Can the Swans withstand Port Adelaide’s pressure and be on from the first bounce?

One of the most heavily talked about topics from the Swans first game of season 2015.

The Swans looked stunned by what Essendon threw at them during the opening quarter of Saturday night’s season opener at ANZ Stadium.

It was obvious the Bombers were fired up and it took a little while before the home side found form and wrestled the momentum back.

The AFL world was then treated to an intensity-fuelled affair between the Power and Fremantle, with Ken Hinkley’s men falling short by seven points.

The loss should spur Port Adelaide on, as will playing in front of a packed and boisterous Adelaide Oval crowd for the first time.

It will be interesting to see if the Swans have learned from last week and can absorb, withstand and respond to the early intensity.

Adelaide Oval

Adelaide's prized venue has been transformed into a fortress, similar to the Subiaco during the height of West Coast’s powers.

Beginning with the home crowd’s rendition of the INXS classic ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ before the first bounce, right through to the deafening decibels experienced when the Power are on song, the ground has become a pressure cooker for visiting clubs.

The Swans overcame the conditions last time the two clubs met, but it has been a long summer and a new season always brings fresh exuberance as Port Adelaide prepares for its first home game of 2015.

It will be important for the visitors to block out the atmosphere around them and focus on playing Swans football. What better way to silence a crowd than former Adelaide boy Kurt Tippett kicking an early one, or some Buddy brilliance?

Ben McGlynn and Jarrad McVeigh – do they play?

Both Jarrad McVeigh and Ben McGlynn have done everything right to make themselves available for Saturday’s big game – it’s just a matter of whether coach John Longmire believes they’ve done enough to handle and run out what’s expected to be a hard-fought contest.

Both have had little match practice, but have trained fully and extremely well to throw their hats in the ring.

McVeigh would be a valuable addition to the midfield rotation and from a leadership perspective, while McGlynn’s hardness at the football and tackling pressure would be an asset to repel what Port has in store.

Thursday’s selection table will make for interesting reading based on those two alone, let alone who (if any) from Saturday’s starting 22 makes way.

Can Luke Parker pick up where he left off?

Luke Parker was on track for a 40+ disposal game before running into a full-flighted Lance Franklin.

The ball magnet compiled 35 touches (23 to half-time) – in the wet weather no less – until his night was cut short due to the heavy collision early into the final term.

Parker has since been cleared of any serious concussion and will be free to play which is a massive boost for the Swans ahead of this weekend’s trip to Adelaide.

It was an impressive first-up performance and Swans fans will be keen to see another effort like that to help withstand a talented Port Adelaide outfit.

Shutting down a powerful midfield.

Brad Ebert, Ollie Wines, Jared Polec, Robbie Gray, Chad Wingard and captain Travis Boak; just a collection of names which were plucked from a throng of Power midfielders/forwards to perform notably well against Fremantle.

They prove a handful for clubs week after week. If one of them underperforms, another steps up, which the Swans will need to be wary of and plan to combat if there’s any chance of returning home with the four points.

Good news is the Swans have a few powerhouse names themselves, including Kieren Jack, Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Craig Bird and Harry Cunningham among others.

Not to mention an equally powerful forward line which could take advantage of a dry football and any holes which might open up in Port’s defensive half, just like what Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich did on Sunday (four goals, 19 disposals and five marks).