The Sydney Swans return to the SCG on Sunday afternoon to face a spirited North Melbourne side who will be confident of causing an upset. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1:10pm (AEST).
The Kangaroos were under the pump following a disappointing Round 1 loss to Essendon, and an unconvincing win against the Western Bulldogs in Round 2.
Doubters were quickly put in their pace following a spirit last quarter fight back against Port Adelaide, who in recent times have been close to impossible to outscore in last quarters.
They could be boosted by the return of Jack Ziebell if he is declared fit, Scott McMahon, Liam Anthony and Michael Firrito will also be considered for selection, although it is highly unlikely that many changes will be made due to the win from last week’s game.
Sydney on the other hand will be happy that they were finally able to get a win on the board following mounting pressure after their first two games.
Franklin, Parker and Kennedy were all brilliant in the Swans’ win over the Crows last week and will need to play a big game again if the Swans are going to win.
Craig Bird was one who didn’t play against Adelaide last week, and could be the only change made to the side which disposed of the Crows.
X-Factor
Brent Harvey: You wouldn’t know by the way he’s playing, but the pocket rocket turns 36 next month. He is another player who has shown unbelievable durability during his AFL career and in the past two weeks has sparked the Kangaroos’ victories.
Three Quick Facts:
1. North Melbourne have lost their last seven games against the Sydney Swans.
2. Last year North Melbourne averaged 104 points per game. This year that has dropped to just 80. The Swans average 90 points per game in 2014.
3. Contested possessions have been an area of concern for North in 2014, who are ranked 17th with 126.7 per game. The Swans are fifth with 144.3.
Last 5 Times:
Round 3, 2013: Sydney Swans 20.11 (131) defeated North Melbourne 13.14 (92) at Blundstone Arena.
Round 4, 2012: Sydney Swans 17.11 (113) defeated North Melbourne 10.17 (77) at the SCG.
Round 10, 2011: Sydney Swans 10.12 (72) defeated North Melbourne 9.17 (71) at Etihad Stadium.
Round 15, 2010: Sydney Swans 12.13 (85) defeated North Melbourne 7.13 (55) at the SCG.
Round 4, 2010: Sydney Swans 14.16 (100) defeated North Melbourne 8.12 (60) at Etihad Stadium.
Prediction:
Based on their good record against the Kangaroos and their amazing home record at the SCG – last year they lost just one game of the 9 they played there – I’m going to pick the Swans in a tough contested encounter.
Swans by 14.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
greg
Guest
Buddy waste of money played in a good team at hawthorn now has to earn kicks not worth 52k per game maybe $52 a game
big dallo
Guest
Gene you are a complete tool. Worry about your own waste of space team Geelong cause they are gone mate. They will not make the eight. They may look good now but old legs will tire soon. You will shut your trap then won't you. You tool.
Martyn
Guest
Need to make some changes. Okeefe, Grundy, Haneberry, Jetta and Derricks all need a spell in the reserves. Slow, ponderous and skill levels right down. Hard to them threatening at the end of the season unless they find some form very soon. Buddy was awful today. He made some bad mistakes and was well beaten. Rampe Smith and McGlynn were Sydney's best. Not a lot else to cheer about. Their recruitment looks pretty questionable at this point. Old legs across the park.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Swans 6.12.48 v Roos 13.13.91 That's all from me today, my top 3 for the todays match were: 3. Scott Thompson 2. Ben Cunnington 1. Leigh Adams
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Swans 6.12.48 v Roos 13.13.91 Roos talking points: Just supreme today they were way too good for the Swans and adapted to the wet conditions so much better. Thompson was supreme down back and his ability to work the back line was a main contribution to the Roos winning. Black was amazing down forward and got the job done in tough conditions, he kicked some good goals and made the most of his opportunities, Wells was another who found some forth collecting disposals with ease and kicking 3 quality goals. Cunnington and Adams were tough and hard and were massive in the midfield, their work around the field kept the Roos moving forward, Dal Santo was also able to find some good space and use the ball cleanly in tough conditions. They announced in this match that they are a massive contender in 2014 and they will finish the first 4 rounds inside the top 4 just behind Geelong and Hawthorn. Next week they play Collingwood in what will be a good game, and if they win that one then they can truly say they are 100% the real deal.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
They are absolute rubbish at the moment mate, lack any sort of venom going forward. A few out but I don't think they would fix the problem, Kangaroos adapted way better in the wet conditions.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Swans 6.12.48 v Roos 13.13.91 Swans talking point: 2nd rate that would be the way I would describe the Swans today, they had 66 inside 50's and averaged one goal per every 11 entries that is absolutely disgusting and not even the worst teams in the competition would average that sort of strike rate. Franklin looks like the biggest waste of money the Swans have ever spent on anyone, he can't even take a contested chest mark and that is the bleak truth. He looks a shadow of his former self and despite the weather he was still ridiculously poor. Hanneberry, O'Keefe, Cunningham, Roberts-Thomson, and Derickx were all comprehensively beaten today and they would be the top candidates to lose their positions next week if changes were to be made. Sydney looked slow and lacked some pace, Jetta was well held by Mullett who had all the answers for him today. Kennedy, Smith and McGlynn were probably the most serviceable for the Swans but they were comprehensively beaten. It doesn't get any easier for the Swans who return to the SCG next week to take on Fremantle.
Alan
Roar Guru
What the hell happened there! This is crap from Sydney! I expect so much more.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
They look old and slow they were comprehensively beaten by a younger team today.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Swans 6.12.48 v Roos 13.13.91 Disposal winners: Swans: 31 Kennedy, 28 McVeigh, 26 Parker, 26 Malceski Roos: 30 Cunnington, 29 Adams, 28 Dal Santo, 24 Gibson Goals: Swans: 2 Laidler, 1 Grundy, O'Keefe, Jack Roos: 3 Black, 3 Wells, 2 Mullett, 1 Petrie, Goldstein, Adams, Thomas, Nahas
Cat
Roar Guru
If they are on the way down that 9 yr 10 mil contract looks even worse.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Swans 6.12.48 v Roos 13.13.91 25,000 have packed into the SCG for awful conditions, kudos to them! Siren sounds as O'Keefe marks near the same spot he did last time, he rushes his kick and misses everything North run out emphatic winners today! That was an impressive display.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
4th quarter - 0:31 remaining - Swans 6.12.48 v Roos 13.13.91 I wonder if any Swans fans will jump on the GWS bandwagon? They are now the number 1 team in Sydney and from the looks of things the Swans are on the way down. A tired kick comes in and O'Keefe marks in the pocket, he adds some polish to his awful day and drills it.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
4th quarter - 1:34 remaining - Swans 5.12.42 v Roos 13.13.91 Franklin gathers it and he is absolutely smothered by Thompson! McGlynn wins the free and his kick is poor, Swans with nothing.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
4th quarter - 2:14 remaining - Swans 5.12.42 v Roos 13.13.91 McDonald has a flying shot on goal and it hits the post, from the kick in Wells steals it, he runs to 20 out and drills it! This is getting embarrassing now!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
4th quarter - 3:08 remaining - Swans 5.12.42 v Roos 12.12.84 Well Goldstein wins a rucking free kick and he goes back and takes the margin to 42, the Roos have also doubled the Swans score for today. Just an all round performance!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
They look awful at the moment.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
4th quarter - 3:53 remaining - Swans 5.12.42 v Roos 11.12.78 Dal Santo clears it and Shaw is taken high this time, he goes short to Malceski and is called to play on. The ball goes forward to Franklin and he can't take a chest mark. Dal Santo now has it and the Roos are controlling it all. I'm going to say it now the Roos are a genuine contender this year. They have had 21 smothers to 5 today, just outmuscled the Swans in everything.