Sydneyswans.com.au takes a look at the five home games not to be missed following the release of the fixture for the 2016 Premiership Season.
Round 1 v Collingwood (ANZ Stadium) – Saturday March 26 @ 7.25pm
The Swans are set to kick off their season at home in a much anticipated match against a new look Collingwood outfit. It has the potential to be the first match for premiership points for new recruits Callum Sinclair and Michael Talia who both joined the club during the recent trade period. There will be some fresh faces in the black and white as well with Adam Treloar, James Aish and Jeremy Howe all joining the Magpies during the off-season. It will be intriguing to see who makes up the starting side for the Swans who have lost more than 900 games of experience over the off-season.
Round 5 v West Coast (SCG) – Saturday April 23 @ 1.40pm
On ANZAC Day weekend West Coast will travel to the SCG for a Saturday afternoon blockbuster that is set to be a fiery affair. It will be premiership player Lewis Jetta’s first match back at home after being traded to the Eagles in exchange for big man Callum Sinclair. Sinclair will also face his former side for the first time as he looks set to come up against Nic Natanui in the ruck. The clash will be for the annual HMAS Sydney II Trophy regularly played for between the sides.
Round 10 v North Melbourne (SCG) – Friday May 27 @ 7.50pm
The Sydney Swans will kick off Sir Doug Nicholls Round against North Melbourne under the Friday night lights of the SCG. It is the Club’s only Friday night match at home for the season and is once again sure to deliver with the Swans looking to return fire from a disappointing Semi Final loss to North. The biggest Indigenous star in the game Lance Franklin will be sure to be firing in the annual Mangrook match played at the SCG.
Round 17 v Hawthorn (SCG) – Thursday July 14 @ 7.20pm
The last time the Hawks played at the SCG Buddy Franklin was the star of the show with four goals in his former side’s loss to the Swans. This time around Franklin will be looking to dominate against the Hawks who have not played at the venue since Round 22, 2012. There is a clear modern day rivalry between the two sides that is set to stretch into 2016 as these two sides clash under the lights at the SCG on a Thursday night.
Round 23 v Richmond (SCG) – TBC
There is no doubting the excitement surrounding a match against Richmond at the SCG. With a date still to be set for the Round 23 fixture most would expect both sides to be vying for a top four position in 2016 leaving this game with the potential to be the best of the final round. The Tigers knocked off the Swans in the 2015 fixture between the two sides and there is no doubt the men in the red and white will be looking for some payback when they clash in Round 23.
