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The Sydney Swans host the Essendon Bombers in their season opener at ANZ Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:35pm (AEDT).
The Swans have rolled many of their familiar faces from last season, with the one major change being the inclusion of young gun Isaac Heeney.
After finishing his first pre-season with the Swans, Heeney has shown he has all the attributes to be a star: smarts, skill, poise and an AFL-ready body.
The big question entering every game the Swans play is who will stop Buddy Franklin. The question becomes a conundrum when his opponent is the Bombers, who he has tormented with bags of goals for many years. Cale Hooker is the likely to first crack, with Michael Hurley or Jake Carlisle set to move over if things get out of control.
John Longmire will be coaching game number 100 in what has been a very successful career to date.
The Bombers’ only new face for this match is Adam Cooney, who will play his first game in the red and black after crossing from the Bulldogs. It will be interesting to see how much life is left in the old dog, although he has shown he can still dominate a match when his knee allows him.
James Hird will be back in the coach’s seat for the first time since his suspension. His short kicking-game style was kept intact by Mark Thompson, with their only point of difference seemingly being which end of the ground Hurley and Carlisle are most suited.
This will be the first official hit-out for many Bombers, with around half the list sitting out the preseason. This could leave them rusty, and against such a formidable outfit as the Swans it could spell trouble.
Prediction
The Swans have too much class across the lines and should get an easy win at home. However, if there is a time to upset one of the premiership favourites it’s in Round 1.
The Bombers’ covert preseason may help throw the Swans’ coaching staff off. In saying that, I’ll stick with the known quantity.
Swans by 30 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:35pm AEDT.
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