Nick Blakey has predicted a brilliant AFL future for John Longmire’s Sydney facet regardless of their “shattering” finals exit by the hands of Carlton.
The Swans have been outmuscled throughout the second quarter of Friday evening’s elimination last and trailed by as many as 5 objectives earlier than halftime.
They bravely fought again, falling simply seven factors wanting pinching victory.
Blakey stated the efficiency was a mirrored image of Sydney’s season after they slipped to 5-8 on the midway level following final yr’s grand last look.
“I’m super-proud of the group for showing fight and coming back this whole year,” Blakey informed AAP.
“We were 15th after round 17 and I don’t think many groups even play finals from there, but it’s a weird feeling.
“They’re robust classes to study presently of yr and it simply would not really feel proper that we’re ending up.
“It feels like we’ve got more to give but we let ourselves down in a quarter of football.”
Blakey dedicated his long-term future to Sydney when he signed the AFL’s longest contract in June, agreeing a monster seven-year extension that ties him to the membership till the top of 2031.
The 23-year-old expects fellow younger weapons together with Chad Warner, Justin McInerney and All-Australian Errol Gulden to play key roles in preserving the Swans in finals rivalry for years to come back.
“The core group of younger players are extremely close and hopefully everyone sticks around and we can build something special,” Blakey stated.
“It’s an incredibly close group and we were undermanned for a lot of the year really, with key players not being able to play.
“As quickly as we bought these boys again we began to go on a roll.
“I’ve got no doubt we’ll be back amongst it next year but it hurts right now.”
Blakey is assured Sydney’s rising talls – Hayden McLean, Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey – can proceed their development within the wake of champion goalkicker Lance Franklin’s retirement.
“At the back end of the year we didn’t have Lance for a long time,” Blakey stated.
“As much as we’d love to have him – he’s one of my best mates and I’m very fortunate to play with him – it’s next man up, so we’ll be right.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
