SYDNEY could be set to unleash two of its quickest players on the MCG in Friday night’s Qualifying Final against the Hawks as they search for a winning formula against the minor premiers.
Emerging star Gary Rohan is almost certain to retain his spot in the side that went down to the Hawks last weekend after impressing his comeback from a horrific broken leg.
The exciting speedster kicked two goals in quick succession against the Hawks at ANZ Stadium last Friday night and showed why he could be the x-factor Sydney need in September.
He singe-handedly turned the momentum of the game in his side’s favour with a brilliant goal from just inside 50 off two steps in the second term, following a minute later by a set shot goal that put his side four goals up.
Rohan could have a new partner in crime come Friday night, as speedster Lewis Jetta attempts to prove his fitness in the lead-up to Friday night’s game.
Jetta hasn’t played since Round 10 but is a chance to return for his team’s finals campaign but could be the sub for the first final.
"We need to sit down and work out what we do with him from here," Sydney Coach John Longmire said on Monday.
"It's a decision we need to make; whether we can bring him in, do we bring him in as a sub, or do we give him another two weeks training and look towards next week.
"It's a decision we'll make in the next couple of days.
"If you bring him in as a sub, you've got no control over any injuries that may happen obviously early in the game.
"That certainly comes into our decision making."
The Swans coach also said it would be ideal to have both Jetta and Rohan in the same side.
"In an ideal world it'd be fantastic (play Jetta and Rohan together)," Longmire told media on Monday.
"That's what we envisaged at the start of last year until Gary broke his leg.
"And obviously ‘Jetts’ has missed so much football this year.
"Whether it happens this week I'm not too sure, obviously Jetts has missed a fair bit of footy and so has Gary.
"But at some point down the track … it'd be a good look."
The Hawks have received criticism in recent times about their perceived lack of leg speed, an area the Swans may see as a weakness heading into Friday night.
But Hawks speedster Isaac Smith refuted claims the Hawks are slow, reminding media two weeks ago of the leg speed within the Hawthorn team.
“We’ve got some very quick players, we’ve got probably one of the quickest in the competition in Cyril, so there’s one quick bloke,” he said.
“We’ve also got Shaun Burgoyne who is as quick as Cyril, then you’ve got guys like Shane Savage, Hill, myself, Grant Birchall – so there is pace there.
“Sometimes in good sides, you always try and find a weakness even though it might not be a huge one and the media and maybe other clubs seem to run with it.
“We’re pretty happy with the pace in the side.”
