We take a look at some of the key talking points ahead of Saturday night’s clash between Sydney and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Old mates go head to head
John Longmire comes up against his old side where he played 200 games kicking 511 goals. Longmire was a four time leading goal kicker at North Melbourne as well as playing in the club’s 1999 premiership success. To add extra spice to this affair he will be coming up against one of his former teammates in Darren Crocket who is currently standing in for injury North Melbourne coach Brad Scott. Crocker won his first game in charge of the side in an interim capacity and will be looking to get one up on his former teammate. Also on the Swans coaching panel sits John Blakey who played alongside Crocker for much of his career.
Hannebery hot
Dan Hannebery is having his strongest season to date averaging 31 disposals a game in 2015 and coming off a career high 42 disposals against the Gold Coast. Hannebery currently sits second on the AFL Coaches Association award, only behind Fremantle star Nat Fyfe. Hannebery will be looking to fire against North Melbourne, a side he has previously only averaged 20 disposals a game against throughout his career.
Swans superior record
The Swans have won eight of the last ten encounters between these two sides including a draw. The last clash between these two sides saw Sydney come out on top by 71 points in the 2014 Preliminary Final at ANZ Stadium. There is one thing for certain, the Swans will not be resting on their laurels in this one and expect them to come out firing early in the contest to stop any fears of a North Melbourne fast start under the Etihad Stadium roof.
Etihad Stadium debut
Saturday night’s clash against North Melbourne will be the first time the Swans have visited Etihad Stadium in 2015. The team’s last match at the venue came in Round 22 last year with a convincing win over the Western Bulldogs. The Swans will play at Etihad Stadium just once more this season when they return in Round 22 to take on St. Kilda.
Can Buddy shake Thompson?
North defender Scott Thompson will be targeting a repeat of round four last year when he restricted the Swans key forward to just one behind. Thompson was the only defender to keep Franklin goalless last season, but the power forward turned the tide with five goals in the preliminary final. The duel will again go a long way to deciding the result.
