The Sydney Swans return to the SCG to take on North Melbourne in Round 19 this Saturday afternoon.
The Kangaroos are coming off a 36-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG in Round 18, so will be aiming to crack a three-game losing streak this Saturday. The North leaders fought hard against Melbourne, with Cooper Harvey (4 goals, 13 disposals), Cameron Zurhaar (3 goals, 13 disposals), Colby McKercher, and Harry Sheezel (29 disposals).
North welcome back their gun midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, after recovering from concussion sustained in Round 17. Callum Coleman-Jones has been selected to replace ruckman Tristan Xerri (suspended), and small forward Zac Banch will make his debut. Bailey Scott, Finnbar Maley and Robert Hansen Jr. (all omitted) are out this week, alongside Xerri.
The Swans, coming off a narrow 5-point win against the Saints in Round 18, will aim to continue their late season charge for a finals birth. Dane Rampe and Peter Ladhams return to the side, while Tom McCartin (concussion) and Aaron Francis (omitted) are out of the side.
The last time the Kangaroos were at the SCG, back in Round 18 last season, the Swans prevailed by 79-points. On that occasion Errol Gulden (41 disposals) and Chad Warner starred for the Swans, while Harry Sheezel (29 disposals) and Jy Simpkin (26 disposals) were the best for the visitors. This year, the two sides met at Marvel Stadium in Round 4, where the Swans won by 64-points.
North Melbourne will be facing the challenge of Brodie Grundy in peak form without their star ruckman, Tristan Xerri, this Saturday.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said he’s looking forward to the test of taking on the Swans at their home ground.
"It's a big challenge to come up against Grundy, so that's going to be a significant part of the game,” Clarkson said.
“It's another good opportunity for us to pit ourselves against a side that we've got enormous respect for. They're a really, really competitive side in terms of the way that they move the footy and their strength around the contest."
