In the latest edition of Opposition Watch, Swans Media looks at the rising Gold Coast Suns ahead of their clash with the Swans on Saturday at the SCG.
Recent form
The Suns have been one of the surprise packets since the resumption of the 2020 season and sit just outside the top eight on percentage.
Following three straight wins, the Suns have gone down to Geelong and Melbourne in competitive showings in recent weeks.
Ins and outs
The Suns emerged from their narrow loss to the Demons unscathed and will not be forced to make any changes for Saturday’s match.
Meanwhile, the Swans will be forced to replace skipper Josh Kennedy and Isaac Heeney, with both ruled out of action for extended periods after sustaining injuries against the Tigers last week.
Key match-up
He may only have played one senior AFL game, but following a spectacular debut against the Dees, Izak Rankine might be the most talked about player in the competition.
Rankine, fresh from claiming the Round 6 Rising Star nomination, will suit up for game number two against the Swans.
His ability to impact the game and create opportunities from nothing, was on show during his debut. Lockdown duties on Rankine may fall to Robbie Fox following his strong showing against Richmond spearheads Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt last week.
Dane Rampe and Callum Mills could also find themselves at times guarding Rankine inside defensive 50.
Last time they met
The Swans recorded their second biggest win of the year, with a 42-point victory over the Suns in Round 15, 2019.
Just four points separated the teams at half time, but the Swans cut loose in the second half piling on eight goals to two, to run out comfortable winners.
Co-captain Luke Parker led the charge in the midfield with 31 touches, while Isaac Heeney added two goals to his 25 disposals.
Big man Jarrod Witts gave the Suns the ascendency at the clearances with 55 hit outs, but they were unable to turn their dominance to the scoreboard.
What they said
Suns coach Stuart Dew on the clash against the Swans….
Having been there, they are a strong footy club. I don’t think they play dour football, I think they play competitive finals like football and that’s what we are expecting. They hold really good structure, I think John’s made a point of that, they’re certainly out there to kick goals. But a key part of the game is stopping the opposition as well. Knowing how they coach and how they play, they are out there to win the game. So we have got to make sure we are in for a strong contest.
The thing with teams that have got so much depth like Sydney, a couple can drop out, but guys have been waiting there for 12 months or a little bit longer for the opportunity, so they’re going to come in hungry.
We’re excited to play Sydney. It’s a great opportunity. We need to respond; we were a little bit disappointed with our game against Melbourne on the weekend.
