NSW Notebook: Preliminary Final Preview

Sydney Swans vs. North Melbourne Kangaroos
Preliminary Final

Tonight, the race to the Grand Final comes to fruition for two teams as the Sydney Swans host the North Melbourne Kangaroos at ANZ Stadium.

With a lead up suitably fitting of a Preliminary Final, there has been much to talk about prior to the bounce on Friday night.

Most notably, Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey will line up in the midfield despite dividing opinions as to whether he deserved suspension for an off-the-ball bump against Geelong’s Joel Selwood last weekend.

Boomer’s influence on the Kangaroos will be vital if the underdogs are going to come away with a win. Ranked third for goals kicked by midfielders (27) this year, Harvey will also provide the finals experience of which North Melbourne are lacking.

Compared to their Friday night opponents who hold 281 combined games of finals involvement – including four two-time premiership players – the Kangaroos have only 124 games of finals know-how between them. Being the third year in a row that the Swans have made it to the Preliminary Final, the Kangaroos certainly have some catching up to do.

The Swans will put forward their absolute strongest team after weeks of speculation surrounding Nick Malceski’s hamstring. Having been subbed off early in Sydney’s win over Fremantle, rumour was rife as to whether he would, or would not play. With the Swans welcoming back Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Craig Bird and Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin in week one of the finals, keeping Malceski in the team makes for a formidable force.

Malceski’s incredible 2014 form was highlighted this week as he was handed an All-Australian jumper for the first time. Having endured three knee reconstructions over his career, Malceski is Sydney’s most counted kicker this season, and will be looked upon to keep the halfback line in check.
    
Though many of their big guns played the last time these two teams met, it is safe to say that Sydney are a different side to the one who lost to North Melbourne in Round Four of the season proper.

Kept goalless during their 43-point loss in Round Four, Buddy has since claimed the Coleman Medal, and will be a typical hard task to measure coming into this game. In addition to the squad who lost in Round Four, Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid will also line up this time around.

Adam Goodes will play his 350th game for the Swans in this Preliminary Final, and will look to change his milestone game luck having lost four out of his six landmark matches. Hoping to be carried out a winner, the Swans will have their strong finals winning record at ANZ Stadium to offer them a boost.  

While we keep our eyes on the Sydney big names, the Kangaroos will hope that Ben Cunnington can produce a game similar to the one witnessed in Round Four at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Claiming 30 disposals, 10 tackles and 11 clearances last time around, Cunnington’s likely match-up, Luke Parker will have his work cut out. With many crying-foul over Parker’s omission from the All-Australian squad (which included Sydney-siders Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Nick Smith and Nick Malceski), Swans fans will have confidence that the young-gun can outperform the improved follower from south of the border.  

Overall, Sydney have made no changes to their winning formula from week one of the finals.

North Melbourne have made one swap to the side that came up trumps against Geelong last week. Jamie Macmillan is the unlucky Roo who will sit out the game with injury. Macmillan was subbed out of last week’s game with a hamstring strain and unlike Malceski, has not been able to recover.

Coming in for Macmillan is Ben Jacobs who last played in North Melbourne’s nail-biting win over Essendon two weeks ago. Given the reality of coming up against one of the best forward line-ups in the game, losing defender Macmillan could prove costly for the blue and white.

Kayne Turner has also maintained his position in the Kangaroos squad, drawing comparisons with Luke Parker who also played finals football in his first season as a senior, while also in his teens. Considering the player Parker has become, the Swans will be wary of the inexperienced surprise packet.  

Through game statistics, it is clear that this is a first versus sixth encounter. Disposals (382-371), contested possessions (148-136) and tackles (74-64) are all key areas in the game where Sydney unsurprisingly hold the upper hand.

Fielding four All-Australian squad members – and a few unlucky not to gain a nod such as Ben McGlynn and Luke Parker – versus zero for the Kangaroos, Sydney’s heavyweight status is clear. Whether or not the Swans can outclass the courageous Kangaroos is yet to be seen, but most have their fans cheer-cheering the red and the white all the way to the MCG for that one day in September next weekend.