A last-gasp loss.
It’s not every day you’re involved in a one-point loss, let alone a one-point loss decided by the last kick of the match.
That demoralising feeling came on Saturday night when Richmond’s Sam Lloyd sunk the hearts of all red and white supporters with an incredible goal after the final siren to pinch a win at the MCG.
Externally, the game has been dissected and fingers pointed. Internally, the game has been reviewed, analysed and learned from.
The bottom line is, as shattering as the loss was, the coaches and players have to move on quickly with the aim of clearing the slate for Friday night’s blockbuster against Hawthorn.
A win against the Hawks should make everything better.
Those Hawks.
Even without skipper Luke Hodge and utility Jarryd Roughead, the reigning premiers boast match-winners right across the ground.
Cyril Rioli is expected to play after having a week off due to personal reasons. He and Paul Puopolo make for a dangerous duo inside that potent forward line boasting the likes of Jack Gunston and Luke Breust, while the midfield battle will be intriguing one.
They average more tackles than anyone else in the competition so efficiency with the red hot footy will be paramount.
Hawthorn has the wood over the Swans in recent encounters so Longmire’s men will have something to improve against their brown and gold rivals.
The rivalry continues
The Swans and Hawks have played in big games over the journey, some with more on the line than others.
Last time the clubs squared off at the MCG (in Round 8, 2015), the Swans prevailed by four points in a thrilling hard-fought contest.
But since the 2012 Grand Final, the Hawks have had the wood over the Swans having won six of eight encounters including two finals.
The Swans’ last crack at the brown and gold came in Round 16 last season where Alistair Clarkson’s men upstaged the home side at ANZ Stadium by 89 points.
Sitting fourth and sixth on the ladder, equal on points, there’s plenty on the line in Friday’s clash.
Nick Malceski celebrates his goal in the 2012 Grand Final.
Selection
John Longmire confirmed on Monday that both Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn are expected to be fit to play against their former side on Friday night.
The duo were dearly missed in last weekend’s close defeat to the Tigers.
Kennedy’s contested work has been invaluable this season while McGlynn’s pressure will be needed to help create scoring opportunities, which is always key to beating the Hawks.
To throw a roughie out there – could Gary Rohan be ready for a run? The speedster has played three matches with the NEAFL Swans since his return from injury and performed to the coaches’ liking.
The NEAFL Swans have a bye this weekend so it’ll be interesting to see whether Rohan comes into contention.
Nick Smith notches 150
Nick Smith is one of the most underrated defenders in the competition. Week after week, for the past 149 games, Smith has been given the task of minding the opposition’s most dangerous small forward.
The 27-year-old lines up for his 150th on Friday night and is on the cusp of becoming the 45th Swan in Sydney Swans/South Melbourne Football Club history to reach the mark.
A premiership player, All Australian and integral part of the Swans’ leadership group, Smith’s journey has been away from the limelight but an important one in the Club’s recent success.
His senior coach of the past 120 games paid tribute to him earlier in the week: “From a rookie list player to an All-Australian defender, he’s an important player in our team and a quality person to have in your football club,” Longmire said.
Nick Smith speaks to the media ahead of his 150th match.
