Match Preview: Swans vs. GIANTS

By Bronte Kerr

WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday April 18, 4.35pm AEST

With both the Swans and GIANTS undefeated and in ferocious form, the Sydney Derby will see two of the league’s most promising clubs battle it out for the top spot.

The Swans had a somewhat shaky start to the season with an unconvincing win against Essendon in Round 1.

The near loss served as a much needed wake up call for the uneasy Swans who went on to dominate Port Adelaide in Round 2, winning by 48 points at Adelaide Oval.

Key forward Buddy Franklin was dominant up forward, boasting 17 disposals, three goals and eight marks.

Franklin had the backing of an imposing midfield, led by the likes of Kennedy (36 disposals, Hannebery (31 touches), Jack (31 touches) and Parker (30 disposals).

Port Adelaide crumbled under the relentless pressure of the Swans with the home side making frequent errors, particularly in the second stanza of the game.

The numbers from the two opening rounds are a telling tale of the Swans stellar start to the season. The Bloods are sticking to their hallmark brand of football they know best and are dominating along the way.

The Swans lead the competition in contested possessions and clearances (322 and 123 respectively), in addition to ranking third in tackles, laying a total of 147 tackles on their opponents.

The Swans will find fierce opponents in the GIANTS, who put on a stunning display of football in their Round 2 win against the Demons at StarTrack Oval in Canberra.

The GIANTS recovered from a 27 point deficit to record a 45 point win over the dismal demons.

In doing so, they set four club records: highest scoring quarter (56 in the third quarter) and half (83 in the second half), third consecutive match victory (first two wins of the season in addition to their Round 23 win over the Bulldogs) and their highest ladder position after the first two rounds.  

Having played against two of the poorest performing sides from last season, Saturday’s game against the Swans may give the GIANTS a better indication of where they stand in the competition.

 Gary Rohan of the Swans tackles Devon Smith of the GIANTS. Image: AFL Media

Talking Points

1.     Goodes to play in the NEAFL

The Swans will go out without veteran player Adam Goodes, who will play for the reserves after being omitted from the side to take on the GIANTS.

The two time Brownlow Medal winner was named as a substitute for last weekend’s match against Port Adelaide and only came on late in the game.

Given the option of playing sub again this weekend or playing with the NEAFL, Goodes opted for a full game in the reserves in order to regain some much needed match fitness.

Swans coach John Longmire is adamant that Goodes will still play an important role for the Swans in the 2015 season.

“He wants to keep going and we want him to keep going,” he said.

Goodes is most likely to be replaced by on baller Ben McGlynn who played in the NEAFL last weekend after recovering from a hamstring injury.

McGlynn boasted an impressive 20 possessions for the Swan’s reserves convincing win over Ainslie in Canberra and is near strength post injury.

2.     Mummy to turn it up again

All eyes were on Shane Mumford when he took to the field against his former team in Round 1 of the 2014 season.

The big ruck man came out with all guns blazing against the Swans, earning himself three Brownlow votes after playing a key role in the GIANTS’ upset win.

Saturday’s game promises to be no different, with the big man in form after the GIANTS wins over the Saints and the Demons.

The all class ruck man proved too good for his younger less experienced opponents in Round 1 and played a key role in the GIANTS thirteen goal unanswered resurgence against the Demons in Round 2.

The ruck contest promises to be an interesting one with Mumford going up against his former protégé Mike Pyke, who learnt the tricks of the trade from no other than Mummy himself.

Sam Naismith and Shane Mumford contest a mark during the 2015 Nab Challenge. Image: AFL Media.

3.     Silencing the Swans formidable duo

The GIANTS defence have a big task ahead of them if they are to silence the Swans formidable duo, Buddy Franklin and Kurt Tippet.

The GIANTS will need to put their best foot forward in order to match the Swan’s trademark high pressure style of football.

GIANTS coach Leon Cameron says that the club’s back six will need to play in front against the Swans if they wish to extend their two game winning streak.

“We feel as though our backline has gone a fair way to improving- their one- on one contests, the ability to read the ball and help out your fellow defender,” Cameron said.

“But there’s no doubt it’s going to be a huge task, (because) they’re two really good powerful forwards”.

4.     Need for speed

Swans speedsters Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta are no strangers to what life is like in the fast lane.

However, the electric Swans duo will have to get used to what it feels like to have a GIANTS midfielder on their tail.

GIANTS’ speedsters Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith were on form on the weekend, out-kicking and out-running their stunned opponents in the second half of the game.

The game unveiled the GIANTS exciting new brand of footy with the youngsters demonstrating elite leg speed and tackling pressure.

“There’s a belief amongst the group that we can out- run the opposition and we’ve seen that today,” said Coach Leon Cameron after the GIANTS Round 2 win.

GWS GIANTS midfielder Dylan Shiel has turned heads this season, sharing the lead in the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award with Swans young gun Luke Parker.

Speedster Swan Gary Rohan is chased down by Joshua Kelly of the GIANTS, Image: AFL Media.
LAST FIVE TIMES:
R15, 2014, Sydney Swans 15.16 (106) d GWS 8.12 (60) at the SCG
R1, 2014, GWS 15.9 (99) d Sydney Swans 9.13 (67) at Spotless Stadium
R16, 2013, Sydney Swans 24.27 (171) d GWS 5.12 (42) at the SCG
R1, 2013, Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d GWS 11.10 (76) at ANZ Stadium
R14, 2012, Sydney Swans 14.16 (100) d GWS 5.7 (37) at ANZ Stadium

PREDICTION- Swans by 16 points

AFL NSW/ ACT News

Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) is a likely inclusion for the Swans on Saturday after playing NEAFL last weekend following a hamstring injury.

Mcglynn boasted an impressive 20 possessions for the Swans reserves win over Ainslie in Canberra.

Sam Naismith (North Shore) was among the best for the Swans Reserves on the weekend, slotting three goals for the winning side.

 Midfielder Jack Steele (Benconnen) was equally instrumental in the UWS Giants convincing win over the Gold Coast Suns.