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RETIRED Sydney great Jude Bolton yesterday issued a warning to Swans fans that his beloved AFL club is far from a good thing in this year's premiership race.
Bolton was in Wagga yesterday as part of his involvement in the NSW Health Program "Finish with the right stuff" and spent time at the Giants Cup at Maher Oval spreading the word and signing autographs.
Bolton retired from AFL at the end of last season after an illustrious career that involved two premierships so he certainly knows what is required to go all of the way.
Sydney is currently on top of the AFL ladder but only by a whisker with Hawthorn and Geelong level on points.
Bolton believes the Swans still need to do a lot of work before it can start getting excited about it's September chances.
"The race is to finish top two to be honest," Bolton said yesterday.
"To get that home final initially is so important.
"The fact the Swans got beaten by Hawthorn last week, it was a big win for Hawthorn, blows it right open at this stage."
Bolton explained finals football really is a completely different ball game.
"People sit there and say it's (Sydney's) to lose but it's a war of attrition," he said.
"Once you hit finals, it's honestly just a spot on the starting grid.
"You go again.
"You've got to have everyone healthy, playing their best footy in September."
The addition of Lance Franklin to a Swans' forward line that already boasts Kurt Tippett has added potency to Sydney's line-up.
There is no jealously from Bolton's perspective as he counts himself lucky to get an extra season after the 2012 triumph.
He said there is no doubt the current Swans team is capable of premiership success.
"Definitely, their midfield's superb and obviously the forward dominance as well," he said.
"That's going to test most defences but they've all got to play well at the same time.
"Fremantle look ominous, as well as Geelong and Hawthorn as well."
Turvey Park junior Harry Cunningham is enjoying a breakout season for the Swans.
He has not missed a game to date.
Bolton is a big fan of Cunningham.
"He's a brilliant footballer," he said.
"It's great we're sitting here at Turvey Park, I've followed Harry really closely and played alongside him.
"He's a great kid, he's really just the modern day footballer in terms of his speed and his ability to repeat sprint as well.
"He's been enormous for the side.
"It's great to see him get the rising star nomination and that's just a little feather in his cap that should give him enormous confidence
"He's one that's played in finals previously and that's what I think for a lot of sides they need to expose their young guys to big games."