NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 4 Preview

By Michael DiFabrizio

Sydney Swans vs. Geelong Cats – Friday 7.50pm (SCG)

Two sides that have appeared in seven of the last eight Grand Finals – and won five of them – clash tonight in a blockbuster at the SCG.

Both the Swans and Cats are undefeated and in reasonably strong form. While it was hard to get a good read on the Swans against much lighter opposition over the first two rounds, the emphatic win over North Melbourne in Hobart last week reminded us what they’re capable of.

Geelong have been the comeback kings of the 2013 season to date, reeling in troublesome deficits against all three opponents: Hawthorn, North and Carlton.

It’s the type of game where neither team would be comfortable with a five-goal lead at half time.

The Swans will look to start well in the ruck. Both Mike Pyke (31 hitouts per game) and Shane Mumford (22) are faring better than the Cats’ combo of Trent West (20) and Mark Blicavs (9).

They will need to be wary of the Cats’ almost Sydney-like even spread of contributors. Geelong have 11 players averaging 20 disposals or more this season, compared to Sydney’s seven.

Sydney Swans

B: L Roberts-Thomson, H Grundy, N Smith

HB: M Mattner, T Richards, N Malceski

C: R O’Keefe, K Jack, L Jetta

HF: J Bolton, S Reid, D Hannebery

F: M Pyke, A Goodes, B McGlynn

Foll: S Mumford, J Kennedy, J McVeigh

I/C: T Armstrong, M Morton, L Parker, D Rampe

Emerg: C Bird, A Everitt, J White

In: M Morton, D Rampe　

Out: C Bird (omitted), A Everitt (omitted)

Geelong

B: T Hunt, T Lonergan, C Enright

H: J Corey, H Taylor, A Mackie

C: M Duncan, J Bartel, B Smedts

HF: P Chapman, J Podsiadly, S Motlop

F: T West, T Hawkins, S Johnson

Foll: M Blicavs, J Selwood, M Stokes

I/C: J Rivers, JCaddy, G Horlin-Smith, A Christensen

Emerg: J Murdoch, M Brown, J Thurlow

In: J Rivers, G Horlin-Smith　

Out: T Varcoe (Shoulder), J Murdoch (Omitted)

Melbourne v GWS GIANTS – Sunday 1.10pm (MCG)

An out-of-form Melbourne present the perfect opportunity for the GWS GIANTS to nab their first win of the season and their first ever in Victoria.

The Dees will be desperate for four points given the pressure they’ve been under so far this year. A competitive first half against West Coast last week only marginally reduced the spotlight on them.

The midfield battle will be crucial. So far, Melbourne just haven’t been able to get it forward enough for Mitch Clark to have his usual impact.

Greater Western Sydney and Melbourne rank 17th and 18th, respectively, for both inside 50 differential and contested possession differential, so it could go either way.

For the GIANTS, a few voids will need to be filled this week. Dean Brogan’s suspension and Jonathan Patton’s injury mean they will be without two key players from the opening three rounds.

On form, though, this is the GIANTS’ game to lose. Greater Western Sydney have a percentage of 58.4 from games against teams that won 33 games last season. Melbourne have a percentage of 35 from games against teams that won 31 games.

Melbourne

B: J Watts, J Frawley, D Terlich

HB: N Jetta, T McDonald, C Garland

C: J Trengove, J Grimes, J Viney

HF: A Davey, M Clark, J Howe

F: L Tapscott, M Gawn, S Byrnes

Foll: M Jamar, C Sylvia, N Jones

I/C (from): J Toumpas, C Pedersen, J Sellar, M Evans, J Spencer, R Bail, M Jones

In: J Spencer, J Watts, M Gawn

Out: –

　

GWS GIANTS

B: A Kennedy, T Mohr, P Davis

HB: T Bugg, S Gilham, N Haynes

C: T Scully, C Ward, R Palmer

HF: J Townsend, J Cameron, S Reid

F: L Sumner, S O’hAilpin, S Frost

Foll: J Giles, A Treloar, D Shiel

I/C (from): S Coniglio, T Golds, T Greene, A Miles, L Plowman, A Tomlinson, L Whitfield

In: S O’hAilpin, R Palmer, A Miles, T Golds, A Tomlinson, J Townsend, S Frost, N Haynes　

Out: D Brogan (suspension), C Hampton, W Hoskin-Elliott, D Smith (suspension), J Patton (knee)

NSW/ACT Notes

– Jason Tutt (Ainslie) will play his first game of the year after being named in the forward pocket for the Western Bulldogs side to play Adelaide on Sunday. The 21 year-old has played eight games for the Dogs in his career thus far.

– Sam Rowe (North Albury) was Carlton’s main target inside 50 last weekend, kicking two goals, in just his second game. His side plays West Coast in Perth on Saturday night.

– Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) returns to the Sydney Swans team this week, while Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) has been omitted.

– Jacob Townsend (Leeton-Whitton) has been named on the field for the GWS GIANTS on Sunday and　Anthony Miles (North Albury) is on the extended bench.

– Will Sierakowski (St Ignatius Riverview) has been named on the extended bench for North Melbourne’s clash with the Brisbane Lions on Sunday.

Milestone Notes

– There are two milestones at the Sydney Swans this week. Mike Pyke and Sam Reid are set to play their 50th games.

NEAFL Fixtures (Round 5)

Sydney Swans vs. Hills Eagles – Friday 4.10pm (SCG)

Queanbeyan vs. Aspley – Saturday 11.45am (Dairy Farmers)

Morningside vs. Sydney Uni – Saturday 1.00pm (Morningside)

Belconnen vs. UWS Giants – Sunday 11.45am (Kippax)

Ainslie, Eastlake, Tuggeranong – Bye