Swans will take the bite out of Richmond
Match preview - theroar.com.au
Sydney has won its past five matches against Richmond with three of those wins coming at the SCG.
FORM: Sydney suffered a disappointing 21-point loss to Fremantle at Subiaco Oval last weekend in what was co-captain Brett Kirk’s 200th AFL game. The Swans currently occupy 11th place on the ladder with a 2-3 win-loss record. Richmond broke through for its first win of the season last Saturday night, downing North Melbourne by 36 points at Etihad Stadium.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Swans welcome back forwards Barry Hall and Michael O’Loughlin from groin and ankle injuries respectively but will be without Craig Bird (shoulder) for at least one week. Veteran defender Leo Barry will be sidelined for another two to three weeks with a knee injury while promising youngster Patrick Veszprem (finger tendon) is likely to miss another month. For the Tigers, classy forward Nathan Brown (groin) will miss at least another week while Ben Cousins made a successful return from a hamstring injury in the VFL. Former skipper Kane Johnson (knee) is at least five weeks away.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Brett Kirk vs. Brett DeledioDeledio played a key role in the win over the Kangaroos, helping himself to 25 possessions, one goal and five inside 50’s.
The last time these two sides met at the SCG in round 10 last year Deledio was his side’s best player with 32 disposals, two goals and eight inside 50’s.
The Swans like to play a lock-down style of football and will be keen to prevent Deledio from breaking the lines and pumping the football inside 50.
Kirk has the quelled the influence of Sam Mitchell and Simon Black so far this season and will most likely be given the task of running with Deledio on Sunday.
Kirk, who is ranked first in the AFL for tackles per game with an average of 9.6, will not give Deledio any time or space at the stoppages and make him earn every possession.
Daniel Jackson vs. Adam GoodesGoodes was damaging in the round 10 clash between these two sides last year, helping himself to 19 possessions, two goals and six inside 50’s in a performance that earned him the three Brownlow medal votes.
Like Deledio, Goodes is damaging with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.
If the Tigers are going to be any chance of recording their first win over the Swans since 2005 they will need to shut-down Goodes.
Jackson has been given some big tagging jobs so far this season and has also shown the ability to win his fair share of the football - highlighted by his game-high 33-possession performance in the win over the Roos.
The 24-year-old will need to pay close attention to Goodes for the full four quarters as he has the ability to turn a game on its head with a quick burst of brilliance.
Jarrad McVeigh vs. Matthew RichardsonRichmond’s last win over Sydney at the SCG was in round seven, 2004.
Richardson played a major role in that win, helping himself to 17 possessions, 10 marks and seven goals to lift his side to a 13-point victory.
The Tigers don’t need such a big performance from him on Sunday but they do need him to have an impact as he is one of the few Richmond players that has the X-factor to break the game open.
If Richardson starts in the midfield you would expect McVeigh, who has been given some big run with roles so far in 2009, to be given the task of matching up on the 34-year-old.
McVeigh, who has averaged 19 disposals per game and booted six goals so far this season, has the ability to hurt Richardson going the other way.
Luke McGuane vs. Barry HallDespite missing two games this season Hall finds himself in the top ten for goals with eight majors.
The last time Hall played against the Tigers in round 17, 2007, he booted six goals to inspire his side to a convincing 66-point win.
McGuane has been Richmond’s best defender so far this season and looms as the obvious candidate to match-up on the Swans spearhead.
If McGuane is going to be any hope of containing the Sydney veteran he will need his midfield to apply immense pressure all over the ground and deny the Swans the use of the corridor otherwise Hall will receive enough quality supply to kick a bag.
VERDICT:With Darren Jolly expected to dominate Adam Pattison and Angus Graham in the ruck, the Swans should be able to dictate the tempo of the game. Richmond will battle hard all day but they simply won’t be able to win enough of the football at the stoppages to give their forwards any chance of kicking a winning score.
Swans by 38 points.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/05/03/round-six-preview-sydney-v-richmond/