SUMMARY
The Suns have never beaten the Swans in eight meetings and as they get set for Saturday's clash at the SCG, it would be a monumental upset if they broke the duck in round 18. Despite the absence of over 1000 games' experience Sydney snatched an inspiring victory over North Melbourne on Sunday, with Aliir Aliir, Ben Ronke, Will Hayward and debutant Colin O'Riordan all stepping up to make it a memorable road trip. Gold Coast is devoid of confidence after 11 straight losses but showed some promising signs in the first half last week and would have been further in front of Essendon if not for some poor conversion. The Swans' forward line looks potent with Lance Franklin surrounded by last week's five-goal star Ronke, Hayward, Tom Papley and youngster Tom McCartin. If the home side's stacked midfield can get ascendency around the stoppages the Gold Coast defence will struggle to contain their scoring.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday, July 21, 2.10pm
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R16, 2017, Sydney 17.16 (118) d Gold Coast 7.9 (51) at the SCG
R11, 2016, Sydney 11.13 (79) d Gold Coast 6.5 (41) at Metricon Stadium
R23, 2015, Sydney 19.13 (127) d Gold Coast 9.10 (64) at the SCG
R10, 2015, Sydney 13.15 (93) d Gold Coast 5.11 (41) at Metricon Stadium
R12, 2014, Sydney 17.7 (109) d Gold Coast 10.14 (74) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Suns led by five points at quarter-time when the sides last played before the Swans kicked 13 goals to 2.7 in the next three quarters. Gary Rohan was the star with 15 kicks, nine marks and five goals.
2. Gold Coast is ranked last or second last for disposals, marks, uncontested possessions, contested marks, marks inside 50, centre clearances and inside 50s.
3. The Swans are one of only two teams the Suns are yet to defeat. In eight contests Sydney is undefeated and there have been five wins by more than 50 points.
4. Gold Coast is the lowest scoring team this season, averaging just 60 points per game and the Suns have kicked 100 points once, in round two. Sydney is eighth for scoring with an average of 86 points.
5. In the three previous SCG contests the Swans have won by 41, 63 and 67 points. And more bad news for the Suns is they've lost seven of eight interstate matches this season.
6. Star Sydney captain Josh Kennedy has fallen to 20th in the AFL Player Ratings after starting the season in fourth.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
With his team struggling, Suns co-captain Steven May must provide leadership for his teammates while also focusing on trying to stop Swans superstar Lance Franklin. It could be a tough afternoon at the SCG.
AFL.com.au PREDICTION: Sydney by 45 points
