Back on the winners’ list
The Sydney Swans did it the hard way last weekend against Carlton to force their way back on the winners’ list and back in the top four.
While scrappy, Sydney’s win over the Blues would have instilled the side with confidence that they can hold on in the dying minutes of a close contest.
With six clubs equal on 48 points, from second spot to seventh spot, every win from here on in becomes vitally important to a side’s finals fortunes with only five rounds left before September.
As coach John Longmire said on Thursday, Fremantle are an ultra-competitive side under Ross Lyon’s guidance and are still capable of challenging sides despite not having the best of seasons.
So, taking that on board ahead of the flight to Perth, the Swans won’t be taking a backward step against the lowly Dockers.
Fremantle
“When you come up against a Ross Lyon-coached team you know what you're going to get, and that's a pretty competitive, disciplined outfit. I know what he's like as a coach, he's a fierce, fierce competitor, and he's so professional with his attitude.”
Longmire had only nice words to say about his former counterpart before training on Thursday.
The Dockers, sitting 16th on the ladder, have plenty to play for. They’re hungry for a win, would love to throw a spanner in the works by upsetting a finals-bound side plus have Matthew Pavlich’s 350th game to celebrate.
A loss could see the Swans lose touch with the top four given the congestion at the heights of the ladder so all the pressure will be on visitors.
It's a special occasion for Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich.
Domain Stadium
The Sydney Swans lost three out of three at Subiaco Oval in 2015, including the tense qualifying final against Fremantle.
In fact, Sydney has only won one of the past four encounters against Fremantle in the west.
One man who’s graced the Subiaco turf more than anyone else is Matthew Pavlich (191 times, who’ll become the 15th VFL/AFL player – and first Fremantle and WA-based player – to appear in 350 games over the weekend.
An incredible achievement, the milestone will no doubt give the already hostile crowd more volume when the six-time All Australian leads his team out onto the ground against Sydney on Sunday.
Sydney has lost the past three matches at Subiaco Oval.
Young rucks
Sydney’s ruck division was dealt another blow this week after Callum Sinclair had surgery to repair damaged cartridge in his knee.
He’s due to miss four to six weeks, adding extra strain an already stretched big man department with Kurt Tippett also on the sidelines.
Both are due back around Round 22, meaning the next month will be an extremely challenging period for the Swans. But, thankfully, Longmire and his cohorts have options in the form of young duo Sam Naismith and likely inclusion Toby Nankervis.
While young and inexperienced, Naismith (four matches) has shown strong from at AFL level over the past three weeks while Nankervis (eight matches) has shown he’s more than capable of filling the void.
Toby Nankveris is a likely inclusion for the trip to Perth.
