Melbourne legend Garry Lyon puts the heat on the Swans, questioning the hunger of their young players
MELBOURNE legend Garry Lyon has put the heat on the Sydney Swans, questioning the hunger of the premiership team's younger players.
Having won the 2012 Grand Final, the Swans are tipped to once again challenge for the premiership cup this year.
But Lyon has his reservations about whether John Longmire’s men will have the hunger required to win consecutive flags.
“There are not too many back-to-back premiers in AFL footy,” Lyon said on AFL.com.au's new panel show Footy Focus.
“Every time a team wins a Grand Final, we think they are going to be there in the following year, but for whatever reason they’re not."
“We don’t know how these young kids are going to handle having climbed the top of the mountain. Climbing it is one thing, because you’re focused, but once you get there, and you sit atop it, it’s a whole different view.”
In particular, Lyon believes the mindset of the Swans’ young brigade will prove key to the success or failure of the club in 2013.
“We know Goodes, and we know O’Keefe and we know McVeigh are wonderful leaders, but how are Jetta and those boys going to go when the hunger has been satisfied to some degree,” Lyon said.
“That’s the great unknown. Can they be as hungry, can they be as dedicated and hard at it as they were this year, when they’re at the top of the mountain?”
The Swans weren’t the only team in the gun, with Lyon also casting his eye over areas that must improve for five other clubs.
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