With Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop has caught up with all ten senior footy coaches as they prepare for season 2026!
First year coach Ash Baker took the Swans to another finals appearance in 2025, can they find another gear heading into this season?
SCOOP: Firstly Ash, an update for us on Bigoa ‘Biggie’ Nyuon and his role in ‘26?
ASH BAKER: We’re really looking forward to having Biggie back from an interrupted 2025 campaign. With the acquisition of Pat Graham and Aussie McKenzie as key rucks, this will free up Biggie to play at both ends of the ground this year.
S: You’ve found a ruckman in Patrick Graham which is always hard to find. Tell us about him and the way he goes about it…
AB: Pat is an agile ruck with the ability to roll forward. He’s athletic and has enjoyed an outstanding couple of years with Skipton.
S: Have you increased the training load on the group this year to give them every chance matching it with the big guns in the second half of the season?
AB: Our training load has been pretty similar to last year. The boys are working really well. We’ve got a really strong group of 20–23-year-olds who have another 15-18 games under their belt and had the opportunity to develop their bodies to match it with the opposition.
S: A word on your reigning Best and Fairest winner Tristan Maple who has had a VFL affiliation with Footscray over recent years - what is his current standing in this space?
AB: Tristan is again aligned with Footscray. When he is available, he’ll be playing with us for sure. Hopefully for 'T' he can continue his development in the VFL system.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
AB: Consistency across a full four quarters on a regular basis.
INS & OUTS
In: B. Crouch (Noble Park), P. Graham (Skipton), T. Simpson (Canberra), R. Fisher (Rokewood), A. McKenzie (Natte Bealiba FNC), T. Richard (Central Districts SANFL, Salisbury FC),
Out: H. Butler (Carisbrook), J. Harwood (Clunes), B. Wardley (Clunes)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
Tristan Maple (Footscray) Thomas Simpson (Werribee train on)
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
March 14 v Greenvale (VTBD)
March 21 v Horsham Saints (away).
CLUB IMPROVERS TIP
AB: Lake Wendouree
FLAG TIP
AB: Darley
SCOOP SAYS
The Swans would be thrilled to make a fourth finals series in five seasons under second year coach Ash Baker.
Plenty will need to go right for the Swans given the logjam of mid-tier teams fighting for their own piece of the September action.
The footy gods were with the Swans last season when they jumped from eighth into sixth in Round 18 to reach an Elimination Final (lost to Sunbury by 71 points).
With forecast improvement from the likes of North Ballarat and Sebastopol the squeeze is on. Unfortunately 10 doesn’t go into six, so four sides will miss finals.
The Swans' September chances will hinge largely on what impact star tall Biggie Nyuon can deliver after missing half of last season with a foot injury, just as he was taking Redan apart before my very eyes.
The Patrick Graham (ruckman) signing will allow ‘Biggie’ to do his thing holding down a vital key post forward or back to aid the cause.
Expect encouraging progress from the Swans ‘medium sized’ band of runners and accumulators, but will that be enough?
The departure of 2025 BFNL Team of the Year member Harry Butler (Carisbrook) makes an already tough assignment for the Swans even tougher.
Projected finish: 8th
NB: Interview was conducted prior to Brad Crouch's signing.
