The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Sydney Swans vs Richmond Tigers highlights: Swans by 113

27th August, 2016
Bounce: 4:35pm (AEST)
Venue: SCG (Sydney)
TV: Live, Fox Footy and 7mate (NSW only)
Betting: Sydney Swans $1.05, Richmond Tigers $11

Last five meetings
R8, 2016, Richmond 14.17 (101) d Sydney Swans 15.10 (100) at the MCG
R13, 2015, Richmond 14.11 (95) d Sydney Swans 11.11 (77) at the SCG
R23, 2014, Richmond 10.8 (68) d Sydney Swans 9.11 (65) at ANZ Stadium
R14, 2014, Sydney Swans 9.8 (62) d Richmond 7.9 (51) at the MCG
R18, 2013, Sydney Swans 16.14 (110) d Richmond 9.9 (63) at the SCG

Sydney Swans
B: Dane Rampe, Aliir Aliir, Nick Smith
HB: Jake Lloyd, Heath Grundy, Jarrad McVeigh
C: Isaac Heeney, Josh P. Kennedy, Dan Hannebery
HF: Gary Rohan, Lance Franklin, Luke Parker
F: Xavier Richards, Kurt Tippett, Ben McGlynn
FOL: Sam Naismith, Tom Mitchell, Kieren Jack
I/C: Harry Cunningham, George Hewett, Tom Papley, Harrison Marsh
EMG: Jordan Foote, Toby Nankervis, Dean Towers

Richmond Tigers
B: David Astbury, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes
HB: Bachar Houli, Taylor Hunt, Brandon Ellis
C: Oleg Markov, Trent Cotchin, Shaun Grigg
HF: Dustin Martin, Todd Elton, Shane Edwards
F: Kane Lambert, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
FOL: Shaun Hampson, Nick Vlastuin, Callum Moore
I/C: Andrew Moore, Sam Lloyd, Jayden Short, Mabior Chol
The Swans take on the Tigers, with a win all but assuring the Sydney side the minor premiership. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Roar Guru
27th August, 2016
61
6855 Reads

Match result:

The Sydney Swans have won the minor premiership for the second time in three years, defeated the Richmond Tigers by 113 points on Saturday afternoon.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Sydney Swans 25.14.164
Richmond Tigers 7.9.51

Match preview:

The Sydney Swans are out to consolidate top spot on the ladder when they host the Richmond Tigers, a team that has given them trouble of late. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).

A win on Saturday should see the Swans claim their third minor premiership in club history, thus ensuring they will not have to leave the Harbor City until a potential grand final berth.

With their last loss coming in mid-July, against reigning premiers Hawthorn, the Swans will enter the twilight clash as raging favourites. However, their Round 8 loss to the Tigers – where a series of poor last-minute decisions led to a Sam Lloyd goal after the siren – will be fresh in the memory.

Advertisement

That goal would likely have been mandatory viewing at Punt Road this week, as the Tigers search for inspiration.

Following an insipid first half against the Saints last week, in which 11 players failed to lay a tackle, Richomnd will be hoping to replicate their form of two weeks ago, when they came close to causing a stunning upset against Geelong.

The emergence of key defender Aliir Aliir and the continued solid play of veteran Heath Grundy have allowed the Swans to boast the stingiest defence in the competition this season. However, both men will be wary of spearhead Jack Riewoldt, after he kicked a healthy bag of six when these teams faced off at the SCG.

But the showdown between the league’s preeminent forward and defender will be the marquee match-up of the game. After Lance Franklin kicked five in their earlier encounter, Alex Rance will be keen to make amends, particularly as he celebrates his 150th game.

In team news, the Swans have elected to play it safe with Rising Star favourite Callum Mills, after he suffered a corked calf at training this week. Luckily for Mills, the injury is likely to only cost him one game. The offset is Sydney regain the services of captain Kieren Jack, who has recovered from an ankle injury.

For the Tigers, Sudanese-born Mabior Chol makes his debut after impressive form in the seconds. Listed at 198 centimetres, Chol will give Richmond some flexibility, playing as a utility.

As mentioned previously, the Swans have had their troubles against the Tigers in recent times, with Richmond having won their previous three games encounters. They have all been tightly contested affairs too, with an average winning margin of just eight points over the last four games.

Advertisement

Prediction
Due to elite top-end talent, Richmond have shown they can match it with the better teams in the competition. The issue for the Tigers – as it has been all season – is depth, and against a Sydney team chock-full of stars and solid role players, it would be a shock to see a repeat of their Round 8 heroics.

With top spot up for grabs and lengthy finals campaign awaiting, the Swans are far too professional an outfit to drop this game.

Sydney by 34 points.

close