Winning ways continue
The Sydney Swans continued on their merry way against Gold Coast on Saturday to record a fifth-straight win and consolidate a spot in the top eight.
The Swans overcame a slow start to gain the ascendancy and take full control of the contest, booting 13 goals to two after quarter-time to make it eight wins from nine matches.
Their 0-6 start to the season is almost an anomaly now considering the brand of football they’ve been playing.
They’ve got that ferociousness back, hunger for the footy, the defence is settled, the midfield is back to their best while more avenues to goals have opened.
But those six losses could still be the difference between Sydney falling short of September.
The Swans can’t afford to let too many more slip for the rest of the season plus haven’t got the easiest run home with their biggest test to date – GWS at Spotless Stadium this Saturday – yet to come.
Sydney Derby XIII
The 13th instalment of the cross-town rivalry is on again.
After being shown up at the SCG in Round 5, the Sydney Swans venture into enemy territory a far better team prepared for the Giants challenge.
There’s been some big clashes in recent seasons, none with more on the line than last year’s Qualifying Final, but this Saturday’s edition has plenty in it as well.
A win to the Sydney Swans and they’ll definitely announce themselves as a genuine contender while a loss will dint but not overshadow completely what’s been an incredible resurgence. A win will also reverse a poor recent record against the Giants. They’ve lost the last three and will be keen to get one back on the western enemy.
Crucial to that will be Josh Kennedy. The ball magnet and midfield bull is expected to return after missing last week with a sore quad. He's such an important player to the Swans' side and will be a massive in, or out for that matter, on Saturday.
Up for grabs once again will be the White Ribbon Cup, in recognition of Australia’s campaign to prevent violence against women, and the Brett Kirk Medal for the best player on the ground.
It's set to be another heated contest.
Rohan’s red-hot form
Gary Rohan played arguably the best game of his eight-year career against the Suns, kicking five to help spearhead the big win at the SCG.
He also tallied 16 disposals, nine marks, six inside 50s and 12 score involvements in the standout performance deep in the Swans’ forward line.
His form has been building in recent weeks, but Saturday was the breakout game Swans fans had been waiting for patiently throughout his injury-interrupted time in the AFL.
The speedster showed just how much of a weapon he can be with his explosiveness, dash and dare on full display.
The Swans will be looking for Rohan to continue this sparkling form when they look to reverse a three-game losing streak against the Giants.
Heeney’s milestone
Time flies when you’re having fun ... that’s having fun watching a genuine star on the rise!
Isaac Heeney, selected with the 18th pick in the 2014 National Draft, will line up for his 50th game this Saturday.
It’s been an amazing ride for the now 21-year-old who didn’t take long to establish himself in the Swans’ best 22.
The plaudits came thick and fast even before the classy forward-turned-midfielder landed on the senior list given his upbringing in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.
The Sydney Swans will be hoping there’s another 200 games or so, at least, in him before it’s all said and done.
A fan favourite already.
Tippett's time?
Kurt Tippett is expected to be available for Saturday's blockbuster, but whether the coaches decide to bring the 174-gamer straight back in is another story.
The coaches must decide, first and foremost, whether two genuine ruckmen is the way to go. If so, then it's a case of which ruckman.
Sam Naismith has shouldered the bulk of the ruckwork in the past two weeks, helped out a little by Sam Reid and Dean Towers, making the team a little more mobile and fleet-footed across the ground. But GWS has its fair share of tall timber so you're flirting with danger if you leave those players unchecked.
If two ruckmen are given the green light they'll have either Tippett and Callum Sinclair to bring in. Sinclair has been in strong form in the seniors and has kept his name in lights with standout performances in the NEAFL so you'd feel he's in the box seat.
However, with Tippett's talents and bigger frame might come in handy against Giants' big man Shane Mumford around the stoppage.
And other's in the mix?
It's an outside chance, but don't be surprised if Will Hayward is selected after the exciting forward was deemed fit to play in some capacity this weekend, either via the AFL or NEAFL. But who the first-year replaces is a difficult one to pinpoint.
Franklin v Cameron
Sydney Derby XIII has the potential to become an old-fashioned shootout with Coleman Medal favourites Lance Franklin and Jeremy Cameron lining up at either end of the ground this Saturday.
Franklin’s three goals last weekend elevated him to 43 majors for the season and the outright lead, while Cameron chimed in with one against the Hawks to be equal second with Essendon’s Joe Daniher (41).
Cameron averages nearly three goals a game (115 goals in 39 games) at Spotless Stadium, after all, it’s his home ground. Franklin on the other hand has played only twice at the showgrounds for a return of three goals.
In their six meetings against each other, Franklin holds a slender lead with 16 goals to Cameron’s 15 with previous clashes suggesting only one will break the shackles and kick a bag.
Not that Franklin is thinking about bags or who the dominant forward will be, he’ll take the four points over any personal accolade.
Franklin can expect another big battle against Giants backman Phil Davis.
