Swans' tall order
Led by youngster Sam Reid, the Sydney Swans will aim to stretch Hawthorn's defence in Saturday Grand Final
FORGET the fabled two-headed monster, the Sydney Swans are planning to present Hawthorn with an even more beastly forward line when the sides meet in Saturday's Grand Final.
It has not been uncommon this season for Adam Goodes, Sam Reid and Lewis Roberts-Thomson, plus either Shane Mumford or Mike Pyke, to line-up in a giant-sized forward structure to start games.
Last Saturday, Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker was able to tempt Josh Gibson away from goal, leaving holes in the forward line that fellow key forward Kurt Tippett was able to exploit.
It is a ploy the Swans could also employ, using greater numbers.
"I think through the year we've shown with the amount of height, but also the mobility of our talls - guys like LRT and Pykey and Goodesy - plus their contesting in the air, that has been a massive strength for us," Reid said.
"Going into this weekend if we can isolate them, it can really go a long way towards helping us."
Throw in Mitch Morton, who has improved immeasurably in his tackling and pressure skills since joining the club, and the Swans' multi-dimensional forward line has been working well.
Add to that the goals from midfield - with Lewis Jetta, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Jude Bolton and Ryan O'Keefe all kicking a minimum of 20 for the year - and it is a difficult attack to contain.
"I think that's the best thing about our forward line and our forward structure this year has been our ability to have so many different goal scorers," Goodes said.
As well as providing their trademark grit and toughness defensively, the Swans have also been able to string together some breathtaking chains of handballs this season to move the ball forward at frenetic pace.
It was particularly on display in the round five victory over the Hawks, when the Swans took the game on after half-time and completely swamped Hawthorn in Launceston.
But Goodes knows Hawthorn is equally adept at fast-moving football.
"The pressure will be up and the team that can utilise the quick hands and get the ball moving forward more often are going to have more opportunities to score," he said.
"That makes guys like Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell so dangerous for Hawthorn.
"Their ability last week to win the stoppages and get out the clean handballs and kicks was just amazing and really gave Hawthorn a great opportunity to score early on."
Of course if all else fails, there's always the AFL's most exhilarating avenue to goal - giving Jetta possession in open space.
"I’m not sure whether they'll allow him as much space," Kennedy said.
"But hopefully he can, because there's no better feeling than just sitting back watching him take a few bounces and run into an open goal."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD