Friday night JLT Community Series action takes us to Sydney, for a battle between New South Wales’ high achievers. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:40pm AEDT.
It’s the second and final pre-season match-up for both these teams, and both will be striving for their second consecutive wins.
Last weekend, the Giants comfortably bested a dismal Collingwood side in the nation’s capital, whilst Sydney defeated Brisbane in sunny Moreton Bay, led by an influential Lance Franklin.
Sydney’s side this week is not too dissimilar to their squad last weekend, with Allir Allir, Callum Sinclair, a rested Dane Rampe and injured Sam Naitsmith the four exclusions, and Zak Jones, Harry Marsh, Darcy Cameron and Dan Robinson the inclusions.
Cameron’s inclusion of note, with Naismith’s ACL injury providing the opportunity for the youngster to take charge of the Swans ruck division for today’s match, and probably even longer. There’s also no Dan Hannebery nor Heath Grundy, either.
As for the Giants, they’ve made a number of changes as well. Three lesser names – Tim Mohr, Harry Perryman and Matthew Flynn – are out, while two big names in Brett Deledio and Tom Greene are going to line up tonight, as are Nick Haynes and rookie Jake Stein.
Rory Lobb, Ryan Griffen, Tom Scully and Will Setterfield are the biggest names that are missing from their squad.
Prediction
Both teams are gearing up for big seasons, and honestly this one is probably going to be decided by a flip of a coin.
They’ve both got relatively strong teams, and both had big wins last week – albeit against substantially weaker sides. It’s an agonising decision, but I’m going to go with the Swans. Narrowly.
Sydney Swans by 7 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:40pm AEDT.
mattyb
Guest
It was a practise game.
Kangajets
Guest
It’s more about, where are the giants fans ??
Maggie
Guest
Very few Swans fans will make the hike out to Blacktown on a Fri night for a JLT match. But they will be there in their ‘000s at the SCG for the season proper. Footy in NSW is healthy, thanks.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT The Sydney Swans have defeated arch-rivals GWS Giants by 11 points in a topsy-turvy Friday evening match at Blacktown in Sydney's west. The first quarter was dominated by a fast starting Sydney outfit, combined with an inaccurate Giants squad. Booting four goals to the Giants solidary one major, the Swans looked vastly more comfortable around the ground, and notably produced a much stronger pressure performance than their opponents. With a margin of seventeen points at the first break, they were in control. But, predictably in games between these two sides, the Giants fought back. The Swans intensity dropped, and the (admittedly still inaccurate) Giants piled on three goals to the Swans' one, and managed to condense their deficit to just one point come the main break. They had concerns, though, with youngsters Lachie Tizani and Zac Langdon taken off with trainers due to AC joint and shoulder worries, respectively. The second half soon dawned, and with Langdon thankfully back on the field, it was the Giants time to overtake the Swans on the scoreboard, but it wasn't to be. The Swans found their first quarter grove once again, and at one stage in the third they found themselves 22 points ahead. A late quarter resurgence from the Giants, though, caught everyone by surprise and the three quarter time deficit was just 2 points. The final quarter continued the roller-coaster like nature of the match. The early stages saw the Giants comfortably surge ahead with a few quick majors, but the always ominous Sydney soon stemmed the bleeding in a period that saw the Giants haemorrhage three goals in succession to see their short-lived lead dissipate. Two lesser names in Newman (27) and Cunningham (26 touches) shared a mass of disposals between them to lead their club, followed by mainstays in Parker (26) and Kennedy (22). Jack (3), Parker (2), Franklin (2) and Reid (2) were the victor's multiple goal scorers. The Giants were well served by Whitfield (29 touches), Coniglio and Kelly (26 a piece), whilst Cameron had an excellent game up forward with three majors. Himmelberg looked promising (one goal, three behinds) but was inaccurate. Both teams will play again in Round 1 of the proper premiership season. The Swans play West Coast in the first game for premiership points at the new Perth Stadium, whilst the Giants play the Bulldogs in Canberra. Sydney Swans 12.10 (82) GWS Giants: 9.17 (71)
Kangajets
Guest
But there is no nrl on in Sydney on a beautiful Friday night That’s the last clean airtime that afl gets
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Sydney win by 11 points. Huh, not far off my prediction. Match report up in a minute or two. Sydney Swans: 12.10 (82) GWS Giants: 9.17 (71)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Patton misses what would've been an important goal, before Cameron hits the post. Sydney Swans: 12.10 (82) GWS Giants: 9.17 (71)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SWANS Buddy's back! His second of the quarter to extend the Swans lead to 13 points. Sydney Swans: 12.10 (82) GWS Giants: 9.15 (69) Q4 4:36
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND SWANS Jack goes for his fourth major of the night, but misses. Sydney Swans: 11.10 (76) GWS Giants: 9.15 (69) Q4 5:30
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SWANS Swans have taken the lead back! It's Franklin with the goal. His first of the match, surprisingly. Swans by a straight kick. Sydney Swans: 11.9 (75) GWS Giants: 9.15 (69) Q4 7:32
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SWANS Giants conceded a rushed behind earlier, and now Parker's added a goal for the Swans. Scores are level. Sydney Swans: 10.9 (69) GWS Giants: 9.15 (69) Q4 8:28
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Cameron takes a nice mark, but passes it off to skipper Callan Ward. Ward's hit the post, though! Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 9.15 (69) Q4 12:00
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Himmelberg with his third minor score, and the lead is six points. Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 9.14 (68) Q4 13:41
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS The Giants extend their newfound lead through a minor score from Cameron. He's been good tonight. Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 9.13 (67) Q4 15:55
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
FINAL QUARTER UNDERWAY + GOAL GIANTS Sorry folks, a few technical difficulties on my end. Patton's goaled to give the Giants the lead for the first time tonight. Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 9.12 (66) Q4 18:04
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME Whilst Sydney were looking comfortable with a 22 point lead a few minutes before the final break, GWS suddenly hit back: booting three in a row to make the margin an intriguing two points. It's going to be great to watch who can perform better in the final term, and whether or not the Swans can withstand a ferocious Giants' fightback. Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 8.12 (60)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS Two point margin! Toby Greene's first major of the evening means the Giants are well and truly in this match. Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 8.12 (60) Q3 1:55
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS Two in a row! Cameron adds another major for the Giants, and the margin is back to eight points. Intriguing come back for the Giants, given the fact the Swans led by 22 a few minutes ago. Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 7.12 (54) Q3 2:15
Cat
Roar Guru
a meaningless practice game is embarrassing ... how?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS Himmelberg superbly palms off the Sherrin mid-tackle, and Cameron's recieved it, and goaled. Noice. Sydney Swans: 9.8 (62) GWS Giants: 6.10 (47) Q3 4:25