GOULBURN Swans are at home again this weekend playing arguably the fittest team in their ACTAFL competition, ADFA.
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The Swans game is only the third AFL game at Goodhew Park on Saturday as Gungahlin is bringing two of their junior games to Goulburn to showcase the sport to Goulburn youngsters in an effort to raise the profile of the sport, encourage the Ozkick players to continue with the fun of Aussie rules and hopefully form a Goulburn junior Swans side or two next year.
The first game on Saturday will be at 10.30am when the Gungahlin Under 13s take on Belconnen Magpies.
This should be the start of a really big day of Aussie Rules Football in Goulburn.
Next up, at 12.30pm Gungahlin Under 14s will play Marist.
This is possibly an opportunity for some of the youngsters from Trinity, Goulburn High and Mulwaree High to look at the possibility of putting together a combined high schools team next year under the Swans flag.
With the affiliation Goulburn Swans is building with Gungahlin, the opportunity may also arise to field combined teams in the Canberra competition with some home games played here and some at Gungahlin.
Goulburn Swans president Adam Wilson said he is keen to see Aussie rules expand in Goulburn and provide a pathway for the young Ozkick players to transition right through to the adult grade games.
“I would encourage any parents who are looking for something to do with their kids on Saturday to bring them, over to Goodhew Park and take a look at the junior games and later the Swans senior ACTAFL game,” he said.
This season Goulburn Swans are finding the going tougher in the higher grade competition though they have put in some pretty comptetitive efforts wins have been largely eluding them.
Though they are not making excuses, the Swans have lost several of their experienced senior players to retirement and transfer of employment.
While their young players are enthusiastic they are finding it hard to match fitness with the often taller, fitter opponents in some of the leading teams in the competition.
This does not mean that the games are any less spectacular and entertaining to watch.
On the contrary, because Goulburn Swans have to work harder for every point they are constantly improving their techniques and teamwork.
With a few players out with injury, the Swans will have to concentrate on their positional play, positive attitude and look for the gaps, while using their energy efficiently to overcome a side known for their running ability and stamina.
Goodhew Park is between Neville St and the Wollondilly River, off Victoria St.
There is plenty of parking around the oval for spectator comfort if the weather is a little chilly too.