Jared Brennan, Karmichael Hunt, Kyal Horsley, Daniel Gorringe and Greg Broughton have all been named to start in the star studded curtain raiser, joining Seb Tape and Club Vice Captain Nathan Bock for the curtain-raiser.
And it couldn’t have come at a better time Hart’s NEAFL squad, with the team set to take on the heavily-backed premiership favourites in the Eastern Conference.
While the GC SUNS last start loss to the Swans at the SCG is still fresh in the Hart’s mind, the triple-premiership winner says this weeks side bares little resemblance to the top up laden squad that flew south earlier this year.
“We’re a very different side from Round 3 – we have less injuries on our list and are certainly a lot stronger all-round,” he said.
It’s not going to be easy for the Gold Coasters though, with Sydney boasting the best winning percentage in the competition (200.33%).
“There’s no doubting Sydney are the best team in the competition because of their system and their style of play,” said Hart.
“They stick to their structures and work harder than most, so we’re expecting it to be a fierce contest.”
After running riot through the centre clearances alongside Gary Ablett and Jaeger O’Meara in the opening nine premiership rounds, Hart couldn’t be happier to have Jared Brennan roving around the ruck alongside Daniel Gorringe and Kyal Horsley.
“Jared brings experience and adds another big body in the midfielder for us,” he said.
“He provides us great leadership at this level and I can’t what to see him come back from his knee injury.”
And after waiting eagerly on the sidelines to launch himself in the contest, I’ll take more than one courage Swan to block Karmichael Hunt’s run at the football as the AFL’s most efficient tackle eyes a return to the field tomorrow afternoon.
“Karmichael oozes leadership by his actions and that’s what a lot of our young guns will get out of his presence tomorrow,” said Hart.
“While our reserve players have been outstanding his recent weeks, his hunger for the contest and desire to win the football will add another dimension to our side.”
