Sydney Swans
118
Match Complete
West Coast Eagles
26
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| J. Bell |  | 28:54 | ||
| I. Heeney |  | 25:03 | ||
| 23:40 | | O. Allen | ||
| 18:52 | | J. Darling | ||
| 14:40 | | J. Cripps | ||
| T. Papley | | 12:11 | ||
| L. Franklin | | 10:17 | ||
| I. Heeney | | 7:34 | ||
| T. Papley | | 6:15 | ||
| L. Franklin | | 1:24 | ||
| 13.8 (86) | Third Quarter [+] | 3.5 (23) | ||
| I. Heeney | | 25:18 | ||
| 23:24 | | J. Darling | ||
| J. Dawson | | 20:20 | ||
| T. Papley | | 18:40 | ||
| 15:42 | | J. J. Kennedy | ||
| 13:09 | | Rushed | ||
| E. Gulden | | 9:37 | ||
| 6:36 | | E. Yeo | ||
| L. Franklin | | 5:13 | ||
| E. Gulden | | 3:18 | ||
| 11.4 (70) | Second Quarter [+] | 1.3 (9) | ||
| O. Florent | | 29:15 | ||
| J. Amartey | | 23:50 | ||
| L. Franklin | | 19:23 | ||
| S. Wicks | | 17:34 | ||
| J. Dawson | | 16:11 | ||
| W. Hayward | | 13:02 | ||
| L. Parker | | 7:07 | ||
| I. Heeney | | 3:05 | ||
| 5.2 (32) | First Quarter [+] | 1.3 (9) | ||
| 26:54 | | T. Kelly | ||
| L. Franklin | | 24:29 | ||
| I. Heeney | | 23:38 | ||
| L. Franklin | | 21:49 | ||
| 20:17 | | J. Jones | ||
| E. Gulden | | 16:23 | ||
| W. Hayward | | 13:09 | ||
| 11:17 | | E. Yeo | ||
| 10:01 | | J. Darling | ||
| S. Wicks | | 8:30 | ||
| J. Amartey | | 3:39 | ||
NSW’s COVID-19 outbreak has forced this crucial match between finals contenders the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles to be played in the unusual surrounds of Geelong. Tune into The Roar for live scores from 1:10pm (AEST) as Sunday footy begins.
Both these sides have been in the top eight virtually all season long, but cracks are beginning to appear as the march towards finals begins in earnest. The Swans have dropped two in a row, following up a disastrous home loss to Hawthorn with a far more admirable defeat on the road to Port Adelaide. The twin defeats have probably put a line through the Swans’ top-four chances, however; and games like today will surely determine whether they earn a first-week home final as well.
However, with Lance Franklin in scintillating form and with a history of torching the Eagles, John Longmire has every right to be confident that losing streak ends here. In-form ruckman Tom Hickey also has plenty to prove, the former Eagle taking on his one-time ruck comrade in Nic Naitanui. Their centre-square battle will be pivotal.
What to make of the Eagles this season? Minus a litany of injured stars, they gutsed their way to victories over Carlton and Richmond before their bye; only to, with many of those guns back, capitulate to the Western Bulldogs on their home turf. The 2018 premiers appear to be a team in decline, but if Adam Simpson can wring one last burst from his undoubtedly talented list, they can still recover to give September a serious shake.
Injuries and suspension have again hobbled them for their trip to the Cattery, with Andrew Gaff a late scratching thanks to a hand injury and Liam Ryan banned for a week for an incident against the Bulldogs. Their outs open the door for new half-back Alex Witherden, formerly of Brisbane, and young duo Luke Foley and Luke Edwards another chance to shine.
The Eagles haven’t enjoyed their trips down to Geelong in the past, losing their last six at the venue, with some by whopping margins. Indeed, they haven’t won here since 2006. The Swans, meanwhile, have a history of stunning the Cats on their home turf, winning three of their last six, including consecutive wins from 2016-18. Can they continue their mastery of the league’s most unique field?
Game information
Opening bounce: 1:10pm (AEST)
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
TV: Seven, Fox Footy
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Swans $1.85, Eagles $1.96 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Sydney Swans
B: 30 Tom McCartin, 24 Dane Rampe (c), 42 Robbie Fox
HB: 34 Jordan Dawson, 7 Harry Cunningham, 44 Jake Lloyd
C: 27 Justin McInerney, 13 Oliver Florent, 29 George Hewett
HF: 5 Isaac Heeney, 21 Errol Gulden, 9 Will Hayward
F: 36 Joel Amartey, 23 Lance Franklin, 11 Tom Papley
FOL: 31 Tom Hickey, 14 Callum Mills, 26 Luke Parker (c)
I/C: 12 Josh Kennedy (c), 22 Nick Blakey, 32 James Bell, 45 Sam Wicks
EMG: 8 James Rowbottom, 18 Callum Sinclair, 38 Colin O’Riordan, 41 Hayden McLean
IN: Sam Wicks, Nick Blakey (R15 medical sub)
OUT: James Rowbottom, Kaiden Brand
West Coast Eagles
B: 28 Tom Cole, 37 Tom Barrass, 5 Brad Sheppard
HB: 14 Liam Duggan, 20 Jeremy McGovern, 25 Shannon Hurn
C: 8 Jack Redden, 6 Elliot Yeo, 16 Luke Edwards
HF: 15 Jamie Cripps, 27 Jack Darling, 4 Dom Sheed
F: 12 Oscar Allen, 17 Josh Kennedy, 31 Jamaine Jones
FOLL: 9 Nic Naitanui, 11 Tim Kelly, 13 Luke Shuey (c)
INT: 7 Zac Langdon, 19 Nathan Vardy, 23 Alex Witherden, 29 Luke Foley
EMG: 2 Jake Waterman, 21 Jack Petruccelle, 35 Josh Rotham, 41 Brendon Ah Chee
IN: Alex Witherden, Jamaine Jones, Luke Foley, Nathan Vardy, Zac Langdon
OUT: Jack Petruccelle, Jake Waterman, Josh Rotham, Andrew Gaff, Liam Ryan
Angela
Roar Rookie
Some of the best years of my life were spent in Perth and WA. Love the joint.
nics
Roar Rookie
Actually I blame Freo for losing the 2015 Preliminary Final against the Hawks. Or I blame us for winning the 2018 GF, which then made the club think it was in a premiership window and stack all the chips on Kelly. I don't know anymore. :laughing:
nics
Roar Rookie
I have a lot of respect for the Swans after 2005/2006, and Goodes is one of my favourites. Outside of Eagles Grand Finals, the Sydney/Hawks one where Sydney won a while back stands in the memory.
Angela
Roar Rookie
A gentleman as usual Nics, thank you. We are in 'lockdown' here, however, swimming is still allowed and as the weather is excellent I did hit the surf so, yes, between that and the Swan's performance an excellent w/e indeed.
nics
Roar Rookie
We broke each other Sven.
nics
Roar Rookie
Your boys were excellent Angela - I hope that capped off an excellent weekend for you.
mr house
Guest
The eagles are in a bit of rut atm. Don't know what is going wrong for them. This year has been a write off. It all started with that capitulation to the saints earlier in the year after leading by 5 odd goals. Haven't looked the same since. Today was probably the worst they have played in years though, notwithstanding the woeful belting by geelong earlier in the year. Two 90+ belting in a year is completely unacceptable for a side like the eagles. Doubtful they make finals after this horrible loss to sydney. Not an easy run home either. Disappointing
nics
Roar Rookie
And yet they are still in the 8 having finished 5th 5th and premiership. Those other mentally stronger teams must have real issues eh?. Stats and all that...
Cat
Roar Guru
Pretty sure that applies to every team in the league.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha.
Tim Keller
Roar Rookie
Did I just say mediocre bahhhh such a lie mediocre is being very kind. Can you be to happy and content just as an Eagle player? What the heck is wrong with them? Even our biggest hatters even acknowledge on paper (like that means anything especially with WCE) we should be really good…. too happy of an environment or something has taken all heart and hunger out our team… you will not succeed without hunger and desire.. waaaaaa
Tim Keller
Roar Rookie
After supporting WCE all my life as I will always continue to do especially after 2 weeks of powerhouse performances like we all just witnessed..... I am know 100 percent sure we will win the flag by at least 150 points.... Bulldogs phhhhh.... Brisbane phhhhh..... Geelong phhhh.... we got you guys.... in nothing but I'm a happy daddy club getting paid to be mediocre..... Love my team.... damn it gets hard to say... I said it once I say it many times soft as fu%@%#%@^
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
Winter is dead set good for nought :laughing:
DarwinDee
Guest
I been saying for 2.5 years now the Eagles are mentally weak. I wasn't joking or having a crack... they are mentality weak.
DarwinDee
Guest
That's the issue some years with the 8...
Gerry
Roar Rookie
Hilarious
nics
Roar Rookie
I hear you can get a serve of Eagles for 50c at maccas.
nics
Roar Rookie
I blame winter.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Gerry clueless!? Who would've thought? Bwahaha!
nics
Roar Rookie
The footy gods are punishing us for 1992 and 1994.