In the latest edition of Opposition Watch, Swans Media looks at the Fremantle camp ahead of Saturday night’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round at Optus Stadium.   

Recent form

It took one of the greatest after-the-siren goals of all-time to topple to Dockers last week.

The Dockers led when the siren sounded, but a remarkable Jack Newnes goal after the siren secured the Blues a memorable come from behind win.

It halted the Dockers run of winning form following back-to-back successes against Collingwood and Hawthorn. The Dockers and Swans sit side by side on the ladder at 14^th and 15^th respectively.

Ins and outs

Fremantle has announced that highly touted youngster Lian Henry will become the Club’s sixth debutant for 2020.

An Indigenous small forward, Henry will make his debut in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.  He was selected at pick 9 in the 2019 National Draft as a Next Generation Academy product.

Henry received the exciting news during the week from former Docker Antoni Grover, who has designed the Dockers Indigenous playing strip.

During his weekly press conference, coach Justin Longmuir indicated that Henry was likely to be the team’s only inclusion against the Swans, ruling out a potential return for key forward Jesse Hogan.

Key match-up

It’s hard to look past dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe when coming against the Dockers. He remains one of the most dominant midfielders in the competition and will have a major influence on the result of the Saturday’s nights match.

The other key Docker to watch is defender Luke Ryan. He is in the midst of his most consistent year on the field and in a particularly rich vein of form in recent matches. He was the most influential Docker in last weeks heartbreaking loss to Carlton, and three weeks ago scored a perfect 10 coaches votes in the win against Collingwood.

Ryan is a damaging, attacking defender and an excellent intercept mark. Following an impressive defensive forward role on GWS defender Zac Williams last week, perhaps will Hayward could reprise a similar role this week on Ryan?

Last time they met

Round 18, 2019 @ Optus Stadium

Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) def. by Fremantle Dockers 7.10 (52)

It was a low scoring thriller last time the two teams met with little separating the two teams all day in challenging, slippery conditions.

Hayden McLean was welcomed into the Swans team for his first game and immediately pitted against goliath Aaron Sandilands and Rory Lobb. The first gamer acquitted himself well in his debut outing.

The Swans led by 10 points at the main break, but the lead was slowly whittled away in the second half.

In a frantic final few minutes of the match, the Swans had several chances to hit the lead, but the Dockers were able to stave off the charge.

With Nat Fyfe missing from the team, midfielders David Mundy and Reece Conca led the way for the Dockers, while Luke Ryan was among the best on the field in defence.

What they said

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir on the inclusion of Liam Henry:

“It’s exciting and he’s a highly talented young player.”

“He’s going to take a little bit of time, he’s lightly built but we feel like he’s earnt his spot and I just hope he plays his role on the weekend and contributes to our forward line.

“He’ll probably be on the lower end (of game time against Sydney), because it’s his first game and it will take a while to get up to 80 to 90 per cent of AFL footy.

“That will allow him to play to his strengths and bring his speed into the game with a little bit lower game time.

“He’s a really composed young kid who has wanted this for a long time. His professionalism along the journey to get over his injuries and get himself back into the condition to be ready for AFL has been first class. I think he’s ready.”