Jezza’s Journal #2

By Jeremy Cameron

This is it! Only a few days until ‘Battle of the Bridge,’ and the mood around the club is one of pure excitement.

This will be one of our biggest games of the year, we’ve been really happy with our pre-season form, and I’m confident we’ll put in a really good showing in front of what I’m sure will be a big crowd.

It’s the first time we’ve played the derby at Spotless Stadium, so that adds a little bit of extra incentive for the group, as it’s on our home turf.

The coaches were really happy with our hit-out in the practice match against Adelaide at Blacktown on Friday, but for me personally it wasn’t ideal, as I sustained a bit of an injury to my ankle.

I was only going to play the first half, and the injury happened just before half-time, which was a little unlucky.

It was quite an innocuous injury.

I went up for a mark, trod on Phil Davis’s foot when I landed, and there was an immediate sharp pain, as I twisted my ankle significantly.

I will have a fitness test on Friday to hopefully prove myself right, as I desperately want to take on Sydney.

I have done everything in my power to give myself the best possible chance to play.

I haven’t really injured my ankle before, and it can be a tricky thing to hurt, as the pain can hang around for a while, but I’m staying really positive.

Nobody is 100% sure of the make-up of the side to face Sydney.

Leon Cameron has said it will be very difficult for the coaching staff, as a lot of guys have put their hands up for selection with strong pre-seasons.

We played with 29 against Adelaide, and that’s obviously got to get down to 22 for Saturday.

A lot of the boys went and watched the NEAFL side play last weekend too, and there were several stand outs in that game too, so I’d hate to be one of the coaches picking the side!

On Sydney, they are no doubt one of the premier teams in the competition, very professional, with a lot of quality players.

But we love playing them, and we’re feeling good, having pushed them in the NAB Challenge a few weeks ago.

Jed Lamb and Shane Mumford have been really helpful in giving some insight into the Swans’ camp, and we can’t wait for 4:40 on Saturday evening!