DEFENDER Sean Dempster understands what is required to defeat Sydney. The 29-year-old played 54 games for the Swans, including a premiership, before coming to St Kilda at the end of 2007.
Ahead of this Thursday’s historic Anzac Day clash in Wellington, Dempster highlighted his former team’s culture as its greatest asset.
“Everyone sort of comes from outside of Sydney to play when you first get drafted there. You form a really strong bond up there and I think that carries over to the way they play football,” he told New Zealand Radio Station Newstalk ZB on Saturday.
“I suppose having been there, (at the Sydney Swans) it gives me a little bit of insight … They don’t have one or two standout players; they have a very even field.”
Dempster is renowned for his reliability and passion at the heart of the Saints defence, averaging almost 18 disposals per game last year in a variety of defensive roles.
“At the moment it’s more our skill than our effort, so we just have to keep giving that effort week in, week out.”
This effort will again be vital on Thursday, especially given Sydney’s capacity to grind teams down in recent years through sheer determination and resolve.
“What they (Sydney) bring to the table is just intensity all the time,” Dempster said.
“They mightn’t be as flashy as some of the teams but you know you are in for a bit of a dogfight every time you play them.”
The Saints are up for the challenge however, with countless gruelling sessions in the summer sun motivating Scott Watters’ men towards finals football. At one win and three losses, the next month shapes as a crucial chapter in the 2013 story.
“We’ve got a core of about 10-12 blokes that have played five to eight years of football together now,” Dempster said. “When these young blokes come into the team, they add a lot of excitement, a lot of drive for the older blokes and stuff like that. They’ve been very good for the side.”
The healthy mix of youth and experience at St Kilda excites the 29-year-old, who remains optimistic despite being frustrated at not being able to contribute due to a broken bone in his hand sustained against Richmond in round two.
“We’ve got a lot of young talent that is coming through the door at the moment ... It’s going to be a good year,” he said.
Dempster said his hand injury is improving daily and he cannot wait to return to the senior fold.
He was one of 26 players to travel to Wellington this morning.
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
