We take a look at some of the key talking points ahead of Saturday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Seven months on.
Last year’s Grand Final loss is now a distant memory and any subtext that Saturday’s encounter with Hawthorn should be touted as a “replay” or “rematch” was dismissed by coach John Longmire on Monday.
It is 2015, a long seven months have passed and the focus for Longmire’s men will be beating the Hawks to notch three consecutive wins and consolidate a top three spot on the table.
Nothing else.
Harnessing the Hawks.
Hawthorn boasts a league-high scoring average of 114 points per game, made possible by a throng of players with an ability to run hard offensively and impact the scoreboard.
The reigning premiers, however, come up against one of the best defensive lines in the competition with the Swans sitting second for the least points conceded – behind the undefeated Fremantle – after the first seven rounds of the season.
Possessing the likes of 2013 Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead and livewire Cyril Rioli, Hawthorn are a scoring powerhouse and Sydney’s back six have tough ask on the wider expanses of the MCG on Saturday night.
But nothing, it seems, a stingy Sydney defence can’t handle.
McGlynn vs ???
McGlynn’s credentials as a genuine tagger grew ten-fold on the weekend when the 29-year-old restricted Geelong captain Joel Selwood to 19 disposals (two by quarter-time) all the while compiling 21 possessions and 10 tackles in a superb display.
Does Longmire wheel McGlynn out for another shut down role? If so, who does McGlynn go to?
Is Sam Mitchell the obvious choice? Or does Jordan Lewis, returning from suspension and who averages 35 disposals in 2015, need some extra attention?
Hawks to welcome back star trio.
Speaking of Lewis’ return, the Hawks welcome two more premiership stars back in Isaac Smith and Brian Lake.
Lake’s inclusion means either Tippett or Franklin will have an experienced defender on their hammer for the night.
Lewis and Smith running around will no doubt bolster the Hawks’ midfield stocks and make this weekend’s midfield battle an intriguing contest given Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker’s form of late.
The Beyondblue Cup
The Hawks and Swans will be playing for the Beyondblue Cup on Saturday night at the MCG.
#LookOut4Mates is the theme of this year’s Cup, with all supporters encouraged to look after their friends just like their AFL heroes do on the ground.
Beyondblue’s Big Blue Bus, which has travelled more than 50,000km around Australia engaging communities about mental health, will be outside Gate 3 at the MCG before the game.
