ONE WEEK out from the finals, the Sydney Swans are loving the form of star key forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
Franklin has enjoyed an outstanding first season with the Swans, kicking six goals in Sunday's 63-point victory over the Western Bulldogs to take his tally to 67 for the year and all but seal his third Coleman Medal.
He is nine goals ahead of Hawthorn spearhead and former teammate Jarryd Roughead with one match remaining.
But Tippett's recent form is almost more pleasing for the Swans, due to his injury-interrupted campaign.
Tippett has only played 10 of a possible 21 games this year due to a series of knee issues, but has played the past five straight, kicking 13 goals during that stretch.
He booted four against the Dogs on Sunday to take his total for the year to 27.
Buddy and Tippett, who have only made nine appearances together this season, combined for 28 touches, 13 marks and 10.3 against the Dogs.
"We got out of the blocks really well and then continued playing some pretty good footy," Swans defender Nick Smith said of their 16th win from their past 17 matches.
"We had a couple of big forwards going well, which is nice at this time of year.
"I thought 'Tippo' moved as well as he has all year, which is a real positive for us … and it's really good this time of year to see those guys playing good footy."
Next up for the Swans is a showdown with a red-hot Richmond side that has won eight consecutive games to force its way into the top eight for the first time this season.
It has been a remarkable turnaround, but the Tigers still need to beat the Swans to ensure they keep their season alive.
Smith feels a meeting with a fiercely determined Richmond outfit in round 23 is the ideal way for the Swans to prepare for September.
"I think they've won eight in a row, they're going to come up here playing some of their best footy," he said.
"Obviously they need a win to cement a finals spot, but we're playing for a lot as well.
"We want to make sure we're playing some good footy this week and then for the next five weeks, hopefully.
"It'll be finals-like intensity definitely and a really good lead-up to the coming weeks as well."
Dustin Martin is expected to return to the Tigers' line-up after he sat out Sunday's victory over St Kilda with a minor hamstring injury.
Smith, who returned to the Swans' side on Sunday following a two-week layoff of his own with back soreness, is one man who will likely be asked to keep an eye on the powerful Tiger when he drifts forward.
A critical member of the Swans' backline, Smith was relieved to get back out on the field following his injury.
"It felt really good. It was good to get through and good to play again," he said.
"You miss a few games and you realise how much you miss it and enjoy playing."
Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett booted 10 goals between them against the Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Media
