Eyeing top spot
For a brief but glorious period of time over the weekend – and without having to lift a finger – the Sydney Swans held top spot on the ladder.

Hawthorn made sure the move was short-lived, but the sight was one to behold and created quite the stir among the Sydney Swans’ faithful.

Armed with the best percentage in the league and only four points behind in second leading into Round 15, Sydney has a great chance at recapturing top spot as the Hawks and those just behind in Geelong, North Melbourne and GWS all have byes.

The challenge however will be overcoming the Western Bulldogs who came out on top in the last clash between the two sides.

If all goes well, holding top spot will then be the next challenge with back-to-back matches against the Cats (3rd) and Hawks (1st).

Within a congested top eight, with only four points separating 2nd and 7th, wins become even more crucial to a side’s chances of earning the double chance come September.

The dreaded bye
Some argue continuity is the key, while others say a rest gives you the advantage. Whether the bye favours one team over the other has been thoroughly debated but not fully determined.

As coach John Longmire said during Tuesday’s press conference, “I don’t spend too much time thinking about it. We’ve planned the same way we have in the past few years with a solid hit out on the Saturday to replicate a game situation. That’s all we can do. I’m sure everyone has their theories about the bye and this is ours.”

For argument’s sake, this year the results speak favourably for teams coming off the bye. Last weekend, four of the six clubs who had the previous week off recorded wins, including St Kilda and Adelaide who scored upsets.

Sydney doesn’t have a great record following the bye, winning two from six matches. Both Sydney and Western Bulldogs are going into Round 15 refreshed and recharged after a well-earned break.

Only time will tell what impact, positively or negatively, that will have on either side this time around.

Dangerous Dogs
The Western Bulldogs could welcome back as many as four players ahead of Saturday’s clash. Intercept defenders Easton Wood and Jason Johannisen are in the mix while big men Tom Boyd and Will Minson are also in contention after playing well at VFL level last weekend.

The inclusions would be a massive boost for the seventh-placed Dogs who are keen on bouncing back from a loss to Geelong before their mid-season bye.

First for uncontested possessions and third for contested possessions means the Dogs have no problem finding the footy regardless of the circumstances.

Against the competition’s best contested side, the contest in the middle will be an intriguing battle especially with the likes of Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker against Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis.

Sydney has history on its side, having won six of the past seven matches against the Dogs.

Selection
Jeremy Laidler and Ted Richards are set to bolster the Sydney Swans’ defensive half as likely inclusions.

Richards played in the NEAFL two weekends ago and, with another week’s rest, will be considered when match committee meets on Thursday.

Laidler will be given until the squad’s last main training session to prove his fitness after missing the win over Melbourne with knee soreness.

Coach John Longmire has already ruled out Tom Papley. The small forward, who’s battle shine soreness in the past few weeks, will give at least another week in the NEAFL before he’ll be ready to senior footy again.

Harry Cunningham is another in the frame after being omitted in Round 13.

Macca’s Life Membership
Jarrad McVeigh will earn AFL Life Membership over the weekend when the co-captain lines up against the Western Bulldogs.

McVeigh has played 276 premiership matches, 20 pre-season games and three International Rules Tests since his debut in 2004.

Saturday’s match will tick off 300 appearances overall which is the required amount to join those who’ve already been honoured for their contribution to the Australian Football league.

The honour gets added to a long list of accolades including the 2012 Premiership, two Bob Skilton Medals (2008 and 2012), All-Australian honours (2013) and the Sydney captaincy (2011-present).