NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 11 preview

By Michael DiFrabizio

GWS GIANTS vs. Geelong Cats – Saturday 1.40pm (Skoda Stadium)

The GWS GIANTS (0-10, 18th) continue to search for their first win as Geelong (9-1, 2nd) come to Skoda Stadium.

The GIANTS have certainly hit a rough patch, but the fixture over the last five weeks has been challenging: all their opponents were either part of last year’s top eight or are part of the current top eight.

Unfortunately for Kevin Sheedy’s men, Geelong don’t offer a lot of relief in this regard. The Cats, along with Hawthorn, are displaying some of the competition’s best form.

They can take heart from the fact last year — in Geelong — the GIANTS led for most of the first half against the Cats and went into the main break with scores level.

Can a repeat of that happen? Given four weeks ago they led the Bombers by 21 points at half time, in an away match, you can be sure Sheedy will be preaching the mantra of “anything’s possible”.

Geelong rank dead last for clearances. It’s a by-product of their game plan, but if the GIANTS can use the ball well out of the stoppages they might be able to get results.

The flip-side to this is that the Cats rank equal 1st for goals from turnovers, something a young side like the GIANTS are prone to do, so using it cleanly will be a huge priority.

Adelaide Crows vs. Sydney Swans – Saturday 4.40pm (AAMI Stadium)

The Sydney Swans (7-2-1, 3rd) face another big test as they head interstate to face Adelaide (5-5, 9th).

After fending off Collingwood and Essendon in consecutive weeks, the Swans appear to have clicked into gear and will be full of confidence.

The Crows, meanwhile, were competitive last week against Fremantle, who drew with Sydney two weeks earlier, but fell short by 29 points.

The Swans will be returning to the scene of their qualifying final win last season, the last meeting between these sides.

While that result was somewhat of an upset, the away team appear to have the edge going into this one. The Swans rank 2nd for tackles and 1st for clearances, hitouts and contested possessions, whereas the Crows aren’t in the top eight for any of these indicators.

Adelaide’s defence has been the standout area for them this season. They concede the third least points once the ball has entered defensive 50 and have the fifth lowest points conceded record overall.

The Swans may need to replicate last week — where they had no less than 13 individual goal kickers, more than half the team! — to overcome this.

NSW/ACT Notes

Luke Breust (Temora) was named best on ground in the AFL Coaches Association votes last weekend. The leading NSW/ACT player in the count is Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills), who has collected 42 votes and sits in fifth spot.

Mitch Clisby (West Broken Hill) had 23 disposals, eight marks and six tackles for Melbourne’s VFL affiliate last week. The 23 year-old is yet to play a senior game but may not be far off.

A few weeks ago we mentioned that Sydney Swans trio Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton and Ryan O’Keefe had reached 250 games together. If they line up alongside each other this week, they’re set to make that 253, which equals the record held by Western Bulldogs trio Brad Johnson, Rohan Smith and Scott West.

NSW/ACT TV Guide

Fri 7.30pm – Essendon vs. Carlton – 7mate, Fox Footy
Sat 1.30pm – GWS GIANTS vs. Geelong Cats – 7mate, Fox Footy
Sat 4.30pm – Adelaide Crows vs. Sydney Swans – 7mate, Fox Footy
Sat 7.30pm – Gold Coast Suns vs. North Melbourne – Fox Footy
Sun 4.30pm – St Kilda vs. West Coast Eagles – Fox Footy
Mon 3.00pm – Melbourne vs. Collingwood – 7mate, Fox Footy

NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships (Round 2)

Vic Metro vs. NSW/ACT – Sunday 12.00pm (Visy Park)

NEAFL

NEAFL Representative side v Tasmania – Saturday 9.30am (Skoda Stadium)
Gold Coast Suns vs. Sydney Swans – Saturday 3.00pm (Metricon Stadium)
NT Thunder vs. UWS GIANTS – Saturday 6.00pm (TIO Stadium)
Ainslie, Belconnen, Eastlake, Queanbeyan, Tuggeranong, Hills Eagles, Sydney Uni – Bye