The Baggies will be hoping to leave behind any demons they have about Kalkee Recreation Reserve when they face the Kees this weekend.
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Swifts’ last outing at Kalkee was a semi-final loss to Jeparit-Rainbow last year, something coach Scott Carey said does not play much of a factor in his side’s preparation for this weekend.
“Kalkee is definitely one of those grounds where the wind can play a big impact on how you move the ball,” he said.
“Our boys have played there plenty of times now so I am sure they will be able to adjust.”
This round marks the return of football, with clubs taking the week off last weekend for interleague competition.
Although serving as a rest period for most footballers in the region, six Baggies went without a break as they represented the Horsham District league.
Carey said the representative players pulled up fine following the clash and will be ready to go come Saturday.
“It is always an individual thing for players if the week off helps or hinders,” he said.
“I think we have a good balance of the guys that needed the week off getting some rest as well as having other guys keep their match hardness.
“There are no niggles from the boys who played on Saturday so we are good to go.”
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The contest will reveal much about both sides and where they stand within the competition, with Kalkee sitting in third and Swifts fourth heading into the match.
Carey said he knows how important the game is but that he won’t get too carried away whatever the result may be.
“We are excited with what Saturday brings,” he said.
“They have improved a lot since last season. They bring a quality game of football week in, week out so we will have to be at our best.”
Swifts’ midfielders will once again be crucial to being competitive against Kalkee.
The Baggies go into the game with a focus not just on winning the ball but also defending well when they lose it.
“We want to increase our pressure on the ball carrier,” he said.
“It is important we stop them from kicking easy goals by applying pressure on their forward movement.
“At the same time we won’t shy away with how we want to move the ball.”
The Baggies go into the match missing experience, with Jake Goodes retiring after their last game and Carey still missing with a broken hand.
“The hand is coming along fine but I am still waiting for that bone to heal up before I think about pulling on the boots,” Carey said.