NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 21 preview

By Michael DiFabrizio

Brisbane Lions vs. GWS GIANTS – Saturday 7.40pm (Gabba)

The GIANTS (1-18, 18th) travel north to face an in-the-news Brisbane Lions (8-11, 13th).

The Lions decided this week not to renew the coaching contract of Michael Voss, which caught many by surprise.

What impact on the contest that will have remains to be seen, but the GIANTS have work ahead of them to reverse the result of the last time these teams met.

In Round 8 last year the Lions won by 92 points with Daniel Merrett kicking seven goals. Both teams have improved since then.

In terms of final margins, Greater Western Sydney are still a bit all over the place. But if their almost dominant second quarter against Fremantle can be replicated for longer this week they will have a chance.

There will be real interest in how Jeremy Cameron goes, given he is closing in on the Coleman Medal. He’s third on 58, behind Josh Kennedy (60) and Jarryd Roughead (59).

Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda – Sunday 3.20pm (SCG)

The Swans (14-4, 3rd) will look to bounce back from last week’s loss as St Kilda (3-16, 16th) visit.

The home side has a tough final two games so they will be keen for a confidence-boosting win here.

The Saints have not had the best of years, with just three wins to their name and seven losses on the trot. Despite struggling for the four points they have often been competitive above expectations.

For example, earlier in the year in Wellington they fell just 16 points short of the Swans.

Sydney were in strong form going into last week’s clash with Collingwood but the upset loss may prove to be a well timed wake-up call ahead of the upcoming Geelong and Hawthorn games then finals.

You’d expect the midfield guns who were quiet last week like to come out firing this week.

Prior to the Pies game, the last time Kieren Jack and Josh Kennedy played together and neither had at least 20 disposals was Round 2, 2011.

NSW/ACT Notes

Adam Schneider (Osborne) is due to play his 100th club game for St Kilda this weekend.

GWS GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward is in line for his 100th AFL game this week.

Tom Hawkins (Finley) is likely to be given a rest by Geelong this week. He has been struggling with a back injury for a lot of the year but the break is only expected to be for one week.　

Jacob Townsend (Leeton-Whitton) of the GWS GIANTS has undergone hip surgery and will not see AFL action again in 2013.

The 189cm Tim McIntyre (Corowa) kicked three goals and was among the best on ground for SANFL side Sturt last weekend. The Adelaide rookie made his AFL debut last year but is yet to get a start this year.

Will Sierakowski (St Ignatius Riverview) was an emergency for North Melbourne last week and went on to be named in the best in the VFL, pushing his case for a re-call.

NSW/ACT TV Guide

Fri 7.30pm – Hawthorn vs. Collingwood (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 1.30pm – Richmond vs. Carlton (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 2.00pm – Port Adelaide vs. Gold Coast Suns (Fox Sports 3)
Sat 4.30pm – Essendon vs. North Melbourne (Fox Footy)
Sat 7.30pm – Brisbane Lions vs. GWS GIANTS (7mate, Fox Sports 3)
Sat 7.30pm – West Coast Eagles vs. Geelong (Fox Footy)
Sun 1.00pm – Melbourne vs. Fremantle (Fox Footy)
Sun 3.00pm – Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda (7mate, Fox Sports 3)
Sun 4.30pm – Western Bulldogs vs. Adelaide (Fox Footy)

NEAFL (Round 22)

Brisbane Lions vs. UWS GIANTS – Saturday 1.30pm (Coorparoo)
Ainslie vs. Eastlake – Saturday 2.00pm (Ainslie)
Queanbeyan vs. Hills Eagles – Saturday 2.00pm (Dairy Farmers)
Belconnen vs. Tuggeranong – Saturday 2.00pm (Kippax)
Sydney Uni vs. Sydney Swans – Sunday 11.40pm (SCG)