NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 12 Preview

GWS Giants vs. Essendon Bombers
(2-5, 17th) vs. (5-5, 10th)

It is not often that GWS fans get a chance to see their team under lights, however this Saturday’s match against tenth placed Essendon will put the Giants on the big stage for their first night game at home in two years.

Round Eleven’s 7-point loss to heavy favourites Hawthorn has once again ignited the faith of Giants supporters, and in the face of an inconsistent Bombers side, fans will be hoping for a tighter contest than the bookies suggest.

Making his senior AFL debut for the Giants on Saturday is Rory Lobb who has been named on the interchange. Standing at 206cm – the tallest player at GWS – the Western Australian and former basketballer is set to assist Mumford in the ruck after precision work for the club’s NEAFL side, the UWS Giants in recent weeks.

Named on the bench alongside Lobb is Stephen Coniglio who rejoins the squad following a shoulder injury scare.

With 13 goals from the past three games against the Bombers, Jeremy Cameron’s one-week suspension comes at a time that could prove costly for the Giants. However, in good news for the forward, scans revealed this week that he has not suffered a fracture to his arm as first thought, and will be available selection following this week’s enforced break.

Riding on a high after their convincing 50-point victory over wayward Richmond last weekend, the Bombers have named an unchanged lineup.

As history shows, the Giants have been competitive with Essendon over the first half of their past three games, however fail to maintain the level of football required to win in the last two-quarters. With last week’s promising four-quarter effort by GWS against highly ranked Hawthorn, Giants fans will be hoping their team can remain in the contest until the final siren.

Uncontested ball possession and the ability to take a strong mark may be the difference at the end of the game, as Essendon currently dominate both areas of while the young Giants fall well behind. Conversely, the Giants average ten more tackles per game than the Bombers and are coming off a match of over 100 against Hawthorn.

Gold Coast Suns vs. Sydney Swans
(7-3, 5th) vs. (7-3, 3rd)

Sunday afternoon’s clash between the Sydney Swans and Gold Coast Suns will be one for the lovers of AFL as they witness the game’s two most inexhaustible ball winners go head-to-head at Metricon Stadium.

With Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett and Swans’ favourite son Josh Kennedy lining up for their respective sides, the statisticians will have their work cut out for them as each battle it out in a number of areas across the game.

As it stands, Kennedy currently outranks Ablett at first place in the league for average disposals per game with 31.7 to Ablett’s 31.4. Not to be outdone, Brownlow favourite Ablett holds first place in rankings for contested possession wins (18.1 to 18) and clearances (79 to 70) to Kennedy’s runner-up position.

Elsewhere on the field, the Swans have named an extended bench with a few players out to prove their fitness before Sunday afternoon.

Mike Pyke has been added to the squad for the first time since Round Seven while New South Welshman, Dane Rampe will be looking to convince John Longmire that he has recovered from a knee injury suffered last week against Geelong.

Gary Rohan and Swans fringe player, Brandon Jack have also been named for Sydney.

For the Suns, fullback Rory Thompson has been listed in an extended side despite a wrist injury. With the Swans’ seemingly unstoppable forward line combination of Kurt Tippett, Lance Franklin and Adam Goodes set to star again, losing a key defender has the potential to be detrimental for the Suns.

Karmichael Hunt may make his long-awaited return to senior football after being named in the extended Suns squad.  Following a long run of unfortunate injuries and illness’, Hunt is set to line up in the midfield for the Gold Coast in his first game this season.

Though the Swans have claimed victory in their past three games against the Suns, it is clear that they will be coming up against a vastly different side this time around. With both teams sitting on seven wins and three losses, Sydney only sit higher on the ladder due to their for and against record.

On the park, Sydney’s emphatic season rise has them well placed in most areas of the game when compared to the year’s surprise packets, the Suns.

Out-ranking the Suns for disposals (387 – 361) and tackles (74 – 67), the Swans will hope to utilise Josh Kennedy’s hunger for the contested ball and overcome the Suns current average of 152 contested possessions to their 150.

Despite their mostly equal standing in 2014, the Swans will not only be looking for victory up north to gain a ladder advantage over the Suns but they will also be hoping to make it a memorable match for club stalwart, Heath Grundy’s 150th game.

AFL NSW/ACT News

Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) will make his patiently awaited return to the game this weekend for the GWS Giants reserves side in the NEAFL. Following a knock to his kidney in Round One against the Swans, Davis was forced to undergo two harrowing surgeries, and has since endured the long road to recovery. While doctors have given Davis the all clear to return to the field, the defender will wear a guard to protect the kidney area.

Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) and Adam Schneider (Osbourne) of the current St Kilda lineup are set to have discussions with their coach, Alan Richardson over the next couple of weeks to deliberate their future at the club. As veterans of the game – both in their 30s – each will be off contract at the end of the year. Being a young up-and-coming side, Richardson admits that there is still a need for experienced leaders at the club despite hoping to refresh the Saints list, and hopes to involve the players in the decision making process.