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The Sydney Swans try to get their premiership tilt back on track against the Fremantle Dockers at the SCG on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for lives scores and coverage from 4.40pm (AEST)
It was this game last year that established the Dockers as a premiership threat.
Against the reigning premiers, the Dockers were wasteful all day, but persevered long enough to scrape a draw at the SCG.
While it might have been two points instead of four, it proved they were capable of matching it with the best teams anywhere in the country. And four months later, they dominated the return match in the preliminary final to make the last weekend in September for the first time.
You could say the Dockers need to prove themselves all over again, after their disappointing performance against Hawthorn two weeks ago. They can only do that this year with consistently strong performances.
Sydney, in the space of four rounds, have become a team that very much need to reestablish their premiership credentials.
Apart from a good win over Adelaide, they have been disappointing. Their older players look old, and their younger players aren’t stepping up. Injuries haven’t helped, but they were able to produce better football with similar injuries last year.
Something is wrong. The old confidence is lacking. Winning would be the best medicine.
So while it’s early days, this could prove to be an important game for both teams.
Sydney are still looking for Lance Franklin to step up and show that he can be the dominant forward he was at Hawthorn. Maybe his brand of athleticism and unpredictability will work against a highly organised Fremantle backline.
At the other end, Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich has shown some of his best form lately, and will likely be up against Ted Richards.
It’s in the midfield where the Swans have typically had the edge in these sorts of contests, but with Sandilands giving the Freo midfield first look at the contested ball they’ll have their work cut out this evening.
Sydney’s clearance statistics have dropped significantly so far this season, and they’ll need to rebound today to be competitive.
In front of their home crowd, this is their big chance to kickstart their season. But a loss today would leave them with a 1-4 record after five games. Who would have tipped that?
Fremantle will go in today as favourites, and a solid win will keep their premiership aspirations on track.
Hawthorn’s early season form establishes them as the team to beat in 2014. But if the pre-season predictions are to be believed their most likely challenger is playing today.
Will that challenger step up?
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