Melbourne V Sydney Preview - Round 1

(Image copyright of Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)

Recent injuries to midfielders Jordie McKenzie, Cale Morton and Tom Scully has put a dent in Melbourne’s 2011 AFL campaign hopes, as Melbourne is set to face the Sydney Swans this Sunday.

Melbourne’s injuries will not help the young Demons list, after previous seasons plagued by injury has made their task of improving as a team under coach Dean Bailey difficult.

The Demons will also be without All-Australian defender James Frawley come Sunday, after tearing his pectorial muscle, but is expected to return in the next few weeks.

Whilst the Swans will be without power forward Daniel Bradshaw with a knee injury and Nick Malceski, Swans veteran Craig Bolton has been forced to retire due to an achilles injury.

But much of the focus lies on the young Demons, who under coach Dean Bailey’s final contracted year have growing expectations, as the Swans will attempt to make amends for last years 73 point hiding at the hands of Melbourne.

"We should be confident in approaching round one," Bailey said.

“"No club wants an injury list at all but they're part of the game so it's more about the 22 players who are going to play on Sunday rather than those who aren't," he said.

The improvement will come with more games into our players, so they create a great deal of synergy,” Bailey said. Up forward leading goal kicker Brad Green will provide the Demons with much fire, after booting 55 goals last year in a career-best season.

Whilst, dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes will provide potency up forward for the Swans after a 44 goal haul last year.

New Sydney coach John Longmire agrees that the lack of key players from both sides will affect both teams, but stressed that the result will be decided by the team synergy, scoring power and defensive capabilities.

“We’re yet to finalise the selection, there’s a few things going through our heads,” Longmire said.

“Their form’s been solid and we’re expecting a talented team who can really score heavily when they need to,” Longmire said about Sunday’s opponents.

“You can’t - no matter who you play - come mentally unprepared to play football and Melbourne really showed that last year and really showed us up,” Longmire said.

“When you get a few key injuries, you get tested, you get stretched, and you find some holes in your side, but this year it’s been a really competitive pre-season with guys fighting for positions,” said Swans Utility Ryan O’Keefe ahead of Sunday.

“I can see from the next, younger tier of players that it has been a growth pre-season for them, so it’s exciting to see how they benefit and how they perform this year,” O’Keefe said.

However, whilst injuries will have their price to some of both the teams key players, the debut of young demons prospect Luke Tapscott will get Demons fans excited.

"It was pretty frustrating. When I did my hip in the pre-season last year it was a big setback for me," Tapscott said.

Head to head the Demons have 92 wins and the Swans 106 wins, with one draw between the two sides.

The two sides will meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

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Ellen Gandy: 'Swimming Behind Enemy Lines'

‘English swimmer, Ellen Gandy, has always been drawn to water, whether falling into ponds or striving for Olympic glory. Brendan Lucas spoke to her in Melbourne.’

Since putting on the red, white and blue, Ellen Gandy never looked back. Gandy has always been a swimming fanatic, competing in her first Olympics at the age of 16. Following the Beijing Olympics at last year’s Commonwealth Games, Gandy appears well on her way to gold at the London Olympics.

Originally from Bromley, England, Gandy currently lives in Melbourne. Her lively and positive attitude is a testament to the hurdles she has overcome. Recently, I caught up with Ellen after success in Dehli. She told me about her journey, her heroes, and her rivalry with the Australian team. 

Travelling can be a daunting experience for the first time. [Why did you leave your hometown? Was it difficult settling into a new environment?]

"Our lives here are polar opposites from what they were in England. We left because my dad got a job at the Melbourne Airport.

It was incredibly daunting moving. The first year was the worst. I was training full time, so I decided to take the year off school, and focus on that, which meant that I didn’t mix with many people outside of my swimming squad. I was pretty lonely. But once we were in our house and things felt more permanent, it was fine."

Did you always have a love of swimming as a child, if so, how has your passion been sparked, and has it evolved over time. When did you realise you would pursue this talent?

"I used to run into the sea when I was a little kid, even when it was 15 degrees. I always seemed to fall into ponds. I don’t know if that was a love for water, or just clumsiness!

My passion for swimming evolved between the ages of 11 and 13. I began to get some recognition for my training and won about nine national gold medals. I realised I was actually rated in the country and I started getting the confidence that maybe I could take my passion further."

Swimming behind enemy lines can spark rivalry. [What is it that you like about this rivalry? Are you British or Australian at heart?]

"The first time I ever put on my Olympic tracksuit I looked in the mirror with my mum and I can’t explain the happiness I felt wearing my red, white and blue. I have always swum for England, and for the immediate future I cannot see myself representing any other country. The rivalry in training is the healthy rivalry of sport. I now know a lot of the Aussies and they are all so good to me. Although I would never class us as enemies, wearing the green and gold could never give me the feeling that swimming for England does."

The Beijing Olympics and the Delhi Commonwealth Games have been a big part of your swimming journey. [How have these results influenced your swimming? What did you learn from your experiences, were there any setbacks?]

"Only experience can prepare you for a major international meet. The pressure is daunting. The Olympics were my first major international meet. I wasn’t ready for that 200 fly - I absolutely bombed. I was at the Olympics for experience; I was only 16 after all! When I feel like quitting, I hold on to the fact that I have another opportunity in a year to qualify and do it again.

This time around I made not only the finals - but medal. I overcame a huge mental hurdle. I was ready because I knew the feeling of pressure I was going to feel. I knew my family and friends were watching, and I didn’t let it phase me this time. I hope I can take what I learnt in Delhi and also at the European championships, and move a step forward again next year."

Who are some of your heroes, and what role have your family played in influencing you to believe that you can be successful?

"The people I look up to most are my family. My sister, Vicky, inspires me everyday, and keeps me grounded. I admire anyone who goes for a goal and who really commits, but I can’t say one specific sporting person stands out to me. Undoubtedly, the people who have impacted on my swimming the most are my parents. For them to give up so much, to take us to all those sessions, is just the best support I could ever have."

You are now attending Carey Baptist Grammar School. [What made you come to Carey, and how has it helped spark your desire for further education? What are some of you future goals and aspirations?]

"A lot of my training partners had gone to Carey before me, so I knew they understood the demands of swimming. Phil De Young, our principal, was amazing. I remember him telling me to follow my dream. I'm hoping to go to Monash University next year to study global arts. I have an ambition to work for the UN in some capacity.

My goal has always been success at the Olympics. That is my dream. Next year, the focus is on the World champs in Shanghai, I have to qualify for that in March next year, and then it’s full steam ahead to the Olympic trials early in 2012.’

I haven’t looked past London 2012, who knows what the future holds."




A Big thank you to Ellen for making this possible during her studies, keep your eye out on this young star in the pool!


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