We take a look at some of the hot topics surrounding Saturday night's blockbuster against Geelong at ANZ Stadium.
Pyke/Tippett v Blicavs/Stanley
The Pyke/Tippett combination has compiled 320 hit outs in 2015 - the most of any ruck duo in the AFL - and helped the Swans lead the clearance count after six rounds of the season.
Compare those stats with Geelong’s Mark Blicavs and Rhys Stanley and they are chalk and cheese to the Cats’ pair who are ranked 18th for both hit outs and clearances.
This differential alone should bode well for Pyke, Tippett and the Swans’ midfielders but Blicavs and Stanley’s athleticism will be a tough test for the home side especially in the wake of Blicavs’ 27-disposal outing against Collingwood last week.
The hard-running former steeplechaser followed Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury for a period so all eyes will be on the first bounce at ANZ Stadium to see who goes where and to who on Saturday night.
Tom and Harry
Lance Franklin has been held goalless for back-to-back weeks only twice in his flashy 210-game career so Buddy is geared for a night out against the Cats.
Waiting for the reigning Coleman Medallist, and fellow forward Kurt Tippett, will be robust defenders Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan who helped to restrict Collingwood to 59 team points last Friday.
On Franklin and Tippett’s side is history, specifically last year when the Swans dismantled the Cats at the SCG in Round 11 to the tune of 110 points with the duo booting nine goals between them.
Speaking during the week, Franklin and Tippett aren’t expecting lightning to strike twice and will be preparing for a tough hit out against the premiership defenders.
McVeigh’s milestone
Swans co-captain and one of the club’s favourite sons Jarrad McVeigh will line up for game 250 on Saturday night.
The two-time Club Champion, All-Australian and premiership captain is still the general down in the Swans’ defence and this year has turned back the clock to average 24 disposals and six tackles in 2015 after missing the opening round of the season.
What a way to honour one of the greats, in such a commendable and sometimes rare milestone, than defeating the Cats in front of a home crowd.
Alongside McVeigh, speedster Gary Rohan will reach an important step in his career when game 50 is ticked off.
Hee-knee
Isaac Heeney will be sidelined with a posterior cruciate ligament strain for anywhere between 4-6 weeks which, given the youngster’s exciting start to 2015, is an unfavourable setback for player and club.
Heeney has already thrilled fans in his four games, his match winner against Essendon in Round 1 and Rising Star nomination headlining a mini but impressive highlights reel.
The Swans’ small injury list and depth should cover the loss of the talented forward/midfielder with a throng of players awaiting the final word from Thursday’s match committee meeting.
Senior coach John Longmire mentioned earlier this week Heeney would have been rested and carefully managed throughout the season anyway so not all is doom and gloom for the first year draftee.
Jodie Lee Foundation
The Swans will be supporting the Jodi Lee Foundation’s #iknowsome1 campaign aimed at raising awareness of bowel cancer during Saturday night’s match.
Kurt Tippett, Jeremy Laidler, Sam Naismith and Lloyd Perris are the faces of the campaign which encourages supporters to use #iknowsome1 on social media to raise awareness of bowel cancer – Australia’s second biggest killer.
The partnership between The Jodi Lee Foundation and the Sydney Swans emerged through their shared commitment to encourage people to adopt healthy and active lifestyles.
