A year 11 maths exam is one way to take your mind off a senior grand final.
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That’s how Griffith’s Lucas Conlan spent his Friday ahead of the Swans first senior grand final since 2004.
“I’ve had exams all week so that’s been a pretty good distraction, but I’m a bit nervous,” Lucas, 17, said.
About the schoolwork or the footy?
“The footy. I’m not too fussed about the exams.”
Brother Jacob was on the tractor where it was a little harder to keep the mind off the match-up with Collingullie-Glenfield Park.
“I’ve been thinking about it non-stop. Hopefully I get some sleep,” Jacob said with a laugh.
One thought for the 19-year-old to ponder in recent days is how good it’s been to play alongside Lucas. It wasn’t going to happen until Jacob came back from Canberra in June to play out the year with the Swans. And his younger brother has emerged as a genuine star.
“He’s been playing real well. Whether he stays forward or goes back, he does a job. It’s good playing with him – I grew up playing juniors with him and now to get to play a senior grand final with him, it’s unreal,” Jacob said.
“He’s only 16, 17 and he’s been the key forward, taking the biggest defender, big pack marks and kicking goals. He’s taken on a big role and he’s done well.”
Lucas says he’s loved having Jacob at half-forward delivering the ball in sweetly to him deep, when he’s there. And senior players have had a big influence on his game, including the faith of coach Will Griggs.
“Grigga has been good – he gives us young blokes a bit of freedom and if we make mistakes he just moves on. That’s been a big help,” Lucas said.
“Tosco (James Toscan) has been a good leader, as the captain. And he played forward last year and has been giving me tips.
“And Sam Daniel’s been good helping me with kicking for goal, which hasn’t been too good, haha.”
The Conlans played together in Griffith’s under 17s grand final win two years ago. It was the club’s first premiership in that grade since 1999. Now, they are key players in the Swans’ tilt at history in first grade, aiming to end a barren stretch since their 2003 success against Turvey Park.
“The 17s one was pretty good but I don’t think anything would compare to a senior one. It’d be bloody unreal,” Jacob said.
Both believe the semi-final loss to the Demons two weeks ago wasn’t the end of the world and last week’s fighting preliminary final win against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong was uplifting.
When coach Will Griggs was asked who he was pleased with, he was almost in awe of the teenagers.
“Being able to change Lucas and Jacob forward and back throughout the day. When Lucas went back, he was fantastic. To have that flexibility to be able to move them around and still play like that – it’s very handy.” Griggs said.
Jacob says they need to back their own ability, their ability to run-and-carry and keep the pressure on up forward. And he’s aware that giving themselves the opportunity to break the drought is only half the job.
Lucas is happy to take on whatever role the coach gives him. Last week, that meant starting forward and switching back as the Swans survived a test of character to bounce back from their first loss of the season.
One more victory would be superb.
“It’d be pretty nice to win it with him (Jacob). And it’d be good for the club and the town,” Lucas said.