Sydney Swans Vs Collingwood Magpies Preview
July 2nd 2008 00:02
Brett Kirk looks to be the key man against the Magpies this Saturday night
The Lowdown
The battle between these two teams always draw a crowd. The intensity in which they play their football appeals to all that love AFL. The Swans will be looking for victory to stay intrenched in the top four while the Magpies will be keen for a win to keep their top four hopes alive.
The teams
Star ruckman Peter Everitt will have a test on his injured hamstring along with Ed Barlow. It is believed Everitt will play against the Pies to fill the void left by Adam Goodes's suspension. The rest of the Swans line-up should be relatively unchanged for the blockbuster clash.
Collingwood will give both Josh Fraser and Leon Davis fitness tests to assess their availability for Saturday nights showdown with the Swans. Both Fraser (knee) and Davis (ankle) are likely to play for the Magpies.
For the record
The Magpies have won their past three games against the Sydney Swans, including their last match at ANZ stadium. The Swans were knocked out of last years finals by Collingwood, who went on to make the preliminary final.
The Swans however are on a six match winning streak. Sydney have enjoyed their best start to a season since 2003. The Swans are yet to win seven in a row under Paul Roos's tenure.
Key for Sydney
Brett Kirk's aura at the club cannot be questioned. His influence for the Swans is dynamic as he leads in crucial areas such as handballs (159), Disposals (296) and tackles (82). Kirk's ability to marshall his troops when times are dire has seen the Swans become the most competitive team in the competition in terms of never say die approaches.
The Swans defensive structure is the most clinical in the AFL in shutting down both points and opposition. They are yet to concede 1000 points after 14 rounds of the AFL. They have conceded 957 in total. The likes of Kirk and the Bolton brothers ensure the Swans are the best tackling side in the competition. If this match goes down to the nitty gritty, back the Swans.
Key for Collingwood
Alan Didak is a key man for the Magpies. He has kicked the ball (240) more times than other player in the AFL this season. This shows how effective and crucial he has became in scoring goals and distributing opportunities for his full forwards to dominate. The Swans must shut his influence down.
The likes of Leon Davis and Dale Thomas provide the Magpies with the freakish ability to guide Collingwood home if need be. Thomas in particular has became a key ingredient for the Pies this year and will be eager to live up to his billing on such an important match-up with the Swans.
Where it will be won
Both midfields must look to dominate to ensure goalscoring opportunities. The loss of Adam Goodes is a huge blow for the Swans as he is their most creative and skillful player. Alan Didak has the potential to take control in this encounter. If given space and time, Didak will ensure quality for his forward line to dominate proceedings early on.
The Swans forward line is more menacing though. The likes of Michael O'loughlin and Barry Hall can form the most lethal goalscoring pair in the competition. The return of Hall in particular has seen the side score more points. If both are accurate on Saturday night, the Swans should win.
Prediction
If this encounter comes down to passion and verve, the Swans should have enough experience to close this game down. Collingwood will look to get away early to ensure the game is played on their terms. The Swans have only lost one game at home this season and that record looks set to stay against the Magpies. It should be a close encounter nonetheless.
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