AFTER 10 long weeks of grueling pre-season, the Swans have finally hit the park with a trial game against the Penrith Rams in Sydney on Saturday.
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New coach Heath Russell said he was happy with the way his team went against the more established Penrith, with a squad of 20 making the trip up to Sydney’s west.
“We’ve been working pretty hard over the pre-season but nothing beats actual game time,” Russell told the Post.
“I was pretty happy with our ball movement, structures in different game situations, that was the main goal, but i was just happy to see the boys in game.”
The Swans came out well and truly on top in the first half when the Rams fielded their lower grade side, before the contest evened in the second half.
However lack of rotations and game fitness meant Russell’s side wore towards the end of the game.
“I was happy for the majority, there are still things we need to work on,” Russell explained.
“Our skills under fatigue and decision making were the big things that let us down I thought.
“The first three quarters were fine, just that last quarter decision making when everyone was fatigued.”
The Swans begin their season on the weekend of April 11.