2021 Telstra AFL Premiership Season – Round Two
Sydney Swans v Adelaide Crows
Saturday, March 27 at 1:45pm
SCG

Lance Franklin makes his long awaited return, returning to the side for his first game since Round 23, 2019.

Franklin is one of two changes to this week’s line up, with Justin McInerney also named in the side, his first game of the season and his 11^th career game.

The 20-year old impressed in the latter parts of the 2020 season with his flair and pace and earned a Rising Star nomination in Round 15.

James Rowbottom will miss the match against the Crows after sustaining a knee injury in the win over the Lions whilst Hayden McLean is the other omission, making way for Franklin.

The clash at the SCG is also the first game since Round 23, 2019 at the venue and we are hoping to see a sea of red and white for the round two fixture.

The match kicks off at 1.45pm and will be broadcast on Fox Footy, 7Mate (NSW) and Kayo Sports.

For all your information ahead of the Sydney Swans v Adelaide Crows clash, including details on tickets, your mobile membership card, transport, what's happening around the ground and more, visit our Match Day Hub.

Sydney return to the SCG on Saturday March 27 for their round two clash against the Adelaide Crows. Click here to secure your seat at the footy.

Last Time They Met

Sydney Swans 11.8.74 def Adelaide Crows 11.5.78 – Saturday March 21, 2020, Round One

What it means for Adelaide

Adelaide shocked the Geelong Cats last week building an early lead before holding off last year’s grand finalists in the second half to claim a 12 point victory to kick off their season, including Taylor Walker kicking five goals.

Our opposition have made two changes for the clash with veteran David Mackay named as a replacement for injured Luke Brown and Nick Murray named to make his AFL debut in place of Jake Kelly. 

The stat

The Sydney Swans came away victors in the last time these two sides met, but that was a long time ago. The clash occurred in the opening round of the 2020 season, before the impacts of COVID affected the 2020 season.

Before that clash, Adelaide were victorious in two out of the three past encounters, but the teams have three wins a piece in the last six meetings.

Quotes from the coach

"We know he hasn't played for a while but we want him to play his role for our team and help us against a team which played really well last week, we know Adelaide are a really good challenge for us." - Longmire on Franklin.

"We have to be really strong and put in a really consistent performance no matter where we play but it's obviously important back home. We need to make sure we give great effort and we need to do that this week in front of a huge red and white crowd." - Longmire on returning to the SCG in front of a home crowd.

“Adelaide have won four out of their last five games, they won three out of four at the end of last year. They are in good form, confident with how they play, and if you look at their first half, they had enormous pressure. They have confidence in what they can deliver the team, as far as on the scoreboard and they were able to pressure the opposition and still kick 15 goals. We expect a very, very tough game this week because they are obviously in form.” - Longmire on Adelaide.

LANCE Franklin arrived back at the SCG with a bang, booting three goals to lead Sydney to a 33-point win over Adelaide on Saturday.

All eyes were on Buddy in his first match since round 23, 2019, and the key forward didn't disappoint in a solid display that at times promised much more.

The new-look Swans continued their stunning start to the season, moving the ball well through the corridor and taking advantage of a potent forward line to run away with a 18.13 (121) to 11.22 (88) victory.

Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker turned back the clock again, kicking six goals to add to his five from last week.

Errol Gulden, who claimed the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round one, starred again for Sydney, nabbing 22 disposals, one goal and four assists.

Fellow QBE Swans Academy graduates Braeden Campbell ended an outstanding performance across half-back with 25 disposals, 21 of them kicks and Isaac Heeney booted three goals for the second week in a row.

The Crows started well to lead by 13 points halfway through the first term, bringing the same pressure that had helped them make a fast start against Geelong in their upset victory last weekend.

Walker set the tone early with his intensity and earned three free kicks from tackles inside 50m that he was able to turn into two of his three goals to half-time. 

But once the Swans settled, they were able to hit the scoreboard with 10 of the next 11 goals from late in the first quarter until halfway through the third term.

SYDNEY                                   4.1       9.6       15.11    18.13 (121)
ADELAIDE                               3.2       4.6       6.14      11.22 (88)

GOALS
Sydney: Franklin 3, Heeney 3, Hickey 2, McDonald 2, Warner 2, Papley, Gulden, Reid, Wicks, Parker, McInerney
Adelaide: Walker 6, McAdam 4, Keays

BEST
Sydney: Gulden, Campbell, Heeney, Parker, Lloyd, Franklin
Adelaide: Walker, McAdam, Keays, Laird, Sloane