THE SYDNEY Swans’ young brigade of midfielders has come on in leaps and bounds this season, but coach Paul Roos says the experience of key personnel is required if the Swans are to be real premiership contenders.
Roos is delighted by the game time and experience that Dan Hannebery, Nick Smith, Kieren Jack and Lewis Jetta have been given, but says he has not been able to field a full strength side this season.
“We haven’t been able to get our best team out there,” he said after the Swans’ 38-point win over Port Adelaide.
“Over the last four to five weeks it’s been really good to get some game time into the younger guys - there are some really good signs for the future.
“But to be competitive against the good sides we need all our personnel in the team.”
According to Roos, the return of premiership player Tadhg Kennelly and hard running midfielder Ben McGlynn from injury was vital in the win.
“Key personnel is important, to get Tadhg and Ben McGlynn back tonight was really important,'' he said.
“Hopefully the injuries are behind us and we can get that team together in the back half of the season.”
Jack was superb in the Swans’ win, negating the dangerous David Rodan while notching up 16 disposals, two goals and 11 tackles.
Youngster Nick Smith was also pivotal, holding Danyle Pearce to just three possessions in the first half, and only 15 for the game to make sure he had no impact.
The Swans defensive effort overall was impressive. The Power got the ball inside their 50m zone only 12 times in the first half, and just 31 times by the end of the game, compared to Sydney's 51 forward entries.
The form of Adam Goodes also had the coach licking his lips as the dual Brownlow Medalist bagged three goals and lead strongly from centre half forward.
“His first half was really exciting - he was a dominant player on the ground,” Roos said.
He declared his side’s next clash, against Collingwood, would provide a real indication of where the team was at.
The Swans have now recorded seven wins and five losses, and has cemented their spot in the top eight.
Full forward Daniel Bradshaw and late withdrawal Rhyce Shaw (hip) are expected to return after the mid-season break.
