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Hobbled superstar Lance Franklin’s six-goal haul and a stunning match-winner from Tom McCartin have dragged Sydney back into the AFL’s top eight, with the Swans pipping Collingwood by two points at the SCG.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Sydney Swans 11.7.73
Collingwood Magpies 10.11.71
In another big Round 20 clash, the Sydney Swans, fighting for their finals lives, host the Collingwood Magpies, in what should be a Saturday night SCG classic. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game from 7:25pm AEST.
The Sydney Swans find themselves looking down the barrel of their finals-playing mortality, as they come into this round sitting in that ever precarious 9th position.
Geelong’s loss on Friday in their heart-pumping classic against Richmond has opened the door for the Swans to jump back into the eight, and should results go their way this round, the Swans can work their way back into strong finals contention.
There are one or two stories hovering around the Swans coming into their round. The form of Buddy has been perplexing, the future of Dan Hanneberry has been concerning, and the Swans’ inability to win at home has just been plain confusing.
However, the feel-good story of the round is that of Alex Johnson, returning to AFL footy after near 6 years out of the game, having undergone five knee reconstructions since his last game, that being the AFL grand final win in 2012.
As for the Swans’ opponents, the Pies, in a lot of ways, and though it may at times feel counterintuitive, you have to feel sorry for the black and white stripes.
I saw an interesting post on Twitter recently, from ABC political commentator and long-time Pies fan Barry Cassidy, putting out a starting 18 line-up for Collingwood of first team starters out injured. Ouch.
Yet the Pies come into this round still in third, having pushed Richmond all the way last weekend, and in a lot of ways they were unlucky not to get a result.
For Collingwood, a lot rests on the big, All-Australian form, broad shoulders of Brodie Grundy, having a season nobody thought would be capable of pushing Max Gawn for best ruckman in the game. Expect the bearded tall to have a big say in this contest.
It has been a while since these two teams last met, way back in round 3 last year, and that time, again at the SCG, it was Collingwood who held off a fast-finishing Sydney for the win.
Prediction
Home ground advantage, the return of Johnson, the desire to push back into the 8, and a possible return to form of Buddy should see the Swans home. Nothing against the Pies, but all those injuries and last week’s exhaustion must eventually take its toll.
Swans by 12.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game starting from 7:25pm AEST, and don’t forget to leave a comment below.
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