The Hawks have been sluggish in its past two matches, despite recording wins against Port Adelaide and Gold Coast, while the Swans rebounded from its loss to Collingwood with a big win over the Western Bulldogs.

The Swans have the home ground advantage, but when top spot is on the line, neither team will be focused on anything except the four points.

Looking ahead

The Swans have been the best performed team so far this season, and turn the corner as clubs race towards the finals in prime position to secure a home final.

The Hawks of course defeated the Swans in last year’s finals series, ending Sydney’s run in the semi final at the MCG. But, the Swans got their revenge in Round 5 of this season, defeating the Hawks by 37 points in Tasmania.

So, how have they managed to drop just four matches so far this season?

Everyone knows that the Swans love their football, tough, tight and contested. They love to lock the ball in, force stoppage after stoppage and combine defence with attack.

All those characteristics are still there.

The Swans are the number one contested possession side in the competition, averaging 151 contested possessions per game. They are ranked third in the league for clearances with 40, they love to tackle, and are the second best team in the league at doing it.

What John Longmire has done, is combine the tough, hard, contested brand of Sydney Swans football with an attacking, eye-catching, full of flair game style that has so far netted his side 16 wins.

The Swans are the fourth highest scoring team in the AFL, compare that with its scoring record in its premiership season, 2005, when the Swans averaged the least points for, out of the sides in the top eight.

In fact, only Collingwood (15th) and Hawthorn (14th) scored more points for throughout the 2005 season.

Lewis Jetta has perhaps had the biggest impact on the Swans in an attacking sense, with the exciting midfielder/forward adding electrifying pace to the Swans line-up. Jetta loves to run and carry the footy - he averages 16 disposals and more importantly, two goals per game. Would love to see a match-up between the two opposing speedsters, Isaac Smith and Jetta.

His run and carry, combined with the run of Rhyce Shaw off half back for Sydney provides the Swans forwards with great opportunity to hit the scoreboard. Shaw averages four running bounces per match, the most of any player in the competition.

The steadfast defence of key position players Heath Grundy and Ted Richards has also contributed to Sydney’s rise, with Richards in particular in arguably career-best form. Richards backs himself against his opponent, zones off to help his teammates and stops opposition forward entries in their tracks. He also provides run, averaging three rebounds 50s per game from his 14 disposals.

Richards and Grundy form part of the league’s best defensive unit. On average, the Swans concede just 70.75 points per game. Incredibly, no team has hit the ton against the Swans this season. The closest came in Round 6, when the Swans were beaten by Adelaide. In that game, the Crows scored 99 points.

That could change this week, however, as the Hawks are the heaviest scoring team in the league. And with a forward line consisting of Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust and Jack Gunston, there is little wonder why. The Hawks average a massive 124.1 points per game.

If the Hawks can break the ton against the Swans on Saturday, a victory, and top spot will likely beckon.


Luke Hodge: “How hard they work for one another and their contested footy is outstanding.

“The way you’ve got to beat them is, beat them at their own game.

“Match them, if not beat them at the contested footy and make sure you’re working just as hard, if not harder than what they are.”


Andrew Russo on twitter: “Contested ball, pure and simple. Need first hands on it. The ground is so small that whoever wins first use more will win.”

Moe Sheikhy on twitter: “Play hard footy for four quarters! Bring back the unsociable footy we played in 2008! Stop Goodes and Kennedy! Game over!”






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