The Sydney Swans are back in action, taking their second win in a row with a 42-point smashing of North Melbourne.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
North Melbourne Kangaroos 11.12.78
Sydney Swans 18.12.120
North Melbourne Kangaroos will host the Sydney Swans with both coming into this game off a win in what should be an entertaining match under the roof of Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for commentary and live scores from 4:40pm AEST.
These sides have struggled this year, but in recent times have shown the form that had them in the finals last season.
The Kangaroos surprised many with a ten-goal opening quarter blitz against the premiership favourites in Adelaide last week, however the man who did much of the damage in Jarrad Waite will be missing this week through suspension.
For the Swans they got their first win of the season against a hapless Brisbane side who still have more down weeks than up weeks.
Sydney were able to get some form into their key players, and if they are going to feature in September this year they need to continue that form this week.
The midfield battle in this game will be one that should interest the mutual pundits in this game with Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell and Shaun Higgins looking to lead the way against the Swans midfield of Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker.
The last time these two sides met it was Sydney who came away with a narrow nine-point win in Tasmania, and recent history has the Swans winning four of their last five against the Kangaroos, with their most recent match against each other in Melbourne a win for Sydney in 2016.
Despite their slow start the Kangaroos have been in most of the games they have played this season, and are averaging 95 points per game, kicking 100-plus points in the last two games. Last week was the first week the Swans have scored 100 points.
For me this game comes down to which side can make the most of their power forwards. We know how good Lance Franklin is, but the Kangaroos have a tall in Ben Brown who is perhaps underrated from a mutual stand point, if he can boot a couple for North today they will be well on their way to winning this game.
Prediction
The Swans hit some form this week and despite the Kangaroos good recent form the Swans should have too much class here.
Swans by 10.
Perry Bridge
Guest
North were a bit listless from the very start. Turner was great with his endeavour, pressure and tackling - but a lot of the others seemed a bit at sea. Can happen - the mental let down after such a big game/win as last week. The Swans largely controlled the game and played it on their terms - were playing keep things off for a lot of it - and the disposals tell that tale. Ben Brown - was he right? With no Waite I really felt we were one short up forward. Had no physical presence - need Majak Daw for that as he isn't pushed around quite so easily.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Full Time Kangaroos 11.12.78 vs Swans 18.12.120 The Swans were strong today and have found form against a side who last week put 10 goals in the first quarter against the Premiership favourites, more importantly they did it without Lance Franklin kicking a bag. Josh Kennedy (37 disposals) was fantastic early, white Nic Newman who was the late inclusion was also fantastic with 35 touches. In the end the Kangaroos were brave but they couldn't match it with the Swans, it's Sydney 18.12.120 defeating North Melbourne 11.12.78. That's all from me, I hope you have a good Sunday arvo.
Swannies
Guest
Swans took their foot off the accelerator in the final quarter but still managed a comfortable win. That sums up how bad North are without Waite.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Kangaroos 11.12.78 vs Swans 18.12.120 Disposal Winners Kangaroos - 28 Cunnington, 26 Gibson, Ziebell 22, Higgins 21 Swans - Kennedy 37, Parker 36, Newman 35, 33 Hanneberry Goal Kickers Kangaroos - 2 Brown, 2 Turner, 2 Goldstein, Cunnington, Hrovat, Cunnington, Anderson, Higgins Swans - 3 Reid, 2 McVeigh, 2 Hanneberry, 2 Papley, 2 Heeney, 2 Hanneberry, Jones, Hayward, Kennedy, Hewett, Franklin
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Kangaroos 11.12.78 vs Swans 18.12.120 Wood drops a chest mark which sums up his day, it's the Swans with a comprehensive seven goal win!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 1:16 Remaining Kangaroos 11.12.78 vs Swans 18.12.120 Hanneberry takes a mark out wide, he sends it forward, it stays in play, Mills keeps it in, sends it towards Hayward who gathers and snaps truly.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 3:58 Remaining Kangaroos 11.12.78 vs Swans 17.12.114 Wood gets Grundy cold dropping the ball but he isn't rewarded, the Swans now move it through Heeney who has a few bounces, he sends it to half forward and Parker hits the post.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 5:32 Remaining Kangaroos 11.12.78 vs Swans 17.11.113 Heeney down forward takes a strong mark but he doesn't strike it well at all and it's bounced before it goes through for a behind.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 7:10 Remaining Kangaroos 11.12.78 vs Swans 17.10.112 Anderson now gives to Higgins and he hits the post, they are just peppering the goals now.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 7:57 Remaining Kangaroos 11.11.77 vs Swans 17.10.112 Now a shot goes across the other side from the Roos, just blowing a few chances here.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 8:35 Remaining Kangaroos 11.10.76 vs Swans 17.10.112 A free kick to the Kangaroos but the shot goes across the face.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 9:05 Remaining Kangaroos 11.9.75 vs Swans 17.10.112 Franklin nearly a mark but it's punched away well by Thompson. But now Mellican can spot up Franklin well but again Buddy's achilles heel has been his inability to take an overhead mark and now the Roos are away.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 10:49 Remaining Kangaroos 11.9.75 vs Swans 17.10.112 Franklin still yet to kick a goal today, Tarrant doing his job well the last two week, and just as I type that a bit of magic from Franklin who taps it to himself and then kicks a volley out of mid air!
Ken
Guest
Why was"nt Franklin repoteed. Why won"t fox footy replay it.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 12:25 Remaining Kangaroos 11.9.75 vs Swans 16.10.106 Anderson wins a free kick and he goes back and kicks the goal.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 13:09 Remaining Kangaroos 10.9.69 vs Swans 16.10.106 Tarrant with a bomb to the goal square, Wood flies but his dirty day continues and Reid slaps it away with a huge spoil, now the Swans break and it ends up going through for a behind.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 14:42 Remaining Kangaroos 10.9.69 vs Swans 16.9.105 Brown takes a strong mark and he kicks it straight!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 15:33 Remaining Kangaroos 9.9.63 vs Swans 16.9.105 Papley now with a cheeky shot around the body and he kicks the goal, any life in the game has been shut off now!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 16:27 Remaining Kangaroos 9.9.63 vs Swans 15.9.99 Anderson was dumped after he kicked it so Durdin will have a shot to tighten the margin. He hits the post!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 17:09 Remaining Kangaroos 9.8.62 vs Swans 15.9.99 Cunnington kicks the opening goal of the last quarter, is there life in it yet.