NSW/ACT Notebook Round 3 Preview
By Michael DiFabrizio
North Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans – Saturday 1.45pm (Blundstone Arena)
A trip to Hobart awaits the Swans as they attempt to claim their biggest scalp of Season 2013 thus far.
North have yet to get a win this season but have been more than competitive in two outings against 2012 finalists. Last week, they had Geelong on the ropes in a dominant first half but ultimately squandered a 41-point lead and heartbreakingly lost the game in the final minute.
Ryan Bastinac (29 disposals, one goal) and Andrew Swallow (29 disposals, 11 clearances) were North’s most dangerous players.
The Swans enter the game with a 2-0 record after beating the Gold Coast Suns by 41 last week.
North Melbourne
B: S McMahon, S Thompson, M Firrito
HB: A Mullett, N Grima, S Atley
C: D Wells, R Bastinac, L Anthony
HF: B Cunnington, R Tarrant, L Hansen
F: L Thomas, D Petrie, L Adams
Foll: T Goldstein, A Swallow, J Ziebell
Int: S Wright, T Hine, J Macmillan, S Gibson
Emg: T Garner, K Harper, M Daw
In: S Wright, T Hine
Out: K Harper (Omitted), B Jacobs (Omitted)
Sydney
B: M Mattner, H Grundy, N Smith
HB: J McVeigh, T Richards, N Malceski
C: A Everitt, K Jack, L Jetta
HF: R O’Keefe, S Reid, B McGlynn
F: M Pyke, A Goodes, D Hannebery
Foll: S Mumford, J Kennedy, J Bolton
Int: T Armstrong, C Bird, L Parker, L Roberts-Thomson
Emg: M Morton, D Rampe, J White
In: T Armstrong
Out: R Shaw (Abdominal strain)
GWS GIANTS vs. St Kilda – Saturday 4.40pm (Manuka Oval)
The GIANTS play their first Canberra home game of the season against a fellow win-less side, St Kilda.
The Saints were a headache for Richmond last week, staying within reach until late only to fall by 17 points. Sharing the big stage with cousin Jack, Nick Riewoldt booted four goals and had 20 touches in a determined individual performance. Leigh Montagna had 27 touches.
St Kilda will be looking to redeem themselves after their last game against an expansion side, Gold Coast in Round 1, ended in a surprise loss.
The GIANTS are coming off a 56-point loss to Port Adelaide but will enjoy the return to Manuka Oval, the site of their first ever victory last season.
GWS GIANTS
B: A Kennedy, T Mohr, S Gilham
HB: T Bugg, P Davis, C Hampton
C: W Hoskin-Elliott, C Ward, L Whitfield
HF: T Scully, J Cameron, S Coniglio
F: J Giles, J Patton, D Smith
Foll: D Brogan, A Treloar, T Greene
Int: L Plowman, S Reid, D Shiel, L Sumner
Emg: S Darley, S Frost, A Miles
In: S Reid
Out: R Palmer (Calf)
St Kilda
B: N Wright, S Fisher, D Roberton
HB: J Geary, R Stanley, S Gilbert
C: J Newnes, L Hayes, N Dal Santo
HF: L Montagna, N Riewoldt, T Milera
F: S Milne, T Lee, A Saad
Foll: B McEvoy, D Armitage, J Steven
Int: C Jones, A Siposs, J Blake, B Maister
Emg: F Ray, T Simpkin, S Dunell
In: T Lee, N Wright
Out: A Schneider (Hamstring), S Dempster (Hand)
New: N Wright, T Lee
NSW/ACT Notes
– Daniel Cross (Albury) will play his 200th AFL game on Sunday as the Western Bulldogs meet Richmond at Etihad Stadium.
Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney had this to say about Cross this week: “There’s no better example of how to live your life and how to get the absolute essence out of yourself. It rubs off. He probably doesn’t realise the impact he has on the younger people in our club. They respect him so much as the person and example he sets for them.”
– Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) has been named on the extended bench for Hawthorn’s clash with Collingwood on Sunday. He’s a chance to replace Brad Sewell, who’s out with a hamstring injury.
– Adam Schneider (Osborne) is out of St Kilda’s team to face the GWS GIANTS due to a hamstring injury.
– Tony Armstrong (Burrumbuttock) returns to the Sydney Swans line-up this week, replacing Rhys Shaw (abdominal strain).
NEAFL Fixtures (Round 4)
UWS Giants vs. Ainslie – Saturday 11.15am (Macpherson Oval)
Hills Eagles vs. Southport – Saturday 12.00pm (Bruce Purser)
Sydney Uni vs. Eastlake – Saturday 2.00pm (Drummoyne)
Tuggeranong vs. Sydney Swans – Sunday 11.45am (Greenway)
Belconnen – Bye
Queanbeyan take on the NT Thunder in the first round of the FOXTEL Cup to be played at Manuka Oval on Saturday April 13 at 11:35am.
