Where and when: SCG, Saturday, August 9, 7.10pm
Head to head: Sydney Swans 11 wins, Fremantle 8 wins
Last time: Sydney Swans 11.23 (89) d Fremantle 9.7 (61), round 14, 2007 at the SCG
SUMMARY
After two disappointing losses, the Swans will be buoyed by the return of Adam Goodes, Leo Barry and Jarred Moore as they face Fremantle, who have found form in recent weeks after struggling early in the season.
Pavlich varies his role between the midfield and attack. But both coaches will know that, for Fremantle to win, the visitors will probably need their skipper to kick a bag. The man most likely to stop him is Bolton, whose reputation has steadily grown in recent years to the point where he is now regarded among the top two or three defenders in the game. It promises to be an enthralling match-up and the victor of the duel could well be singing his team’s song at the final siren.
WILDCARDS
The AFL world knows Kennelly is a super player. Coach Paul Roos has said he might just be his most important. But the dashing Irishman just hasn’t been playing to his usual standards in recent weeks, which isn’t surprising given his injury woes. If he can rediscover his running best, the Swans will be well-placed to get back on the winner’s list.
Fremantle – Luke McPharlin
McPharlin has developed into a genuine star. Five goals from nine marks last week made him a nightmare for the Eagles’ defence. The Swans’ smallish backline will be tested on Saturday night. McPharlin’s ability to play back or forward makes him such a valuable asset but, it is when rotated up forward alongside Pavlich and Chris Tarrant, that his true worth is best seen.
Are the Swans terribly out of form or have they simply been playing better sides?
With Barry Hall struggling for goals and Michael O’Loughlin still missing, will Paul Roos’ team be able to manufacture a winning score?
Can Fremantle maintain its winning run and, as coach Mark Harvey suggested a few weeks back, continue to be “dangerous” in the final weeks of the season?
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey might well be proved correct. His team could become a finals wrecking ball in the run to September.
Fremantle has only beaten Melbourne, Port Adelaide and West Coast in recent weeks – hardly super teams in 2008 – but they do seem to have found some form and, more importantly, some confidence.
The Sydney Swans are a better side than Fremantle and should win, but Paul Roos’ side isn’t playing great footy. Goals have been a problem whereas the visitors look to have a few options in attack. If they get a sniff early they’ll be tough to hold out. But surely the Swans have too much to play for to let this one slip.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
