Davis has eye on seven heaven
No-nonsense forward Ryan Davis is confident Swan Districts can extend their unbeaten run to seven games when they host Claremont at Steel Blue Oval today.
Davis has been a catalyst for Swans in 2014, playing key roles in wins over Peel, South Fremantle, Perth, West Perth, Subiaco and East Fremantle.
The former West Coast squad member has averaged 23 possessions and six marks in seven games, also kicking nine goals, mostly at crucial stages.
Davis was one of his team's best against the Sharks in his 100th game last weekend, finishing with 31 disposals.
The 24-year-old said that victory was another step forward for the team widely tipped to finish last before the start of the season.
"I think we have kept rising to every challenge we have been given so far this season," Davis said.
"The last few weeks we have just been getting over the line late so to be able to put a side away like East Fremantle was terrific for us."
Cautious about the club's chances in 2014 after losing several key personnel, Davis said he quickly realised the team's potential after a brave 18-point loss against East Perth in their first game.
"I was probably slightly apprehensive," he said.
"But I think a lot of the boys got belief out of the East Perth game, even though we lost, that we had something pretty special. We've taken that confidence into each game and just kept building."
Davis said Swans, buoyed by depth in the lower grades, could build on their impressive start to the season.
"It's really exciting because we have got a lot of young talent and can go as far as we want to take it," he said.
"We lose a couple of the young boys to the under-18s, but our twos boys are going really well.
"They can step right up like Joshy Kirkup and Laurence Grescos did. They were seamless in their performance and they didn't look out of place at all.
"We've got depth when a lot of people thought we wouldn't have."
Davis said today's clash with the Tigers represented another stern test for the black and whites. "You never underestimate any side in the WAFL this year," he said. "There have been upsets every round just about so you have to take every side on their merits and we will prepare just as hard as we do for anybody."
Coach Greg Harding said Davis, a member of the club's 2010 premiership side, remained an integral player at the club.
"At the start of the year we thought our senior players and our very best players had to really lead by example," he said.
"Ryan has been one of those senior players. Every single week he has stepped out and played at a really fantastic level.
"He was crook all week last week, only trained for 20 minutes on Tuesday and didn't train Thursday but produced 31 possessions and a goal against East Fremantle.
"We think that Ryan is, in terms of importance to us, the equal of any player we have got at the club and one of the best players in the competition."
