We take a look at some of the key talking points ahead of our clash agaisnt the Gold Coast Suns at the SCG on Sautrday night.

Plenty to play for

With a top eight spot cemented long ago, there’s still plenty on the line for the Swans ahead of Saturday’s clash against Gold Coast at the SCG.

Richmond (fifth) and the Western Bulldogs (sixth) are breathing down the Swans’ necks and still have a chance to steal fourth so the four points will be crucial to the red and white’s premiership aspirations.

While ladder position will be firmly in the players’ minds, there are a few who’ll be focusing on taking full advantage of the last round of the season to shape up ahead of what’s a likely qualifying final against Fremantle in Perth.

Lance Franklin, who was subbed out during the third term of Sunday’s win against the Saints, is one of those while Gary Rohan will be looking to get as many miles into those legs as possible after only playing a half last weekend.

Scoring power

The Swans have looked unpredictable in the past two weeks, scoring well above their season average (84.78) with totals of 133 and 135 respectively – the two highest scores of the season.

Leading the charge has been Kurt Tippett (eight goals) while players like Sam Reid, Harry Cunningham and Adam Goodes have bobbed up as well to keep the opposition guessing.

Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Tom Mitchell and Jarrad McVeigh have also impacted the scoreboard at different stages which says a lot about the Swans’ ability to run hard both ways.

Franklin’s return last weekend was a positive and more game time on Saturday will serve as the perfect remedy for the Swans’ leading goal-kicker leading into finals – a stage we’ve all seen Buddy blossom in the past averaging about three goals a game.

Gary Rohan and Isaac Heeney are set to be an important part of the Swans forward line during finals.

Who replaces Nick Smith?

The Swans are set to be without Nick Smith for the first time since Round 3 after the All-Australian defender tweaked a hamstring in last weekend’s big win over St Kilda.

With depth waiting in the wings Smith’s absence can be covered momentarily, but his influence and impact within that defensive half cannot be underestimated.

This might be a chance to welcome back Jake Lloyd, Dean Towers or James Rose who were all unlucky omissions last weekend according to coach John Longmire.

Or, given Smooch’s role, it might be a chance to maybe debut Harry Marsh who has shown plenty of promise and extremely good form as a run with defender at NEAFL level.

Nick Malceski

It has taken all season but the Swans are set to welcome back a former son to the SCG in the form of 2012 Premiership hero Nick Malceski.

Malceski, who made the journey north to the Gold Coast at the end of last season, didn’t play in the Swans and Sun’s Round 10 clash at Metricon Stadium.

So, Saturday night’s clash will be the first time the red and white faithful will see the 176-game ex-Swan in different colours.

While he’ll always have a place at the football club, the Swans won’t be doing their former teammate any favours and aim to send him packing with a hefty loss.

Farewelling the SCG in 2015

Saturday night’s clash is the final game at the SCG for season 2015.

If the Swans host a home final in the upcoming finals series, the game is to be scheduled at ANZ Stadium, so what better way to farewell the best ground in the league than on a beautiful spring night.

It will also be the final opportunity to see Rhyce Shaw gallop down the SCG corridor and wings while a couple of favourites notch up milestones – Kurt Tippett (150th) and Harry Cunningham (50th)

The Swans have won five of seven encounters at the SCG this season, come along and enjoy what the side hopes is their sixth and best one yet.