NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 7 Preview
By Caitlin Arnold
GWS Giants vs. Port Adelaide
(2-4, 14th) vs. (5-1, 1st)
Following last week’s win over Geelong, beating Port Adelaide has quickly become the hardest task in AFL football. It is the unlucky fortune of the GWS Giants that they face them this Saturday.
Travelling to Canberra, the Giants will cling to their home field advantage and hope that it will result in a few extra points on the scoreboard, whilst the Power will aim to gain their first victory ever in the nation’s capital.
Despite there being a long stretch between the two sides on the ladder, it is interesting to note that their on-field season stats are quite close.
Surprisingly, the Giants produce on average only one less (54) inside 50 than the Power (55). They are equal on the contested possession count (144 a piece) and from there, GWS in fact out-count their highly favoured opponents.
Clearances go to the Giants (43-36), in large thanks to their hit-out count (53-39) and tackles are also in their favour (74-69). The Power do, however, outweigh the Giants in disposals reaching 383 to 347.
The Giants have again named multiple changes to their weekend lineup, omitting Zac WIllians, Lachie Plowman, Tom Boyd and Tomas Bugg, while Josh Hunt will miss with a knee injury.
Replacing the unlucky Giants will be Toby Greene as he returns from injury and Joshua Kelly who makes the cut following suspension. Dylan Shiel, Rhys Palmer and Matt Buntine (a 2014 first gamer) have also been named.
Port Adelaide has made one change, deciding to drop Sam Gray in order to make space on the list for experienced leader, Angus Monfries.
Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney Swans
(5-1, 18th) vs. (3-3, 9th)
After their 31-point win over 17th placed Melbourne in Round 6, the Sydney Swans will this week travel to the Gabba to play current wooden-spooners, the Brisbane Lions.
Though one can never guarantee a result – we won’t revisit the Swans Round One loss – Sydney should overcome the Lions, giving their inconsistent season much-needed encouragement.
The Lions are coming off their first win of the season having beaten St Kilda by 3 points in Wellington on ANZAC Day – perhaps providing a confidence that they have not yet entered a game with this season.
In an effort to ensure Lance Franklin’s future availability, the Swans have decided to rest ‘Buddy’ this week due to a minor knee injury sustained against Melbourne that saw him subbed out of the game.
Lewis Roberts-Thompson has been named as an emergency and makes way for Sam Reid’s 2014 debut following an Achilles injury. Brandon Jack has also been afforded a recall to the senior squad.
To add to the pre-game jitters of the Lions, Adam Goodes has been named as a starter after his successful first game of the season coming off the interchange bench last week.
Brisbane has only made one change with defender Pearce Hanley missing out due to a back injury. He will be replaced by Rohan Bewick.
As of Round 7, Sydney unsurprisingly out-ranks Brisbane in each area of the game, excluding clearances (40-38) and hit-outs (42-36) – a stat that Sydney has struggled in 2014 with the loss of Shane Mumford to the Giants.
This weekend’s game will also see Rhyce Shaw mark his 200th game of AFL football away from home.
AFL NSW/ACT News
Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) has been named as a starter in the Adelaide Crows Reserves side to take on Port Adelaide Reserves in the SANFL ‘Showdown’ on Sunday. Following his three goals, 6 marks and 12 possessions against Glenelg in last week’s SANFL match, ‘Tex’ inches closer to his senior football season debut.
Will Langford (East Sydney) will miss Hawkthorn’s clash with St Kilda this weekend due to a back injury gained against Richmond in Round 6. Fellow Hawk and New South Welshman, Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) will start from the bench.
Ruckman Orren Stephenson (Mangoplah-CUE) has been named in an extended Richmond side to play heavy favourites, Geelong at the MCG on Sunday.
Adam Schneider (Osbourne) returns to the Saints line up against Hawthorn following suspension. Accordingly to www.saints.com.au, Schneider was the only multiple goal scorer the last time these two sides met.
It was revealed this week that St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert (St George) will miss up to the next 10 weeks due to a relentless foot injury. With scans showing little improvement to the injury, Gilbert will be forced to rest for at least 6 weeks before testing himself at training.
