PENPIX OF THE SYDNEY SWANS' TEAM FOR THE AFL GRAND FINAL
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BACK LINE
24. Dane Rampe
Age: 34 Games: 250 Goals: 9 Finals: 22.
Veteran defender and former co-captain operates as the Swans' stand-in skipper in Callum Mills' absence. Chasing his first premiership after featuring in three grand final defeats.
30. Tom McCartin
Age: 24 Games: 131 Goals: 28 Finals: 8.
Has put concussion issues behind him to return to being one of the most reliable key defenders in the game this season.
22. Nick Blakey
Age: 24 Games: 127 Goals: 39 Finals: 6.
One of four Swans representatives in the All-Australian team, earning his first blazer this year. The man dubbed 'The Lizard' sets up play and provides dash out of defence.
HALF-BACK LINE
44. Jake Lloyd
Age: 31 Games: 248 Goals: 42 Finals: 19.
Runs all day and provides a calm head with plenty of experience. Like long-time teammate Rampe, has a 0-3 record in grand finals.
7. Harry Cunningham
Age: 30 Games: 207 Goals: 52 Finals: 14.
Experienced defender chasing his first flag after playing in the 2014 grand final loss to Hawthorn and watching Sydney's most recent two season deciders from the sidelines.
43. Lewis Melican
Age: 27 Games: 83 Goals: 2 Finals: 4.
Re-born defender has proved his body can stand up at AFL level across 23 games this season - the same tally he managed across the previous four years when injuries threatened his career.
CENTRE LINE
17. James Jordon
Age: 23 Games: 90 Goals: 26 Finals: 6.
An unused substitute in Melbourne's 2021 premiership, has become an important role player for John Longmire since crossing to the Swans last off-season.
1. Chad Warner
Age: 23 Games: 84 Goals: 77 Finals: 7.
Explosive midfielder has taken his game to new levels and earned his first All-Australian selection in the process. One of few Swans who could hold his head high after the humiliating 2022 grand final defeat to Geelong.
13. Oliver Florent
Age: 26 Games: 167 Goals: 49 Finals: 8.
Consistent and durable, one of nine Swans who have played every game this season.
"You play football but then you score in the basketball hoop ... it's pretty much just tackle-basketball."— AAP Sport (@AAPSport) The hybrid backyard game that made @sydneyswans star Chad Warner, and why his brothers will be better than him.@joannaguelas @shayne_hope https://t.co/tf8L3wsCcjSeptember 23, 2024
HALF-FORWARD LINE
26. Luke Parker
Age: 31 Games: 292 Goals: 210 Finals: 25.
Fought his way back after a long stint on the sidelines through injury and suspension. The only player in this team who also featured in the 2012 premiership, but was subbed out of that grand final win over Hawthorn.
6. Logan McDonald
Age: 22 Games: 69 Goals: 93 Finals: 5.
Under an injury cloud after hurting an ankle and being substituted out of the preliminary final, but passed fitness tests at training this week. Continues to develop, kicking a career-best 37 goals so far this season.
21. Errol Gulden
Age: 22 Games: 92 Goals: 69 Finals: 7.
Swans academy product has exploded over the last two seasons, winning the club best-and-fairest award and consecutive All-Australian selections. Now one of Sydney's biggest weapons.
FORWARD LINE
11. Tom Papley
Age: 28 Games: 184 Goals: 293 Finals: 14.
Energetic small forward just as likely to kick a team-lifting goal as he is to get under an opponent's skin. Doesn't need many touches to have an impact, as shown when he kicked three majors from eight disposals in the preliminary final.
36. Joel Amartey
Age: 25 Games: 52 Goals: 73 Finals: 3.
Sydney's leading goal-kicker this season with 43, including a career-best haul of nine in one match. Kicked three and assisted another in last week's preliminary final.
9. Will Hayward
Age: 25 Games: 162 Goals: 199 Finals: 8.
Strong marking target blessed with pace, has kicked a career-best 40 goals this year.
FOLLOWERS
4. Brodie Grundy
Age: 39 Games: 219 Goals: 72 Finals: 11.
Aiming for his maiden premiership in his first season with his third AFL club, after establishing himself as a premier ruckman at Collingwood and spending one ill-fated season at Melbourne.
5. Isaac Heeney
Age: 28 Games: 200 Goals: 260 Finals: 16.
Finished top-four in Brownlow Medal voting despite being ineligible through suspension, and led the count at the half-way point. Was the match-winner in the epic qualifying final victory over GWS.
8. James Rowbottom
Age: 24 Games: 116 Goals: 34 Finals: 7.
Can play important roles as a 'cooler' on opposition midfielders and wins plenty of his own ball as a staple in the Swans' on-ball division.
Well it's not quite the official Goal of the Year but it's a good excuse to replay this anyway 😎— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) #Brownlow pic.twitter.com/nk3jVyycGzSeptember 23, 2024
INTERCHANGE
34. Matt Roberts
Age: 21 Games: 29 Goals: 3 Finals: 2.
Another attacking weapon from the back half, with his booming left foot a feature. Only player in the team who hadn't played an AFL finals match before this month.
16. Braeden Campbell
Age: 22 Games: 70 Goals: 16 Finals: 6.
Another Swans academy product enjoying a solid season.
27. Justin McInerney
Age: 24 Games: 91 Goals: 37 Finals: 7.
Missed final six rounds of the home-and-away season with a PCL injury and was subbed out of the qualifying final. Speedster who brings plenty of energy.
2. Hayden McLean
Age: 25 Games: 78 Goals: 75 Finals: 5.
Important role as a marking target in attack and giving Grundy a chop-out in the ruck.
42. Robbie Fox
Age: 31 Games: 104 Goals: 14 Finals: 6.
Earned a recall as injured captain Callum Mills's replacement for the preliminary final and started as the substitute. Retains his spot with Mills still sidelined.
EMERGENCIES
10. Aaron Francis
Age: 27 Games: 74 Goals: 13 Finals: 2.
Former Essendon defender, high-end draft pick. Played just five senior games this season, his second with the Swans.
19. Peter Ladhams
Age: 26 Games: 53 Goals: 27 Finals: 4.
Struggled for game time this season as Grundy's back-up, managing just one senior appearance.
33. Caiden Cleary
Age: 19 Games: 5 Goals: 2 Finals: 0.
Played all five of his senior games so far in the second half of this season, the first three as the starting substitute.
Australian Associated Press