MATCH PREVIEW: Sydney v GIANTS

NEAFL ROUND 4

Saturday, April 27, 2019
Sydney Swans (3rd) v GIANTS (7th)
Blacktown International Sportspark, 2.50pm

SUMMARY

The undefeated Sydney Swans take on the GIANTS at Blacktown on Saturday afternoon with plenty on the line in an early-season battle for form and confidence.

The Swans sit third on the ladder, yet to lose a game and coming off a hard-fought seven-point victory against Redland last week.

The GIANTS, meanwhile, had a slow start to the season before a breakthrough win against Gold Coast last week to have them knocking on the door of the top six.

A good list of ‘ins’ for the GIANTS has them well-placed to take down Sydney, but recent history is on the Swans side as they eye off a top-two spot with victory on Saturday.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 1, 2019: Sydney 15.19 (109) d GIANTS 12.8 (80) at GIANTS Stadium
Round 20, 2018: Sydney 15.18 (108) d GIANTS 4.5 (29) at GIANTS Stadium
Round 14, 2018: Sydney 10.15 (75) d GIANTS 4.5 (29) at North Dalton Park

TALKING POINTS

1. The GIANTS are on the board in 2019, earning their first victory of the season against Gold Coast in impressive fashion last week. Zach Sproule (five goals), Isaac Cumming (nine NEAFL MVP votes), Nick Shipley and Aiden Bonar starred in the 38-point win. They’ll be further strengthened this week with Zac Langdon, Lachie Keeffe, Matt Buntine, Dylan Buckley and Jackson Hately all on the list of ins. The 18 AFL-listed players in the side this week is the most the GIANTS have named since Round 21, 2016 – a few weeks before they won the NEAFL premiership.

2. Sydney midfielder/forward James Rose loves to play against the GIANTS. The last four times he has faced the Swans’ rivals in the past two years, Rose has averaged 28 disposals, seven marks, five clearances, seven inside 50s and 2.5 goals. When the two sides clashed in Round 1, Rose was unstoppable, polling the maximum 10 NEAFL MVP votes after 39 disposals, nine clearances, 11 inside 50s and four goals. The GIANTS will need to keep a watchful eye on him this weekend.

3. Sydney has won eight of the last nine encounters against the GIANTS, with their only loss by four points in Round 1 last year. But will they have enough firepower to go the distance with the GIANTS this week? They had to dig deep against Redland last Saturday, kicking the last two goals of the game to steal victory by seven points. They’ve regained some quality in the form of Darcy Cameron, Justin McInerney and Robbie Fox, but have also named four debutants in a relatively inexperienced line-up. But what we’ve loved from Sydney, particularly in the past 12 months, is its ability to gel AFL-listed and academy players together each week. It will be a fascinating battle to watch.

ROOKIE WATCH

Bobby Hill gave GIANTS fans plenty to get excited about last week with two exciting goals in his club debut. The West Australian, drafted with selection 24 in last year’s AFL Draft, is clever around goal and blessed with an incredible leap. He’s an exciting prospect to watch develop in the NEAFL this year.

STATS THAT MATTER

Sydney are killers on the turnover. They lead the competition comfortably ahead of Brisbane in scores from turnovers, kicking 227 points from this score source in three rounds.

PREDICTION

GIANTS by 20 points.

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