Saturday‘s AFL Finals 2017 match is between Sydney Swans and Essendon Bombers. The opening bounce is set to commence at 14:20 local time with the game to be played at SCG. The home team Sydney Swans are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Sydney Swans and Essendon Bombers.
When: 14:20 | Saturday 9/9/2017
Where: SCG
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Preview:
The Swans are the hottest favourites in week one of the finals. They are the first team to make the finals after a 0-6 start to the season and they have lost only twice since. Essendon have done well to reach the top eight for the first time since 2014, but this looks as far as they will go. Sydney are in the premiership conversation, while the Bombers look too brittle and are not yet good enough defensively. For all the encouragement that the Bombers might gain from the last time they played, the 31-25 count in scoring shots is telling. At the SCG, the Swans know if they play to their abilities then they are too good for the Bombers. The Swans surprised by dropping Kurt Tippett for Sam Naismith. Michael Hurley and Orazio Fantasia are back from injury for Essendon, but Cale Hooker is a big loss with leg bone bruising.
Key: Sydney star Lance Franklin has a long history of dining out at Essendon’s expense. He led the Swans’ inaccuracy in round 14, kicking 0.6. Franklin’s most recent outing was a 10.2 mauling of Carlton in round 23 that took him to his fourth Coleman Medal. Bombers fans rightly fear what Buddy might do.
Tip: Swans by 50 points
Odds:
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Tip: Sydney Swans at $1.19
Value BET: First Goal Scorer – Sam Reid at $12.00
More Info:
Head to head: Swans 87 Bombers 130 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 14, 2017 – Swans 11.20 (86) bt Bombers 12.13 (85) at the SCG
Finals Head to head: Swans 2 Bombers 5
Last final: Qualifying Final, 1999 – Bombers 18.15 (123) bt Swans 7.12 (54)
Tab Sportsbet: Swans $1.20 Bombers $4.80
William Hill: Swans $1.20 Bombers $4.60
Teams:
SWANS 
B: N.Smith, H.Grundy, D.Rampe
HB: C.Mills, L.Melican, J.McVeigh
C: J.Lloyd, J.Kennedy, I.Heeney
HF: G.Hewett, L.Franklin, G.Rohan
F: K.Jack, C.Sinclair, S.Reid
R: S.Naismith, L.Parker, D.Hannebery
I/C: Z.Jones, N.Newman, T.Papley, D.Towers
EMG: A.Aliir, H.Cunningham, D.Robinson
IN: S.Naismith, D.Hannebery, T.Papley
OUT: H.Cunningham, W.Hayward, K.Tippett
BOMBERS 
B: J.Kelly, M.Hartley, M.Baguley
HB: A.McGrath, P.Ambrose, C.McKenna
C: J.Watson, D.Parish, B.Goddard
HF: Z.Merrett, J.Stewart, M.Gleeson
F: A.McDonald-Tipungwuti, J.Daniher, J.Begley
R: T.Bellchambers, D.Zaharakis, D.Heppell
I/C: O.Fantasia, M.Hurley, D.Myers, T.Colyer
EMG: J.Laverde, H.Hocking, S.McKernan
IN: O.Fantasia, M.Hurley
OUT: J.Laverde, H.Hocking
AFL News:
While some things change in AFL finals, Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron reckons one thing stays the same.
Just as in the home-and-away season, Cameron says midfield duels will determine the victor in Thursday night’s qualifying final against Adelaide.
“Normally, the battle is who wins the midfield normally wins the game,” Cameron told reporters on Wednesday.
“And I don’t think it will be any different tomorrow.”
Cameron predicted a rugged stoush with the Crows in the Adelaide Oval final.
“To be totally honest, I think the game is going to be a game of turnovers,” he said.
“There’s going to be an enormous amount of pressure. There’s going to be an enormous amount of nerves from both teams because that is just what happens.”
Cameron rated the Crows as “the best side in the competition by a mile” at hurting opponents by causing turnovers.
“We have got to use the ball a bit better out of our back half,” he said.
“In saying that, you can’t be too cute and you also can’t be too slow as well because, if you go too slow against the Crows, then they set up really well and lock the ball in their half of the ground.
“So we have got to be patient at times, but we have also got to be brave.
“We have got to get that right mix.”
Cameron was adamant his Giants were better placed for this year’s finals compared to last year, when they were defeated in a preliminary final by eventual premiers, the Western Bulldogs.
“Are we better prepared? Absolutely, because we have played finals last year,” he said.
“Realistically, you guys (media), myself and everyone watching is going to judge our 22 tomorrow.
“And if we compete like we know we can, then we’re a massive chance to beat Adelaide.
“But if we don’t, you can then ask the question why we didn’t step up to finals footy.
“So the pressure is on everyone, them and us, to perform tomorrow night.”
