We take a look at some of the hot topics ahead of Friday night's clash against Collingwood at the SCG.
Line in the sand
The Swans find themselves in somewhat unchartered territory having lost three of the past four matches, the latest due to a poor second half fade out against Geelong at Simonds Stadium, which has seen last year’s grand finalists drop out of the top four.
Only one goal was kicked to Geelong’s eight after half-time with fingers pointed to the Swans’ dependence on Lance Franklin and the midfield’s inability to respond when the Cats lifted after the main break.
The Swans need to draw a line in the sand and find a way to win otherwise premiership aspirations will die off pretty quickly and top four spot – crucial in September – will go begging.
Against an eleventh placed Collingwood presents as good opportunity as ever to bounce back given the Pies poor run over the last half a dozen weeks and the fact they veer right instead of left upon arrival at the airport.
Can the midfield stand up?
It’s hard to believe a midfield containing Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Kieren Jack would ever have their effort and hardness questioned but that’s the harsh reality in the wake of Saturday night’s loss to Geelong.
The Swans were smashed in contested possessions (147-120), centre clearances (14-7) and inside 50s (52-43) with Geelong winning a majority in the second half allowing the home side to simply run away with a (in the end) comprehensive win.
With the exception of Kennedy who still managed to find the footy 32 times and have nine clearances, Parker and Hannebery had one of their quieter nights at the office.
As the saying goes, you can’t keep a good man down which fits the bill so look for Hannebery and Parker and captain Jack to bounce back.
Kieren Jack celebrates scoring a goal against Collingwood.
Unfamiliar pastures
Collingwood hasn’t played at the SCG in 15 years.
It took a former Swan to sink the Swans in a six-point thriller back in Round 4, 2000, with Anthony Rocca marking and having the last shot at goal to seal the win.
Every Sydney-based clash since between the two sides has been played at ANZ Stadium with the Magpies winning 10 of the past 13 encounters.
Swans supporters have for years been calling for the SCG to have exclusivity to home matches – this fixture especially so the Swans can have a crack at the Magpies at their spiritual home.
Well, it’s happening this Friday night under lights and in front of an expected sell-out crowd.
Greg Stafford gets the handball off in front of Mark Orchard last time the Magpies played at the SCG in 2000.
Buddy - will he, or won’t he?
Lance Franklin averages four goals against Collingwood so the star forward’s absence on Friday night would be a blow especially at a time when the Club needs to bounce back after a poor month.
Buddy is battling a lingering back injury and remains in doubt pending the final decision from the Club’s doctors and medical staff.
The Swans have struggled to kick a winning score in Franklin’s absence in two of the past three defeats. Even in the loss against Hawthorn, Franklin was still able to slam through almost half of the side’s goal tally.
Ben McGlynn, who was a late withdrawal last weekend with hamstring tightness, is also in doubt.
FRANKLIN UNDER AN INJURY CLOUD
Lance Franklin is under an injury cloud ahead of Friday night's blockbuster against Collingwood.
