SUMMARY
After playing the Swans five successive times in Perth, the Eagles finally take on their old rival in Sydney in one of the games of the round. The two clubs swapped players at the end of last season with Callum Sinclair and Lewis Jetta trading cities, so it will be interesting to see which club can get the bragging rights. Ruckmen Nic Naitanui and Kurt Tippett shape as match-winners for their respective sides, and with the Swans midfield in outstanding form, getting first hands on the footy is vital for the home side as it's the forwards who will reap the rewards. The Eagles will need to keep Lance Franklin and Isaac Heeney quiet but Adam Simpson's side has plenty of firepower of its own in the form of Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras and Jack Darling.
It's a big week for former Swan Lewis Jetta. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R17, 2015, West Coast 15.13 (103) d Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) at Domain Stadium
R16, 2014, Sydney Swans 10.19 (79) d West Coast 7.9 (51) at Domain Stadium
R17, 2013, Sydney Swans 17.11 (113) d West Coast 11.13 (79) at Domain Stadium
R16, 2012, Sydney Swans 18.13 (121) d West Coast 10.9 (69) at Domain Stadium
R3, 2011, Sydney Swans 15.11 (101) d West Coast 13.10 (88) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles dominated the Swans the last time these sides met, with ruckman Nic Naitanui picking up the three Brownlow votes with 41 hit-outs.
2. The Swans are the No.1 contested possession team in 2016 so far, averaging 161.5 per game, while West Coast is middle of the road in this category with 141.8 per game.
3. West Coast's win over the Swans in round 17 last season ended an eight-game losing sequence and the Eagles haven't defeated the Swans in consecutive contests since 2007.
4. The Swans are ranked first for inside 50s so far in 2016, averaging 67.3 per game, while they're third for scoring, averaging 115 points per game.
5. Heavily in the Swans' favour is their record against West Coast at the SCG. Although the teams haven't played at the venue since 2010, the Swans have won 12 of the 15 contests there, and the Eagles haven't grabbed the points there since 1999.
6. West Coast will rely heavily on Nic Naitanui – their highest-ranked player in the Schick AFL Player Ratings at No.7 – to win the footy out of the middle, while the Swans' top gun Josh Kennedy (10th overall) will be vital to their chances of winning the clearances.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Lewis Jetta
The speedster returns to face his old side in a game that could see the Eagles replace the Swans in the top four with a victory at the SCG. Jetta hasn't had a great record in big games since he helped the Swans to the 2012 premiership, but his run and carry could torch his former teammates and Swans coach John Longmire will be keen to put plenty of pressure on the West Australian.
PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 23 points
