NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 9 preview

By Michael DiFabrizio

Collingwood vs. Sydney Swans – Friday 7.50pm (MCG)

Collingwood (5-3, 8th) and the Sydney Swans (5-2-1, 4th) are set to do battle in a Friday night blockbuster.

The Pies are coming off a win against the previously-undefeated Geelong, while the Swans have had to rue their drew with Fremantle and a loss to Hawthorn the week before. If Sydney fans are feeling nervous, they can be reassured by the fact the last time they went three games without a win was in the middle of 2011.

While the Pies impressed last week, they’ve been a tad below expectations thus far in 2013. If you re-arranged the ladder on percentage, Collingwood would be 13th. But the Cats game showed they are still capable and they’ll be hoping it’s the turn of a corner (they’d lost three of their last five before last week).

The issues for Collingwood are defensively and inside the forward 50. They have conceded the fifth-most points in the comp and only 47.6 per cent of their scoring shots are goals (compared to 55.6 for the Swans).

The last time these teams met was the preliminary final last year, where the Swans advanced to the Grand Final with a 96-70 win at ANZ Stadium.

GWS GIANTS vs. West Coast Eagles – Saturday 2.10pm (Skoda Stadium)

The GWS GIANTS (0-8, 18th) face the West Coast Eagles (4-4, 11th) hoping to put an end to their winless start.

Despite the final margin, there were positive signs against Hawthorn last week, including the lifting of their tackle count from 35 two weeks ago against the Crows to 82 against the Hawks.

West Coast’s last game is sure to be remembered by their fans for a while. Nic Naitanui rose from the back of a massive pack to take a mark that would set up an after-the-siren win for the Eagles against North Melbourne last Friday. They’ll be buzzing from that win, one that could ultimately shape their season.

The Eagles have not started as well as they would’ve liked, particularly in the midfield. They are one of five sides to average less contested possessions and inside 50s than their opponents. They’ve stayed above water due to pressure defensively (ranking second for tackles) and a super efficient forward line (ranking first for points per inside 50).

Needless to say, the GIANTS’ back line (who rank last for points allowed per inside 50 allowed) will have their work cut out for them.

Last time, in Round 3 last year at Blacktown, the Eagles were victorious by 81 points.

NSW/ACT Notes

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire (Corowa-Rutherglen) qualifies for AFL life membership this week with his 300th official game since his debut for North Melbourne back in 1988. In that time he’s been in 200 premiership matches for North as a player, 25 preseason games as a player, five state matches for NSW and Victoria, 57 premiership matches as coach of the Swans and 12 preseason matches as a coach.

Luke Breust (Temora) is set to play his 50th game this week as his top-of-the-ladder Hawthorn meet the Gold Coast Suns.

The suspension of Justin Koschitzke (Brocklesby) is over and he’s now free to return to the St Kilda line-up. Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) is listed as 1-2 weeks away with his calf injury, Adam Schneider (Osborne) is 2-3 due to a hamstring and Sam Gilbert (St George) is considered 7-10 weeks away with his knee injury.

Foxtel Cup (Match 2)

Werribee vs. Queanbeyan – Tuesday 8.35pm (Etihad Stadium)

NEAFL (Round 10)

USW GIANTS vs. Gold Coast Suns – Saturday 10.00am (Blacktown)
Belconnen vs. Broadbeach – Saturday 11.45am (Kippax)
Ainslie vs. Sydney Swans – Saturday 2.00pm (Ainslie)
Tuggeranong vs. Hills Eagles – Saturday 2.00pm (Greenway)
Eastlake vs. Sydney Uni – Saturday 2.00pm (Star Track Oval)
Queanbeyan – See Foxtel Cup