Natural development
Unfortunately for several Horsham District league clubs, the collection of young Swifts footballers who entered last season’s finals series will only be more experienced and ambitious in 2023.
Swifts played classy football in 2022, led by their experienced midfield and large stock of ruckmen.
The team’s young players’ flair and dash challenged several sides throughout the season, who struggled to stop their attacking footballers.
Senior coach and ruckman Brett Hargreaves, returning for his second season in charge, said the addition of more complete defensive structures and the natural development of his young brigade had raised his expectations of 2023 success.
“Last season was not disappointing, although we would have liked to have won a final,” he said.
“We had a young team, and we ran out of steam in the later rounds.
“Most of our players hadn’t played a full season of football since they ran around in under-17s and it was positive that even when we were tiring, our losses weren’t beltings – other than one at the end of the season.”
Hargreaves said the Baggies would enter 2023 with a similar list of players, aided by an addition of promotable former under-17s players.
He said former Swifts player Tallis Miles would return, and former Victorian Football League and Northern Territory Football League player Tom Cairns would also join the Baggies in 2023.
Former Richmond premiership midfielder Shaun Grigg will also wear the black-and-teal in round five at North Park, Stawell, when Swifts play Natimuk United.
Hargreaves said Grigg would be a star attraction to the only Stawell-based game that weekend.
“It will be a great weekend to have Shaun in Stawell – the club is hosting its sportsperson night at the town hall after the match,” he said.
“There should be a big crowd at North Park for that game.”
Hargreaves said the majority of Swifts’ list was 25 and younger, with a smattering of over-30s.
“Our game style won’t change too much, but we have had a pre-season emphasis on defensive presses and stoppage defence,” he said.
Hargreaves said finals was the expectation for the senior side.
“We are out there to win – a more favourable draw than last season might help us, too,” he said.
“There will be lots of natural progression in 2023. We made finals last season, now we want to win one.”
The Swifts bowed out of last season’s finals quickly, after losing a first elimination final against Harrow-balmoral by 132 points.
That might be the last time the Swifts lose by that much for a while.
The Baggies’ first major test will be in round three when they meet reigning premiers Rupanyup at North Park, Stawell.