NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 15 preview
By Michael DiFabrizio
GWS GIANTS vs. Western Bulldogs – Saturday 1.45pm (StarTrack Oval)
The GIANTS (0-13, 18th) are back in Canberra with a big chance to grab their first win of the season against the Western Bulldogs (3-10, 16th).
When they met at the same venue in Round 5 last year the Dogs prevailed fairly comfortably but things have changed since. (At the time, the 42-point loss was actually the best result in the GIANTS’ AFL history.)
This time around, the four points are crucial for both teams. The Dogs have a horror draw coming up and after their loss to Melbourne last week, they would not want to lose to both members of the bottom two in consecutive weeks.
As for the GIANTS, there would have to be plenty of pressure to get that first win and this is a very realistic opportunity to make it happen.
Phil Davis is expected to return in front of his hometown crowd, which will be a handy inclusion after 15 goals were conceded in that match last year.
On the other side, Matthew Boyd is out with a fractured cheekbone. Boyd had 35 touches and got three Brownlow votes in that match.
Still, the threat of Ryan Griffen and rising stars like Tom Liberatore (who had 36 touches last week) looms.
It will be up to midfielders like Adam Treloar to counter this. The stats say the GIANTS play better when Treloar is winning the contested footy – the four times he’s had more than 10 contested possessions this year (against Sydney, Melbourne, Essendon and Geelong) have been arguably the side’s four best games.
GIANTS fans looking for hope will be comforted by the fact this time last year, the Gold Coast Suns were winless with a percentage of 53. And that was with a bloke named Gary Ablett.
Right now, the GIANTS are winless with a percentage of 50. Needless to say, things can improve very quickly for expansion clubs.
Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans – Sunday 1.10pm (MCG)
The Sydney Swans (9-3-1, 4th) travel to face a side coming off just their second win of the season in Melbourne (2-11, 17th).
Recent form between these sides is all over the place. Last time at the SCG (remember Jeremy Howe’s mark?) it was a 101-point blowout in Sydney’s favour. Back at the MCG, however, the Dees managed to draw in 2011 and cause a 73-point upset in 2010.
So, for those keeping track, that’s a convincing win either way and a draw. Not particularly helpful.
The expectation, though, will be that Sydney win this comfortably. Melbourne have had issues this year in the midfield, so coming up against a side that’s dominant in the ruck and typically wins the clearances will make life difficult.
Although the injury list is a tad concerning, the Swans could potentially see the return of big men Sam Reid and Shane Mumford this week. It would be a scary prospect for the Dees to face the Swans with all their preferred talls (including Kurt Tippett) on the field for the first time.
Melbourne fans will be hopeful after their last two matches under interim coach Neil Craig, which has netted a win over the Western Bulldogs. Jack Watts, in particular, is coming off the best pair of games he’s had in his AFL career.
How that translates into a match against the tight Sydney defence and what is likely to be less supply into the forward line remains to be seen.
That said, a win combined with the return of co-captain Jack Grimes would give the Dees an optimistic outlook.
NSW/ACT Notes
St Kilda’s Justin Koschitzke (Brocklesby) is due to play his 200th game this week, more than 12 years after his debut in 2001. That year he won the Rising Star award and since then he became a feature of the Saints side that went to consecutive Grand Finals.
Dylan Addison (St George) improved his chances of a Western Bulldogs recall in the VFL last week, kicking four goals for Williamstown. Daniel Cross (Albury) was named in the best in the same game.
Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) got through unscathed in his NEAFL return from his back injury last week. He’s ready to move into the senior GWS GIANTS side this week.
Chad Cornes of the GWS GIANTS has announced his retirement due to an ongoing knee injury. He finished seventh in the GIANTS’ best and fairest last year after moving from Port Adelaide, where he was a two-time All Australian.
NSW/ACT TV Guide
Fri 7.30pm – Carlton vs. Collingwood (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 1.30pm – GWS GIANTS vs. Western Bulldogs (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 2.00pm – North Melbourne vs. Richmond (Fox Sports 3)
Sat 4.30pm – Brisbane Lions vs. Gold Coast Suns (Fox Footy)
Sat 7.30pm – Adelaide vs. West Coast Eagles (Fox Sports 3)
Sat 7.30pm – Geelong vs. Hawthorn (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sun 1.00pm – Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sun 3.00pm – Fremantle vs. St Kilda (live Fox Sports 3, 1hr delay 7mate)
Sun 4.30pm – Essendon vs. Port Adelaide (Fox Footy)
NEAFL (Round 16)
UWS GIANTS vs. Tuggeranong – Saturday 9.30am (StarTrack Oval)
Eastlake vs. Sydney Swans – Saturday 12.00pm (Newcastle)
Ainslie vs. Sydney Uni – Sunday 11.45am (Ainslie)
Belconnen vs. Hills Eagles – Sunday 11.45am (Kippax)
Queanbeyan – bye
