Super Saturday a must-see

By James Matthey

Swans players claim that they aren’t suffering any side effects from a premiership hangover, but that doesn’t mean their fans can’t bask in the glory of their 2012 premiership triumph.

This Saturday’s encounter with the Suns at the Swans’ spiritual home, the SCG, will give Sydney the opportunity to say thank-you to their supporters with the unfurling of last year’s premiership flag.

The unfurling will take place at 1:15pm, before the on-field action commences at 1:45pm.

Fans can re-live last season’s feat by collecting a Premiership Flag waver as they enter the ground, while they can also get a Premiership Flag tattoo at one of the Volkswagen Face Painting locations.

Swans coach, John Longmire, said it was important to recognise the contribution made by the fans on their road to Grand Final success.

It’s a thank you to a lot of people, most importantly our supporters,” said Longmire.

“To be able to thank them for what they have gone through over a long time, particularly last year at the club is an important gesture.

“It’s an important statement for the club to be able to officially sign off on that and to thank everyone who is involved in it and then weigh it up with the responsibility of winning the game.”

Another incentive for the crowd to turn up is the chance to see modern-day great Gary Ablett in action, who Longmire regards as one of the best players to ever play the game.

“He is a pretty fair player and many say he is one of, if not the best player to play the game,” said Longmire.

“Many who would have seen the game on the weekend between St Kilda and the Gold Coast would agree with that statement.

“He’s just a super player who is in red-hot form at the moment.”

Longmire also mentioned that while it would be a challenge to keep the Brownlow Medal winner quiet, his side would be up for the task.

“We’ve had our challenges beating him in the past and I’m sure we’ll have our challenges against him this week to restrain his output on the game.

“We’ve got a few options and you always go in with a few options against him,” he said.

“Obviously McVeigh, Jack, McGlynn and those players who have played that particular role in the past are a chance to play on him.

“Sometimes you’ve got to have a few of those options to go on him at different times through the course of the game and I’m sure we’ll do that again this week.

“A bit depends on whether he plays forward or midfield, but that’s the real challenge on playing on the some of the great players, and you don’t get that opportunity every week to play on one of the best players in the game and he’s certainly up with there with the best.”

AFL NSW/ACT has TWO DOUBLE PASSES for this weekend’s clash between the Swans and the SUNS at the SCG to giveaway!

Click here for details:

http://aflnswact.com.au/index.php?id=567

Gates open at 10:00am, and the Sydney Swans Reserves take on the Gold Coast Suns Reserves at 10:05am as a pre-cursor to the main event.