TonyK
CibbuanoRound twenty-two preview: Sydney v Brisbane
August 28th 2009 15:49
VENUE and TIME: SCG, Saturday 29 August, 7.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 39, Sydney Swans 18, Brisbane Lions 20, Draws 1
LAST TIME: Brisbane Lions 15.10 (100) def Sydney Swans 9.13 (67), Round 3, 2009 at the Gabba
RECENT HISTORY: Sydney has won eight of its past ten matches against Brisbane.
FORM: Sydney (8-13) was knocked out of finals contention for the first time since 2002 when they went down to Collingwood by 41 points at the MCG last Sunday. Brisbane recovered from a dreadful start to record a stunning come-from-behind 15-point win over Port Adelaide at the Gabba last Saturday night. It was the Lions’ first victory in a month following losses to Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs and a draw with Essendon. Michael Voss’ men find themselves in seventh spot on the ladder with a 12-1-8 record.
MEDICAL ROOM: Brisbane will be without full-forward Daniel Bradshaw (quad) and full-back Daniel Merrett (hamstring) for just the one week. Aaron Cornelius (jaw) remains on the sidelines while Joel Tippett (back), Albert Proud (foot), Bart McCulloch (quad), Jamie Charman (ankle) and Pat Garner (knee) are out for the season. For the Swans, Jarred McVeigh and Luke Ablett return from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively but Jarred Moore (punctured lung), Ted Richards (chest), Daniel Currie (foot), Amon Buchanan (knee), Lewis Johnston (foot), Craig Bird (shoulder), Brett Meredith (forearm), Henry Playfair (hamstring) and Campbell Heath (knee) won’t play again in 2009.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Brett Kirk vs. Simon Black
Black failed to have his usual impact in the win over the Power, managing just 18 possessions - well down on his season average of just under 26 disposals per game.
The 2002 Brownlow medallist rarely has two quiet games in a row and will be keen to bounce back with a big performance against Sydney in what is a vital match for Brisbane.
Black is damaging with his ability to win the football at close quarters and use it cleanly by hand and foot.
Limiting his influence in the middle will be a key for the Swans if they are going to starve Jonathan Brown of quality supply.
Kirk kept Black to just 16 touches the last time these two sides met in round three and will be given the job on him once again.
Black will need his teammates to block for him as Kirk will apply relentless pressure all night.
Joel Macdonald vs. Jesse White
White has shown some promising signs up forward this season but he has struggled in the past fortnight, booting just two goals in his past two matches.
If Sydney is going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to finish the season on a high they will need White to lift.
With Merrett out of the side due to injury you would expect Macdonald to be given first crack at White.
In last weekend’s loss to Collingwood the Swans had just nine fewer possessions than the Magpies but finished the match with 28 fewer entries inside 50 - Paul Roos’ men will need to be more direct with their use of the football otherwise White will struggle to have an impact on the scoreboard.
Cheynee Stiller vs. Adam Goodes
Goodes was his side’s best against the Pies with 24 disposals, 11 marks and three goals.
The dual Brownlow medallist is an integral part of the Sydney midfield with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.
Stiller has been given some big run with roles this season and looms as the obvious candidate to tag Goodes in what shapes as being a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
It is vital for Brisbane that Stiller is switched on defensively for the full four quarters and denies Goodes any time or space in which to work in otherwise he will cut them to shreds with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.
Craig Bolton vs. Jonathan Brown
Brown played a key role in his side’s 33-point win over Sydney earlier in the year, booting four goals.
With Bradshaw out of the side the onus will be on Brown to have a big night to get his side over the line.
However, he faces a tough night at the office with the underrated but very effective Bolton to be his direct opponent.
Sydney is ranked third in the AFL for tackles per game with an average of 66.9 - they will need to suffocate the Lions’ midfield with their pressure skills otherwise Brown will feast on plenty of quality supply from Daniel Rich, Luke Power, Black and co.
VERDICT: This is a must-win match for Brisbane if they are going to play at home in the first week of the finals but their task won’t be an easy one as they will be facing a Sydney side that will want to send veterans Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch out on a positive note. The loss of Bradshaw is a major blow for the Lions and if Bolton is able to keep Brown quiet the Swans will prevail in what shapes as being a tight struggle. Swans by eight points.
SYDNEY SWANS v BRISBANE LIONS
SYDNEY SWANS
B: Heath Grundy, Leo Barry, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Craig Bolton, Paul Bevan
C: Nick Smith, Jared Crouch, Martin Mattner
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes, Kieren Jack
F: Jesse White, Michael O’Loughlin, Jarrad McVeigh
Foll: Darren Jolly, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
I/C: Luke Ablett, Dan Hannebery, Matt O’Dwyer, Kristin Thornton
Emg: Ed Barlow, Nick Malceski, Patrick Veszpremi
In: Ablett, McVeigh, Thornton
Out: Jarred Moore (ribs), Ed Barlow, Mike Pyke
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Jason Roe, James Hawksley
HB: Joel Patfull, Josh Drummond, Joel Macdonald
C: Jared Brennan, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, James Polkinghorne
F: Sam Sheldon, Lachlan Henderson, Luke Power
Foll: Mitch Clark, Cheynee Stiller, Justin Sherman
I/C: Scott Harding, Matt Austin, Travis Johnstone, Jack Redden
Emg: Tim Notting, Tom Rockliff, Bradd Dalziell
In: Henderson, Roe
Out: Daniel Bradshaw (quad), Daniel Merrett (hamstring)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 39, Sydney Swans 18, Brisbane Lions 20, Draws 1
LAST TIME: Brisbane Lions 15.10 (100) def Sydney Swans 9.13 (67), Round 3, 2009 at the Gabba
RECENT HISTORY: Sydney has won eight of its past ten matches against Brisbane.
FORM: Sydney (8-13) was knocked out of finals contention for the first time since 2002 when they went down to Collingwood by 41 points at the MCG last Sunday. Brisbane recovered from a dreadful start to record a stunning come-from-behind 15-point win over Port Adelaide at the Gabba last Saturday night. It was the Lions’ first victory in a month following losses to Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs and a draw with Essendon. Michael Voss’ men find themselves in seventh spot on the ladder with a 12-1-8 record.
MEDICAL ROOM: Brisbane will be without full-forward Daniel Bradshaw (quad) and full-back Daniel Merrett (hamstring) for just the one week. Aaron Cornelius (jaw) remains on the sidelines while Joel Tippett (back), Albert Proud (foot), Bart McCulloch (quad), Jamie Charman (ankle) and Pat Garner (knee) are out for the season. For the Swans, Jarred McVeigh and Luke Ablett return from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively but Jarred Moore (punctured lung), Ted Richards (chest), Daniel Currie (foot), Amon Buchanan (knee), Lewis Johnston (foot), Craig Bird (shoulder), Brett Meredith (forearm), Henry Playfair (hamstring) and Campbell Heath (knee) won’t play again in 2009.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Brett Kirk vs. Simon Black
Black failed to have his usual impact in the win over the Power, managing just 18 possessions - well down on his season average of just under 26 disposals per game.
The 2002 Brownlow medallist rarely has two quiet games in a row and will be keen to bounce back with a big performance against Sydney in what is a vital match for Brisbane.
Black is damaging with his ability to win the football at close quarters and use it cleanly by hand and foot.
Limiting his influence in the middle will be a key for the Swans if they are going to starve Jonathan Brown of quality supply.
Kirk kept Black to just 16 touches the last time these two sides met in round three and will be given the job on him once again.
Black will need his teammates to block for him as Kirk will apply relentless pressure all night.
Joel Macdonald vs. Jesse White
White has shown some promising signs up forward this season but he has struggled in the past fortnight, booting just two goals in his past two matches.
If Sydney is going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to finish the season on a high they will need White to lift.
With Merrett out of the side due to injury you would expect Macdonald to be given first crack at White.
In last weekend’s loss to Collingwood the Swans had just nine fewer possessions than the Magpies but finished the match with 28 fewer entries inside 50 - Paul Roos’ men will need to be more direct with their use of the football otherwise White will struggle to have an impact on the scoreboard.
Cheynee Stiller vs. Adam Goodes
Goodes was his side’s best against the Pies with 24 disposals, 11 marks and three goals.
The dual Brownlow medallist is an integral part of the Sydney midfield with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.
Stiller has been given some big run with roles this season and looms as the obvious candidate to tag Goodes in what shapes as being a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
It is vital for Brisbane that Stiller is switched on defensively for the full four quarters and denies Goodes any time or space in which to work in otherwise he will cut them to shreds with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.
Craig Bolton vs. Jonathan Brown
Brown played a key role in his side’s 33-point win over Sydney earlier in the year, booting four goals.
With Bradshaw out of the side the onus will be on Brown to have a big night to get his side over the line.
However, he faces a tough night at the office with the underrated but very effective Bolton to be his direct opponent.
Sydney is ranked third in the AFL for tackles per game with an average of 66.9 - they will need to suffocate the Lions’ midfield with their pressure skills otherwise Brown will feast on plenty of quality supply from Daniel Rich, Luke Power, Black and co.
VERDICT: This is a must-win match for Brisbane if they are going to play at home in the first week of the finals but their task won’t be an easy one as they will be facing a Sydney side that will want to send veterans Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch out on a positive note. The loss of Bradshaw is a major blow for the Lions and if Bolton is able to keep Brown quiet the Swans will prevail in what shapes as being a tight struggle. Swans by eight points.
SYDNEY SWANS v BRISBANE LIONS
SYDNEY SWANS
B: Heath Grundy, Leo Barry, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Craig Bolton, Paul Bevan
C: Nick Smith, Jared Crouch, Martin Mattner
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes, Kieren Jack
F: Jesse White, Michael O’Loughlin, Jarrad McVeigh
Foll: Darren Jolly, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
I/C: Luke Ablett, Dan Hannebery, Matt O’Dwyer, Kristin Thornton
Emg: Ed Barlow, Nick Malceski, Patrick Veszpremi
In: Ablett, McVeigh, Thornton
Out: Jarred Moore (ribs), Ed Barlow, Mike Pyke
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Jason Roe, James Hawksley
HB: Joel Patfull, Josh Drummond, Joel Macdonald
C: Jared Brennan, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, James Polkinghorne
F: Sam Sheldon, Lachlan Henderson, Luke Power
Foll: Mitch Clark, Cheynee Stiller, Justin Sherman
I/C: Scott Harding, Matt Austin, Travis Johnstone, Jack Redden
Emg: Tim Notting, Tom Rockliff, Bradd Dalziell
In: Henderson, Roe
Out: Daniel Bradshaw (quad), Daniel Merrett (hamstring)
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