MATCH PREVIEW: Gold Coast v Sydney

NEAFL ROUND 8

Saturday, May 25, 2019
Gold Coast SUNS (7th) v Sydney Swans (3rd)
Metricon Stadium, 11am

SUMMARY

We are a third of the way through the season and the competition is beginning to take shape. The Swans are sitting inside the top three, nipping on the heels of early favourites Southport and the Brisbane Lions, whilst the SUNS are coming off a bye and two wins, carry good form into the match.

Both teams came off a bye in Round 7, with the Swans tasting victory against Sydney University and the SUNS beating against Aspley in their last outings. For the SUNS, it was very well received after starting the season 0-4 and slowly starting to build their 2019 campaign.

The Swans have started the season red hot, only going down to the Lions so far this season, a start coach Jeremy Laidler will be very impressed about.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 2, 2019:  Sydney 17.8 (110) def. SUNS 10.12 (72) at Metricon Stadium
Round 20, 2018: Sydney 12.10 (82) def. SUNS 4.6 (30) at Blacktown
Round 16, 2018: SUNS 11.10 (76) def. Sydney 8.5 (53) at SCG

TALKING POINTS

1. After a rough first month schedule, Gold Coast is on the resurgence. Back-to-back wins against NT Thunder and Aspley shows the SUNS are finally playing consistent footy. A match-up against the red hot Swans at home will be a good indicator of where the SUNS sit heading into the mid part of the season.

2. The Swans kick off a rough month of footy where they play all three other AFL sides consecutively, including two away trips to Queensland to take on the SUNS and the ladder leading Lions. The Swans credentials as a potential premiership winning team will be tested over the upcoming month.

3. Will Brodie is elite. The midfielder has played four NEAFL games and is currently averaging 32 disposals a game. If the Victorian has another blinder against the Swans he must be banging on the door for re-selection with the senior side.

ROOKIE WATCH

Swans rookie Sam Wicks is having a standout season for his club. The 19-year-old, who was drafted last year, is averaging 20 disposals (43 % contested), eight tackles and a goal per game so far in 2019. A player who seems to grow in stature with every match, Wicks is one to keep an eye on for the future.

STATS THAT MATTER

When these two teams met in Round 2 the statistics were quite close for what was a 38-point victory for the Swans. However, it was the Swans ruthlessness when they had the ball that led to victory, finishing with 11 more inside 50s then the SUNS. Sydney kicked at nearly 70% efficiency in that match, a statistic they will look to continue while the SUNS dwindled at a lowly 45% in front of goals.

PREDICTION

Sydney will be too classy for the SUNS. Swans by 20.

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