This is an interesting match-up because of the make up of the respective Sydney Swans and Carlton defences, and the key role that these guys play as primary rebounding and ball-carrying options. They are the players which coaches John Longmire and Mick Malthouse look to for run and dash from the back half.
Nick Malceski
Malceski is suffering a bit lately from being the only one filling this role. The retirement of Marty Mattner and the injury to Rhyce Shaw means he’s an easy target to shut down.
Against Hawthorn last week the Swans did their best to get Malceski free and he was a handy player, but generally the Hawks weren’t prepared to concede the spare man, choosing to keep the Swans' defenders accountable. Most of the Swans’ rebound was taken away from them due to the amount of ball that was coming into their defensive zone but they must rediscover some run off half-back and Malceski is the man to drive it.
Jarrad McVeigh has the capability to help out in this area if he can be left to play in defence full-time, but I’d also like to see the Swans create more intercepts or add another running type to help with their normal explosive transition play.
One of the good things about Malceski is that he can play on a variety of different forwards, but I think Mick Malthouse might determine his match-up, with four-goal qualifying hero Nick Duigan a strong possibility to be his opponent.
Andrew Walker
It’s a totally different Andrew Walker these days to the player who kicked 56 goals at the other end of the ground in 2011. He’s been swung into the back half by Mick Malthouse and used as the primary ball carrier in defence.
It’s understandable, given that Walker has the capacity to play on a small or a tall opponent, and I think on the odd occasion last week he even found himself on Richmond’s Ty Vickery.
It’s an altogether new-look Carlton defence this year, with only Michael Jamison and Lachie Henderson of the regular back six that played under Brett Ratten. Bryce Gibbs, Chris Yarran, Nick Duigan and Jeremy Laidler have either been out of the team or playing elsewhere.
Effectively, Walker is filling the role that Gibbs played, allowing the former No.1 draft pick to slot into the midfield where he’s had a pretty solid year. If he’s given the opportunity to run and carry, Walker will be a dangerous player, and could be used to play on someone like Dan Hannebery should he go forward.
Verdict
I’m tipping the Swans to bounce back this week, and so I’m counting on their prime movers to really lift. They’ve got some issues, and certainly Malceski could do with help down back, but I’m expecting him to play a pivotal role in a home win.
