Back in form?
The Swans snapped a two-game losing streak on Saturday, bouncing back against Adelaide in front of a home crowd at the SCG.
What lacked against Hawthorn and West Coast fell into place in front of the 38,690 fans who witnessed a dominant 52-point win.
The Swans ball movement was fluent and the defensive half stemmed the Crows’ scoring power.
There’s room for improvement, cleaner disposal especially, but the Swans showed a much better intent which will bode well for them against Geelong at Simons Stadium.
In Goodesy we trust
Wow, what a week.
Goodes escaped the pressure cooker of the booing controversy by taking time away from football for several days.
The dual Brownlow Medallist was having a tough time dealing with the on-field scrutiny but returned on Tuesday, much to the pleasure of teammates and everyone at the Club, refreshed and focused on Saturday’s encounter against the Cats.
Coach John Longmire stated earlier in the week that when Goodes is right and ready, “he’ll play” which has essentially given the Bob Skilton Medallist and All-Australian the green light to take his rightful place in the senior side again.
What he’ll be greeted with at Simonds Stadium, is a ‘watch this space’ question.
Kardinia curse
Kardinia Park has been a bogey venue for the Swans over the past 20 years, the home side holding sway in 13 of the last 16 encounters.
As has been the story for a number of sides with Kardinia Park proving a happy hunting ground for the Cats who have won about 66.23% of matches at the historic ground, the third best record of any ground still in use narrowly behind Geelong at Etihad Stadium (67.06%) and West Coast at Patterson Stadium (66.95%).
Last time the Swans ventured to the now Simonds Stadium was Round 22, 2013. The hosts claimed a 13.14 (92) to 7.6 (48) win and the visitors walked away with their equal lowest score in almost nine seasons.
Despite the Swans sitting fourth on the ladder and Geelong hanging on to eighth, Saturday night is building as a blockbuster clash with the Cats fighting for a finals spot with five rounds remaining in the home and away season.
Buddy’s back
General Manager of Football Tom Harley confirmed in Tuesday’s HCF Injury Update that Lance Franklin has been battled a sore back in last weekend’s clash with Adelaide.
It failed to curb the star forward’s influence with Franklin kicking three goals in the win.
Do the coaches and fitness staff roll the dice, given Buddy can shake the niggle, or do they rest the game breaker with obviously a big finals campaign fast approaching.
Ironically, Franklin has never played at Kardinia Park throughout his 219-game career and could miss the trip to Geelong again pending a final fitness test on Thursday.
