Roar Guru
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.
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Final score
Sydney Swans 25.14.164
Richmond Tigers 7.9.51
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.
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.
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.