Recent results suggest Port Adelaide will reap no benefit from enjoying a week’s break ahead of Thursday night’s clash against the Swans at the SCG.
And that’s how Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh sees it too.
In Round 13, the four fully rested clubs who clashed with teams coming off games the week before all suffered defeats.
The Swans were in that boat after going down to Richmond by 18 points.
Surely, though, having 12 days rest up its sleeve puts Port Adelaide in the box seat?
“We came off the bye against Richmond and we didn’t get the edge in that one,” McVeigh pointed out on Tuesday.
McVeigh is of the opinion whichever team brings a match-winning intent will win, regardless of how many days have passed between games.
An intent which lasts longer than a half of football which ultimately bought about the Swans’ demise against the Tigers.
The hosts were outscored 11 goals to 3 in the second half, including six goals to one in the final term alone
“We’re happy to play again straight away because we lost and we want to get back on the winner’s board,” McVeigh said.
“They’re rested and ready to go, but that’s fine when the ball is bounced it doesn’t really matter who has had more of a break.
“It’s more about what we want to bring and what we stand for as a team.”
Despite an “up and down season” McVeigh knows what Port Adelaide can bring , remembering all too well the thriller which played out in the corresponding game last season.
The Swans won by four points in front of 41,000 fans at the SCG.
“The game last year here was outstanding from a crowd’s point of view,” McVeigh said.
“We know what they’re about, we know they’re a very good team. Finals are on the line for them at the moment and they’ve got to keep winning so we’re fully aware of how hard it will be.”