NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 22 preview
By Michael DiFabrizio
Geelong vs. Sydney Swans – Saturday 4.40pm (Simonds Stadium)
The Swans (15-4-1, 3rd) travel to Geelong (16-4, 2nd) in the first of two top four battles to round out the home and away season.
If the Swans win this and next week’s game against Hawthorn they will likely be a top two team and thus earn a home final in the first week of finals.
The Cats, on the other hand, will be fairly confident of a first-week home final if they beat the Swans. They play the Brisbane Lions next week.
So, basically, it’s do or die for both teams as far as the top two is concerned.
Recent clashes between the teams have been divided. Geelong have won the last two, but Sydney claimed the two before that.
The Swans can expect to win the hitouts and clearances, two areas they have a clear edge in.
The Cats are a side that does its damage on the rebound. They rank first for inside 50s, meaning the Swans’ back line will be busy.
It will be worth keeping an eye on the midfielders for both teams. Joel Selwood of the Cats is in some of the best form of his impressive career, while Josh Kennedy is coming off a 38-disposal game last week.
GWS GIANTS vs. Richmond – Sunday 3.20pm (Skoda Stadium)
The GIANTS (1-19, 18th) host Richmond (13-7, 5th) in what will be Kevin Sheedy’s last game coached in Sydney.
It’s also the 50th and last time Sheedy has coached against the club he used to play for.The only other meeting between these sides was a narrow 12-point Tiger win at Skoda Stadium last year.
The Tigers have definitely matured since then and are now finals-bound, but the GIANTS may take some sneaky confidence from that encounter.
That said, the Tigers are coming off a wake-up call after losing to Carlton last week.
Jeremy Cameron will yet again be the GIANT to watch as he closes in on the Coleman Medal.
He, Jarryd Roughead and Josh Kennedy of West Coast share the leader board with 60 goals each. Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt is not far behind, though, with his 56 goals putting him in fifth place.
NSW/ACT Notes
AFL Media reporter James Dampney says Brandon Jack (Pennant Hills) is a chance to return to the senior Sydney Swans side after an impressive reserves game last week.
Tom Hawkins (Finley) is set to return for Geelong after a one-week rest.
NSW/ACT TV Guide
Fri 7.30pm – Collingwood vs. West Coast Eagles (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 1.30pm – Adelaide vs. Melbourne (Fox Footy)
Sat 2.00pm – North Melbourne vs. Hawthorn (Fox Sports 3)
Sat 4.30pm – Geelong vs. Sydney Swans (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 7.30pm – Carlton vs. Essendon (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 7.30pm – Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide (Fox Sports 3)
Sun 1.00pm – St Kilda vs. Gold Coast Suns (Fox Footy)
Sun 3.00pm – GWS GIANTS vs. Richmond (7mate, Fox Sports 3)
Sun 4.30pm – Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs (Fox Footy)
NEAFL (Finals Wk 1) – Northern Conference
Southport vs. Aspley – Saturday 1.30pm (Fankhauser Reserve) – Winner plays the Brisbane Lions in Second Semi Final
Morningside vs. Redland – Sunday 1.30pm (Esplen Oval) – Winner plays loser of Southport-Aspley in First Semi Final
Brisbane Lions – week off
NEAFL (Finals Wk 1) – Eastern Conference
Belconnen vs. Ainslie – Saturday 2.00pm (Kippax) – Winner plays the Sydney Swans in Second Semi Final
Eastlake vs. UWS GIANTS – Saturday 2.00pm (Dairy Farmers) – Winner plays loser of Belconnen-Ainslie in First Semi Final
Sydney Swans – week off
