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The Sydney Swans will be aiming for 11 straight wins when they take on the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium today. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
A win by the Swans will also send them to the top of the ladder after both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn lost over the weekend.
Looking to stop the streak will be the West Coast Eagles, who still harbour hopes of a top eight spot this year.
After a loss to Fremantle last week in the derby, and results going against them this week, they are now three games outside of the top eight. They need a win today to stay in touch of a finals spot.
This match used to be one of the highlights of the AFL calendar. From 2005 to 2007 this rivalry was one of the biggest in the league.
In six matches during that time, all of them were decided by less than a kick. This included the Grand Finals in 2005 and 2006 which were won by both teams.
Some of the clashes between the two teams are etched in folklore. Since Round 1 in 2007 though, the game has fallen away from the spotlight.
This is due to Sydney winning all of the matches since the Round 16 match in 2007. They are undefeated in their last six meetings against the Eagles and have not lost to them in seven years.
With the form they are in, it is hard to see that changing today.
Last week, they defeated their cross town rivals, the Giants, in a dominant display at the SCG. Leading the charge was Lance Franklin who continues to terrorise defences. He kicked 5 goals in the 46 point win.
Kieran Jack was also instrumental and won the Brett Kirk medal for being the best on ground in the clash. Stopping the Sydney forward line will be the challenge for the Eagles this week.
Do they have enough defenders to cover Sam Reid, Kurt Tippett, Lance Franklin and Adam Goodes?
The immediate signs would indicate that they could struggle to cover all four of them.
Sydney has a similar problem with the West Coast forward line. Trying to stop Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Mark LeCras and Jeremy McGovern will provide its own challenge to the Swans.
Sydney though will be confident they can hurt the Eagles in the midfield, and the forward line, to cover the potential damage the tall forward line of the Eagles will provide.
In the midfield they are the fourth highest ranked team for disposals with Josh Kennedy the second highest ranked player in disposals in the league.
Stopping the Swans getting their hands on the ball will be crucial in the match.
They have named an unchanged line-up for the clash. The Eagles have made two changes with Jacob Brennan and Scott Lycett coming in for Mitch Brown and Jamie Bennell.
With the Swans in good form this season, and in good form at Pattersons Stadium, it will be a tough task for the Eagles to win at home.
The Swans class in the midfield will be too good for the Eagles.
Sydney by 24 points.
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