The Sydney Swans try to get their premiership tilt back on track against the Fremantle Dockers at the SCG on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for lives scores and coverage from 4.40pm (AEST)
It was this game last year that established the Dockers as a premiership threat.
Against the reigning premiers, the Dockers were wasteful all day, but persevered long enough to scrape a draw at the SCG.
While it might have been two points instead of four, it proved they were capable of matching it with the best teams anywhere in the country. And four months later, they dominated the return match in the preliminary final to make the last weekend in September for the first time.
You could say the Dockers need to prove themselves all over again, after their disappointing performance against Hawthorn two weeks ago. They can only do that this year with consistently strong performances.
Sydney, in the space of four rounds, have become a team that very much need to reestablish their premiership credentials.
Apart from a good win over Adelaide, they have been disappointing. Their older players look old, and their younger players aren’t stepping up. Injuries haven’t helped, but they were able to produce better football with similar injuries last year.
Something is wrong. The old confidence is lacking. Winning would be the best medicine.
So while it’s early days, this could prove to be an important game for both teams.
Sydney are still looking for Lance Franklin to step up and show that he can be the dominant forward he was at Hawthorn. Maybe his brand of athleticism and unpredictability will work against a highly organised Fremantle backline.
At the other end, Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich has shown some of his best form lately, and will likely be up against Ted Richards.
It’s in the midfield where the Swans have typically had the edge in these sorts of contests, but with Sandilands giving the Freo midfield first look at the contested ball they’ll have their work cut out this evening.
Sydney’s clearance statistics have dropped significantly so far this season, and they’ll need to rebound today to be competitive.
In front of their home crowd, this is their big chance to kickstart their season. But a loss today would leave them with a 1-4 record after five games. Who would have tipped that?
Fremantle will go in today as favourites, and a solid win will keep their premiership aspirations on track.
Hawthorn’s early season form establishes them as the team to beat in 2014. But if the pre-season predictions are to be believed their most likely challenger is playing today.
Will that challenger step up?
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Good game. Swans run and carry off halfback was really good for three quarters. Franklin did some good things and Rampe was outstanding. I am not sure Fero can win the Premiership unless they get more support for Pav in the forward line.
Michael huston
Guest
I agree that people who judged Sydney were too harsh, but you can't single out one person. A few of my Swans supporter friends even thought the Swans had no hope. I knew deep down Sydney still had it, they just had to produce it.
Magpie
Guest
Gene you were quick to say "I told you so" last week when the Swans lost. Well you got it wrong this week. Be nice if you were to show a bit of humility and own up to your misjudgement.
Alan
Roar Guru
finally Sydney show some life. Good signs from Franklin.
Simoc
Guest
Thanks Tom
TomC
Roar Guru
That's all from me, after an interesting game at the SCG.
TomC
Roar Guru
Sydney looked pretty good today, particularly after quarter time. They have plenty of the season left to improve their record and challenge for the top four. Freo struggled for the most part. They had a lot of trouble moving the ball cleanly around the ground, like they did so well against Collingwood in round one. Most of their goals came from moments of individual brilliance, rather than systematic good play. They too have a lot of the season left to develop that effectiveness across the field, but they'll be disappointed with their output tonight.
TomC
Roar Guru
After a dour, low-scoring first half, this game well and truly opened up in the third quarter with eleven goals. In the end, Sydney were a bit cleaner and more effective than Fremantle. For most of the night the Dockers struggled to move the ball cleanly, and they finished with forty-six fewer disposals. Fremantle threatened late with a flurry of goals, but Sydney seemed in control of this match from the second term onwards. Fifteen points was as close as the Dockers got from that point on. Josh Kennedy and Rhyce Shaw probably the Swan's best players. Kennedy was heavily involved in the second half, winning several clearances, while Shaw was more prominent in the first half, setting up the Swans from half back. Franklin was also important, with four goals once the game opened up in the second half. He became a constant danger late when the Dockers needed to push forward as time slipped away. Mundy was the Dockers' best with 31 possessions and a number of clearances. Pavlich kicked four, and looked like he might drag his team back into it at one stage. Fyfe had a lot of it, but was wasteful.
TomC
Roar Guru
Final score - Sydney 13.14.92 Fremantle 11.9.75 Sydney win by seventeen points.
TomC
Roar Guru
McGlynn hits the post! Sydney will win by seventeen points as the final seconds tick away.
TomC
Roar Guru
Jetta free on half forward spears a pass to McGlynn, who'll shoot for a percentage boosting goal in the last twenty seconds.
TomC
Roar Guru
But it's academic now. 70 seconds to play and Freo need three goals.
TomC
Roar Guru
Jack with a long kick to the wing, where Franklin is one on one with McPharlin. Franklin kicks long forward to where Lloyd is in space, but it gets away from him and out of bounds.
TomC
Roar Guru
Sandilands wins a free kick and just finds McPharlin. He in turn picks out Duffield running forward, and his kick finds Johnson. Tough kick in the forward pocket, but he must kick it. And he can't. Across the face and doesn't make the journey. Sydney will clear as far as the half back line, where it's out of play.
TomC
Roar Guru
Quick kick forward by Shaw for Sydney. It's out of bounds again and time is ticking away for the Dockers.
TomC
Roar Guru
Hill with a flying shot for Freo, but it's way offline and barely a behind. The kick in goes off hands out of bounds for a throw in. The clock is Freo's enemy now. They have to do everything right.
TomC
Roar Guru
Franklin marks a Hannberry pass on the half forward flank. Holds onto it looking for an option, and Kennedy provides one with a good lead into the forward pocket. Kennedy will take his full measure of time, with just four and a half minutes left. Kennedy finally takes his shot, and it just misses near side. Sydney 91 Fremantle 74 Freo need three goals in just over four minutes
TomC
Roar Guru
Sydney attacking now, but the desperate Dockers backline is holding on to keep them in the game. Now a chance for Freo through Mzungu, but his kick is chopped out.
TomC
Roar Guru
Sydney with the ball slowing it up now. Seven minutes to go and they lead by 15 points.
TomC
Roar Guru
This game was dead three minutes ago. Can the Dockers keep up this streak?