MATCH PREVIEW: Canberra v Sydney

NEAFL ROUND 12

Saturday, July 22, 2019
Canberra Demons (7th) v Sydney Swans (3rd)
UNSW Canberra Oval, 12pm

SUMMARY

Canberra will search for its first ever win against Sydney as NEAFL football returns to UNSW Oval Canberra on Saturday.

The Demons are coming into the match with a 4-5 record after the bye, and conceding a heavy defeat at the hands of the Southport Sharks in their last match. Canberra were matching the premiers to half-time before a 10-goal-to-one second half saw the end of a Canberra win. Canberra have been inconsistent with their performances this year, and they will certainly need their best to beat the Sydney Swans this weekend and jump back in to the top six. Could this weekend see the start of another stretch of wins and get them to a second consecutive finals series?

The Sydney Swans will be fresh and eager coming off the bye last weekend, they are currently on a two-game losing streak after 71 and 25-point losses to the Lions and GIANTS respectively. The Swans were one of the most in-form teams, winning six of their first seven games of this season. Will this weekend see them re-gain form?

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Preliminary Final, 2018: Sydney 18.10 (118) defeated Canberra 8.14 (62) at Blacktown.
Round 19, 2018: Sydney 9.14 (68) defeated Canberra 8.7 (55) at Phillip Oval.
Round 14, 2017: Sydney 20.18 (138) defeated Canberra 7.5 (47) at UNSW Canberra Oval.

TALKING POINTS

1. History is on the line for the young Demons side if they are able to create an upset against the Sydney Swans this weekend. Canberra has not defeated the Sydney Swans since joining the competition back in 2016. A win here for Canberra would be a confidence boost that is much needed heading into the latter part of this season.

2. After managing three AFL games in his first season with the Sydney Swans so far, this year, No.25 draft pick James Rowbottom has been a man on a mission, leading the NEAFL MVP vote count with 42 votes. Averaging 29 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles and a goal a game, it’s clear why he is at the top of the NEAFL MVP voting.

3. This match is massive in the context of each side’s ladder positions. Sydney, third on percentage over the GIANTS, can open up a four-point gap on the GIANTS with a win, which would also bring them to within a game of second-placed Southport. Canberra, seventh on percentage but level with Aspley (fifth) and Sydney Uni (sixth) on points, are locked in a battle for a top six spot and would love a victory to keep their finals hopes alive.

ROOKIE WATCH

Rising Star nominee Angus Baker is having a superb year, and he needs to produce another big performance if Canberra are to get over the line. Baker, 20, is ranked second in the competition for total intercepts with an average of 9.3 per game. His ability to read the play and rebounding power is a big asset to the Demons.

STATS THAT MATTER

The Sydney Swans are ranked No.2 in the competition for contested possessions. This means Canberra will need to bring a focus on physicality and pressure around the contest if they are going to prevail with a win this weekend.

PREDICTION

Sydney Swans by 25 points.

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