Swans reserves looking to September
By Alison Zell
While the Sydney Swans take on Hawthorn in a blockbuster at the SCG on Saturday afternoon, across the other end of town the Swans reserves will be playing for a spot in the NEAFL Eastern Conference semi-finals.
The second-placed Swans reserves will take on third-placed Ainslie FC in a qualifying final at Blacktown International Sportspark, but reserves coach Jared Crouch is more concerned with making sure his players are ready for the senior team’s finals series.
“I guess I judge the team’s success differently than most,” Crouch said.
“For us, it’s not about wins and losses but about the ability of reserves players to come into the senior team and play and role and have an impact.
“It’s not even about playing finals. It’s about playing the style of football that (Swans coach) John Longmire wants so if there are injuries in the senior side we have players who are in good form and playing the way the team needs them to play.”
Queanbeyan, as minor premiers, have the week off after finishing one win ahead of the reserves, but Crouch is thankful his side didn’t finish first.
“In a way, it is incredibly important that we didn’t finish first and get the week off,” he said.
“The last thing we want is for our guys to be not playing for a week and we need them playing as often as possible.
“For us, it’s about consistent performances and understanding their responsibilities so that if the time comes, they’re ready for senior football.”
Crouch said although the Swans have used the least number of players for the season, he has been pleased with the way the reserves have played.
“It’s been an odd year because we’ve used so few players in the senior side so it’s really about keeping the reserves motivated and keeping up the emotions of the guys so that if there is an injury, someone can slot in,” Crouch said.
“Tommy Walsh was able to come in for a few games, Trent Dennis-Lane and Armstrong have played a few games and Mitch Morton who was in great form, earned his spot last week.
“Then there’s the development of guys like Alex Brown and Harry Cunningham which has been pleasing as well.”
Former West Coast and Richmond player Mitch Morton has been a standout for the reserves all season, leading the competition with 75 goals, and finally got his first chance in the senior side as the substitute against the Bulldogs last weekend.
“Morton’s inclusion shows that you have to earn your game,” Crouch said.
“It’s not about kicking goals but learning the structures of a new club and making the coaches confident that you can play well for more than just one week.
“I’m really happy for him and I guess it’s up to the senior match committee whether he plays this week but I know that if he doesn’t, he’ll come back to reserves and play the same style to give himself the best opportunity to push for selection again.”
Mike Pyke and Nick Malceski played regular reserves games before cementing themselves in the senior side and Crouch believes his players are learning the structures and game style to regularly push for senior selection.
“There hasn’t been a high turnover but the guys that have gone up have really played their role when they’ve had the opportunity,” Crouch said.
With the winner of this match set to face Queanbeyan at Manuka Oval next weekend, the loser will play the winner of this week’s elimination final between Eastlake and Hills Eagles.
