The Sydney Swans’ return to the SCG for season 2019 headlines the latest edition of Hot Topics ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Adelaide Crows.

Footy returns to SCG

The wait has been long but 2019 footy at the SCG is now just two sleeps away. An average of 33,839 supporters filled the stands of the famous ground in 2018. Sydney’s Round 23 clash with Hawthorn drew the highest attendance of the regular season (39,660), while the Swans’ Round 5 duel with Adelaide registered 38,017 onlookers. Coach John Longmire and his charges regularly praise the raucous cheers, sea of red and white and heartfelt messages on signs that flood the SCG.

Lance Franklin greeting the Sydney Swans faithful at the SCG.

Both clubs chasing first wins

Sydney speedster Zak Jones on Tuesday told Melbourne radio station SEN he expected both the Swans and Crows to begin with a bang in pursuit of their first wins of the season on Friday night. The Swans booted eight second-half goals to the Western Bulldogs’ three to slash a 40-point deficit to just four on Saturday night, but the host rallied to clinch a 17-point Marvel Stadium win. Further west, Adelaide’s Matt Crouch (40 disposals, one goal), Rory Sloane (36 touches, one goal) and Rory Atkins (31 possessions) all fired, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Hawthorn pocketing a 32-point Adelaide Oval victory.

Midfield bulls collide

The tight SCG dimensions traditionally place a premium on the contested footy, and the host of star inside midfielders in Swans and Crows colours are only going to greaten the importance of the contest at the coalface. Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker have long paved the way for Sydney’s on-ball division, while George Hewett, Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Oliver Florent and Tom Papley are now shouldering midfield minutes of their own. In Adelaide’s camp, Sloane, Matt and Brad Crouch, Bryce Gibbs and Wayne Milera carry the mantle at the feet of ruckman Sam Jacobs.

Josh Kennedy and Rory Sloane contend for the footy.

Sydney's upper hand

Sydney fell to Adelaide in a 10-point loss at the SCG in Round 5 last year when the clubs last crossed swords. But the Swans lay claim to six wins from the past eight matches between the sides. Sydney’s 77-point victory over Adelaide in Round 11, 2013 stands as its biggest in that period, while the Swans’ average winning margin is 43 points. 

Rampe v Walker

Star Adelaide forward Taylor Walker played both his 100th and 150th career games against Sydney – and the Crows co-captain awaits another crucial test against the Swans. Walker's match-up with All Australian Sydney defender Dane Rampe promises to have a significant bearing on the outcome of the game. Walker has booted 383 goals across 168 games, including a bag of four majors against Rampe in Round 5 last year. But Sydney’s three-point win over Adelaide in Round 22, 2017, in which Rampe limited ‘Tex’ to just 13 touches and one goal, stands as arguably one of Rampe’s greatest games in his 139-match career. Keep an eye on Rampe and Walker as they go toe to toe in the SCG showdown.