The Swans won the right to play the Blues following a comprehensive win over Yass last weekend to the tune of 31 points and are a vastly different lineup to that which was soundly defeated by the Blues at Clarke Oval six weeks ago.

On top of their normal training sessions, the Blues also put in a very solid three hour training session last Saturday in preparation for the all important clash and look to be very well prepared for the match.

There could be a couple of changes to the Blues lineup from the side that played Yass a fortnight ago with ace forward Andrew Lieschke out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his knee and Tim Hannan likely to slot into the small forward role. In addition, Adrian Edwards will come into the Blues backline.

The Swans are a skillful running side that work very hard and the Blues will need every bit of their fitness to match them. 

The Swans have a number of big guns in forwards Heath Russell and Ramiz Dagher and on-ballers Glenn Currie and former dual league medal winner Dale Cummins but certainly don’t solely rely on them and have plenty of strength all over the paddock.

One major advantage the Swans will hold over the Blues will be finals experience having played finals for many years with Coota’s only finals campaign in the past 10 seasons being two matches in 2011. 

Blues mentor Luke Webb is however a seasoned finals campaigner as is Chris Drum and the Blues are a much more experienced lineup than in past seasons with a number of their local products now nearing or past the 100 game mark.

Coach and star player Luke Webb said this week his boys are more than ready.

“They’re absolutely desperate to win a grand final,” Webb said. 

“A few of the boys have played 100 games or more with the club and are still yet to play in a grand final; this is a great opportunity, not only for the boys, but for the club, the committee and the broader community in Cootamundra.”

The Blues ruck duo of Luke Salter and Scott Eulenstein face a huge task tomorrow and will need to be at their best to give the Blues first use of the ball in the all important centre bounce contests and if the Blues onballers can get on top it will assist their team mates both up forward and down back.

The Blues need to be effective winning their share of contested ball and vitally must handball and create as they did so well in the last term against Yass. 

If they can string four quarters of their best team football they are a big chance to win through.

Webb is hoping for a dry paddock to showcase the best of what the Blues can offer. 

I’m excited, hopefully the weather keeps up,” he said.  

“There’s nothing better than a dry football to showcase the best skills of both teams,” Webb added. 

The match is to be played at Gungahlin Town Centre Oval and will start at 12noon.