Turning the tables
Well, AFL fans haven’t had to wait long before the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs meet for the first time since last year’s Grand Final.
We all know what happened on that heartbreaking day so no need to revisit the result.
The clash at Etihad Stadium is building as the game of Round 2 – the Swans looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Port Adelaide while the Dogs will be eyeing back-to-back wins after defeating Collingwood.
Both sides look a little different but the feeling will be same.
Can the Swans get one back on the reining premiers early in 2017 or will it be ‘Ground-dog Day’?
Rampe’s rotten luck
Before Monday’s training mishap Dane Rampe had missed only one game since making his debut in 2013.
He’s been one of the most resilient players in the game and was in line to celebrate his 100-game milestone on Friday night.
But that was derailed after the star defender tripped over during a routine run around Centennial Parklands, breaking his arm trying to soften his fall.
It is a bitter blow for the Sydney Swans who’ll be without their vice-captain and a key cog in their defence for at least the next five weeks.
Aliir Aliir, who’d slowly been building his form and fitness over the past three weeks, looks likely to return while Longmire has flagged the possibility of the coaches going with another debutant to help fill the void.
Does Rampe's injury open the door for Aliir Aliir?
Reidy’s return
Following a torrid 12 months on the sidelines, Sam Reid made a successful comeback to football with three goals against Port Adelaide.
The 26-year-old, who battled calf and Achilles problems to not play a senior game at all last season, moved well and marked strongly to be a key contributor in the Swans’ season opener.
Together with Lance Franklin (four goals) and Kurt Tippett (one), the trio combined for nine goals. While they couldn’t singlehandedly get their side over the line, there are promising signs for one of the most potent forward lines in the competition.
Saying that, with Rampe now out for an extended period, swingman Reid may actually be used in defence at certain stages on Friday as a means of combatting the Dogs’ forwards.
Sam Reid made a promising return from injury on Saturday night, kicking three goals.
Winning the 50/50s
John Longmire couldn’t have hammered the point home more in his post-match press conference on Saturday night.
“We just lost too many 50/50 contests,” he said. “Whether it was in the air, or on the ground, or a scramble…just the general 50/50 balls, they were able to win them more than us.”
And that was the general flavour of the interview.
You can bet your bottom dollar the premiership coach of 150 games will be working tirelessly with his charges to address the issue Friday night’s clash against a side which pride themselves and win most of their 50/50 contests.
You feel like it’ll be back to basics for the red and white, over the past few years, has been one of the best contested teams in the competition.
Who comes in?
Two forced changes (Rampe and Robinson) means you can assume there won’t be any surprise omissions ahead of the Grand Final rematch.
Longmire said Aliir Aliir is the mix for a recall, despite the defender not displaying the same consistent form in recent weeks to the form which projected the No. 36 into the limelight last season.
He missed the entire JLT community Series after rehabbing a toe injury but has featured in the past three NEAFL practice matches.
Could there also be another debutant this weekend?
Nic Newman, Darcy Cameron and Will Hayward were three players flagged by the Longmire as possible inclusions, the coach impressed with the latter’s huger for the contest which should make up for his lighter 186cm, 74kg frame if given an opportunity.
“Even if you’re a young kid, if you can compete that’s half the battle,” Longmire added. “As long as you’ve got a good baseline, which Will has, it usually holds you in good stead.”
Will Hayward featured in this year's JLT Community Series.
