Roar Guru
The Sydney Swans will look to consolidate on their top four standing when they make the trip down south to take on Melbourne at the MCG this afternoon. Join us for live scores and a blog as commentary kicks off from 1.10pm AEST.
The defending premiers rebounded well last week after their humiliating loss to the Port Adelaide Power with a 22-point win over Carlton in terrible Sydney conditions.
However, they’ll be without several of their big stars in this one, and could well find themselves challenged if the Demons turn it on like they did last week.
Inspirational leader Adam Goodes will miss at least five weeks due to knee surgery while the likes of Lewis Jetta (shin) and Rhyce Shaw (abdomen) are also both unavailable for selection.
Throw in niggling injuries to the likes of Shane Mumford (face) and Sam Reid (quad) and the Swans’ injury list begins to be concerning in the lead-in to the finals.
Against the likes of Melbourne, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but you simply never know what can transpire in professional football.
Melbourne led by 44 points last week mid-way through the fourth quarter against the Western Bulldogs and were seemingly already warming up their vocal chords for the team song – only to nearly throw away the win completely.
The Bulldogs kicked seven unanswered goals to close the gap to just three points, but could not finish off the job – giving the Demons just their second win of the season and one of the biggest get-out-of-jail escapes seen in the AFL season thus far.
Sydney have delivered some poor performances this year, but even away from home, they should have far too much for the Demons.
They are simply too professional and disciplined to let a very winnable match like this one slip, and they should easily account for their Victorian opponents in this one.
Sydney by 32 points.