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Coach's Comment: Chris Fagan
Confidence is growing within our playing group after our 3rd win of the season against Port Adelaide last Saturday. Believe it or not, it is the first time we have won three games in a row since the final three rounds of the 2001 season.
It was good to win so strongly against a team who have been the most consistent home & away performers of the past few years. Port were in tremendous form and had plenty of motivation to win on Saturday given their desire to win at the MCG, the home of finals footy. We played with intensity & boldness and importantly had an even effort across the team. It was great to see emerging leaders like Brad Green, Paul Wheatley, Matthew Whelan & Cam Bruce have such a big influence on the game.
Now for the Swans - one of the most underrated but best performed teams in the AFL over the past 12 months. They have continued with their strong form in 2004 and like us have 3 wins on the board. This should ensure a high quality clash at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night. For our group the game represents another opportunity to gain respect by playing well against a team who are currently in red hot form and were preliminary finalists in 2003. Their victory over an in-form Kangaroos at Manuka on Sunday was oustanding and they will go into this game as favourites. They will be tough to beat, especially at home but we know that if our effort and intensity is up and we play with discipline & intelligence a great victory is possible.
The occasion, Melbourne v Sydney on Anzac Day weekend, will be a big motivation for both groups. I'm sure both teams respect the significance of this day in our history and recognise the great sacrifice that our forefathers made to keep our country safe & free.
We will have a normal preparation leading into the game. We'll have a good hit out at the "G" on Wednesday morning and travel up to Sydney on Friday where we will have a light training run at Telstra Stadium. Given that we haven't played at the venue before this session will be vitally important from a familiarisation perspective. Travis Johnstone & Daniel Ward will be available this week and after Sandringham's strong performance on Sunday a lot of players are pressing for selection. Difficult to change a winning team though!
Confidence is growing within our playing group after our 3rd win of the season against Port Adelaide last Saturday. Believe it or not, it is the first time we have won three games in a row since the final three rounds of the 2001 season.
It was good to win so strongly against a team who have been the most consistent home & away performers of the past few years. Port were in tremendous form and had plenty of motivation to win on Saturday given their desire to win at the MCG, the home of finals footy. We played with intensity & boldness and importantly had an even effort across the team. It was great to see emerging leaders like Brad Green, Paul Wheatley, Matthew Whelan & Cam Bruce have such a big influence on the game.
Now for the Swans - one of the most underrated but best performed teams in the AFL over the past 12 months. They have continued with their strong form in 2004 and like us have 3 wins on the board. This should ensure a high quality clash at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night. For our group the game represents another opportunity to gain respect by playing well against a team who are currently in red hot form and were preliminary finalists in 2003. Their victory over an in-form Kangaroos at Manuka on Sunday was oustanding and they will go into this game as favourites. They will be tough to beat, especially at home but we know that if our effort and intensity is up and we play with discipline & intelligence a great victory is possible.
The occasion, Melbourne v Sydney on Anzac Day weekend, will be a big motivation for both groups. I'm sure both teams respect the significance of this day in our history and recognise the great sacrifice that our forefathers made to keep our country safe & free.
We will have a normal preparation leading into the game. We'll have a good hit out at the "G" on Wednesday morning and travel up to Sydney on Friday where we will have a light training run at Telstra Stadium. Given that we haven't played at the venue before this session will be vitally important from a familiarisation perspective. Travis Johnstone & Daniel Ward will be available this week and after Sandringham's strong performance on Sunday a lot of players are pressing for selection. Difficult to change a winning team though!
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