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Ben McGlynn is preparing to play his final AFL game in Grand Final against Western Bulldogs

EXCLUSIVE: BEN McGlynn is preparing to play the final game of his AFL career on Saturday and is determined to make up for the heartbreak of missing out on a premiership in 2012.

EXCLUSIVE: BEN McGlynn is preparing to play the final game of his AFL career on Saturday and is determined to make up for the heartbreak of missing out on a premiership in 2012.

McGlynn, 31, is out of contract at the end of this season and is yet to be offered an extension for next year.

The Daily Telegraph understands the Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs will be his career swansong.

“I haven’t signed on for next year,” McGlynn told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’m going to focus on footy and then I’ll work out what the next move is. Hopefully it’s more footy but if it’s not hopefully I can go out well next week. I want to concentrate on the game and give us a chance to win a premiership.

“I’ll sit down at the end of the year with my family, my manager and the club and work out what to do going forward.”

The explosive small forward tore his hamstring in the qualifying final four years ago and failed a fitness test in the week leading up to the season finale.

Ben McGlynn is preparing to play his final AFL game in the Grand Final. Picture: Colleen Petch
Ben McGlynn is preparing to play his final AFL game in the Grand Final. Picture: Colleen Petch

The pain of missing that premiership was made even more acute by the fact his three brothers all played in winning Grand Finals in the lead up to the match.

Two have repeated the effort again this year.

“Zac and Jason won the Sunraysia league playing for Ouyen United,” McGlynn said.

“They’ve got a lot of premierships under their belts now, they had a good win last week and hopefully I can top it off on Saturday.”

After a poor start to the finals series against the Giants McGlynn has responded, kicking three goals in the Swans’ semi-final win over Adelaide and another in Friday night’s demolition of Geelong at the MCG.

He set Sydney underway in a startling opening quarter where they blew the Cats away, kicking seven unanswered goals to effectively put the match out of reach.

“Keeping it basic works for me,” McGlynn said.

Ben McGlynn provided plenty of spark for the Swans. Picture: Colleen Petch
Ben McGlynn provided plenty of spark for the Swans. Picture: Colleen Petch

“Applying pressure and keeping my work rate up are the main things I’ve been focusing on. Giving energy around the forward line and the rest comes. We all wanted to make amends for the Giants game.

“It was a disappointing start to the finals series but we had a good look in the mirror and we identified the areas we needed to work on, it’s basic footy for us. The last two weeks we’ve been able to rectify that and now we’re in the grand final.”

Saturday’s Grand Final will be McGlynn’s second after playing in the 63-point loss to Hawthorn in 2014.

“It’s another opportunity and I’m looking forward to it,” McGlynn said.

“I’ll enjoy this week and give it everything on Saturday and hope for the best.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/teams/sydney/ben-mcglynn-is-preparing-to-play-his-final-afl-game-in-grand-final-against-western-bulldogs/news-story/5e27ae7f69790549dab92c34c1c42405