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- Aug 10, 2009
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Team Changes for the 2nd Elimination Final
The Sydney Swans have made three changes ahead of Saturday’s Elimination Final against Essendon, swapping ruckmen while bringing in two hard nuts for the crunch game at the SCG. Sam Naismith, who’s been out of the senior side recovering from an abdominal strain, has been recalled in place of Kurt Tippett (omitted) while Dan Hannebery and Tom Papley slot straight back in for Harry Cunningham and Will Hayward (both omitted) after respective injury layoffs.
Naismith returned from injury in last weekend’s NEAFL Preliminary Final win, the 206cm big man showing enough with his 19 disposals and 40 hit-outs to convince the selectors he’s right to go. Hannebery’s leadership is an invaluable addition to the Sydney Swans’ team, the coach keen to see vice-captain retake his place in the star-studded midfield, while Papley’s goal sense and defensive pressure will be crucial against Essendon’s backs.
Aliir Aliir, Harry Cunningham and Dan Robinson have been named as emergencies for the match.
Essendon Bombers
Essendon welcomes back Michael Hurley (calf) and Orazio Fantasia (hamstring) have overcome their injuries and proved their fitness in a searching session on Wednesday. Cale Hooker will miss the game though, after failing to overcome bone bruising in his leg.
Hurley was named in the All Australian side last week and will strengthen an Essendon defence looking to quell the Lance Franklin led Sydney forward line. Fantasia has booted 38 goals this season and his pace will be a key asset against the Swans.
Match Preview
Essendon faces a monumental task in trying to conquer Sydney, a team that has lost just twice in its past 16 matches, and a side the Bombers haven't beaten since 2011. The big positive the Bombers can take into the game is their round 14 clash at the SCG, when although John Worsfold's men coughed up what looked like a certain win, but they played a brand of footy that showed they are capable of an upset. Speed will be the name of the game for Essendon, but if the steely Swans can use their big bodies to dominate the stoppages, they will be hard to stop.
The Bombers will compete in their first finals series since 2014 after recording 12 wins in the home and away season. Run and dare through the midfield were common features of the side’s most dominant victories and speed, carry and overlap is going to be critical against the Swans.
Sydney's midfield brigade will relish taking on Essendon's speedy opponents in Saturday's elimination final at the SCG and just like he has all season, Luke Parker will be leading the charge.
Parker, the onball brute who will play his 150th game when he runs out against the Bombers, had the sixth most clearances in the League this season, topped the Swans for tackles, and is one of the keys to his team's revival after they started the season with six straight losses. The 2016 Brownlow Medal runner-up has won 142 clearances this year with captain Josh Kennedy (132) next best, the pair helping the Swans win 14 of their last 16 games heading into the finals.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Sydney
1. George Hewett has been handed some big jobs this year and could be sent to star midfielder Zach Merrett. The All Australian Bomber had 33 possessions and eight clearances in round 14.
2. The Bombers kicked seven goals in a row either side of three-quarter time in round 14, and if they get any sort of momentum like that this week, Sam Reid will put himself behind the footy to help the Swans slow the game down.
3. Dane Rampe will get the job on Joe Daniher again after keeping him quiet last time they met, but John Longmire could use Lewis Melican if he would prefer Rampe up the ground where he can be damaging on the counter attack.
Essendon
1. John Worsfold could tag team Lance Franklin with Michael Hurley and Michael Hartley, using Hurley as a loose man to help out in the air, and back himself to provide plenty of run.
2. David Zaharakis, Orazio Fantasia, Conor McKenna, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Travis Colyer hurt the Swans with their pace in round 14, so look for the Bombers to play on quickly this week to give their runners the advantage.
3. Tom Bellchambers must push forward whenever possible to force the Swans' big men to be accountable, and the same goes for Daniher when he takes over in the ruck, so the Swans defenders can't hedge their bets and play off their men.
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans won a thriller over the Bombers in round 14; Essendon led by 19 points at the 23-minute mark before the Swans finished strong and won thanks to a Gary Rohan goal after the final siren.
2. Sydney has dominated Essendon recently, winning the past seven matches including two by 50 points or more. The Bombers last defeated the Swans in round 20, 2011 by just one point.
3. Sydney is the most experienced finals team of the top eight with a combined 267 games, a big advantage over Essendon with only 85. Only 19 listed Bombers have played in a final compared to the Swans' 28.
4. The Bombers were the worst clearance team during the home and away season averaging only 34.2 per game, compared to the Swans who are ranked 12th, with an average of 35.9.
5. Sydney has won its last three elimination finals since 2008, while Essendon is aiming for its first finals win since 2004. The sides last played in a final in 1999.
6. Lance Franklin's amazing 10-goal performance against Carlton in round 23 has propelled him from 12th to seventh in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, a career high for the superstar Swan.
Coaches comments
John Longmire: "We tend to focus primarily on the recent form of the Bombers which has been really solid. We looked at that game (in round 14) and we had to do everything right in the last few minutes (to win)," he said this week.
John Worsfold: "To have the players look like they really believed in themselves at three-quarter time, that they wanted to take the game on and go on and win, their attitude was outstanding. It hurts not to hold on and win the game," he said after round 14 loss.
What the "Experts" Say
PREDICTION: Whilst the return to September action is bound to put a smile on the faces of many Essendon fans who stood by the club, it will feel sweet to see the Dons running out onto the park against an in form Swans unit. The media would love another fairytale in the making but with the Swans edge at the SCG and their rise to finals form its too difficult to go past Sydney for the win by 28 points
Saturday 9 September
Summary
Min 9
Max 19
Sunny.
Possible rainfall: 0 mm
Chance of any rain: 5%
Sydney area
Sunny. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h tending southeast to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the late afternoon.
