Pruyn wants Swans to keep attacking in finals

When Andrew Pruyn was appointed coach at Swan Districts at the end of 2022 he had a vision to bring the black-and-whites back to a premiership contender, and that's why he wants them to stick to their guns this WAFL finals campaign.

When Pruyn took over as coach at the end of the 2022 WAFL season, the pickings had been slim for Swan Districts since the most remarkable of premiership triumphs back in 2010.

Swans had only qualified for finals five times since that premiership and played in seven finals matches for the one lone victory which was in the elimination final of 2017 against West Perth.

So taking over a club that had won just one final in 12 years and talking about your plans to become a force again took some courage for Pruyn. Now less than two years into the job and he has Swan Districts not only back to finals – but having earned the double chance.

Swans finished the 2024 home and away season in third position with 11 wins, six losses and a draw which means they will now take on Peel Thunder in Mandurah this Saturday in a qualifying final.

A win for Swan Districts and they are one win from a Grand Final with a second semi-final match up with East Perth. Even with a loss they are alive with a first semi-final next weekend at Steel Blue Oval against either East Fremantle or Claremont.

Wanting to play same style

A big reason why Swan Districts is in the position they are in is because of the style of play that Pruyn has them playing.

With a rock solid defence with some standout intercept markers, the focus is then on moving the ball quickly through the middle, using their pace and running power, and then giving their forward-line headed up by Leigh Kohlmann the best opportunity.

The recent wet weather has made that a challenge at times, but now coming into finals and Pruyn wants to keep his team playing to that same way.

"It's subject to conditions which is why we're hoping for good weather because absolutely we'd like to play the way we've played for most of the season," Pruyn told 91.3 SportFM.

"What we've noticed in the back end of the season when the conditions have changed, it had become second nature how we want to move the ball and trying to undo that in bad conditions isn’t easy.

"So we're looking forward to letting the boys go, and letting them actually display what we've been good at this year and what has got us an opportunity to play finals. We're definitely wanting to keep that style going."

Having the finals double chance

Playing a daring and attacking style has been a big focus of what Swan Districts have done in 2024 as well. Pruyn wants them to attack the finals with that same attitude to give them the best chance of rewarding their loyal fans.

"I reckon you have to keep playing with that freedom. You've got to look at it and think can you win a final with eight or 10 goals, and I don’t think you do. I think you have to be kicking 12 to 14 to try and win the game so I think you go with it, and go after it," Pruyn said.

"We obviously love playing at Bassendean and love seeing our supporters get up and about, and they are certainly an extra player for us essentially. We certainly like hearing them getting around us so hopefully they can keep doing that wherever we are playing."

Having Noble to replace Edwards

One hurdle Swan Districts will have to overcome to begin the finals is the absence of match-winning forward Tom Edwards who will be out for the next two weeks through concussion protocols.

However, with 114-game veteran Brayden Noble making his return for the first time in 2024 last week in the win against Perth, and with Jesse Glass-McCasker back available too, Pruyn is comfortable they can cover for the absence of Edwards.

"I think player welfare is paramount at the moment so you just have to follow the guidance of the people that know better than us. We accept it and move on," Pruyn said.

"Bringing in Nobes was always the plan that he would have the first half of the season off to spend it with his family and then make the journey back.

"So that has probably worked out better than we thought to have that 100-game player ready to slot back in and his form line is tracking nicely.

"To bring a player back with that sort of experience who hasn’t been bashed up with the rigours of a full season, we're looking forward to seeing what he does. Jesse Glass-McCasker will also be likely back as well so we lose but we have plenty of able replacements coming through."

Importance of having a spearhead

Speaking of the forward-line, Leigh Kohlmann is the centre piece of it and he has made a stunning return to Swans and playing in the WAFL in 2024.

He has now kicked 44 goals in his 14 games this season including six in last week's win against Perth. Pruyn is delighted to have him as their target given he's the exact type of player Swans have never really had since Ashley Hansen who kicked 67 goals back in 2012.

"You need your forwards and especially your key forwards firing to be successful in finals and history will tell you that," Pruyn said.

"Leigh is going to be a big part of what we've got and where we end up. If we give him the opportunity generally he is good enough to make the most of them.

"This week will be no different and he's got a big role to play, but we just have to do our work and give him the opportunities."

Last time in Mandurah

The first task in the finals for Swans is taking on Peel Thunder this Saturday in Mandurah in the qualifying final.

Last time the two teams met was only two weeks ago when Peel won on the same venue by 31 points, but conditions were terrible that day and Pruyn certainly hopes it's a different game this time around with some better weather and ground conditions.

"We don't want to see conditions like that again. You don't get to September and want to see weather like that," Pruyn said.

"That was certainly hard to watch and really hard to take a lot out of a game played in those conditions. It's a completely different ball game to what you're normally used to playing so we are hoping and praying for better conditions this Saturday."

The ruck battle

One big task occupying Pruyn's mind for Saturday's qualifying final is trying to combat Peel's Fremantle-listed ruckman Liam Reidy.

He won't be throwing Nathan Blakely to the wolves and just asking him to go to battle with him for the entire game, instead will want a group attack which could include not only Blakely, but also Noble, Glass-McCasker and potentially Matthew Germs.

"I think you have to look at trying to get some cover and Reidy is such a man mountain that I think it would be foolish to just go in with only Nathan and think that he can sustain that sort of barrage for a full four quarters," Pruyn said.

"You've got to remember that we'll have to play another game again in seven days' time too so you're conscious of that.

"We definitely won't be isolating Nathan against Liam, we'll be throwing the kitchen sink at him and whether it's two, whether it's three or whether it's four, we'll be doing absolutely everything to try and limit his influence."