After last week’s preview this week will be somewhat of a letdown.
For some reason I chose this game a few weeks back to preview and so have gone back and watched all off Fremantle’s games this year (the sacrifices we make) as part of my research. The great thing about the AFL draw is that we already played them and wasn’t that a spectacle (it was as bad watching in round 2 as it is reliving it 3 months later).
A week is a long time in football and when it’s been 15 since we last met, it’s been long enough for Papley to return, McInerney to get suspended a second time, Mills to return, Gulden to arrive. So, the last time we met means little.
Some useless trivial stats to kick off.
The last time Sydney beat the Dockers at the SCG was back in round 9 of 2018 (oddly we have beaten them at Perth Stadium in the last 4 since then).
Only 9 players from that round 9 game are still on the Swans list (Freo only have 3).
Fremantle have won the last two games at the SCG in 2023 and 2024 (their poor cousins across the Swan River can’t claim to hold such an impressive record).
In fact, the Dockers have won 6 games at the SCG and all of them in pairs, 95/96, 10/11 and 23/24.
So, they are due loss to add to their 13.
Moments to remember between these two teams.
The stats that matter:
Based on these stats I can only summarise that the Swans don’t like to handball, and the Dockers aren’t keen on kicking the ball.
Neither team likes to overuse the ball and would rather move it quickly. The less time with the ball the less chance of turning it over.
Swans have had more players bounce the ball and that reinforces the intent to run with the ball.
Dockers have 5 players with double digit contested marks this year (while the Swans only have one) so they are keen to kick to a contested mark.
What influence will the umpires have?
Neither team are blessed like last week’s opponents (or any team with postcode starting with a 3).
The Swans -13 in frees and the Dockers -22 thanks largely to Grundy and Bolton for their respective teams.
Key players for Sydney – Grundy in the ruck, Heeney carrying the team, Warner showing why Freo should have added an extra 0 to the offer.
Key players for Freo – Serong will he tag Jordon, Jackson in the ruck, Treacy for the contested marking duel with McCartin.
The weather, it’s Sydney so it’s never as bad as the rest of the country.
Actually, there is a weather event this week (we used to call it rain).
Form:
Freo after a slow start to the season and the annual they will never reach their potential are in the 8.
Sydney well, injuries, suspensions and patchy form have ensured we are in the race for a top 10 pick.
Ins – McCartin, some others performing well in the VFL.
Outs – McLean (won’t happen), Rampe (injured – subject to Swans medical team ruling him fit on Thursday), Franics (suspension), SCG surface, poor set shots.
We played well against the Dogs, unfortunately another game where our inaccuracy (15th worst in the competition) hurt us. Dockers knocked off the Saints but were pushed by the anti-northern academies more than expected.
Swans by 15
For some reason I chose this game a few weeks back to preview and so have gone back and watched all off Fremantle’s games this year (the sacrifices we make) as part of my research. The great thing about the AFL draw is that we already played them and wasn’t that a spectacle (it was as bad watching in round 2 as it is reliving it 3 months later).
A week is a long time in football and when it’s been 15 since we last met, it’s been long enough for Papley to return, McInerney to get suspended a second time, Mills to return, Gulden to arrive. So, the last time we met means little.
Some useless trivial stats to kick off.
The last time Sydney beat the Dockers at the SCG was back in round 9 of 2018 (oddly we have beaten them at Perth Stadium in the last 4 since then).
Only 9 players from that round 9 game are still on the Swans list (Freo only have 3).
Fremantle have won the last two games at the SCG in 2023 and 2024 (their poor cousins across the Swan River can’t claim to hold such an impressive record).
In fact, the Dockers have won 6 games at the SCG and all of them in pairs, 95/96, 10/11 and 23/24.
So, they are due loss to add to their 13.
Moments to remember between these two teams.
- Sam Reid draw saving mark in 2013
- Logan McDonald kick after the siren in 2024.
- Picking No 15 for the Kangaroos over Caleb Serong.
The stats that matter:
- Swans are ranked 15th in handballs, 14th in disposals, marks, and points per game.
- Dockers are ranked 15th in kicks, disposals, and marks per game.
Based on these stats I can only summarise that the Swans don’t like to handball, and the Dockers aren’t keen on kicking the ball.
Neither team likes to overuse the ball and would rather move it quickly. The less time with the ball the less chance of turning it over.
Swans have had more players bounce the ball and that reinforces the intent to run with the ball.
Dockers have 5 players with double digit contested marks this year (while the Swans only have one) so they are keen to kick to a contested mark.
What influence will the umpires have?
Neither team are blessed like last week’s opponents (or any team with postcode starting with a 3).
The Swans -13 in frees and the Dockers -22 thanks largely to Grundy and Bolton for their respective teams.
Key players for Sydney – Grundy in the ruck, Heeney carrying the team, Warner showing why Freo should have added an extra 0 to the offer.
Key players for Freo – Serong will he tag Jordon, Jackson in the ruck, Treacy for the contested marking duel with McCartin.
The weather, it’s Sydney so it’s never as bad as the rest of the country.
Actually, there is a weather event this week (we used to call it rain).
Form:
Freo after a slow start to the season and the annual they will never reach their potential are in the 8.
Sydney well, injuries, suspensions and patchy form have ensured we are in the race for a top 10 pick.
Ins – McCartin, some others performing well in the VFL.
Outs – McLean (won’t happen), Rampe (injured – subject to Swans medical team ruling him fit on Thursday), Franics (suspension), SCG surface, poor set shots.
We played well against the Dogs, unfortunately another game where our inaccuracy (15th worst in the competition) hurt us. Dockers knocked off the Saints but were pushed by the anti-northern academies more than expected.
Swans by 15
