Bice settling seamlessly into AFL career with Swans
Roger Vaughan |
Riley Bice has been christened “Nick Blakey 2.0” as the Sydney mature-age recruit settles seamlessly into the AFL.
The 24-year-old starred across half-back in last weekend’s convincing win over North Melbourne and will demand attention from Collingwood in the Gather Round clash on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
It was Bice’s third senior game after Sydney recruited him with pick No.41 in last year’s national draft.
He caught the attention of Sydney’s recruiters after joining VFL team Werribee last year from Albury in northern Victoria.
Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy compared him to Blakey, one of the league’s best defenders and a first-time All-Australian last year.
“He has been fantastic, Swans fans would be really buoyed seeing what he is doing,” Grundy said of Bice at Thursday training.
“In pre-season he showed elements but to able to see it at AFL level, three games in is so damaging.
“It’s like Nick Blakey 2.0, which is incredible. To be able to have that calibre come into our team, it’s a shout-out to our recruiting staff.
“He is a real talent offensively, but defensively he is playing his role and shutting down good offensive players as well.”
Bice might not have been given his chance so early in the season without Sydney’s extensive injury list.
In a possible sign that the tide is starting to turn, they made no changes for Friday night.
Instead it is Collingwood who have lost Jordan De Goey and Lachie Schultz to injuries, while Dan Houston is suspended.
Will Hoskin-Elliott, Ed Allan and Lachie Sullivan will take their places.
“I suppose from an injury perspective we haven’t spent too much time commenting on ‘gee we’re lacking Errol (Gulden) or we’re lacking Justin (McInerney)’,” Grundy said.
“We’ve had a really strong squad mentality and Coxy (coach Dean Cox) and the leadership group are doing a great job of just galvanising the team.”
AAP
