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The next chapter in the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks rivalry will be written on Saturday afternoon as the teams go for glory in the 2014 AFL Grand Final.
The 2014 AFL season has provided countless twists, turns and it’s fair share of shocking results, but as it so often does, the finals have weeded out the pretenders leaving the year’s two best teams to contend on the last day in September.
Since the 2012 Grand Final, the rivalry between the Swans and Hawks has only strengthened. A qualifying final drubbing of the Swans and subsequent flag in 2013 for Hawthorn was only soured by the loss of their most prized player, Buddy Franklin, across the border during the off season.
Franklin has the chance to achieve a rare feat on Saturday, winning back-to-back flags with different clubs, a potential achievement made even more intriguing as it is would have to come prevailing over his old club.
Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn Hawks
Time: 2:40pm (AEST)
Venue: MCG
TV: Seven Network
Betting: Sydney $1.60, Hawthorn $2.40
The 2012 Grand Final will be fresh in the minds of many players on Saturday. Although the Hawks were redeemed with their own flag in 2013, the pain of such losses are never forgotten.
Ensuring they don’t feel that pain twice in such quick succession, and at the hand of the same team, will be a strong driver for the Hawks on Saturday.
| Match | Venue | Home vs Away | Result | Disposals | Goals |
| Round 18, 2014 | MCG | Hawthorn defeats Sydney | 104-94 | Lewis 35 | Roughead 4 |
| Round 8, 2014 | ANZ Stadium | Sydney defeats Hawthorn | 107-88 | Hannebery 40 | Tippett 4 |
| Qualifying Final, 2013 | MCG | Hawthorn defeats Sydney | 105-51 | Jack 32 | Gunston 3 |
| Round 23, 2013 | ANZ Stadium | Sydney defeated by Hawthorn | 100-112 | Kennedy 33 | Roughead 4 |
| Round 7, 2013 | MCG | Hawthorn defeats Sydney | 119-82 | Hodge 32 | Roughead 4 |
| Grand Final, 2012 | MCG | Hawthorn defeated by Sydney | 81-91 | Sewell 33 | Franklin 3 |
| Round 22, 2012 | SCG | Sydney defeated by Hawthorn | 95-102 | Kennedy 35 | Franklin 4 |
The teams met twice in 2014: Round 8 at ANZ Stadium and Round 18 at the MCG. The Swans took the Sydney match by 19-points, while the Hawks stormed home at the MCG to claim a 10-point win and break the Swans’ 12-match winning streak.
The Swans haven’t beaten the Hawks at the MCG since the 2012 Grand Final. Their two meetings at the ground in 2013, including their preliminary final loss, went the way of the Hawks, and their only meeting their in 2014 was also a Hawks victory.
Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge topped the disposal count in Round 18 with 35, 32 and 28 respectively. The Hawks were without Mitchell and Hodge in their Round 8 loss; needless to say, their mature heads have a huge impact on the Hawks ability to get over the line in big games.
Jarryd Roughead has topped the goal count across the two 2014 meetings, kicking bags of three and four. His partner in crime, Jack Gunston, has struggled against the Swans, kicking just the one goal in 2014. If he can lift his output, as he did in the 2013 Grand Final, the Hawks’ chances will be greatly boosted.
Both of these sides possess class all across the field.
Dan Hannebery was immense in Sydney’s Round 8 win, racking up 40 touches and a goal. He was also pivotal in the 2012 Grand Final win, managing to pick up 28 touches while dealing with heavy attention from Liam Shiels.
His 2014 season was interrupted by a six match stint on the sidelines in the second half of the year, but he appears to be getting back to his best form just at the right time. His ferocious attack on the footy can be inspiring, and he could easily provide a big spark for the Swans.
Then there is the Swans’ forward line; a group that is terrifying to say the least. Buddy Franklin, Kurt Tippet, Adam Goodes and Sam Ried are a lineup big enough to strike fear into the most hardened defensive group.
But despite all their firepower up forward, Sydney were only ranked 3rd for average goals kicked in 2014 – their opponent sit in 1st.
The Hawks actually outrank the Swans in many key indicators: they average more marks, more disposals, more scoring shots, more clearances and are more effective with their possessions.
Both teams have been scoring well throughout the finals, the Swans averaging 114.5 and the Hawks 100.5.
The Hawks looked flat in the closing stages against a hard-running Power outfit. Will they have enough left in the tank to win another big game?
The Swans will enter full of beans after naming an unchanged lineup following their record-breaking preliminary final win against the ‘Roos.
Hawthorn have taken a gamble on Cyril Rioli after the speedster has spent the past few months nursing a hamstring injury. If he can provide an instant impact, the Hawks will be one step closer to another flag. Conversely, if he’s underdone, he could hinder.
Will it be the Hawks or Buddy that goes back-to-back in 2014?
Join The Roar for live scores, coverage and post-match highlights from the 2014 AFL Grand Final from 2:30pm (AEST) on Saturday.
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