SUMMARY
The Sydney Swans responded to their qualifying final loss to cross-town rival Greater Western Sydney with a 36-point win over Adelaide, but it came at a significant cost. The Swans will give co-captain Jarrad McVeigh (calf) and speedster Gary Rohan (knee) every chance to prove their fitness, with ruckman Kurt Tippett (jaw) at the head of the queue to return. Geelong, meanwhile, has had the perfect preparation and will enter Friday night's blockbuster having played just one match in 27 days following the pre-finals bye. The Swans' six-day turnaround may not be ideal but John Longmire's men will draw inspiration from their away win over the Cats in round 16. The star-studded midfield battle is sure to entertain and the physicality between these two hardened teams will be the centrepiece of the night.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday, September 23, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
Heath Grundy will have his work cut out against finals specialist Tom Hawkins. Picture: AFL Photos
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?
Round 16: Sydney Swans 15.8 (98) d Geelong 9.6 (60) at Simonds Stadium
After a tumultuous week leading into his 200th game, Swans co-captain Kieren Jack put his bitter family dispute with his parents aside to star with 24 disposals and three goals, kicking the game's opening goal with a clever snap across his body. The Swans set up the win with a four-goal-to-two third quarter to open up a 27-point lead at the last change.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R16, 2016, Sydney Swans 15.8 (98) d Geelong 9.6 (60) at Simonds Stadium
R19, 2015, Geelong 14.11 (95) d Sydney Swans 9.9 (63) at Simonds Stadium
R7, 2015, Sydney Swans 18.12 (120) d Geelong 11.11 (77) at the ANZ Stadium
R11, 2014, Sydney Swans 22.16 (148) d Geelong 5.8 (38) at the SCG
R22, 2013, Geelong 13.14 (92) d Sydney Swans 7.6 (48) at Simonds Stadium
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Geelong
1. There's some uncertainty how the Cats will respond from their second bye in three weeks. The Swans dictated play in the first quarter against Adelaide and will be ferocious from the opening bounce. How the Cats begin will be telling.
2. Lachie Henderson could be used as a swingman if selected. The 26-year-old, who played as a forward in his last two appearances in rounds 21 and 22, will stretch the Swans' smaller backline and help Tom Hawkins excel in the one-on-one contests. Defender Harry Taylor also featured in attack against Richmond in round 21.
3. Scott Selwood to perform another hard tag after his role on Hawk Sam Mitchell. Swan Josh Kennedy put in a best-on-ground effort last week with 42 possessions (21 contested), while Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery will also attract close attention.
Sydney Swans
1.Isaac Heeney to patrol the midfield again. The 20-year-old forward played on the wing for the entire game last week and absolutely blitzed the Crows. His aerial work and contested footy were outstanding, and he'll be a big threat to the Cats.
2. The Swans' mosquito fleet to cause havoc inside 50. Tom Papley and Ben McGlynn were everywhere after quiet games in the opening match of the finals, and their energy was electric. The pair shared seven goals between them to take the pressure off Lance Franklin and heap it on the opposition.
3. Kurt Tippett to play with pain. The star ruckman played on with courage after suffering a hairline fracture to his jaw against the Giants, and will face the Cats. His inclusion will add more firepower to the forward 50, as well as a big body around stoppages.
Kurt Tippett could tip the balance in the Swans' favour. Picture: AFL Photos
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans are the No.1 ranked defence, conceding only 68 points per game and allowing 100 points in just three games this season.
2. Both teams have been strong for inside 50s, with the Swans ranked third and the Cats fourth. Geelong is No.1 for marks inside 50, while the Swans are equal 10th.
3. The sides meet for the fourth time in finals and the Swans are undefeated, winning the most recent final between the two teams, in 2005. Geelong has lost two of its last three preliminary finals since 2010 and the Swans have won four of five since 2005.
4. This will be only the third time, and first time since 1934, the Cats and Swans meet at the MCG. Geelong is four wins from five games at the venue in 2016 and the Swans are one win from two games.
5. Geelong is ranked second for centre clearances. It's an area the Swans have struggled in, ranked 10th. Meanwhile, the Swans are second and the Cats are sixth in total clearances.
6. Swans small forward Tom Papley was the fourth-highest points scorer (20.4) overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings last week courtesy of his career-best four goals against Adelaide.
WHAT THE COACHES SAY
Chris Scott (on Josh Kennedy): "If you could completely stop Kennedy getting the ball that would be a win, but that is unlikely. We just have to make sure we put enough pressure on him when he does get it and limit the effectiveness of those guys getting it to their outside runners."
John Longmire (on Patrick Dangerfield): "If you look at controlling him, then (Joel) Selwood bobs up, and someone else bobs up. Obviously Dangerfield is an important player, but so is Selwood, so is (Tom) Hawkins, and so are their defenders. We'll look at all their strengths and make sure we bring our strengths, that's a real key."
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Tom Lonergan (Geelong): The 32-year-old has held a slight edge over Lance Franklin in their recent head-to-head match-ups and restricted the Swans' superstar to one goal and 15 disposals when the sides last met. Franklin was at his damaging best against Adelaide last week, kicking four goals, and will be closely guarded by Lonergan and co.
Heath Grundy (Sydney Swans): The 30-year-old gets another huge job on Tom Hawkins after dominating Jonathon Patton and Josh Jenkins in the Swans' first two finals. If the key defender can quell the influence of Hawkins inside 50 and stop his physical presence, it will be a big win for the visitors.
AFL.com.au PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 10 points
