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The Hawthorn Hawks will have a double-chance in the 2018 AFL Finals after a thrilling win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG confirmed a top-four finish.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Sydney Swans 10.14.74
Hawthorn Hawks 12.11.83
A qualifying final spot is on the line when the Sydney Swans host the Hawthorn Hawks at the SCG on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:25pm (AEST).
In another Derby where Lance Franklin dominated, Sydney took bragging rights over the GWS Giants with a 20-point victory last Saturday.
After injury forced GWS defender Phil Davis forward, Franklin turned the GWS defence inside out and showed yet again that he can win a game off his own boot.
After a quieter than normal season, the Sydney midfield had a pep in their step and will need to keep lifting the intensity, as the matches only get tougher from here.
For Hawthorn, last Saturday night was tight and ugly, but they just held on to a four-point win against St Kilda.
Hawks fans would want to hope the poor showing was a once-off because, as coach Alastair Clarkson said, form like that will end in a “hasty” exit from the finals race.
In team news, Sydney have made one change for this evening’s clash, bringing in experienced defender Heath Grundy and omitting Robbie Fox.
Defender James Frawley (back) is one of three changes for the Hawks; Conor Glass and Marc Pittonet are the other omissions.
Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead headlines the inclusions, he’ll be joined in the selected side by David Mirra and Ricky Henderson.
In Round 8, when these two sides last met, Sydney took the win by eight points at the MCG.
Prediction
On the big stage, with plenty at stake, these two teams have had some classic matches as modern-day rivals, and this game is sure to be no different.
This year the SCG hasn’t been a fortress for the Swans, but in a big game like this, the home-ground factor could be the small edge Sydney need to get the job done.
Sydney by seven points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:25pm (AEST).
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