- Sep 3, 2012
- 532
- 1,500
- AFL Club
- Sydney
Hey all it's first time doing this and I hope you enjoy the match preview.
Finally finals football has arrived in 2013 and what better way to kick off the festivities then with a replay of last years grand final in a match which pitches 2013 minor premiers Hawthorn hosting the reigning premier Sydney in the first qualifying final at the MCG on Friday night.
2013 Home and Away Recent History (Sydney vs Hawthorn)
Round 23 @ ANZ: Sydney 16.4.100 lost to Hawthorn 17.10.112
Round 7 @ MCG: Sydney 12.10.82 lost to Hawthorn 18.11.119
Recent Finals History (Sydney vs Hawthorn)
Grand Final 2012 @ MCG: Sydney 14.7.91 defeated Hawthorn 11.15.81
Semi Final 2 2011 @ MCG: Sydney 13.8.86 lost to Hawthorn 19.8.122
Weather Forecast
Should be a perfect spring night in Melbourne for footy with overcast conditions on temperatures around the 21 degree Celsius mark. No rain or wind is predicted for Friday night.
3 Players to Watch Sydney
Kurt Tippett: Having already kicked 33 goals this year which is more than any other Swan, it is a scary prospect for any team considering he only made his debut in round 13 against Port Adelaide. He is averaging 3.3 per game and if he can bring his average or better to Friday's match then Sydney's forward line will be dangerous.
Mike Pyke: Another Sydney big man who has made astonishing improvements in his career over the past two years. Averaging 22 hit outs per match and also chiming in with 26 goals this season he not only provides solid ruck work around the ground but as another handy forward target. He is also second in the league for contested marks with 48 for the year. If he fires then things will look bright for the Swans.
Ted Richards: The ever reliable Ted Richards will need to hold fort on Friday night. With Hawthorn forward targets such as Hale and Roughead looming the equation is simple. Stop them and limit the Hawks scoring ability up forward.
3 Players to Watch Hawthorn
Jarryd Roughead: The 2013 Coleman medallist for 2013 leads the way with 68 goals for the season. He seems to always spell trouble for the Swans kicking 4 goals in each of his two meetings against the Swans this year. If he fires then the result will look good for Hawthorn.
Paul Puopolo: The defensive small forward is one of the more underrated player in the Hawks line up. His tackling pressure and ability to break clear from the pack will give the Swans midfield a hard time.
David Hale: Another solid hawks ruckman averaging 17 hit outs per match in 2013. He can also provide a solid target up forward for the Hawks and the Swans tall men will want to quell his influence if they are any chance.
Did You Know
1) The Swans are preparing for their fourth straight finals appearance and 10th from the past 11 seasons. That effort betters any previous South Melbourne/Sydney side of past eras.
2) The suspended Lance "Buddy" Franklin has averaged 3.2 goals per game in 2013 which is better than any other Hawk. Will his absence prove the difference ?
The Verdict
Sydney has struggled against the other top four sides this season losing twice to Geelong and twice to Hawthorn with a Draw with the Dockers in between. Hawthorn has had a slightly better record against the top sides this year with two wins against the Swans and once against the Dockers with two narrow losses to Geelong. Last weeks finals rehearsal between these tow sides showed enough to say the Swans will offer a much improved performance against the minor premiers. If the Swans can quell the Hawks big men and offer clean hands and running through their midfield and also clean delivery into their forward line then Sydney might just have the answers. The expectation is with Hawthorn to win but we all know to well not to write off the Sydney Swans come September. Sydney by 24 points
Finally finals football has arrived in 2013 and what better way to kick off the festivities then with a replay of last years grand final in a match which pitches 2013 minor premiers Hawthorn hosting the reigning premier Sydney in the first qualifying final at the MCG on Friday night.
2013 Home and Away Recent History (Sydney vs Hawthorn)
Round 23 @ ANZ: Sydney 16.4.100 lost to Hawthorn 17.10.112
Round 7 @ MCG: Sydney 12.10.82 lost to Hawthorn 18.11.119
Recent Finals History (Sydney vs Hawthorn)
Grand Final 2012 @ MCG: Sydney 14.7.91 defeated Hawthorn 11.15.81
Semi Final 2 2011 @ MCG: Sydney 13.8.86 lost to Hawthorn 19.8.122
Weather Forecast
Should be a perfect spring night in Melbourne for footy with overcast conditions on temperatures around the 21 degree Celsius mark. No rain or wind is predicted for Friday night.
3 Players to Watch Sydney
Kurt Tippett: Having already kicked 33 goals this year which is more than any other Swan, it is a scary prospect for any team considering he only made his debut in round 13 against Port Adelaide. He is averaging 3.3 per game and if he can bring his average or better to Friday's match then Sydney's forward line will be dangerous.
Mike Pyke: Another Sydney big man who has made astonishing improvements in his career over the past two years. Averaging 22 hit outs per match and also chiming in with 26 goals this season he not only provides solid ruck work around the ground but as another handy forward target. He is also second in the league for contested marks with 48 for the year. If he fires then things will look bright for the Swans.
Ted Richards: The ever reliable Ted Richards will need to hold fort on Friday night. With Hawthorn forward targets such as Hale and Roughead looming the equation is simple. Stop them and limit the Hawks scoring ability up forward.
3 Players to Watch Hawthorn
Jarryd Roughead: The 2013 Coleman medallist for 2013 leads the way with 68 goals for the season. He seems to always spell trouble for the Swans kicking 4 goals in each of his two meetings against the Swans this year. If he fires then the result will look good for Hawthorn.
Paul Puopolo: The defensive small forward is one of the more underrated player in the Hawks line up. His tackling pressure and ability to break clear from the pack will give the Swans midfield a hard time.
David Hale: Another solid hawks ruckman averaging 17 hit outs per match in 2013. He can also provide a solid target up forward for the Hawks and the Swans tall men will want to quell his influence if they are any chance.
Did You Know
1) The Swans are preparing for their fourth straight finals appearance and 10th from the past 11 seasons. That effort betters any previous South Melbourne/Sydney side of past eras.
2) The suspended Lance "Buddy" Franklin has averaged 3.2 goals per game in 2013 which is better than any other Hawk. Will his absence prove the difference ?
The Verdict
Sydney has struggled against the other top four sides this season losing twice to Geelong and twice to Hawthorn with a Draw with the Dockers in between. Hawthorn has had a slightly better record against the top sides this year with two wins against the Swans and once against the Dockers with two narrow losses to Geelong. Last weeks finals rehearsal between these tow sides showed enough to say the Swans will offer a much improved performance against the minor premiers. If the Swans can quell the Hawks big men and offer clean hands and running through their midfield and also clean delivery into their forward line then Sydney might just have the answers. The expectation is with Hawthorn to win but we all know to well not to write off the Sydney Swans come September. Sydney by 24 points
, I meant if we win and Geelong win then Hawks have to play geelong to get in the grand final and they smash each other would be a dream result for us!!, So lets go swannies this week and make it happen!
