NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 23 preview

By Michael DiFabrizio

Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn – Friday 7.50pm (ANZ Stadium)

The Swans (15-5-1, 4th) home and away campaign ends with a Friday night blockbuster at ANZ against the Hawks (18-3, 1st).

The way the ladder is shaping, this may well be a preview of the qualifying final a week later.

Regardless of the result, the Swans can’t finish top two and the Hawks can’t finish third or fourth. In theory, if anyone has more to lose it would be Hawthorn, given they would prefer to seal the minor premiership and thus enjoy longer breaks in finals.

The Swans, though, may be quite keen to bounce back after last week’s loss to Geelong and reclaim some momentum heading into September.

Last time these sides met, in the Grand Final replay, it was the Hawks by 37 points.

However, what remains from last year is that clashes between these sides are a battle between attack and defence. The Hawks rank first for points scored while the Swans are second on the points conceded table (behind Fremantle).

Josh Kennedy has been dominant in the midfield the past few weeks for Sydney, so he’s likely to command a fair bit of attention.

For the Hawks, Lance Franklin has kicked nine goals the past two weeks, giving Ted Richards a huge job to tackle.

Gold Coast Suns vs. GWS GIANTS – Sunday 1.10pm (Metricon Stadium)

The GIANTS (1-20, 18th) finish 2013 with a trip to the Gold Coast to take on the Suns (7-14, 14th).

While it’s a tough ask, Gold Coast aren’t a fully unrealistic target. Inexperience cost the GIANTS when these teams last met in Round 5, but the Suns showed their vulnerability in helping hand St Kilda their fourth win of the season last week.

Gary Ablett’s form has dropped in the past month and in four of their last five games the Suns have conceded at least 110 points.

The GIANTS, though, will need to turn around a form drop of their own: they have been convincingly outplayed in each of their last three matches.”

Jeremy Cameron will once again be the centre of attention. Last week’s rare goalless effort means he’s now three goals behind the leader in the Coleman Medal race but still in with a very decent chance.

NSW/ACT Notes

Two St Kilda players are set for their 200th game this week. Justin Koschitzke (Brocklesby) is expected to battle through injury to appear in his, which will also be his last AFL match after announcing his retirement.

Adam Schneider (Osborne) is also set to play his 200th game in the clash with Fremantle at Etihad Stadium. His first 98 games were for the Sydney Swans, the rest were for St Kilda. Schneider is equal with Dustin Fletcher, Adam Goodes and Jude Bolton for most finals appearances by a current player.

GWS GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy will coach for the last time aged 65 years and 251 days. That makes him the third-oldest man to coach VFL/AFL football.

Lewis Roberts-Thomson (North Shore) is “some chance to return” this week according to AFL.com.au’s James Dampney, along with another important Swan, Lewis Jetta.

Anthony Miles (North Albury) was one of the best reserves players for the GIANTS last week, putting his hand up for a recall. He’s played just three games this season.

NSW/ACT TV Guide

Fri 7.30pm – Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 1.30pm – St Kilda vs. Fremantle (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 2.00pm – Geelong vs. Brisbane Lions (Fox Sports 3)
Sat 4.30pm – Port Adelaide vs. Carlton (Fox Footy)
Sat 7.30pm – Essendon vs. Richmond (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sat 7.30pm – West Coast Eagles vs. Adelaide (Fox Sports 3)
Sun 1.00pm – Gold Coast Suns vs. GWS GIANTS (7mate, Fox Footy)
Sun 3.00pm – Collingwood vs. North Melbourne (Fox Sports 3, 1hr delay 7mate)
Sun 4.30pm – Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne (Fox Footy)

NEAFL (Finals Wk 2) – Second Semi Finals

Sydney Swans vs. Belconnen – Saturday 12.00pm (Blacktown)
Brisbane Lions vs. Aspley – Saturday 1.30pm (Aspley)

Winners progress to the Eastern and Northern Conference Finals, respectively. Losers are not eliminated.

NEAFL (Finals Wk 2) – Semi Finals

Ainslie vs. UWS GIANTS – Saturday 11.45am (Ainslie)
Southport vs. Redland – Saturday 1.30pm (Fankhauser Reserve)

Winners progress to play losers of Second Semi Finals. Losers are eliminated.