Sydney are so determined not to lose focus for their last round AFL game against lowly Gold Coast they have vowed to treat it like a finals game.
A win on Saturday at the SCG guarantees Sydney of finishing no lower than fourth, irrespective of what happens in the other final round fixtures.
The Suns, coached by former Swans mentor Rodney Eade, have lost all five previous games against the Swans, never getting closer than 35 points.
After losing 14 of their last 16 games, the injury-ravaged Suns have enjoyed slightly more success in the last five rounds.
They beat fellow stragglers Brisbane and Essendon and drew with competition heavyweight West Coast, but have lost all nine of their games outside Queensland this season.
Gold Coast languish in 16th place on the ladder with just four wins, but the Swans are determined not to fall into the trap of taking them lightly.
“No, not at all, we spoke about it during the week and we’re treating it as a finals match a week early,” Swans forward Brandon Jack told AAP on Friday.
“Because they are a really strong contested footy team and that’s what finals football is, so it’s a great opportunity for us to come in and practice that part of the game.
Sydney appear to be lifting at the right time, having won their last three games and kicked 20 goals in their 89 and 97-point thrashings of GWS and St Kilda respectively over the past two rounds.
“We had those few bad losses and I think we responded really strongly,” Jack said.
“We didn’t hide, we were honest with each about who needed to lift and what needed tO improve.
“I think our talls have definitely made a big impact the past few weeks, with Sam Reid, Kurt Tippett and Mike Pyke, they have been instrumental in our form.”
Swans’ coach John Longmire plans to give forwards Lance Franklin and Gary Rohan more game time in each man’s second match back from an injury.
Defender Nick Smith and midfielder Luke Parker are the only injured regulars missing from the Swans team, with Longmire opting not to rest anyone.
“Realistically Sydney are playing at home and they’ve got a full-strength side just about, it’s going to be a difficult task,” Eade said on Friday.
“We’ll try some different things and if the effort and work ethic is there you never know what could happen.”
Gold Coast have recalled defenders Trent McKenzie and the retiring Greg Broughton in place of Harley Bennell (calf) and Clay Cameron (concussion).
Sydney on Friday announced they had signed emerging ruckman Sam Naismith to a new three-year deal.
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Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Sean Lemmens was given a four-match ban for this crunching tackle - is it a fair whack?
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
It could be a weekend for contenders to emerge, teams to hopefully break droughts, o and overall footy to have a party.
