NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 23 Preview

Sydney Swans vs. Richmond Tigers
(17-4, 1st) vs. (11-10, 8th)

Round 23 marks the end of the 2014 season proper for many. But while we know that the Sydney Swans will go deep into September, the Richmond Tigers will this weekend be playing for their lives.

In preparation for their upcoming home finals at ANZ Stadium, the Swans will host the Tigers out at Homebush in a twilight match this Saturday.

Sydney will have a chance to once and for all claim the minor premiership with a win over rambunctious Richmond, and the Tigers will be looking to extend their winning streak to nine straight games against the last side to beat them.

Though the Tigers came close against this weekend’s home side in Round 14 – losing by only 11 points – most have Sydney running into the finals with winning momentum.

Considering the fact that Richmond held a 26-point lead during the Round 14 clash, Tigers captain Trent Cotchin said this week that this proves they can take it to the league leaders.

No doubt Alex Rance and company will have their work cut out for them in the Swans’ forward line – Lance Franklin kicked four goals the last time these two sides met and will be shooting to secure the 2014 Coleman Medal – but Sydney too, will have their defense credentials tested prior to the finals.

Jack Riewoldt kicked six goals for Richmond against St Kilda last week, and will strive to become an even bigger handful for Ted Richards and his men on Saturday evening. With two former – and likely future – Coleman Medalists lining up at both ends of the ground, this game has the potential to become the match of the round.

Sydney will welcome back Sam Reid from a week off with a groin niggle meaning a full strength forward line will be out in force.

Reid will also assist ripening ruckman, Sam Naismith who will make his debut as Mike Pyke misses with an illness which he has been battling since the last round. Naismith, who was only elevated to the seniors list four weeks ago, will get his chance to gain some experience prior to the finals, and will also have the backing of Kurt Tippett should it be required.

Josh Kennedy, Wentworth’s Ben McGlynn and Nelson Bay’s Craig Bird will again miss but are expected to play their part in upcoming September action. Jeremy Laidler has been omitted from this weekend’s Sydney squad.

Dustin Martin’s entry back into the Richmond side after a hamstring complaint will bolster the Tigers’ chances, as Ben Lennon is omitted to make way for the excitable star.
 
New South Welshman and Richmond midfielder, Anthony Miles will no doubt prove to be another Tiger difficult to tame, despite Sydney’s unstoppable midfield roster. Coming off a game of 25 disposals, Miles is likely to line up against Nick Malceski, and will relish the chance to play without the likes of Kennedy and McGlynn floating around.

Sydney are mostly strides ahead of Richmond in terms of game statistics averaging 11 disposals (382-371) and 11 contested possessions (147-136) more than the travelling team. Richmond however, hold the prize for the most awarded free kicks in the league, standing at number one with 18.6 per game to Sydney’s 12th placing with 16.3.

It will be an emotion charged game for the Swans as they farewell another club legend – Ryan ‘Pebbles’ O’Keefe – at half time. Though he has not played in the senior side since Round Four this year, O’Keefe’s stance as the only Sydney-sider to win the Norm Smith Medal, and as a two-time premiership player, proves that he will be a difficult Swan to farewell.

Both sides will also be aiming to celebrate some milestones of their players as Lewis Jetta reaches his 100th game for Sydney and Tiger, Chris Newman plays his 250th.

Western Bulldogs vs. GWS Giants
(7-14, 14th) vs. (5-15, 16th)

While Round 23 looks set to produce some heart-pounding games, this match between the Western Bulldogs and the Greater Western Sydney Giants is not exciting many.

Giants fans will disagree with this however, as the game acts as the bookend to a season of growth and team triumph. Though they will not partake in the upcoming finals series, supporters will look excitedly to this game as the full stop to a successful year prior to the next chapter in their story – 2015.

Last week, the Bulldogs were handed a 63-point hiding from the Sydney Swans, and will again face tough opposition against a team no longer labeled as ‘easy-beats’ thanks to their improved season.

Both sides have named a plethora of changes ahead of the clash, choosing to include many New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory cultivated players.

Greater Western Sydney will welcome back their Co-Captain, Phil Davis from a concussion forced rest last week, as well as Zac Williams, Liam Sumner, Curtly Hampton, Cameron McCarthy, Jonathan Giles and Jacob Townsend who have all been named in an extended squad. Should McCarthy make the final cut, he will become the fourth Giant to make his debut this year.

Out for GWS are Jono O’Rourke and Mark Whiley who are both carrying hamstring complaints, Tim Golds who has not recovered from a concussion, and Adam Kennedy who is suffering a shoulder injury.

The Bulldogs have also named a host of changes in an extended group. Jason Tutt, Fletcher Roberts, Liam Jones, Will Minson and Tom Young are all in the mix prior to the final team listing. Jordan Roughead will miss due to a shoulder injury while Ayce Cordy has been omitted.

Stats-wise, the Dogs have the upper hand including the fact that the Giants have never beaten them, nor have they ever won a game at Etihad Stadium. Following a year of firsts such as their first win in Melbourne a few weeks ago, the Giants will be hoping to turn the tables on yet another statistic as the lights go out on their season.

Emotions will be running high for both sides as each bid farewell to club legends. The Giants will say goodbye to premiership players, Josh Hunt and Stephen Gilham who will retire after instilling their years of experience amongst the young crop. The Bulldogs will also say goodbye to a player mentor as ‘super-sub’ Daniel Giansiracusa makes his exit after 15 years in the game.

AFL NSW/ACT Notebook

Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) took out ‘Wagga’s Senior Sportsperson of the Year’ award on Wednesday night. The 2014 NAB Rising Star Award nominee joins fellow Wagga Wagga AFL player, Matt Suckling who won the award in 2012-13.    
Luke Breust (Temora) has re-signed with Hawthorn. Despite his contract not ending until the cessation of the 2015 season, Breust has obvious belief in his club, signing on until the end of 2017.

Sam Rowe (North Albury) has been named as an ambassador for the Cancer Council Victoria. A cancer survivor himself, the Blues defender will join the likes of Jack Riewoldt and Scott Thompson in an upcoming campaign entitled ‘Make More Memories’ which will encourage the tough conversations that occur surrounding the disease.

Justin Koschitzke (Brocklesby) lined up for the Shane Warne Foundation All-Stars side in a game played out on Foxtel’s, ‘The Recruit’ on Wednesday night. Now retired, ‘Kozi’ showed the future stars of the game that he still has the New South Wales AFL fight within him.