Red-hot Swans

Two consecutive wins by 90 and 67 points respectively say the Sydney Swans are in fine touch leading into the final three rounds of the season.

The two wins have seen Sydney improve its percentage by 10 per cent, a huge margin generally but enormous given the closeness between the premiership contenders, to boast the best percentage in the league.

The Swans’ spread of goal-kickers has been a key feature of the recent rise, with usual spearhead Lance Franklin kicking only 11 percent of the score. That doesn’t worry anyone within the four walls of the footy club as ‘Buddy’ has still been in exceptional form gathering and using the footy further up the ground.

To coach John Longmire, that’s just as important as Franklin kicking hauls. His work rate up and down the wing and across half-forward of late has complemented the defensive and midfield groups perfectly, with Franklin adding another dimension while the likes of forwards Gary Rohan, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley hold down the fort.

Speedy Saints

Here come the Saints.

A spot in the top eight is mathematically possible so, despite having to rely on other results, expect St Kilda to be on from the outset.

The Saints have showed strong form of late, winning four of the past five clashes to sit ninth and eye eighth-placed North Melbourne.

Their speedy midfield had caused problems for sides aplenty this season while they’ve got a forward line capable of kicking a big score with former Swan Tim Membrey one of only five forwards to kick five-plus goals in four or more games this season.

And that’s not forgetting Josh Bruce and Nick Riewoldt, while Paddy McCartin’s potential inclusion could make them even more imposing in what’s expected to be an exciting clash under the roof at Etihad Stadium.

Selection

Hard to argue against the coaches taking an unchanged line-up for the Round 21 clash, given the Sydney Swans’ form in the past two weeks.

It would be the second-straight week they’d take in a settled side and third time this season, going back to Round 11’s encounter against the Gold Coast when the Match Committee didn’t have to lift a finger (until of course the rain came which prompted them to rest young gun Callum Mills).

Ben McGlynn, however, could force the Match Committee’s hand after his standout performance in last weekend’s NEAFL clash in Blacktown. The small forward was moved to the midfield and excelled, tallying 32 disposals, seven clearances, 10 inside 50s and goal.

Jeremy Laidler also made a successful comeback from injury but might be kept down an extra week in order to get some extra run in the legs.

Ted Richards would have been in contention for a recall, but was instead given a one-match ban by the NEAFL judiciary which throws a spanner in the works as the veteran and this year’s retiree fights to regain his spot.

Can Ben McGlynn force his way back into what seems to be a settled line-up?

A race against the clock

With only three rounds remaining in the home and away season, a number of Swans face a race against the clock to make an impact at the business end.

At the top of the tree stands ruckman Kurt Tippett.

Such an integral part of the Swans’ best 22, the big man’s recovery from a torn hamstring tendon seems to be on track and is expected to be fit and firing in time for the Round 22 clash against North Melbourne. That would give him two games to prepare for what’s hopefully a big finals series.

Sam Reid looks an outside chance to make any sort of comeback as the forward struggles to gain any momentum in his return from soft tissue concerns. He hasn’t been able to get on the park at senior level since the pre-season intra-club and the immediate future looks bleak.

“It's becoming really close now for us to make a call on him,” John Longmire said on Thursday. “He's not doing a full training session yet so that’s what we're faced with at the moment.”

Zak Jones (ankle) and Dan Robinson (shoulder) are tracking well in their respective rehabs and should be available before the Sydney Swans’ campaign ends, whenever that’ll be, while Michael Talia’s club-imposed suspension ends August 19 but whether or not he’ll return in a playing capacity this season hasn’t been addressed.

Kurt Tippett resumed full training this week ahead of his expected Round 22 return.

Pride Game

St Kilda will host the Sydney Swans in the first ever Pride Game for premiership points.

In a huge step for the AFL, #PrideGame is all about celebrating diversity and making everyone feel welcome at the football.

“The Sydney Swans are delighted to take a leadership position on LBGTI (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, issues, as the core values of the Swans are inclusion and fairness,” Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said at Tuesday’s launch.

Sydney played Fremantle in the first ever Pride Game during last year’s pre-season competition, with Drummoyne Oval’s 50m arcs painted in rainbow colours while the goal umpires had rainbow coloured flags.

The same will happen on Saturday night with St Kilda to wear a specially designed guernsey to mark the occasion while Sydney will wear socks donning a rainbow streak.

Nick Smith and Kieren Jack put on this week's #PrideGame socks for a photo opp, the same socks which will be worn by the Swans on Saturday night.