Merrett,who also booted three goals,and Mason Redman were praised by Rutten,the Bombers rebounding from a poor first term when they were too stagnant with ball in hand.
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“I thought we grew into the game. I think Zach Merrett had one of the more complete well-rounded games I’ve seen him play. You know,he hit the scoreboard,he tackled,he pressured,he won the ball himself. I think even Redman’s last goal,he[Merrett] played a part in that with a little block on the mark,” Rutten said.
“Some of them might go unnoticed,but we’ll certainly highlight the importance of that.”
The win may have been only the Bombers’ fourth of the season but two inside three weeks has eased the pressure on Rutten,although there will be change in the football department once the internal review is completed.
“I think the guys are getting a greater understanding of what’s required and belief in what they’re doing – belief in each other,” he said.
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Rebounding half-back Andy McGrath is expected to be fit for selection against Brisbane next week.
Swans’ coach John Longmire lamented his team’s fade-out,the defeat hurting his team’s hopes of finishing in the top four.
The loss came on a day when club chief executive Tom Harley ruled out any approach to Jordan De Goey but said discussions with Lance Franklin on a contract extension were progressing well.
De Goey is off contract with Collingwood at the end of the season and the restricted free agent,who has regularly found trouble,could be on the hunt for a new home. But Harley said the Swans would not pursue the forward-midfielder.
“No,we wouldn’t be looking at Jordan De Goey. With our list,we are coming through with a list that we want to keep together. Part of that is salary-cap management,part of that is the needs you have at any particular time,so I wouldn’t have (thought so),” Harley told 3AW.
St Kilda and Essendon have left the door ajar to sign De Goey but Carlton will also stay away should he and the Magpies split.
The Swans have a history of revitalising the careers of star players who had wanted to leave the AFL fishbowl that is Melbourne,including Tony Lockett and Barry Hall.
Franklin’s nine-year,$10 million contract that he signed to move from Hawthorn to Sydney as a free agent in 2013 is due to expire at the end of the season. The champion forward is keen to play on - he booted two goals against the Bombers but botched an important shot in the final term - and the Swans are supporting this.
“We are really,really - there is a lot of goodwill with conversations that we are having behind closed doors with Lance. I think everyone would like Lance to play and,all things being equal,he does,” Harley said.
“He has had a really good year. He is lean,he is fit,he is playing a significant leadership role in our forward line.”
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