The Sydney Swans take on Carlton at Etihad Stadium today for the second time in 2016.
The two teams last met in the NAB Challenge and it was the Swans who took out a 22-point win.
In that match Dan Hannebery starred for the Swans with 37 possessions, while Carlton midfielder Nick Graham gathered a team-high 29 touches for the Blues.
Carlton has made two changes to the side that narrowly lost to Richmond in Round 1, with Dale Thomas to return from suspension and 2015 draftee Charlie Curnow to make his debut. Sam Rowe and Dylan Buckley have been omitted.
Sydney has made just the one change with experienced defender Ted Richards replacing the injured Michael Talia. It means young guns Callum Mills, Tom Papley and George Hewett will all line up for their second AFL game.
In the lead-up to the match, Blues coach Brendon Bolton said he’s expecting a tough contest.
“We give ourselves a chance in every game, but we know it’s a challenge,” Bolton said.
“They’re (Sydney) really good at the contested footy and they looked in form up forward, but we’ll throw everything at them.”
The match will mark several milestones: Swan Kurt Tippett plays his 50th game for the club, while Carlton’s Zach Tuohy will play his 100th AFL game and Sam Docherty will reach 50 games. The match will also mark Jed Lamb’s first game against his former team.
Carlton hasn’t beaten the Swans since Round 13, 2011 at Etihad Stadium.
Make sure you join us for Sydney Derby IX with $37 reserved seat tickets now available.
