Josh Kennedy column: Rapidly adapting rookies and recruits to bolster Swans in 2018
WE’VE already seen what our talented youngsters like Isaac Heeney, George Hewett, Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Callum Mills and Tom Papley can do, writes Josh Kennedy in his season preview.
Sydney
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WE’VE already seen what our talented youngsters like Isaac Heeney, George Hewett, Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Callum Mills and Tom Papley can do.
And now we’re seeing our new recruits following in their footsteps.
Ryley Stoddart and Tom McCartin were given a taste of senior footy for the first time during the AFLX tournament and JLT Community Series and really made an impact.
Young players adapt so quickly to the demands of AFL footy these days and impress from the moment they’re drafted.
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I’m confident that supporters will get to see the emergence of even more players this year, not only our draftees, but also the players like Jordan Dawson, Harry Marsh, Colin O’Riordan, Dan Robinson, James Rose and Robbie Fox.
They’ve been with us for two, three, four or five years now and are waiting for their opportunity and are ready to grab it with both hands.
Everyone is looking fit and healthy. It’s going to be really competitive for spots this year as we’ve got great depth.
Season 2017 was certainly a steep learning curve for us all but I’m certain it’s going to hold us in good stead. As always, we’ll be up for the fight and ready for whatever gets thrown our way throughout the season.
I’m so proud to be part of this group and just so excited to get over to Perth to kick off our year against the Eagles.
Sydney and West Coast have a great rivalry and I’m sure that we’ll see another instalment of that in Round 1 at the new stadium.
We’ll then return to Sydney for our first home game of the year against Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday, which will be a special occasion.
As always, our members and supporters will have a critical role to play in our success. On the field, we know you are with us when times are good – which they have been for a long time – and stand by us when the going gets tough.
We certainly need your passion and your voice, particularly when we come up against the likes of Collingwood, Richmond and Hawthorn.
We need you to compete off the field – just like we do on it – to be louder than the opposition and provide the energy for us to perform at our best.
Over the off-season, it was so impressive to see how committed all players, coaches and support staff are to write our own history and enjoy great success.