MATCH PREVIEW: Sydney vs GIANTS

NEAFL ROUND 10

Sunday, June 9, 2019
Sydney Swans (3rd) v GIANTS (4th)
Blacktown International Sportspark, 10.30am

SUMMARY

What a match we have on our hands for NEAFL Round 10! It’ll be a top four battle this weekend when the Sydney Swans and GIANTS go head-to-head in a curtain raiser on Sunday morning.

Currently in fourth position, the GIANTS will be looking for a back-to-back victory to overthrow the Swans and jump to third. With both teams chasing another win to consolidate their place in the top four, you can expect a very tight contest between these cross-city rivals.

After a loss against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday, Sydney will be looking to get back on the winners list, whilst the GIANTS are in good form and will throw everything at the Swans.

With both sides having plenty of AFL-listed players interested in coming through the ranks it will arguably be the match of the round to watch this weekend.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 4, 2019: Sydney 13.19 (97) def. GIANTS 7.10 (52) at Blacktown International Sportspark
Round 1, 2-19: Sydney 15.19 (109) d GIANTS 12.8 (80) at GIANTS Stadium
Round 20, 2018: Sydney 15.18 (108) d GIANTS 7.1 (52) at GIANTS Stadium

TALKING POINTS

1. After a slow start to 2019, the GIANTS are building nicely to be the dark horse of this year's competition. They dropped three of their first four games, but have turned it around to win three of their past four, jumping in to the top four last week with a comfortable win over Gold Coast at home. A win here for the GIANTS over their rivals would be a huge confidence boost to the side, and set up the second half of the season for the club.

2. The last two times these sides met back in Round 4, it was Sydney who triumphed by 45 points in a match where Robbie Fox and Colin O'Riordan combined for 80 disposals. The pair won't be playing this time around, but Sydney has built up a strong winning streak against the GIANTS. The Swans have now won the past six contests stretching back to Round 1 in 2018. Can the GIANTS break the drought this week?

3. The GIANTS have proved that they’re in the mix for this year's NEAFL finals. Their on field pressure last week against the SUNS has been the best we’ve seen all year, and in their Round 8 match against the Brisbane Lions, the GIANTS were also forced to play the final quarter with only 17 men on the field after losing key players to injury. Expec this match to go down to the wire as two top teams of the competition lock horns.

ROOKIE WATCH

Ryley Stoddart is among the many emerging Sydney Swans stars that have been making their mark in this years campaign. This 19-year-old backman is one to keep an eye on in the rounds to come. Stoddart was a stand out in the Swans’ loss to Brisbane last week. Earning himself 22 disposals and 17 kicks, his fast pace defence will be a large threat for the GIANTS forward pack this Sunday.

STATS THAT MATTER

The Swans are currently leading the tackle count for this year’s competition averaging 69.9 tackles per game respectively, while the GIANTS are averaging 59.9 tackles per game. If the GIANTS can hold their own against the Swans physical game they might be able to force an upset.

PREDICTION

Swans by 22 points.

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