Sydney Swan are flying early - Sports News

Ahead of Saturday’s Sydney versus Greater Western Sydney derby clash at the SCG, Sportsfan’s AFL guru Tadhg Kennelly discusses the Swans' great start to the year, and attributes this in part to the immediate impact of some of their younger players.

Sydney debuted three players in round one, Callum Mills, Tom Papley and George Hewett, who all had fine games in their trouncing of Collingwood, then backed that up with good performances in round two against Carlton.

"The Swans will be extremely happy with the younger players," Kennelly told SportsFan's Will McCloy, "[and] the way that they've actually added some value to the team."

Kennelly noted that Sydney are missing quite a bit of big-name, experienced talent.

"When you don't have [Sam] Reid, you don't have [Jarrad] McVeigh, [Ben] McGlynn … [and Ted] Richards was out for round one … there's a lot of depth that's missing."

The former Swans premiership defender was particularly impressed that the youngsters have been able to have an influence so early, as inevitably they will find things tougher as the season progresses.

"As the year gets on, their bodies will get tired and they'll fatigue. They'll get dropped, and they'll come back into the team," said Kennelly.

"But to have such an impact in your first two games of football – it's enormous for the football club."

Kennelly pointed out that Sydney's playing roster has a healthy blend of experience and youth currently.

"They've got a list now that's very young; I think it's the tenth-oldest list in the competition," he said.

"They're starting to do things very well."

The Swans took a risk in starting three players for their first game in the season opener, but it certainly paid off; and no second-game let-downs have occurred.

"You think when you've got three players on debut in round one, it's highly unlikely you're going to win a game of football," said Kennelly.

"And [yet] they were able to back it up, which is most impressive."

"That's been a big positive."

from SPORT 24H News & results http://ift.tt/1SFM0n9 - Sports News

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