you never know what can happen.”
Rampe said the Swans would obviously prefer not to put themselves in the tight spots they’ve found themselves in over the last two years but the experience has them battle hardened for September.
“With our backs to the wall we’ve really lifted,” Rampe said.
“That’s the real positive. I look at it as a glass half full when we’re in those situations
Our young blokes and leaders stand up. We’ve had situations when we’ve been players down and stood up and owned the moment. Our consistency has been a bit disappointing but we know we’ve got it if we need to call on it.”
The key defender is likely to get the job on in-form Hawk Jack Gunston who kicked another four goals in Hawthorn’s four point win over St Kilda on Saturday.
SIX REASONS TO GET TO THE SCG SATURDAY NIGHT
1. THE PRIZE — TOP FOUR UP FOR GRABS
The equation is simple for these AFL heavyweights the winner gets a top four finish and books the double chance. Both teams are in great form, the Swans have won their last three including victories over Collingwood and GWS and Hawthorn their last five in the trot.
2. BUDDY GOES FOR HIS SIXTH COLEMAN MEDAL
Buddy is already in a class of his own for modern full forwards with five Coleman Medals. He can join the legendary Gordon Coventry as a six time winner of the VFL/AFL leading goalkicker.
This time last year he trailed leader Josh Kennedy by six goals going into the final round but booted 10 against a hapless Carlton win his fifth Coleman. It was only the second time in his career he’s reached double digits.
3. BUDDY GOES UP AGAINST HIS OLD TEAM AGAIN
Ever since Lance Franklin left Hawthorn at the end of the 2013 season every clash against his old team has been highly anticipated. In his first clash against the Hawks he kicked seven points in a row before landing two with the game in the balance to get the Swans up by 19 points at ANZ Stadium.
4. BEN RONKE ENCORE
In just his third senior game Ben Ronke shocked the AFL world with seven goals against Hawthorn in round eight at the MCG. It was a match winning performance that caught everybody off guard, surely he can’t do it again or can he?
5. MITCHELL V KENNEDY
The Swans pinched Hawthorn royalty when they signed Josh Kennedy at the end of 2009. He is triple All Australian and triple Bob Skilton medallist at the Swans. The Hawks have got one back with the signing of Tom Mitchell who looks a certainty to win this year’s Brownlow Medal.
6. LONGMIRE V CLARKSON
Things have been testy between the former North Melbourne teammates since the Swans pinched Lance Franklin from the Hawks. The tensions reared again this year when Clarkson said umpires were letting Sydney defenders Dane Rampe and Heath Grundy were getting away with ‘Blue Murder’ in their marking infringements. He then had a private coffee with AFL boss Gillon McLachlan to talk things over which brought terse words from Longmire. Clarkson made light of the incident at the ‘Big Freeze’ when he went down the slide in a Swans top carrying a coffee mug. The latest instalment of this fascinating battle unfolds on Saturday night.
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