AFL NSW/ACT Preview: Round 20

An all but sell-out crowd will be present tonight as the Sydney Swans take on Essendon at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sydney fans love their Friday night football and with crucial ladder positions on the line for both clubs, this is a match that is unlikely to disappoint a packed arena.

Last week the Swans suffered their first loss since Round 4, and unfortunately for the red and black sash, will be looking to rebound back onto the winners list to keep themselves in the race for a set of home finals.

The Bombers on the other hand are on a three game winning streak having beaten Port Adelaide and Collingwood over the past three rounds. With their win against the Power taking place at the lively ‘Portress’ fortress, the Bombers will bring an interstate confidence with them as they battle a 40,000 strong red and white crowd.

Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin looks set to have a swarm of Essendon defenders around him throughout the game as he continues to lead upfront. Although the Swans went down by 10-points to Hawthorn last week, Buddy still managed three goals and had a large impact on the game.

With a history of booting five or more majors against the Bombers in his last six games against them – including Round 9 this year – crowd favourite Buddy will be hoping to dictate play in the forward line once again.

The welcome return of Sydney halfback Rhyce Shaw will bolster the Swans defensive effort against the likes of youngster, Jake Carlisle. With Carlisle coming off an eight-goal rampage against the Western Bulldogs, the Swans will not be the only forward line to watch.

Returning from an ankle injury, Shaw’s comeback leaves Dan Hannebery as Sydney’s last headline player on the sidelines. Jeremy Laidler has been omitted from the Swans squad to make way for Shaw.

Bombers big man Tom Bellchambers also makes his comeback to the Essendon squad, returning to the game after an injury plagued season. Fighting an unreliable ankle, Bellchambers will take the place of Michael Hibberd who has a hamstring complaint.

With the Bombers wanting nothing more than to finish the year in the top-8 after yet another tumultuous year off the field, they will need to improve in terms of their tackling and contested possession ball wins.

The tenacious Swans are currently ranked first in the league for tackles, while the Bombers struggle in this area, ranking only tenth and averaging 67 per game to Sydney’s 75.

Despite Essendon’s top two ranking when it comes to uncontested possessions, it is the contested possessions which hold them back. When compared to the league leading Swans, the Bombers only manage an average of 134 contested possessions against Sydney’s average of 150 – a stat the Swans will be looking to jump on as their midfield looks to make amends for last week’s disappointing performance.

Richmond Tigers vs. GWS Giants
 (4-13, 16th) vs. (7-10, 12th)

The big lights of the Melbourne Cricket Ground will shine above the Richmond Tigers and GWS Giants this Saturday as the two play-out a twilight re-match of the Round 10s shellacking of the Giants.  
 
Richmond fans have been left with an empty feeling following a recent spring in form from the Tigers. Despite their run of four wins in a row, they have already played themselves out of finals contention this year, and are now only playing to save face.

The Giants have not yet won a game at the MCG in their short history, however their last attempt against Hawthorn saw them come as close as they ever have, going down by just seven-point. Giants fans will be hoping that this will provide a boost of confidence to their young side.

The last time these two teams met it was Jack Riewoldt who did all the damage upfront. Kicking 11-goals and amassing 29 possessions, Riewoldt will this time have to contend with Phil Davis who sat out their last match with a kidney injury.

Heath Shaw will also provide an extra level of defense strength as he returns to the game following a heavy concussion and brain bleed suffered in Round 15. The veteran Giant will also be looked to for experience and leadership in a side that has lost its way in past four rounds.

Sam Frost will also contribute to the Giants’ attempts to contain Riewoldt as he rejoins the backline.

Tim Mohr, and frontman Jeremy Cameron have been omitted from the squad with respective knee and ankle injuries.

For the Tigers, Ty Vickery will miss due to his much-publicised suspension, and Steven Morris will sit on the sidelines with a hand injury. Taking their places will be Ricky Petterd and Ben Griffiths.

With only four wins on the board this year, the Giants could be forgiven for becoming disheartened and taking their foot off the pedal. However, as a credit to their never-say-die attitude, the Giants remain number one in terms of centre clearances which has leant them some close losses. Averaging 13.6 centre clearances per game, the Giants outrank their Saturday opponents who sit 12th with an average of 11.7 per game.

AFL NSW/ACT News

Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) has been named in an extended Hawthorn squad to take on the Western Bulldogs. Duryea has been producing some good form for Box Hill in the VFL after being omitted following the Hawks game against Adelaide.