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Rookie Swans step up to the mark
By TIM MORRISSEY
09may03
SYDNEY'S department of youth is talking tough in the lead-up to Sunday's blockbuster against the awesome Brisbane Lions.
The Swans' rookie trio of Adam Schneider, James Meiklejohn and Mark Powell say they are not at all fazed going into the biggest and toughest test of their short but promising careers.
The baby Swans are not only looking forward to measuring themselves against the unbeaten reigning premiers, they are expecting to win on Mother's Day at the SCG.
"I reckon we've got a big chance of beating Brisbane," said 19-year-old Powell, who got his first taste of AFL football in Sydney's stunning 20-point win over Collingwood last round.
"Adam Schneider and I played Brisbane in the pre-season and I didn't find them too bad.
"I watched their game on the weekend against Geelong it seemed like they didn't like Geelong running against them and we're a fairly good running side and if we can use that to our advantage we're going to look all right."
Schneider, who at 19 is a star in the making and the Swans' third leading goalkicker after six rounds with nine majors, is expecting to bag a few more on Sunday.
"That's my job . . . I've got to run a lot and I've got to kick goals," said Schneider.
Meiklejohn, 19, is itching for a chance to measure himself against the Lions' young ruckmen.
"Dylan McLaren, Beau McDonald and Jamie Charman are all pretty young too," said Meiklejohn.
"But they're all big boys as well and pretty strong.
"It will be good to see how far they are in their development; like coach has said to me it's always good to learn something from your opponents. There won't be any time for nerves."
Even Lions coach Leigh Matthews expects the Mother's Day bash to be their toughest test this season.
Sydney's 10-goal last term against Melbourne two rounds ago put Matthews on Swans watch.
However, it was the Swans' 20-point rout of Collingwood last weekend in Melbourne that has the Lions mentor more than a little anxious.
"Three-quarter time against Melbourne, five quarters ago, they were going terribly and they've had a fantastic five quarters since then," said Matthews.
"Their last quarter against Melbourne was fantastic and they were really impressive on Saturday night. They were quick and they've got their side together.
"They're going to be difficult opposition at this point on their home venue."
Sydney's youngsters aren't alone in talking up Sunday with confidence since the Swans bounced back from a three-game losing streak.
However, veteran on-baller Daryn Cresswell, who has been a big factor in the Swans' past two victories since returning from a calf injury, believes the key to staging the biggest upset of the year will be competing with Brisbane's midfield.
"They can just rotate anyone through there and I reckon without doubt it's the best midfield I've ever played against," said Cresswell. LESS than two weeks after fracturing his cheekbone, Hawthorn ruckman Peter Everitt was last night rushed back into the Hawks' team to play the Kangaroos tonight.
"He didn't need a plate or anything like that," coach Peter Schwab said. "There's always a risk. You don't want another knock in the same spot."
By TIM MORRISSEY
09may03
SYDNEY'S department of youth is talking tough in the lead-up to Sunday's blockbuster against the awesome Brisbane Lions.
The Swans' rookie trio of Adam Schneider, James Meiklejohn and Mark Powell say they are not at all fazed going into the biggest and toughest test of their short but promising careers.
The baby Swans are not only looking forward to measuring themselves against the unbeaten reigning premiers, they are expecting to win on Mother's Day at the SCG.
"I reckon we've got a big chance of beating Brisbane," said 19-year-old Powell, who got his first taste of AFL football in Sydney's stunning 20-point win over Collingwood last round.
"Adam Schneider and I played Brisbane in the pre-season and I didn't find them too bad.
"I watched their game on the weekend against Geelong it seemed like they didn't like Geelong running against them and we're a fairly good running side and if we can use that to our advantage we're going to look all right."
Schneider, who at 19 is a star in the making and the Swans' third leading goalkicker after six rounds with nine majors, is expecting to bag a few more on Sunday.
"That's my job . . . I've got to run a lot and I've got to kick goals," said Schneider.
Meiklejohn, 19, is itching for a chance to measure himself against the Lions' young ruckmen.
"Dylan McLaren, Beau McDonald and Jamie Charman are all pretty young too," said Meiklejohn.
"But they're all big boys as well and pretty strong.
"It will be good to see how far they are in their development; like coach has said to me it's always good to learn something from your opponents. There won't be any time for nerves."
Even Lions coach Leigh Matthews expects the Mother's Day bash to be their toughest test this season.
Sydney's 10-goal last term against Melbourne two rounds ago put Matthews on Swans watch.
However, it was the Swans' 20-point rout of Collingwood last weekend in Melbourne that has the Lions mentor more than a little anxious.
"Three-quarter time against Melbourne, five quarters ago, they were going terribly and they've had a fantastic five quarters since then," said Matthews.
"Their last quarter against Melbourne was fantastic and they were really impressive on Saturday night. They were quick and they've got their side together.
"They're going to be difficult opposition at this point on their home venue."
Sydney's youngsters aren't alone in talking up Sunday with confidence since the Swans bounced back from a three-game losing streak.
However, veteran on-baller Daryn Cresswell, who has been a big factor in the Swans' past two victories since returning from a calf injury, believes the key to staging the biggest upset of the year will be competing with Brisbane's midfield.
"They can just rotate anyone through there and I reckon without doubt it's the best midfield I've ever played against," said Cresswell. LESS than two weeks after fracturing his cheekbone, Hawthorn ruckman Peter Everitt was last night rushed back into the Hawks' team to play the Kangaroos tonight.
"He didn't need a plate or anything like that," coach Peter Schwab said. "There's always a risk. You don't want another knock in the same spot."
