Match details
Sunday June 19, Etihad Stadium, 2.10pm (local time)
For full match day information - including tickets - please click here.
You can get live updates on Sunday’s game against Carlton from Swans insiders on Facebook (facebook.com/sydneyswans) and Twitter (twitter.com/sydneyswans) - the Official hash tag for this game is #aflbluesswans.
Teams (to be finalised at 5pm this afternoon)
Sydney Swans
B: Nicholas Smith, Ted Richards, Alex Johnson
HB: Tadhg Kennelly, Heath Grundy, Martin Mattner
C: Rhyce Shaw, Jude Bolton, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Ben McGlynn, Sam Reid, Josh P. Kennedy
F: Kieren Jack, Adam Goodes, Ryan O'Keefe
Foll: Shane Mumford, Craig Bird, Daniel Hannebery
I/C: Paul Bevan, Nick Malceski, Jarred Moore, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Mark Seaby, Lewis Jetta, Trent Dennis-Lane
In: Paul Bevan, Jarred Moore, Shane Mumford
Carlton
B: Zach Tuohy, Michael Jamison, Jordan Russell
HB: Nick Duigan, Bret Thornton, Christopher Yarran
C: Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Heath Scotland
HF: Eddie Betts, Lachlan Henderson, Kade Simpson
F: Jeffrey Garlett, Shaun Hampson, Andrew Walker
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Mitch Robinson, Chris Judd
I/C: Paul Bower, Andrew Carrazzo, Ryan Houlihan, Mark Austin, Dennis Armfield, David Ellard, Edward Curnow
In: Ryan Houlihan, Mark Austin, Dennis Armfield
Summary
The Swans made it three wins on the trot for the first time this year after they defeated Richmond at the SCG last Sunday afternoon.
The Swans travel to Etihad Stadium this Sunday for just the second time in 2011, while it will only be their third game in Melbourne so far. Thrillers have been the norm for the Swans in their previous two Melbourne games, having drawn with Melbourne in round 1, and then coming from behind to record a dramatic one-point win over North Melbourne in round 10. The Swans remain undefeated on their travels so far this year, with their last away trip resulting in a dominant 65-point defeat of the Lions in Brisbane two weeks ago.
The Blues also staged their own 60+ point win over the Brisbane Lions last weekend, with their midfield leading the way. Chris Judd, Kade Simpson and Marc Murphy all had in excess of 28-disposals, as the Blues had the luxury of easing returning ruckman Matthew Kreuzer back to the demands of AFL football. After 12 straight victories over Carlton from 2001 to 2009, the Swans have lost two of their last four against the Blues, including the last meeting at the SCG in round 6.
Players to watch
Sydney Swans: Alex Johnson
Sam Reid may have scored the round 12 AFL Rising Star nomination, but the efforts of his first-year teammate at the other end of the ground have not gone unnoticed. Since making his debut against West Coast in round 3, Alex Johnson has been a key member of the Swans defence. Usually taking the opposition’s third tall, Johnson has done a great job defensively throughout 2011, but in the last few weeks has really developed as a playmaker from the defensive end. He missed the last game against the Blues due to a hamstring injury, and will be a welcome inclusion against the versatile Carlton forwards.
Carlton: Andrew Walker
After enduring a spate of injuries throughout his career, Andrew Walker has burst to life as a consistent, lead-out forward in 2011. Whether it’s been clutch final quarter goals against St Kilda or the Swans, or bags of six and five in the last two rounds against Port Adelaide and Brisbane respectively, Walker has delivered for the Blues when needed. He is just seven goals off kicking more goals in 2011 than he has for the rest of his career. His 75% conversion rate of goals from scoring shots (30 goals, 10 behinds) is second highest of the seven players who have kicked over 25 goals this season - only Jack Riewoldt’s remarkable 79% conversion rate is better.
Match-up to watch
Kieren Jack/Craig Bird v Chris Judd
We all saw first-hand the damage Chris Judd can do in round 6, when he almost single-handedly dragged the Blues from 17-points down halfway through the third term, to an unassailable five goal lead just a quarter later. Kieren Jack was doing a stellar job on him early in the game - including his own 45m soccer goal - but an injured ankle in the second quarter forced him to stay in the forward line for the remainder of the game, while Judd amassed 33 possessions - 25 of which were contested - and 15 clearances. Jack returned to the Swans team as the sub last week, and gathered 11 possessions (six contested), two clearances, laid four tackles, and a goal assist to Ryan O’Keefe, in just over a quarter of football. Aside from the obvious choice of Jack, Craig Bird has been outstanding as a defensive midfielder over the last two weeks. He limited the effectiveness of Daniel Rich (Brisbane Lions) and Trent Cotchin (Richmond), and won his own ball going the other way.
Coaching match-up
John Longmire v Brett Ratten
At the halfway point of the home-and-away season, both coaches would be happy with their teams’ position on the ladder, with a tilt at the top four very much a possibility over the remainder of the season. The biggest test for the Swans will be overcoming those teams in the top four, with all three 2011 loses coming against teams above them - as well as at the SCG. Similarly, Carlton’s two losses for the season have also come against the two teams above them on the ladder. This game is massive for both teams’ top four prospects. If the Swans can win, they’ll draw level on points with the Blues. If the Blues win, they will draw within two points of Collingwood in second position.
Click here to watch Swans coach John Longmire talk about this week’s ins and outs
Memorable Match
Round 8, 1995: Sydney 21.6 (132) def Carlton 8.12 (60), SCG
There weren’t many more daunting fixtures during the 90s than facing the 1995 Carlton side - especially when they went into the game undefeated from their first seven games of the season. Conversely, the Swans had won just two games for the season - against lowly Fitzroy and Adelaide. The Blues were without their dynamic midfield duo of Greg Williams and Barry Mitchell, but still contained star players such as Anthony Koutoufides, Craig Bradley, Justin Madden, Brett Ratten and Stephen Silvagni. However, the Swans had the goalkicking prowess of Tony Lockett in their camp, and as was so often the case, Plugger led the way with eight goals - the same amount as the Blues - in a best-on-ground display. Paul Roos was the leading possession-getter on the field with 34, while an 18-year old Michael O’Loughlin proved a great second foil with four goals. The Swans only recorded eight wins for the year, but this was by far the most memorable. The loss was only one of two for the Blues in 1995, as they powered to the premiership - remarkably their other loss came the next week against an even worse placed St Kilda side.
What John Longmire says …
“We’ve got a big test this week against Carlton. We know that they’re a genuine top four team at the moment. They’ve got some great talent and they’ll really test us out.’’
Media coverage
TV: Melbourne - Channel 7 3pm. Sydney/New South Wales - Channel 7 2pm.
RADIO: Melbourne - 3AW, Triple M, Sydney - Triple M, ABC630.
Check out www.afl.com.au/broadcast for your local listings
Recent form
Sydney Swans: WWWLW (def Richmond 9.21 (75) to 9.11 (65))
Carlton: WWWLW (def Brisbane Lions 19.10 (124) to 9.9 (63))
2011 Ladder position
Sydney Swans: 5th
Carlton: 3rd
Head-to-head
Played: 216
Sydney Swans: 84 wins
Carlton: 126 wins
Draws: 6
Last time they met
Round 6, 2011: Sydney Swans 10.11 (71) def by Carlton 12.15 (87), SCG
Current streak
Carlton (1)
Injury list (as at 13/6/11):
Sydney Swans: Jed Lamb (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks, Shane Mumford (knee) - test, Mike Pyke (quad) - test,
Gary Rohan (knee) - 1-2 weeks
Carlton: Blake Bray (shoulder) - indefinite, Levi Casboult (knee) - test, Andrew Collins - (shoulder) - season, Joe Dare (thigh) - 1 week, Kane Lucas (knee) - test, Jeremy Laidler (knee) - 1 week, Luke Mitchell (shoulder) - season, Setanta O'hAilpin (hand) - Test, Jarrad Waite (hamstring tightness) - test, Simon White (knee) - 1 week
