NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 8 Preview
Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn Hawks (4-3, 7th) vs. (6-1, 1st)
It is the moment football fans have been waiting for – in more ways than one.
Friday night marks not only Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s first game against his former club Hawthorn but it also sees the eagerly awaited pairing of Buddy and the returning Kurt Tippett.
Sydney, and their supporters, will travel out to ANZ Stadium in Homebush to witness what could be the birth of one truly formidable forward line. Sam Reid, who managed 4 disposals and a goal in his return to the game last week, and Adam Goodes will also join the duo.
Though Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has this week questioned the immediate impact of the new forward line partners, Sydney will be hoping that the two can assist in the Swans’ continual rise over the 2014 season – a must if they are to defeat the reigning premiers.
Franklin is said to have trained well this week despite the knee injury which forced him out of the Swans side that beat Brisbane last weekend.
Tippett will make his long-awaited return to the game following his own knee injury, which has kept him from the field since the end of last year, and a further rib injury sustained in a comeback match in the NEAFL two weeks ago.
Canadian big-man Mike Pyke will miss the much-anticipated clash with a hamstring injury, placing the inexperienced Tom Derickx at the rucking helm. Brandon Jack has again been omitted.
Though outright first on the ladder, Hawthorn will be without key players Sam Mitchel – who injured his hamstring in last week’s 145-point trouncing of St Kilda – and Brian Lake who is carrying a calf strain. Lake’s sidelining leaves Joel Gibson as the most likely match-up for his former teammate, Lance Franklin.
Angus Litherland has also been omitted from the side while Kyle Cheney, Ben Stratton and New South Welshman Will Langford will all make their returns to the Hawthorn squad.
Aside from the line up, the game looks set to be a blockbuster. With the Swans subtly climbing the ladder after a poor start to the season and their highly publicised and paid for forward line coming into the game, the Hawks should expect a challenge.
Game statistics between the two sides are fairly even, however, it is the disposal count that justifies Hawthorn’s current crowning at the top of the ladder. With 418 disposals to 374, Hawthorn also out-do the Swans in clearances (42-38), inside 50s (56-54) and hit-outs (43-36).
Not having beaten Hawthorn since their 2012 Premiership victory, the Swans and their eager supporters will be hoping for a long-awaited triumph.
West Coast Eagles vs. GWS Giants
(3-4, 9th) vs. (2-5, 14th)
After providing some promising signs against the highly favoured Port Adelaide last week, GWS Giants fans will be hopeful of a similar performance against West Coast on Sunday.
With both sides deprived of a win in four rounds, and both heading into a bye week, each will be playing for much needed momentum before the break.
Again, the Giants are restrained from a desired list as Mumford misses once more, and Jeremy Cameron is placed on the sidelines due to his inability to fly to Perth.
Cameron had surgery last week to implant an artificial eardrum, forcing him into a flight ban until Round 11. After driving to the game last week in Canberra, the Giants have opted not to enforce the 5-day drive to Perth this week. Considering he is also suffering a minor ankle injury, Cameron will gain a much-needed 2 weeks rest with the bye next week.
Andrew Phillips will make his patiently waited for return to the game after missing the entirety of the 2013 season with a hamstring injury.
Whilst lending a hand to Jonathan Giles will provide an extra spark against imposing Eagles ruckmen Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui, Phillips will also enable Giles to run forward and assist where Cameron’s absence leaves a space.
Lachlan Whitfield will also rejoin his teammates having recovered from a foot injury endured in Round 2.
Aidan Corr, Josh Hunt, Nathan Wilson and Kristian Jaksch have been named on an extended interchange bench, while Curtly Hampton and Adam Treloar will both miss with respective ankle injuries.
West Coast is also yet to cut their Sunday squad down to size listing Xavier Ellis, Mark LeCras, Sharrod Wellingham and naming no outs.
On paper, both teams have produced a low average of disposals so far this season when compared to the other clubs (Eagles 352 – Giants 351). From there, the Giants are ahead on most percentage earners including clearances (Eagles 35 – Giants 42), contested possessions (Eagles 137 – Giants 142) and tackles (Eagles 63 – Giants 74).
With West Coast’s season waning and their accuracy in front of goal proving to be a sticking point, the Giants will hope to continue their promising form, providing Jonathan Giles with a win in his 50th game – a first for the club.
AFL NSW/ACT NEWS
Luke Breust (Temora) will play for Hawthorn against Sydney this weekend. Having played for the Sydney Swans Reserves in their 2008 Premiership, Breust will be hoping to gain a victory over the senior side that overlooked him, ultimately pushing him into a successful Hawthorn outfit.
Will Langford (East Sydney) returns from injury for Hawthorn against Sydney in his hometown.
Buddy Franklin is not the only former Hawk looking to one-up Hawthorn this Friday. Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) will also face the side he left in 2009.
