SUMMARY
Thursday night footy doesn't get any bigger than a top-two clash between the reigning three-time premiership winners and the last team to have success on Grand Final day before the Hawks' amazing run began. The winner of this clash will get plenty of confidence ahead of what could be another meeting or two in this year's finals series, with both sides coming off impressive wins on the road. Gun forward Lance Franklin carries the scoring hopes of the Swans, while the visitors will rely on their band of small men inside 50, with Cyril Rioli, Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo all in brilliant form. John Longmire's defence is the most miserly outfit in the league and it will need to shut down the star Hawks for the Swans to take top spot from the visitors.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Thursday, July 14, 7.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
Nick Smith will have to be in peak form to overcome Cyril Rioli. Picture: AFL Media
LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2016, Sydney Swans 10.9 (69) d Hawthorn 7.13 (55) at the MCG
R16, 2015, Hawthorn 23.8 (146) d Sydney Swans 7.15 (57) at ANZ Stadium
R8, 2015, Sydney Swans 11.7 (73) d Hawthorn 9.15 (69) at the MCG
GF, 2014, Hawthorn 21.11 (137) d Sydney Swans 11.8 (74) at the MCG
R18, 2014, Hawthorn 15.14 (104) d Sydney Swans 13.16 (94) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Lance Franklin and Gary Rohan kicked six of the Swans 10 goals in round nine; Dan Hannebery had 33 disposals and Luke Parker 30. Hawthorn was held to just two first-half goals.
2. The Swans continue to be the number one contested possession side in 2016, averaging 164.3 per game; in contrast Hawthorn has struggled in this area, ranked 13th at 137.5 per game.
3. Nothing separates the sides at the SCG, with the 24 contests resulting in 12 wins each. Hawthorn has won the last two matches at the venue, but hasn't played there since late in 2012.
4. Hawthorn continues to be the most accurate team this season, kicking 223.177 at 55.6 per cent, while the Swans are ninth with 211.179 at 51.7 per cent.
5. The Swans have dominated most opposition at the SCG in 2016, winning six of seven matches, with their only defeat against the Western Bulldogs. Hawthorn has lost three of their last four games in Sydney.
6. Hawthorn small forward Paul Puopolo continues to rise up the Schick AFL Player Ratings, from being 109th in round four, the speedster is now ranked 63rd in the competition.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Nick Smith
The All Australian draws the short straw every time the Swans meet the Hawks by getting the job on Cyril Rioli, and it'll be another crucial role for the small defender this week. Smith kept Rioli to just 11 touches and a goal when the Swans won a close one in round nine earlier this year, but the gun Hawthorn forward has 14 goals from his past five games, so it won't be an easy task.
PREDICTION: Swans by eight points
