The Sydney Swans return to the SCG still upset with their effort in last Saturday's Grand Final rematch against Hawthorn. The manner of the 37-point defeat hurt, and the loss has left the fifth-placed premiers a little vulnerable to the chasing pack. Expect them to hit Fremantle with plenty of force from the opening bounce in an effort to get back to the hard, contested football that was lacking at the MCG. They will also be doing plenty of work this week on improving their forward entries after they were very poor in that area against the Hawks' excellent backline. Despite some injury troubles, Fremantle has won its past three games to sit just outside the top four on percentage. Last week, the Dockers lost ruckman Jon Griffin for the season to a knee injury, but still withstood a Collingwood fightback to head to Sydney carrying some winning form. Coach Ross Lyon is finding a way to rearrange his depleted team and still keep it competitive, and will be boosted this week by the expected returns of Stephen Hill (quad) and Nat Fyfe (suspension).
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday May 18, 7.40pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2012: Sydney 14.10 (94) d Fremantle 12.9 (81) at the SCG
R17, 2011: Fremantle 15.8 (98) d Sydney 13.9 (87) at the SCG
R20, 2010: Sydney 14.12 (96) d Fremantle 13.9 (87) at Patersons Stadium
R9, 2010: Fremantle 14.16 (100) d Sydney 9.9 (63) at the SCG
R5, 2009: Fremantle 18.13 (121) d Sydney 16.4 (100) at Patersons Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. This will be the 26th meeting between these two teams, with the Swans holding the advantage 14-11.
2. They have met 14 times at the SCG, with the Swans dominating contests at their home ground, winning 10 of them. But the Dockers have improved, winning two of their past three at the Sydney venue.
3. Both teams are typically strong defensively, and that is no different so far in 2013. Through seven rounds, Freo is ranked second for least points conceded, with the Swans sitting seventh.
4. A tight tussle could again be on the cards on Saturday night. The past three games between Fremantle and the Swans have been decided by an average of 11 points.
5. The Swans are the AFL's No.1 side for contested possessions, with the Dockers ranked ninth. The Swans' midfield is also ranked first overall in clearances.
6. The highest attendance for games involving these sides at the SCG is 30,228, achieved in round 17, 2003. So far in 2013, the Swans have averaged just under 25,000 fans for SCG games against Gold Coast, Geelong and the Brisbane Lions.
