Match preview: Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers, Round 9

After their stunning win against Hawthorn in Round 7, Ben Ronke and the Sydney Swans return to the SCG for another Saturday night thriller, this time against the Dockers.

Given the Swans away form, they would probably prefer to play the Dockers in Perth, but now that they are home, it is incumbent on them to get the result they need.

The Swans have been triumphant on the road this year, winning four-from-four while their home ground form been inconsistent with just one win from four games.

Fremantle’s dependence on their senior players and stars is well documented and while most of them are in great form, they’re a genuine threat to tip the apple cart.

Ben Ronke was the hero for the Swans in Round 7, the 20-year-old rookie booting 7 goals in a match-winning performance in just his third game of AFL football.

Will Hayward has been sensational in Buddy Franklin’s absence, kicking three goals in each game and trailing the superstar forward by just four goals in the club’s goalkicking tally.

Luke Parker’s incredible return to form on Friday night was as welcome to the Swans as it is ominous to the Dockers, who will once again have to deal with the Swans’ elite midfield quartet of Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Isaac Heeney and Dan Hannebery.

Fremantle’s captain Nat Fyfe is in Brownlow medal-winning form and likely have the Swans’ number one stopper, George Hewett, as company from the opening bounce.

Fyfe will need to be at his absolute best for the Dockers to win this one, but it isn’t a one-man show with Aaron Sandilands in good form, Lachie Neale playing well and Stephen Hill’s inclusion adding run and drive from the packs.

Nick Smith plays his 200th career game for the Swans this weekend in a largely unheralded career by the umpires, despite being an All Australian in 2014.

Smith is yet to receive a vote in his 199 career games, and if he plays out the rest of the year without a vote, he will overtake Tom Longergan (209) from Geelong for the record for most games without a Brownlow vote.

It’s a dual milestone match for the Swans, with captain Josh Kennedy playing his 200th match for the Swans after moving to the club from Hawthorn at the end of 2009.

(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The match looms as another monster test for the Swans’ in-form ruckman Callum Sinclair, taking on the tallest player in the league, Aaron Sandilands.

He’s enjoyed carrying the ruck load this season, growing in form and confidence each week, but without Dean Towers backing him up in the contests, it falls squarely on his shoulders handle it.

Where and when
SCG, Saturday, May 19, 7.25pm

Last five meetings
R21, 2017, Sydney 22.11 (143) d Fremantle 5.9 (39) at the SCG.

R19, 2016, Sydney 21.11 (137) d Fremantle 7.5 (47) at Subiaco Oval.

1QF, 2015, Fremantle 10.9 (69) d Sydney 7.18 (60) at Subiaco Oval.

R4, 2015, Fremantle 11.8 (74) d Sydney 8.12 (60) at Subiaco Oval.

1QF, 2014, Sydney 13.15 (93) d Fremantle 10.9 (69) at ANZ Stadium.

Key matchups
Callum Sinclair versus Aaron Sandilands
Footballers don’t normally age like fine wine, but evergreen Aaron Sandilands is playing as well as he ever has, at the sprightly age of 35. In his 16th season, he’s racking up big numbers, averaging 42 hit-outs and 12 disposals per match, at or above his career average.

Callum Sinclair’s been in red-hot form himself, averaging 100 AFL Fantasy points per game, 35 hit-outs, 15.5 disposals and 4 clearances a game.

George Hewett versus Nat Fyfe
Nat Fyfe has been in tremendous form for the Dockers this season so far and is the reason why they’ve turned a leaf since last season. He’s a favourite for the Brownlow medal and he’s just getting better every time he plays. The Swans will turn to George Hewett, whose form has been patchy at best, but got the job done last week against Tom Mitchell.

Harry Cunningham versus Lachie Neale
Lachie Neale and Nat Fyfe have formed a dynamic duo double act, wrecking teams and dominating the midfield. Swans tackling machine Harry Cunningham will have to strangle Neale at every contest if the Swans want to win this match, given he’s averaging 32 disposals – 14 contested, 6.5 clearances and 4 inside 50s per match.

Lance Franklin versus Joel Hamling
No doubt Hamling was expecting Gary Rohan, Will Hayward or even Tom McCartin until 6.10pm on Thursday night. Now he is dealing with Lance Franklin, the second time he hass lined up on him after the Bulldogs 2016 AFL grand final win. Until his omission after Round 5, Franklin was leading the Coleman, scoring involvements, goal assists and goals kicked at the Swans.

(Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The Swans have won two from three in his absence, but will greatly enjoy his return to the side and goal kicking power.

The six points
1. The Swans have won four of the last six since Round 5, 2014, with both losses at Subiaco. The Swans have won by 90 and 104 in their last two matches, with the Dockers last win at the SCG in Round 17, 2011.

2. The Swans’ away form is far and away the best in the league, losing just two games away from the SCG since Round 7, 2017. Their home form is middle of the pack, winning nine from 16 since Round 1, 2017.

3. The Swans are the equal-highest clearance team in the league, averaging 40.5, the Dockers a distant 11th, with the Swans midfield bull Josh Kennedy the equal-fifth ranked player with 58 clearances.

4. The Dockers slightly edge the Swans in uncontested possessions (+23) and marks per game (+12), while the Swans lead in clearances (+4), contested possessions (+10) and tackles (+10). Expect the Swans to bring the fight to the Dockers.

5. The Swans scoring at the SCG is well below their averages from 2017, averaging just 78.75 points for, 26 less than 2017 while conceding 16 points more per game.

6. Neither team have been prolific scorers, with the Swans averaging 85-points to Fremantle’s 78-points. The Swans have been better at converting their chances inside 50, and with Franklin back in the team, the Dockers will want to keep it between the arcs.

It’s a big week for…
The recalled Sydney Swans superstar forward Lance Franklin has not played since Round 5, missing three matches with a bruised heel. The Swans have won two from three games in his absence, but with his stunning recall from the seeming abyss, it is important that he performs unrestricted.

Prediction
Sydney Swans by 47 points.