[VIDEO] Sydney Swans vs Port Adelaide Power Highlights: AFL live scores, blog

MATCH RESULT:

They didn’t have it all their way but the Sydney Swans found their way to a 10-point win over the Port Adelaide Power on Thursday night.

Missing key forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett they were forced to rely on Adam Goodes and Sam Reid up forward, and the duo did splendidly, kicking three goals each.

Josh P Kennedy (33 possessions, 2 goals) and Dan Hannebery (34 possessions, 1 goal) were also in dominant form for the Swans.

Jay Schulz may come under Match Review Panel scrutiny for a tackle that knocked Sydney’s Ted Richards unconscious.

The teams were on an even keel at the time and while it looked like the injury might be a turning point in the game, if anything it spurred the Swans on as they kicked away to enter the final quarter with four-goal lead.

From there it was just a matter of holding on until the siren sounded, giving them the win.

Sydney 14.10.94 def. Port Adelaide 12.12.84

MATCH PREVIEW:

The Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power are both desperate to get into the winners circle when they meet tonight at the SCG. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.20pm AEST.

Last year this fixture was game of the year – and believe me, I’m not overstating it, because that is what it will say at the end of the 2020 season when I release my ‘games of the decade’.

At that point, both teams were on big winning streak and the bout was one that would determine a premiership favourite. In the end, some sublime goals from Lance Franklin late in the piece were the deciding factor.

This year, it’s very different. Both these teams are a little behind the pack at the moment, and win here would be a big boost to either.

Sydney have been sailing smooth for most of the year – while their form maybe isn’t quite what it was in 2014, they’re still undoubtedly one of the best teams in the league.

But that ship hit a reef named Richmond in the second half last week as the Swans switched off and were, quite frankly, embarrassed by a rampaging pack of Tigers.

You can’t turn back time but you can move on and that’s what the Swans really want to do this week – come out, play four quarters, dominate, and end any debate about whether they’ve still got what it takes.

That’ll be a lot harder to do than usual however with Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett both missing this week due to suspension.

In a flashback to 2012, the Swans will have to rely on Sam Reid and Adam Goodes as their main tall targets up forward.

The Swans also have some troubles in the ruck. Mike Pyke has been brought back in after missing with a knee injury last week, with Tom Derickx dropped, and the Swans have also named debutant Toby Nankervis in support.

Pyke is clearly nearing the end of his usefulness as a Swan. His form in recent weeks has been pretty average and while a week’s rest might have done him good, the fact is he’s 31 and his time left at the top is limited.

Compare that to Port’s ruck duo of Matthew Lobbe and Paddy Ryder – returning from injury in this match – and you can see why the Swans might be facing something of an uphill battle in the big man stakes.

Of course, it’s not as if Port are flying either at the moment – they’ve been on a pretty average run of form which hit its lowest point in a loss to Carlton before last week’s bye.

Port at the moment are a team that urgently, desperately needs a win, against any side – and one over the Swans would do very, very nicely.

After being cited as a premiership threat coming into the season they’re now 5-7 and sitting 12th on the ladder, in the midst of their worst patch of form since the sacking of Matthew Primus.

With only ten matches left on the table, they need to turn things around soon, very soon, if they want to be playing in September this year. This week would be as good as any.

Prediction:
I don’t see any reason to believe that Port have solved their form problems just yet – if you ask me, I think they’re being outplayed tactically and it will take more than a quick fix to solve that. The Swans are missing some key personnel and vulnerable in some areas but I expect the ferocity and class of their midfield to get the job done.

Sydney by 36 points.

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