The Sydney Swans are brimming with confidence at the moment, following a backs-against-the-wall win over Geelong on Saturday afternoon.
Down 22 points at the final break, an undermanned Sydney erased the deficit to become the first side since Round 10, 2006, to defeat Geelong at their home fortress after trailing at half-time.
The Swans will love nothing more than to get back to the SCG and put on a show against their home crowd.
Midfield standing tall
Sydney’s midfield was the key to its comeback in Round 6, catapulted by the dominance of Callum Sinclair in the ruck, and leadership from Josh Kennedy.
Sinclair has had an impressive start to the season, averaging 35 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game, with his performance last weekend his best of the season.
With very little depth in the ruck department this season, the Swans have needed Sinclair to stand tall, and that’s exactly what he’s done.
After a slow start to the year by his standards, Kennedy looks to have found his form which has made him one of the elite midfielders in the competition.
The 29-year-old collected 33 disposals against Geelong, paired with 13 clearances, taking him to the fifth in total centre clearances this season.
Sydney will once again be without midfielder Dan Hannebery, but won’t be too concerned by his absence if Sinclair and Kennedy can mirror their Round 6 performances this weekend.
Buddy’s void
Joining Hannebery on the sidelines this week will be Lance Franklin, who is battling a foot complaint.
There’s no questioning the impact Franklin has on Sydney, given ‘Buddy’ was just one goal behind Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown heading into last weekend.
Against Geelong, Sydney proved that it doesn’t need Franklin in order to kick a winning score, with the Swans small forwards stepping-up to the plate.
Will Hayward led the goal-kickers with three, while Robbie Fox, Oliver Florent and Ben Ronke all chiming in with two goals, plus Gary Rohan kicked one himself.
With Franklin still sidelined, it will be interesting to see if Sydney’s mosquito fleet can do the same this weekend.
SCG form
In the past, the SCG has been a happy hunting ground for Sydney, with its small dimensions suiting the Swans’ contested style of football.
However this year, the results haven’t been as kind, with two losses from Sydney’s three outings at the ground.
Both losses have come against the South Australian sides, while the win came in Round 3 against the GWS Giants.
With the Swans set to play a prime-time fixture this Saturday night in front of what should be a big crowd, they’ll go in as favourites. North will have other ideas.
