Star forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett have given Sydney a double scare ahead of Saturday’s AFL blockbuster at home against top side Port Adelaide.
The Swans continued to build an imposing head of steam with Sunday’s 35-point win over Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.
It was third-placed Sydney’s seventh-straight win and they will fancy their chances against the Power, who took St Kilda apart after halftime on Saturday for a 70-point win.
But Franklin has again risked the wrath of the match review panel with a high bump on Suns youngster Clay Cameron in the 17.7 (109) to 10.14 (74) win.
Tippett was also subbed off with a sore knee and looked proppy after the final siren.
Franklin could well escape sanction for the Cameron incident – the Suns player was able to continue playing immediately afterwards.
The Swans star bumped as Cameron kicked the ball and Franklin’s shoulder caught him in the face.
Tippett will have to prove his fitness ahead of Saturday’s big clash.
“Structurally the doctor said it was okay but it was obviously sore enough to sub him so he couldn’t come back on. I’m not sure,” coach John Longmire said.
While Port will start favourites, Sydney’s form lately has probably been even better.
“Clearly they’re the form team in the competition at the moment,” Longmire said.
“They’re two games clear on top of the ladder and have played some terrific teams.
“But we’ll go in with a bit of confidence.”
Also on Sunday, Fremantle continued to build momentum, beating Adelaide in Perth by 40 points.
The 12.18 (90) to 7.8 (50) win was the third-straight for the Dockers, who are within a game of the top four.
The Crows were coming off a big home win last week against the Suns, but continued their win-loss, win-loss inconsistency of the last month.
While Carlton coach Mick Malthouse was furious with the umpiring after Friday night’s five-point loss to Geelong, he acknowledged that his team showed improvement.
He had further good news on Saturday when star veteran Chris Judd successfully returned from injury through the VFL and immediately put his hand up for Friday night’s match against Hawthorn.
Hawks key forward Jarryd Roughead kicked eight goals on Saturday as they stayed second with a 44-point win over slumping West Coast in Launceston.
The Western Bulldogs’ season took another turn for the worse with a shock eight-point loss to Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.
It was the Lions’ second-straight win and took them off the bottom of the ladder at the expense of Greater Western Sydney.
Essendon survived a strong challenge from the Giants to win on Saturday night by 15 points, but captain Jobe Watson is out for up to a month with an upper leg injury.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Your feelings on Freo are irrelevant to me. I am interested in the logical leap you make from average team + crap coach = last years grand finalists.
Tim Cavanagh
Guest
"while Port will start favourites". With who? None of the bookmakers will start them favourites
Michael huston
Guest
He was sent to the tribunal because the penalty given by the points system would be too harsh due to his poor record. Next excuse?
Gregor
Guest
Seeing Ballantyne go straight to the tribunal shows how unprotected Fremantle players are from dodgy umpiring decisions. A perfect bump, the ball a metre away and no free awarded. Pretty good offensive pressure, I would say
Michael huston
Guest
It's not a crap list. It's a normal list like every other team but hasn't been developed into a great team. As much as I'm hard on them, I actually do like Freo and I want them to achieve success. Living in Perth for two decades of not having much to celebrate, I want it for them. So when players like Mundy, Barlow, Fyfe, Walters, De Boer, Neale etc came through, I thought they showed promise. Instead they put their faith in the hands of a coach whose one-dimensional and because of that, many of them aren't getting the chance to shine in a style of footy suited to them. Fremantle have strong, athletic bodies being wasted on defensive pressure.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
What and not our mediocre list Michael? Which is it? Crap coach or crap list?
Bosk
Guest
Indeed. One rule for Swans players, one rule for everyone else it seems. I'd make a joke about them being 9.8% more likely to be cleared by the MRP but sadly its closer to 100%.
Michael huston
Guest
Your own coach is stopping you from winning the flag.
dave
Guest
Try being a Freo supporter. Our players are constantly pinged for things that big name/club players escape penalty for. Oh well I guess thats Freo's place.Its hard for the AFL to have Pies,Bombers,Blues,Hawks, continually vying for the flag without some interstate teams in there to make it truly national. So a helping hand is given to certain Interstate teams to help the national competition. Freo Is not one of those teams. Were we given a licence just to remain permanently in the bottom(because someone has to finish last).? We travel more than any club and when new rules are introduced we are the first to be experimented with as their would be too much media backlash in Melbourne.Fyfe vs Viney??. If Freo had got Buddy he woulda got done.Simple. If Pies had finished above Cats last year would they have played a final at Cats home ground? Hahaa we got this flag AFL have run out of ways to stop us.
Radelaide
Guest
It would be tough considering both backups are out with knees but our game isn't based around a dominant ruckman as Sandilands found out, Westy and Trengove would have to do it (most likely Trengove as we have more defenders and he is more durable with a big leap), I mean look at Sydney after Derickx and Pyke next cab off the rank is Tippett (suss knee) and Goodes (bit old) for a whole game so that is where our injury luck is running thin. As for Ricciuto I can't knock him too much atm because he is fighting the good fight in the media regarding Crows and Power not getting enough out of the AO stadium deal.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Pretty ridiculous I agree Huston. I just jaw dropped. Thought we were having a go at equalisation...ridiculous I must repeat.
Michael huston
Guest
Indeed, works both ways. Did anyone see the article by Ricciuto saying that if Port were to lose their ruckman, it would be such a catastrophe that they'd have to bring back the mid-season draft? I'm not even a Port supporter and I found that nonsense offensive.
shiftyxr
Guest
you called that one correctly
Radelaide
Guest
Oh well with Buddy playing we won't hear the tears a flowing or the excuses made.
Penster
Guest
Buddy has 68 carry over points from the Malceski bump.
Michael huston
Guest
I thought neither incidents warranted a suspension actually, Sydney player or not.
Hawkeye
Guest
If Buddy was still playing at Hawthorn he would get a week. He may be a protected species now he's moved up in the world.
Sir Ossis
Guest
Remember, the head is still sacosanct...(ish)
Strapon1
Guest
Goodes should have gone last week as should have ablett and sidebottom oh hang on sidebottom got 3 weeks and if you think Franklin will your kidding yourself its all about the bling and CA Ching it's pathetic to think that goodes has got away with it 2 weeks in a row now and the afl don't want to take the chance in suspending cause that might upset the Australian of the year and someone will have right another article on racism and the afl don't want to see ablett not pick up his Charlie at the end of the year and Franklin not placed in the game next week so Bruce can crap on for half an hour before the game about the colossal match against Franklin goodes reid and tippet if his his knee holds up they are trying to build the game up but all they are doing is disrespecting all afl supporters cause they think we are stupid and don't notice the irregularities between the stars and the second rung players getting let off by the match review panel
pope paul v11
Guest
Be more interesting if they don't play.