Bolton on alert for dangerous TigersBy Swans Media - Tanya Paolucci
Thursday, July 25, 2013Jude Bolton says there is a lot on the line for the Sydney Swans heading into Sunday afternoon’s clash with Richmond at the SCG.
With the Swans in fourth place on the AFL ladder with six matches remaining and the Tigers a game-and-a-half behind in sixth, the club veteran said Sunday’s game was of the upmost importance for maintaining their current position.
“It’s a massive danger game,” Bolton said ahead of the Swans’ first training session of the week on Wednesday morning.
“It’s a huge game here at the SCG and hopefully it’s filled with all the red and white fans and I think both teams are vying for a spot in the finals.
“Nothing is assured at the moment and we just want to make sure we play well this week and get the four points because it’s going to be a very tough game.”
The Tigers will head into the round 18 match with confidence following a hard-fought 27-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday.
Bolton said Richmond’s win over the Dockers showed the Tigers meant business as the end of the home and away season draws nearer.
“The way they played against Fremantle – I think Fremantle are a tough ask at any stage - and they were able to absorb the pressure down there at the MCG and win last week,” he said.
“That was I guess a confidence boost for those guys and they are going to be a really tough proposition this weekend.”
The Swans will also enter Sunday afternoon’s match in form following an impressive 34-point win over West Coast at Perth’s Patersons Stadium.
Bolton said he was confident the team had pulled up well from their trip west and were ready to tackle the Tigers at the SCG on Sunday.
“I guess it’s always a real focus on recovery coming back from Perth,” he said.
“I think it’s a tough journey for all the sides that have to travel across there, and I’m still staggered at how they do it every second week the teams over there in the West.
“Certainly our guys have pulled up well and did a little bit of extra recovery this morning and we’re getting ready to play this weekend.”
With both team’s boasting strong midfields, Bolton said Sunday’s match would be decided by the team who could play consistently well for four quarters.
The 33-year-old said the Swans’ midfield, including the likes of Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack, had stood up to the challenge so far this week, but would face another stern test against the Tigers’ talented group.
“We’ve got a really deep midfield and I think that’s been the strength of our side,” he said.
“I think the amount of rotations we can throw through there and the fact there’s certainly no drop off in intensity or contested footy, that’s what we like to base ourselves on.
“Certainly that’s what is going to be needed against a really strong midfield like Richmond’s because their midfield is a really strong talent and they have a really deep midfield as well.”
http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2013-07-24/bolton-on-alert-for-dangerous-tigers
