Western Bulldogs v Sydney

Saturday 2 May, 2015

2:10pm, SCG

 

The comeback kings of 2015, Sydney have found a way to fight themselves back into the game and have proven they should never be written off.

The Swans pulled back a 41-point lead to the Bombers in round one to record a win, while they got within three points of Fremantle in the final quarter of round four, after being down by 48 points at half time at Domain Stadium.

After losing to the Dockers, the Swans will be looking to avenge their only loss for the season and will be hungry to bounce back after returning from Perth against the league leaders.

The Swans lead the league in stoppages and will provide a hard contest around the ball, with the Dogs’ midfielders needing to get their fair share of the ball at the coalface to go toe-to-toe with last year’s Grand Finalists. 

 

Sydney Swans Key Stats

  • #1 in league for stoppages (131)
  • #3 in league for clearances (182)
  • #3 in league for handballs (713)
  • #4 in league for disposals (1545)
  • #4 in league for hit-outs (186)

 

Players to Watch

Josh Kennedy

If the Swans are the stoppage leaders, then Kennedy is their king. Stats alone highlight the midfielder’s dominance this season, he’s number two in the competition for contested possessions and clearances, number three for centre clearances and number eight for tackles. His trademark ferocity on the ball will no doubt be a key player this weekend.

 

Lance Franklin

Franklin has kicked 13 goals in four games and sits second on the Coleman Medal tally. Franklin is eighth in the league for marks inside 50 and forms a formidable forward line partnership with Kurt Tippett. The pair will provide a big challenge for Michael Talia and Jordan Roughead, and a replica team defensive effort to what shutdown the Crows captain Taylor Walker last Sunday will be required.

 

Head to Head

Western Bulldogs 15

Sydney 24

 

Last time we met

Sydney Swans 20.10 (130) defeated Western Bulldogs 9.13 (67) at Etihad Stadium, round 22 2014.

 

Last three games

R4 2015 – Fremantle 11.8 (74) defeated Sydney Swans 8.12 (60)

R3 2015 – Sydney 16.15 (111) defeated Greater Western Sydney 12.18 (90)

R2 2015 – Port Adelaide 6.8 (44) defeated by Sydney 14.8 (92)