As the AFL season creeps closer, the Sydney Swans will be looking forward to their first serious hit-out of the pre-season next week.
The annual AFL exhibition match at North Sydney Oval between Sydney and Essendon is the first AFL match played in Australia each season, and has quickly gained popularity as the traditional pipe-opener for the two clubs, giving fans a chance to see some of the potential "stars of tomorrow" go through their paces.
This year the match is on Saturday February 14 at 3.30pm. Gates will open at 1pm with players from both clubs presented to the crowd and available for an autograph session pre-match from 1.30pm.
At half time eight schools from the North Shore will take part in an AFL Auskick demonstration under the guidance of AFL Auskick ambassador Robert "Dipper" Dipierdomenico.
Swans' coach Paul Roos will be taking a cautious approach to the game.
"We are a little bit behind where we were last year, starting three weeks later," he said. "We've just got to be a bit careful we don't push too early and get too many injuries during the first couple of trial matches."
The Swans have a lengthy list of players who will not be fit for the clash with the Bombers. Jason Ball, Ben Mathews, Leo Barry, Michael O'Loughlin and Stephen Doyle are still recovering from injuries.
Stuart Maxfield, Paul Williams, Jared Crouch, Barry Hall and Tadhg Kennelly are also unlikely to be ready for the match.
More info -
http://sydneyswans.com.au/default.as...ticleid=131879
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/a...776062506.html
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