Youth no excuse for emerging Swans

A YOUNG list on paper won’t be an excuse for Dave Farrell and South Barwon in his first year on the job.

The former Geelong Falcons assistant coach has played down a lack of experience at the Swans, and says it will not hold his side back from being competitive this season.

“I suppose by games played or by age, yes (we’re young), but maturity I’d say no,” Farrell said.

“It’s not a concern for us. As it was presented to me before I took on the job, a healthy South list is a really strong list. We’re keen to make sure everyone is fit and healthy and we’ll hopefully be more than competitive.”

Former AFL utility Louis Herbert is the club’s marquee signing — the 23-year-old a prime example of Farrell’s reasoning as a player with football smarts from the elite level.

Farrell said the pre-season has gone extremely smoothly.

“It felt like I would be really well supported and so far that’s rung true,” he said.

“I couldn’t ask for more as far as effort and intensity from the playing group, so that’s been fantastic.

“There have certainly been some areas we’ve identified straight away that in year two we could improve on as a coaching group, but from the players, they’ve been absolutely outstanding.” But Farrell won’t be setting a bar for 2018. “Everyone’s in the same boat at the moment; it (finals) is certainly an aim for us and until we start playing some games and see where the list is at and the competition is at, it’s hard to say,” he said.