The Sydney Swans can look to strengthen their bid for a top-two finish when they host a Geelong Cats side that is at risk of missing out on finals altogether.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game in Round 16 of the 2018 AFL season at the SCG on Thursday night, starting from 7:20pm AEST.
Sydney have been one of the league’s strongest sides over the season so far, and find themselves in the top four as a result.
However, copping a loss to Richmond at Etihad Stadium last week has allowed Collingwood to catch up with them and knock them out of the top two, if only on a slim percentage margin.
Home ground advantage, of course, could be a massive influence when we come to this year’s finals series, and the Swans will be desperate to retake a spot in the top two.
Geelong on the other hand are fighting what may be an uphill battle just to qualify for finals at all, despite the promise of the Dangerwoodblett trio.
They’re just barely in the top eight on percentage at the start of this round, but will have to navigate a tricky fixture in their final eight weeks.
They play all of Sydney, Adelaide, Richmond, Melbourne and Hawthorn in the run home, and will want to win at least two or three of those matches to give themselves a real chance at playing in September.
Sydney have been hit by injury this week and are losing all of Isaac Heeney, Gary Rohan and James Rose. Dean Towers, Robbie Fox and Daniel Robinson come in.
Geelong have dropped James Parsons and Jordan Cunico, opting to bring in Scott Selwood and Jamaine Jones.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats in Round 16 of the 2018 AFL season at the SCG on Thursday night, starting from 7:20pm AEST.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I reckon if Longmire does get sacked Bolton is in strife!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
A season defining win Cat as I predicted in the forecast. Tough games against the Crows away, Melbourne, Tigers and Hawks to come. Still, the Cats have three gimmies in there as well in Suns, Freo and Lions. Three gimmies gets the Cats to 12 wins and you will probably beat Melbourne and Hawthorn so finals now appear a formality.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Hilariously bad non blow out, Geelong let everyone down by kicking goals,
Cat
Roar Guru
Only 6? Could have been a 10 goal win easily.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The Suns is the only gimme for the Swans on their run home. Theyv'e got as tough a draw as the Pies from here.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
To state the bleeding obvious Cats should have won by 6 goals. Sydney in trouble?
Doodaswans
Guest
The score lines over the last 2 weeks have flattered the swans. Our goal kicking accuracy has been top shelf and the oppositions has been very very ordinary. I’ve also really started to question the merits of some of the players being selected. In particular Hannebery, he is a shadow of the player he was 4 years ago. He can’t hit a target and doesn’t provide any defensive pressure. Last night 12 possessions and 0 tackles. We can’t afford to carry anyone let alone a key midfielder. Kieran Kack is another who continues to underwhelm. His stats are better than Hanners but his impact on the game is minimal. Our skill level as a a team is just atrocious and I honestly feel like Hanners is bringing everyone around him down. Once Heeney and Papley are back - drop these two. Also bring in Newman and drop Robinson (good effort but not AFL level). We can’t continue to carry players based on reputation. There is always a certain value that more experienced players bring to the younger players but we have enough old heads out there to guide the youth - Parker, Kennedy, Franklin, Grundy, McVeigh (if he isn’t injured) etc
John Raftopoulos
Guest
Mate your kidding!
Cat
Roar Guru
Correction: Cats next game is away at Adelaide Oval against the Crows, not home.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Good call. You'll jump up the tipping ladder for sure. Problem is, you won't get any closer to me. :)
Aw
Guest
Swans season is dust. At this point pencil all bar the gold coast game as a loss. Time for a new coach and new game plan.
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
And 2 of their 3 remaining games at home are against Collingwood and Hawthorn who won't be intimidated by playing there.
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
That loss means next week's game against North in Melbourne is Sydney's most important given their run home. They need to win 3 out of these 7 to make finals, and probably 5 to look at top 4. North Melbourne (a) Gold Coast (h) Essendon (a) Collingwood (h) Melbourne (a) GWS (a) Hawthorn (h) Keep in mind that all bar Gold Coast will be desperate to try to secure their finals spot, particularly if Essendon keep winning.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
That gives #log5 a bad name.Port will have Sydney's place in the four.Well done Cats, picked the margin and all, but I didn't think it'd be in behinds. All I need now is for the Crows to prick the Tiger's bubble and the Bombers to do the same to the Pies and my weekend is in business
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
And the dummy spat.
Aw
Guest
Yeah but they are on their last legs. Need to be put out of their misery!
Birdman
Roar Rookie
thanks for your work tonight Sam - enjoyed it
Birdman
Roar Rookie
fair call
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Roaming Brian - argghhh! what a fl*g!
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Woeful kicking from the Cats enough to beat the Swans. A poor display in front of goals was more than enough for the Cats to hold off the Swans in Sydney. Kicking 8 goals 23 behinds in the game the Cats should have won by far more against the Swans who were a man down for the majority of the game. Geelong Cats 8.23.71 defeat Sydney Swans 9.5.59 Sydney were impressive in spurts but the Cats controlled the game throughout, 3 goals 10 from set shots for Geelong though was the big talking point throughout, especially when you look at the accuracy of the Swans. Lance Franklin was 1 goal shy of kicking his 900th of his career. A sloppy start to the game saw the cats have 8 inside 50s for just 3 behinds early, Sydney were struggling to keep a hand on the ball at times with a number of early turnovers. Players have been slipping over frequently due to the conditions on the ground. Kieran Jack left the ground mid way through the first with a potential knee injury but after some strapping and some boundary work the Swans are hoping he can come back on the ground. Both teams have had some fierce tackling pressure with the Swans taking the early edge with 25 tackles to the Cats 17. Geelong lead by 15 points. Sydney Swans 3.2.20 Geelong Cats 4.11.35 A strong 2nd quarter from Geelong see's them jump to a 15 point lead after trailing by 4 at the quarter break. Sydney had no answer to Geelongs forward 50 pressure, the only goal for the Swans came late in the quarter through a Buddy Franklin wonder goal. The ball usage from Geelong in the second was much improved from the first quarter, with better chances going inside 50, the big issue so far for the Cats though is their inaccuracy kicking at goal. The Cats dominated their inside 50s in the quarter leading at the half 29 to the Swans 18. Kieran Jack is out for the remainder of the game for the Swans with a medial ligament injury. The ground is very dewy and it has affected the players all over the ground with a number of players slipping over and dropping marks. End of the third quarter scores are tied. Sydney Swans 7.4.46 Geelong Cats 5.16.46 Much more entertaining football in the third term, the slippery ground is still making it difficult for the players but they have adjusted to the conditions well. The Swans started the quarter off strongly kicking 5 scores including 3 goals, 2 of those goals were to Lance Franklin who was looking to take the game over on his own. Geelong responded again through Tom Hawkins who kicked a goal to give the Cats back the lead, this was short lived though as Luke Parker responded down the other end to give the Swans back the lead in the see sawing quarter. Inaccuracy is plaguing the Cats in front of goals and it has been costly so far as they have dominated the game in large portions without actually taking it over like they should have. Gary Ablett left the ground midway through with a knock to the leg but returned not long after. The last quarter was a tough quarter from both teams with neither wanting to let up early, The Cats continued to struggle in front of goals but did more than enough to ultimately keep the Swans at bay. Tim Kelly and Tom Hawkins were impressive throughout the game but a late Harry Taylor goal put the game out of reach for Sydney. Jarryd McVeigh left the game late with what looks to be a collarbone injury after a hard tackle into the turf. Cats now stay in the top 8 and the Swans will be licking their wounds despite staying in the top 4. Swans will be facing North Melbourne at Etihad next week as the Cats will be at home against the Crows. Leading Goal Kickers. Lance Franklin 4 Sydney Swans Tim Kelly 2 Geelong Cats Tom Hawkins 2 Geelong Cats Luke Parker 2 Sydney Swans Leading Disposals Jake Lloyd 33 Sydney Swans Mitch Duncan 32 Geelong Cats Joel Selwood 28 Geelong Cats 8.23.71 Sydney Swans 9.5.59