Leg break only blemish in encouraging summer for Swans

SWAN Districts coach Greg Harding is happy with the way the black-and-whites are coming together for the 2015 McDonald’s WAFL Premiership season despite injuries to Todd Banfield and Nathan Blakely that could see them sidelined until the second half of the season.

Swans became the big surprise packets of the 2014 season overcoming the loss of a host of key players coming into the year to put in a stunning performance to be in contention for the minor premiership for most of it before still finishing third despite a late season slump.

The black-and-whites might have lost their home first semi-final to East Fremantle to be eliminated from the finals, but it was a terrific effort to just be there in the first place.

And now coming into 2015, Harding has been able to keep the majority of his group together, welcomed back a local product from the AFL plus some potentially handy recruits from East Perth, and is confident about the season ahead despite a couple of injuries.

Banfield has returned to Swan Districts where he was a colts premiership player in 2007 before graduating to league football in 2008 and playing in the eventual grand final loss to Subiaco where he was impressive with 13 possessions and a goal.

That led to him being drafted by the Brisbane Lions where he played 53 games and kicked 57 goals up until the end of 2013 before spending last year on Richmond’s rookie-list.

The red-headed small forward now returns to Swans in 2015 but it will be a delayed start to his comeback after breaking a leg during the pre-season.

No. 1 ruckman Nathan Blakely could also be sidelined for most of the first half of the season after suffering a serious finger injury.

However, those two hiccups are the only concerns for Harding at this stage and he is happy with how East Perth trio Jackson Slater, Steven Wityk and Tony Kalimeris along with former Perth key position player, and Fremantle rookie Joel Houghton are shaping up.

“Our young recruits are looking promising with Jackson Slater, Steven Wityk and Tony Kalimeris from East Perth training strongly and Joel Houghton from Perth developing well as a key forward,” Harding said.

“Some bad luck struck us a few weeks ago where the returning Todd Banfield broke his leg at training. He lost the ball in the sun and as he checked his run to the ball, he copped a bit of pressure from behind which caused him to lurch forward and he jammed his knee just at the wrong angle.

“He suffered a real bad crack all the way up through the head of the tibia which required surgery. Early reports indicate he’ll miss a fair chunk of the season but we are hopeful that he’ll be back after the State game bye, meaning he only misses eight games to that point.”

Harding is also confident that with the couple of handy recruits and with key players remaining led by Tallan Ames, Tony Notte, Graham Jetta, Matt Riggio, Ryan Davis, Kirk Ugle, Justin Simpson, Aaron Elari, Tim Geappen, Aaron Elari, Adam Faulkner and Matthew Rogers, he has enough at his disposal to be competitive.

That is a good, core group for any WAFL club and then with young players looking to emerge fresh off the colts premiership success of last year including Jacob Coniglio, the brother of Stephen, and Levi Ridley, the son of former East Perth premiership star Paul, there is pressure on for spots as well.

“Two young kids going very nicely are Jacob Coniglio and Levi Ridley. Jacob has taken huge strides this pre-season after playing in the colts premiership of 2014,” Harding said.

“He plays with outstanding energy and gives us penetration with his leg speed. He has developed his endurance well over the last few months and we are looking for him to take on roles through the wings and off half back. Levi Ridley, the son of ex East Perth superstar Paul, is a rare talent.

“His ability to win contested footy is a major strength and as he develops physically he’s going to be a real handful for opponents. He also has fantastic goal sense which makes him a versatile weapon in any team.”