WHEN & WHERE: Saturday night, SCG.
COVERAGE: Fox Footy Channel (Mel, Per, Ade, Bri), Network Ten (Syd), ABC Radio, Radio 2
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 195. Sydney 89, Geelong 106.
LAST TIME: Sydney 17.10 (112) d Geelong 11.7 (73), round eight, 2003, at the SCG. The Swans were far too good for the bottom-placed Cats, who lost skipper Steven King before the game with a calf injury. Sydney, with Daryn Cresswell and Ben Matthews each compiling 24 possessions, was well clear at every change and coasted to an easy win. Cameron Ling, with 28 touches, played a lone hand for the Cats.
WORRIES: Sydney forward Michael O’Loughlin’s right hamstring twinge during the win over Fremantle has him in doubt. Young midfielder Jarrad Sundqvist is out for the season after injuring his knee at training last week. The Cats have nine players on their injury list who could all legitimately lay a claim to a first-team place. Gary Ablett missed the opening two games with a groin strain, but will be tested this week, as will Brenton Sanderson (calf) and Peter Riccardi (groin). Steven King and Will Slade (osteitis pubis) are among four players unavailable.
THE WHITEBOARD: Geelong’s younger brigade didn’t stand up against Carlton and will be put through a searching examination on the track this week. Four-quarter efforts are what coach Mark Thompson will be asking for. Spearhead Barry Hall will have to contend with the league’s best backman in Matthew Scarlett, while the challenge is there for Cameron Ling to try and shake off either Brett Kirk or Jared Crouch.
AND THE WINNER IS… Sydney. The Swans were excellent during last week’s effort in the wet and have bounced back beautifully from the narrow opening-round loss to the Lions. Geelong will be better, but with such an inexperienced and injury-hit line-up it is hard to see it threatening the home side. The pain of an honourable loss awaits. Sydney by 15 points.
