Head to head: Sydney Swans 21 wins, West Coast 19 wins
Last time: Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d West Coast 15.11 (101), round eight, 2009 at ANZ Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Sydney Swans
Craig Bird (foot) - 4-5 weeks
Ben McGlynn (quad) - 2-4 weeks
Jake Orreal (back) - TBA
Kristin Thornton (knee) - 4-5 weeks
West Coast
Sam Butler (facial fracture) - 2-3 weeks
Tim Houlihan (foot) - 6 weeks
Daniel Kerr (hamstring) - 12 weeks
Luke Shuey (knee) - 2 weeks
FORM
Sydney Swans: LWWW
West Coast: LLLW
SUMMARY
Like they have for so many seasons, Paul Roos’ Swans have refused to slide down the ladder as many expected, instead bursting out to an impressive 3-1 start.
They were tested by North Melbourne last week, but after three even quarters the Swans held North goalless in the last term to win by 40 points.
After its worst start to a season since 1989, West Coast notched its first win for the season in round four on the back of some ruck brilliance from Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox.
The Bombers were “appalling” according to coach Matthew Knights, but you can only beat who is put in front of you and West Coast showed some improvement at the end of a poor first month.
The fierce modern-day rivals will clash in the inaugural HMAS Sydney II Cup, commemorating the 645 sailors lost when the HMAS Sydney II sank off the coast of Western Australia in 1941.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Lewis Jetta was linked to West Coast for months leading up to the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, but he was overlooked by the Eagles and the Sydney Swans became his AFL home. The exciting 20-year-old has played every game and is providing crucial run and carry.
A NAB Rising Star nomination finally arrived for ruck prodigy Nic Naitanui after his dominant performance against Essendon. While the 19-year-old is still flashing in and out of games, his tap work is consistently excellent and the freakish clearances are becoming more and more regular.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Eagles lock down Adam Goodes? The dual Brownlow Medallist is in great form and well placed for a big game against a fierce rival.
Whose youngsters will stand taller? West Coast has a stockpile of highly-touted young midfielders, but so far in 2010 they’ve failed to meet expectations. Young Swan Dan Hannebery, meanwhile, has crept up on the rest of the competition.
How will the Swans replace in-form forward Ben McGlynn? The Hawthorn recruit has been a revelation this season, but will miss up to a month with a quad injury.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Since playing off in the 2006 grand final, these sides have taken different paths. Where West Coast has given opportunities and time to its young players, the Swans have drafted in mature bodies from rival clubs. Clever recruiting has them ahead of the Eagles for now and they should win comfortably on Saturday. No current Eagle has won at the SCG.
PREDICTION
Sydney Swans by 36 points
Follow Paul Johnson's inside view of Sydney Swans v West Coast at #aflswanseagles on Twitter.com from 6.40pm Friday or @AFL_PaulJohnson#aflswanseagles
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
