Dillon also revealed he was keen to see the AFL represented at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. The sport was demonstrated with an exhibition match at the Melbourne Games in 1956, when a little more than 30,000 people turned out to see the Victorian Amateur Football Association defeat the Victorian Football League.
“We’ve spoken at a high level about that [Australian rules at the Olympics] and the reality is there’s a precedent for that back in 1956 in Melbourne, where Australian rules football was the exhibition sport,” Dillon said.
“So I think our sport is a sport that should be on that stage, and we’ll work closely with the Olympic Committee on what form that takes.”
Florent, Hayward raring to go against old Swans mates
Carlton’s Nick Haynes will miss Thursday’s Opening Round clash against Sydney due to an ankle injury, but reported that his new teammates, former Swans Oli Florent and Will Hayward, had been providing some motivation to the squad.
“They’re revving the boys up” Haynes said. “They’re excited, and they’re pretty outgoing boys so they’re just so excited to start the season like everyone else.
“They both haven’t missed a beat this pre-season, and it’s been really valuable for us as a team [to have them], so I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do against the Swans.”
Blue skies: Swans recruit Charlie Curnow will face his former teammates for the first time on Thursday.Credit: Sam Mooy
While Florent and Hayward are looking forward to taking on their old team, Swans forward Logan McDonald believes his club’s acquisition of former Carlton full forward Charlie Curnow is already making a difference.
McDonald kicked two goals in the Swans’ final pre-season hit-out against the Giants last week and says that he is “in awe” of Curnow.
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“I’m just trying to work in synergy with him,” McDonald said. “[We’re] trying to isolate each other and put each other in the best position to be able to succeed.
“We’re both bringing different strengths and being able to complement each other is something that we’re going to try to do. Obviously, we’ve been trying to build our connection all pre-season along with Joel [Amartey].”
Giants look to Oliver after Green blow
The Giants are adjusting to life without star midfielder Tom Green, with forward Aaron Cadman describing the wretched run of injuries as “grim times.”
But Cadman is confident Clayton Oliver can step up in Green’s absence, having been impressed with the recruit in the trial against the Swans at Henson Park last week.
“He’s [Oliver] one of a kind; the energy he brings to the club is unmatched,” Cadman said. “I’ve never seen anyone like it.
“It was pouring rain, he was doing these one-hand flick-ups. He’s one of the cleanest players I’ve ever seen, so I think he’s definitely going to help fill that void of Tom Green.”
