SYDNEY Swans co-captain Kieren Jack says he's aware of the media coverage surrounding his side's massive clash with Hawthorn on Saturday night, but has brushed off any talk of a Grand Final rematch.
The Swans have been peppered with questions regarding their 63-point thumping in the 2014 decider since they resumed pre-season training, but as a club has dismissed talk of any lingering effect.
"Internally it's just another game of football. We can't get caught up in the hype that's surrounding it, because you lose focus on what's important," Jack said before training on Thursday."
"What happened last year is done and dusted – we've dealt with the hurt and the disappointment of that, but this is a new year."
Jack said in reality there was no such thing as a Grand Final rematch.
"They won the competition last year, they were too good. We're firmly focused on this year."
Despite Jack's insistence that any Grand Final hangover had disappeared, he spent most of his media conference reinforcing his point.
"To be honest it's done and buried. I've put it to bed, it's well and truly gone and it's a new year now," he said.
"It's a game against a really, really top quality team and we prepare like another team, like Geelong on the weekend, and we prepare the same.
"We've certainly got confidence going into the game."
Jack and his fellow midfielders have been a consistent positive in an up and down season for the Swans.
With Dan Hannebery back to his 2013 All Australian form, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy winning plenty of ball, and Tom Mitchell starring after coming into the side in round five, the Swans have plenty of variety in their on-ball division.
Jack, Hannebery and Parker have all spent time as permanent forwards this season, kicking 18 goals between them.
The co-captain believes this flexibility could assist the team towards the back end of 2015.
"That’s probably a strength that we've got. I've been able to go forward at times and play inside or play on a wing," Jack said.
"The burnout you can take if you're continually playing inside and playing midfield … it can take a toll throughout the year.
"If I can play forward and play well in the forward line, you can conserve a bit of energy and hopefully that'll pay dividends."
