The Sydney Swans go into tomorrow’s qualifying final against GWS with a full-strength team, and looking for a first finals win over crosstown rivals the Giants.
James Rowbottom, who was unlucky to miss out on this year’s All-Australian team after playing a vital role in the side’s dynamic midfield, said key players Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney and Justin McInerney, would all be available.
Rowbottom, who often thrashes himself at oncoming players, wins tight contests against other midfielders and transfers the ball slickly up the field, also sits third in most tackles made by a single player this season and has helped the Swans finish at the top of the AFL ladder — something they haven’t done in eight years.
But a couple of things stand between Rowbottom and a Swans AFL Premiership, and one of them is fourth-placed Giants, who have performed more consistently over recent weeks. A win at the SCG tomorrow will put either side one win away from the grand final.
“The Giants love to turn the ball over and try to chain it with their hands through the middle of the ground,” said Rowbottom. “If I can stop one or two of the handballs, it’ll go a long way to winning.
“They’ve been the most informed team in the competition over the last couple of months, and they’ve got a Coleman Medallist, a couple of All-Australians, and a very good outfit all around.”
The winner of this qualifying final will secure a home preliminary final.
For the Swans, their last home preliminary final saw them trump the Collingwood Magpies to make the AFL Grand Final in 2022.
However, one of the things the Swans have never been able to do in finals football is defeat the Giants.
In 2021, the Swans couldn’t claw back a fast GWS start, agonisingly going down 74-73 to exit the competition in the elimination final.
This season, the Giants also made the top four for the first time since 2017. The side thrives off fast transitions down the field and a high-pressure game.
As much as you want to take it in your stride and treat it as much like another game, it carries extra weight and a bigger atmosphere.
GWS is also a different beast in finals as they’ve made three preliminary finals and one grand final in the last eight years.
“Finals is definitely another beast,” Rowbottom said.
“As much as you want to take it in your stride and treat it as much like another game, it carries extra weight and a bigger atmosphere.
“I’m fortunate enough that I’ve got some pretty talented and hardworking boys around me that have obviously been good enough to make the All-Australian team,” he added of the four Swans players who did make the side.
In the middle of the season, the Swans had a 12-point lead over second place, but injuries to key playmakers such as Justin McInerney and Tom Papley saw the side drop points.
They haven’t beaten a top-eight side since June and also lost by over 100 points to Port Adelaide.
However, the Swans have found some form, winning the last three matches and returning to their second-half high-pressure style of play.
This week, the Swans will welcome Papley and McInerney back, and Rowbotttom said he’s excited to have the squad at full strength.
“We spoke about that during the year when you are at full strength, it’s obviously a massive boost,” he said.
“Justin and Tom are massive energy givers for the group, and they’ll be a big part of a successful weekend of that.”
Coach John Longmire also added that he’s very proud of his team’s achievements in a competition where last year’s Premiers, the Collingwood Magpies, missed the eight.
“It’s pretty hard to make finals, and if you look at the three of the last four Premiership teams, they made the finals the year after.
“I was really proud of the team being able to make finals last year and what they’ve been able to do this year.
“It’s not an easy competition, and allowing ourselves to play at this time of the year is fantastic.”
Main image by Seb Tan.
