Match details
Sunday April 3, ANZ Stadium, 2.10pm (local time)
Click here for full Match Day Information, including tickets.
Teams
Sydney Swans
B: Paul Bevan, Ted Richards, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Andrejs Everitt
C: Lewis Jetta, Kieren Jack, Nicholas Smith
HF: Jude Bolton, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
F: Ryan O'Keefe, Sam Reid, Daniel Hannebery
Foll: Shane Mumford, Josh P. Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh
I/C: Jesse White, Brett Meredith, Craig Bird, Mike Pyke, Gary Rohan, Byron Sumner, Luke Parker
In: Brett Meredith, Craig Bird, Mike Pyke, Luke Parker
Out: Mark Seaby
New: Luke Parker (Dandenong Stingrays)
Essendon
B: Cale Hooker, Dustin Fletcher, Kyle Hardingham
HB: Courtenay Dempsey, David Myers, Mark McVeigh
C: Jake Melksham, Jobe Watson, Jason Winderlich
HF: Leroy Jetta, Michael Hurley, Brent Stanton
F: Stewart Crameri, Patrick Ryder, David Zaharakis
Foll: David Hille, Heath Hocking, Dyson Heppell
I/C: Sam Lonergan, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Alwyn Davey, Kyle Reimers, Tom Bellchambers, Brent Prismall, Ben Howlett
In: Alwyn Davey, Kyle Reimers, Tom Bellchambers, Brent Prismall
Out: Angus Monfries (Injured)
Summary
Although the Sydney Swans were unable to secure the four points against Melbourne last weekend, they go into Sunday’s clash against Essendon in the best position they’ve been in after round one since 2005.
Having led for all but a few minutes until late in the game when Brad Green soccered through a goal, the Swans were unlucky not to win, although key stats may have suggested otherwise. The Swans were heavily beaten 123 to 158 by Melbourne in the contested possession count, which has been identified as an area to work on this weekend.
Essendon go into the game full of confidence - sitting atop the ladder after last week’s 55-point win over the Bulldogs, and having lost just the 2011 NAB Cup Grand Final against Collingwood. The Bombers’ outside runners were too strong for the Bulldogs last week, resulting in 71-40 inside 50m entries and 33 scoring shots to 18.
The Marn Grook Trophy
This Sunday marks the 10th annual Marn Grook trophy match between the Sydney Swans and Essendon. The match honours the Indigenous roots of Australian football and recognises the valuable contribution of Indigenous players at both clubs.
Marn Grook is the name given to a traditional game played during a corroboree of the Djabwurrung and Jardwadjali clans in Victoria's Western District. It is believed that this game is one of the inspirations for Australian football as we know it today.
The traditional game was played with a ball made from possum skin about the size of an orange which was filled with pounded charcoal and/or grass and was bound into a hard ball with Kangaroo sinews and then kicked and tossed by two opposing teams of up to 50 players.
The meaning of Marn Grook translates to 'Game Ball', and it is believed in the 1840's the founder of Australian football, Tom Wills, observed a game of Marn Grook and thought it was a good way for Australian cricketers to keep fit in the winter.
The Swans are the reigning trophy holders and hold a 6-3 advantage in Marn Grook trophy matches.
Click here to watch Adam Goodes and Jobe Watson speak exclusively to Swans TV about this week's game.
Players to watch
Sydney Swans: Jude Bolton
After last year’s round 11 game against Essendon, Jude Bolton was the toast of Sydney after collecting 36 disposals - 26 of which were contested - 11 clearances, 12 tackles, six inside 50s, five free kicks for and four goal assists. Playing a different role in the second half last weekend, Bolton was on top form again, finishing with three goals and a Mark of the Year contender.
Click here to vote for Jude Bolton's Mark of the Year contender.
Essendon: Dyson Heppell
The number eight draft pick in last year’s national draft got his AFL career off to the perfect start last week with a 20 possession game across half-back. Heppell was duly rewarded with the season’s first nominee for the 2011 Rising Star, and could add the award that is currently held by Daniel Hannebery to last year’s Morrish Medal.
Match-up to watch
Shane Mumford v David Hille/Patrick Ryder
After a tough assignment against Melbourne’s twin towers Mark Jamar and Stefan Martin, it doesn’t get much easier for Shane Mumford in this weekend’s encounter. David Hille and Paddy Ryder are the prototype for the modern day ruck combination. Both have the skills and agility to be damaging across the ground, and with ruckman now having to spend increased time on the ground, they are dangerous options when resting forward.
Click here to see Shane Mumford answer your questions ahead of the Essendon game.
Coaching match-up
John Longmire v James Hird
This will be the first meeting between John Longmire and James Hird as senior coaches. Hird has brought a more defensive mindset to the Bombers, while still encouraging his players to run in numbers from behind the ball. Longmire showed last weekend that run and carry from the half-back line will be a critical part of the Swans attack, though when the game was on the line in the dying minutes, the Swans showed they are still specialists in locking the ball in around the contest.
Click here to hear John Longmire speak about this week's ins and outs.
Memorable match
Preliminary Final, 1996: Sydney Swans 10.10 (70) d Essendon 10.9 (69), SCG
Famous for Tony Lockett’s point after the final siren to take the Swans through to the Grand Final, the 1996 Preliminary Final was so much more. Essendon blitzed the Swans in the first quarter, before a five goal to nil second term saw the Swans go into the long break two goals in front. In a tight second half, the Bombers managed to get two goals in front with only three minutes remaining, before Dale Lewis and the Daryn Cresswell both goaled to tie things up in the final moments. Then we all remember what happened next…
What John Longmire says …
“Essendon are looking very good, they’re up and about, there is no doubt about that. They are jumping out of the block but we look forward to playing them and our players can’t wait for the game to start.’’
Media coverage
Television: Channel 7 - 2pm Sydney (live), 3pm Melbourne (delay)
Radio: afl.com.au, Triple M, ABC
Check out www.afl.com.au/broadcast for your local listings
Alternatively you can get live updates from Swans insiders on Facebook (facebook.com/sydneyswans) and Twitter (twitter.com/sydneyswans)
2011 form
Essendon: W (def Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113) to 8.10 (58))
Sydney Swans: D (drew with Melbourne 11.18 (84) to 11.18 (84))
2011 Ladder position
Sydney Swans: 9th
Essendon: 1st
Head-to-head
Played: 209
Sydney Swans: 79 wins
Essendon: 129 wins
Drawn: 1
At this ground
Played: 5
Sydney Swans: 4 wins
Essendon: 1 win
Last time they met
Round 11, 2010: Sydney 12.17 (89) def Essendon 12.8 (80), SCG
Current streak
Sydney Swans (1)
Injury list (as at March 30)
Sydney Swans: Daniel Bradshaw (knee) - indefinite, Trent Dennis-Lane (ankle) - 2-4 weeks, Campbell Heath (knee) - 4-6 weeks, Tadhg Kennelly (knee) - test, Nick Malceski (knee) - 8-10 weeks, Jarred Moore (ankle) - test, Matt Spangher (quad) - 1-2 weeks
Essendon: Ben Howlett (knee) - test, Anthony Long (hamstring) - indefinite, Tayte Pears (foot) - ongoing assessment, Henry Slattery (broken thumb) - 1-2 weeks, Andrew Welsh (abdominal) - ongoing assessment
