In the latest edition of Opposition Watch, Swans Media switches attention to the clash with the West Coast Eagles on the Gold Coast, following the late fixture change for Round 5.
Recent form
One of the fancied premiership contenders at the start of the season, the Eagles have been one of the teams most challenged by the Covid affected season, having been forced into a hub on the Gold Coast at the Round 2 resumption of play. In the hub, the Eagles have suffered three comprehensive defeats at the hands of the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide.
Ins and outs
While Will Schofield will miss Saturday’s match after accepting a one-match ban from the MRO, the Eagles are expected to welcome back star defender Jeremey McGovern to take on the Swans.
McGovern has missed the last two matches via suspension and then injury, and his return will be a major boost for the Eagles defence.
Key match-up
Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy has booted six goals during his stay in the Gold Coast hub and comes off his best single game return of four majors last week against Port Adelaide.
Along with Jack Darling, the pair are one of the most formidable forward pairings in the competition.
Swans co-captain Dane Rampe has had some terrific duels with Kennedy in recent times and along with Aliir Allir, the two will have their work cut out defending the Eagles twin towers.
Last time they met
The Swans Round 12 victory over the Eagles last year was arguably their best performance of the season.
After an even opening term, the Swans forged clear in the second and wouldn’t look back. The Swans piled on 14 goals to seven after quarter-time to run out comfortable 45-point winners in front of a season high 36,000 plus crowd at the SCG.
The Swans own forward double act of Franklin and Papley, outshone the Eagles, with each booting five goals. The image of Franklin’s fifth, after the siren, being cheered and celebrated from the coach’s box was on high repeat for the remainder of the season.
What they said
West Coast midfielder Tim Kelly speaking to media on Wednesday:
On the late fixture change…
“If anything it gives us a couple of extra days to prepare. Guys like Gov [McGovern], its important for him to have a couple of extra days to make sure he is cherry ripe. There is a number of us as well who pulled up pretty sore.
On recent form…
It’s about coming out, playing our way. We understand the level of footy we are playing at the moment is not acceptable, its on us, and we’re determined to turn it around.
On the midfield group…
I feel like we’ve been building. It’s been a bit of a struggle to be honest, but I felt like on the weekend we took a step forward. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t pretty, and a lot us are still a long way away from our best footy – myself - I put my hand up, I’m definitely in that box at the moment, but like I said we are determined to turn it around and I felt like we took a step forward on weekend. But it’s on us to really turn it around and us as mids we have a big role to play.
