SYDNEY Swans defender Heath Grundy believes his side was given a lesson about work rate in the club's disappointing NAB Challenge loss to Greater Western Sydney.
The Giants not only ran the Swans off their feet in the 34-point win, they tackled ferociously, especially through the middle of the ground.
Turnovers coming out of defence and through the midfield hurt the Swans, with Tom Mitchell (52.2 per cent), Kieren Jack (58.8 per cent), Dan Hannebery (61.9 per cent) and Luke Parker (62.1 per cent) well down on their disposal efficiency against the Giants.
Grundy said the Swans can take plenty from the loss as the team prepares for their final NAB Challenge hit-out against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
"GWS, to their credit, were very good. Their pressure was a standout," Grundy said.
"We can learn a lot from how they played. Our pressure wasn't there (and that's) something we pride ourselves on highly.
"Effort [and] that real team defence is something we can work on at training. It's not long until round one so we've got to get going.
"It's good to get to get the fitness through our legs but we still want to put pressure on our opposition and that's something we can improve this week."
Veteran defender Ted Richards trained strongly on Wednesday but hasn't been named to play his first game of the pre-season against the Blues after missing the club's opening two matches with a calf problem
Richards, 33, spent time opposed to star forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett during a lively match simulation drill but was still left out of the 26-man squad.
The 253-gamer is entering what is likely his final season, but Grundy wasn't about to write off his teammate's career just yet.
"Teddy's getting older, there's no doubt about that – look at his hair," he laughed.
"He's been a brilliant player and he hasn't had a lot of training, but the way he's been going since he's been back you can see why he's an All Australian defender.
"I've got no doubt that this year will be another strong year for him."
