A host of hot topics surround the Sydney Swans’ clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides are eyeing back-to-back wins after the Swans defeated the Giants and the Bulldogs beat the Bombers in Round 3.
Big men down
Swans forward Sam Reid and defender Lewis Melican will miss the trip to Melbourne after picking up injuries in Sydney Derby XIV. Reid suffered a quad tendon injury and is set to miss about eight weeks, while Melican strained his hamstring and will be out for about two weeks. The Giants clash on Saturday saw Reid make his first appearance of the season in a return from hamstring tightness.
Happy hunting ground
Etihad Stadium has played host to red-hot Sydney Swans form. The Swans have won their two most recent fixtures at the venue by an average of 46 points and have lost just one game from their past 13. They last played at the ground in Round 9, 2017 and clinched a 50-point win over the St Kilda Saints. Overall, the Swans have played 48 games at Etihad Stadium for a return of 27 wins, 18 losses and two draws.
The Bulldogs’ bite is back
The Bulldogs lost their opening two games of the season by an average of 66 points but made a statement on Sunday in a 21-point win over the Bombers. They led at every change and topped their opposition in disposals (417-323), clearances (30-27), stoppages (22-10), inside 50s (56-44) and marks inside 50 (23-13).
Midfield battle
The Bulldogs’ Lachie Hunter collected a perfect score of 10 AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year votes on Sunday as he surged to 35 touches, 13 marks and a goal. The classy midfielder has stood out for his side so far this season, averaging 31 disposals per game and impacting on the scoreboard. But fellow on-ballers Luke Dalhaus (31 disposals) and Jack Macrae (30) got in on the act on the weekend. Expect the battle between the Bulldogs’ Hunter, Dalhaus and Macrae and the Swans’ Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker to be fierce.
Sydney Derby boost
Swans forward Will Hayward said the side’s 16-point over the Giants had done Sydney’s confidence the world of good. Recent history had touted Sydney Derby XIV as a raring-hot contest and the Swans were able to assert themselves on the arm-wrestle in the third term and run away with the game. They are looking to bag back-to-back wins for the first time this season and will take to the Bulldogs clash with plenty of momentum.
