SUMMARY
One team is flying and the other is spluttering towards the bye, as the Sydney Swans make the trip north to the Gold Coast a heavy favourite to make it five wins in succession. Coming off a strong victory against another struggling outfit in Carlton, on paper the Swans should have little trouble taking care of the injury-ravaged Suns. Their midfield is firing and Lance Franklin bounced back to form in a big way last week with seven goals. The Suns were plucky against Hawthorn in their last start, but with so much elite talent sitting on the sidelines, it's hard to see them genuinely pushing last year's runners-up.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, June 6, 4.35pm
AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FOUR TIMES
R12, 2014, Sydney Swans 17.7 (109) d Gold Coast 10.14 (74) at Metricon Stadium
R2, 2013, Sydney Swans 17.12 (114) d Gold Coast 11.7 (73) at the SCG
R18, 2012, Sydney Swans 19.12 (126) d Gold Coast 8.6 (54) at Metricon Stadium
R16, 2011, Sydney Swans 15.16 (106) d Gold Coast 4.12 (36) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Josh Kennedy collected the three Brownlow votes last time these sides met with 28 possessions and two goals. Harry Cunningham kicked four goals for the Swans, while Gary Ablett starred for the Suns with 37 touches and one goal.
2. No team has taken fewer marks inside 50 this season than Gold Coast, with just 72 at an average of eight a game. The Swans are ranked 12th with 95 at 10.6 a game.
3. The Swans have dominated the Suns in their four contests to date, winning by an average margin of 55 points.
4. The Swans are the number one tackling team in 2015, averaging 74.6 a game, while the Suns are ranked seventh at 68 a game.
5. No team has used more players (39) or given debuts to more players (six) in 2015 than the Suns. The Swans have used just 27 players.
6. Gold Coast will have just one fit player – Harley Bennell at 49th – ranked in the top 50 of the AFL Player Ratings, while the Swans have five in Josh Kennedy (8th), Lance Franklin (10th), Kieren Jack (24th), Jarrad McVeigh (41st) and Luke Parker (46th).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Kurt Tippett. While Franklin fired last week, Tippett continued his patchy season. He kicked two goals against the battling Blues to take his season tally to 16. While the hulking forward is contributing and the Swans keep winning, he's fine, but they'd love more from one of their marquee men. Perhaps returning 'home' to play a depleted Gold Coast defence could be the catalyst to get Tippett firing.
PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 45 points
