The Swans were at their determined best in the first half last week but 3.2 for the final half of the game, was no match for the premiership favourites Hawthorn who went further in front the longer the game went.
In the end, Hawthorn ran out comfortably 54 point winners.
After a good performance in the final round of the home and away season, again against Hawthorn, last week’s effort would have been deflating.
Worryingly, it was Sydney’s fourth loss in five weeks
The good news for Sydney this week, as they put last week’s loss behind them, is that Adam Goodes completed a strong training session on Tuesday and looks set to return for the Swans in this must win match.
Carlton – somehow – are still alive in season 2013.
A remarkable combination of Essendon’s dramas, a one point win over Port in the final round of the season and last week, coming from 32 points down early in the third quarter to claim a 20 point win over Richmond, sees the Blues still swinging!
Although not at their best in the middles stages of last week’s game, Carlton never gave up and in the end worried Richmond out of the win.
Judd was back from injury and would expect last week’s run will serve him will for here.
Carlton has won three of their last four to stay and are battle ready whereas, Sydney need to re-group after last week’s poor second half but, are capable of turning that effort around.
Last time these two sides met at ANZ Stadium it was under very similar conditions. A must win finals match back in 2010.
Sydney prevailed on that occasion 99 – 94.
They’ve only met once this year back in round 14 with that result also going to Sydney 65 – 43.
This will be another tight contest and 21.5 on offer about Carlton appears to be generous.
Odds Comparison by AFL odds:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Sydney Swans | 1.36 | 1.30 | 1.35 | 1.30 | 1.36 | 1.33 |
|
Carlton Blues
|
3.15 | 3.50 | 3.20 | 3.50 | 3.15 | 3.20 |
Teams:
Sydney Swans:
B: Dane Rampe, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
HB: Andrejs Everitt, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith
C: Tom Mitchell, Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Daniel Hannebery, Kurt Tippett, Craig Bird
F: Jude Bolton, Mike Pyke, Jesse White
FOLL: Shane Mumford, Josh Kennedy, Ryan O’Keefe
I/C: Shane Biggs, Luke Parker, Lewis Jetta, Harry Cunningham
EMG: Jed Lamb, Brandon Jack, Dean Towers
IN: Shane Biggs, Harry Cunningham
OUT: Ben McGlynn (Calf), Gary Rohan (Omitted)
Carlton Blues:
B: Heath Scotland, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Jarrad Waite, Bryce Gibbs
C: Chris Yarran, Mitch Robinson, Kade Simpson
HF: Ed Curnow, Andrew Walker, Andrew McInnes
F: Jeff Garlett, Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd
FOLL: Robert Warnock, Eddie Betts, Marc Murphy
I/C: Nick Duigan, Troy Menzel, Tom Bell, Dennis Armfield
EMG: David Ellard, Brock McLean, Levi Casboult
No changes
