Roar Guru
The Sydney Swans have taken a step closer to the minor premiership with 63 point victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Parker McVeigh and Hannerbery were prolific in the midfield for the Swans, winning the ball and sending it down to their twin towers who combined for 10 goals for the match.
The Bulldogs were led by Macrae, Hrovat and Boyd in the middle while Jake Stinger was their only multiple goal kicker with 2.
Buddy’s 6 goals move him 9 goals clear in the Coleman medal race.
FINAL SCORE:
SWANS 20.10.130
BULLDOGS 9.13.67
The Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans are set to do battle at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
The Swans are looking to guarantee themselves top position by defeating the Bulldogs and Tigers over the next two weeks.
The Bulldogs sit in 14th place and although their season is drawing to an end, but the side can be happy with the development of their young talent in 2014.
It is also the first time these teams will meet this season, with the Swans undefeated against the Bulldogs since 2010.
The Bulldogs undersized defense has struggled against the big forwards of the competition this year and if Franklin get loose then its game over – characteristically, Buddy will have a large say on the outcome of this match as he so often does.
Alternatively if the Bulldogs can curb Franklin’s influence it will go a long way to helping their chances of upsetting the Swans.
The Bulldogs will hope their enormously talented group of young players such as Bontempelli, Stringer, Liberatore and Macrae can all align to a huge influence on this game to pull off the win.
The midfield battle will be tightly contested with the Swans first in the competition in tackling and the Bulldogs third.
Josh Kennedy was subbed off in the first quarter with hamstring tightness against the Saints and it’s hard to see the Swans risking him this week. Tom Mitchell is Kennedy’s likely replacement after his dominating form for the Swans reserves.
The Bulldogs will have Jack Macrae return after resting with soreness and may look to young defender Michael Talia to combat the Swans tall forward line.
Prediction:
The Swans are looking to ensure top spot and a home final and should come out determined this match. The Bulldogs have some great young talent but too many holes in defense to hold a formidable Swans outfit.
Swans by 40 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:20 PM (AEST)