The injury-hit, Buddy-less Sydney Swans, travel south taking on the Geelong Cats in round 6 at the GMHBA Stadium.
The Swans boast a record no other club in the competition can lay claim to – defeating the Cats in their last two visits to the venue, for an overall head-to-head record at the venue of three wins and three losses since round 23, 2011.
In last years’ win at Kardinia Park, Dan Hannebery starred for the Swans with 21 disposals and 2 goals, picking up 2 Brownlow votes, while Parker picked up the three Brownlow votes with a sumptuous performance.
Lance Franklin was largely ineffective for the visitors, while Dean Towers and Kurt Tippett struggled to impact the match.
Nic Newman and Sam Reid were among the Swans better players, Reid kicking two goals from 16-disposals and Newman one goal from 19-disposals.
Captain Josh Kennedy missed the match for the Swans last year but returns to the venue for the first time since 2016, while midfielder Dan Hannebery misses with a groin strain.
The Swans will have plenty to prove this weekend, after a disappointing outing against the Adelaide Crows last Friday night, as well as atoning for their semi-final loss to the Cats at the MCG last year, when they were thrashed by 59-points.
The Cats welcome back Tom Hawkins at the expense of goal kicking machine Daniel Menzel, while athletic utility Mark Blicavs’ time in the backline may be cut short with the Swans opting for a small forward line.
Forwards Sam Reid (quad) and Lance Franklin (heel) are missing for the Swans, with Towers missing the match with an eye injury.
Geelong’s bevy of young midfield players, lead brilliantly by Joel Selwood, Scott Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield, shone brightly against the Saints the last time they played at home.
They will be out to prove themselves against one of the strongest midfields in the competition.
WHERE AND WHEN:
GMHBA Stadium, Saturday, April 28, 1.45pm AEST
LAST FIVE MEETINGS:
SF, 2017, Geelong 15.8 (98) d Sydney 5.9 (39) at the MCG
R20, 2017, Sydney 16.11 (107) d Geelong 8.13 (61) at GMHBA Stadium
PF, 2016, Sydney 15.7 (97) d Geelong 8.12 (60) at the MCG
R16, 2016, Sydney 15.8 (98) d Geelong 9.6 (60) at GMHBA Stadium
R19, 2015, Geelong 14.11 (95) d Sydney 9.9 (63) at GMHBA Stadium
KEY MATCHUPS:
Heath Grundy vs Tom Hawkins
Hawkins almost dragged the Cats back into the game the last time these two sides played at Kardinia Park, while Grundy was off the field receiving treatment for a cut to his head. With Melican still injured and Aliir an emergency, it falls to Grundy to take the powerfully built forward.
Luke Parker vs Joel Selwood
Parker was in terrific form in the first month of football but fell away sharply against the Crows on Friday night. Selwood escaped suspension at the tribunal and will face the Swans, full of confidence after his best-on-ground performance against Port Adelaide.
George Hewett vs Zac Tuohy
Hewett limited Tuohy’s influence and rebounding game the last time they played at Kardinia Park. Touhy still finished with 26 disposals but had 2 rebound 50s and 1 inside 50. Hewett will need to up his form to limit Tuohy’s output once again.
Nick Smith vs Brandan Parfitt/Patrick Dangerfield
Parfitt is a live-wire in the Cats forward line, and Dangerfield is a handful when he rests forward. In last years’ semi-final, Dangerfield torched Dane Rampe before Nick Smith was moved to him. Smith is the best small defender in the league and will need to be at his absolute best this Saturday.
THE SIX POINTS:
1: The last time these two teams met, Geelong dominated the semi-final. Dangerfield kicked 4 goals, 3 of them on Rampe in the first-half, with the Cats running out 59-point winners.
2: The Swans have won their last two matches at Kardinia Park by 46 and 38-points, and are equal with the Cats on 3-wins each, since round 23, 2011.
3: The Swans hold sway in the head-to-head’s since round 23, 2011, 7-to-6, winning five of the last seven matches between the teams; the Cats haven’t won consecutive games against the Swans since 2013.
4: The Swans line-up has changed significantly since round 20, 2017. They are without forwards Sam Reid, Kurt Tippett and Lance Franklin, while Dean Towers, Nic Newman, Lewis Melican and Dan Hannebery will not be playing.
5: Both sides are strong contested marking teams in 2018, Geelong averaging 11.4 while the Swans average 11.2, ranked fifth and sixth respectively.
6: Geelong is ranked 17th for inside 50s this season, the Swans 14th, averaging 50.8 and 52 each per game; expect the match to be played between the arcs.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Kieren Jack - after a fortnight that has included 12 and 11 disposals against the Bulldogs and Crows, and six turnovers in his last match, Kieren Jack will be hoping for a stronger performance against the Cats and a return to form.
PREDICTION:
Sydney Swans by 2 points.
Like what you’re getting? Want more Swans Blog, and the chance to have your input into our site and what we create? We have additional content weekly on our Patreon Service. This is your avenue, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and get more content like this.
If you'd like to support us, you can head over to our Red Bubble Swans Blog Shop, and purchase one of our hideously overpriced mugs, stickers or notebooks. Help keep The Swans Blog alive.
Since you're here...
... we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading The Swans Blog than ever, but we don't accept advertising, and don't want to do so in the future. Unlike many other news and media organisations, fan forums and fan media, we haven't put up a paywall, or displayed ads - we want to keep our content as open as possible.
The Swans Blog is an independent fan blog and community platform. Our content takes a lot of time and hard work to produce. We do it because we love what we do and we believe our perspective matters - because it may be your perspective too.
If everyone who reads our blog, who likes it, is supporting it, our future would be much more secure.
Want instant access to the latest blog and news content from The Swans Blog?
Download our Android App from Google Play today.