Preview: Sydney Swans v RichmondJames Dampney
afl.com.au
August 26, 2014 12:21 PMTWO OF the competition's hottest teams will go head-to-head at ANZ Stadium in a match that has implications for both the Swans and Tigers. If the Swans win, they can guarantee top spot on the ladder and ensure they host the fourth-placed side in week one of the finals. But the game is far more important for Richmond. Victory will lock up a finals berth for the Tigers and their faithful army of fans, something that seemed unthinkable when they were 3-10 back in June. Their last defeat came against the Swans in round 14, winning eight straight since that day.
WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Saturday August 30, 4.40pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R14, 2014, Sydney Swans 9.8 (62) d Richmond 7.9 (51) at the MCG
R18, 2013, Sydney Swans 16.14 (110) d Richmond 9.9 (63) at the SCG
R7, 2012, Richmond 13.13 (91) d Sydney Swans 8.14 (62) at the MCG
R21, 2011, Richmond 14.15 (99) d Sydney Swans 7.14 (56) at the MCG
R12, 2011, Sydney Swans 9.21 (75) d Richmond 9.11 (65) at the SCG
THE SIX POINTS1. The Swans have already locked up their most successful home and away season ever with win No.17 last week. They had previously won 16 games in a year on six occasions – 1935-36, 1945, 1986, 1996 and 2012.
2. This will be the 190th match between the two teams. Richmond holds sway 103-85, with one draw. Since 2006, however, the Swans can boast an 11-3 record against the Tigers.
3. No team has received more free kicks this year than Richmond. They average 18.6 per game, while the Swans are 12th with 16.3.
4. Lance Franklin was the difference between the teams in round 14 this year, kicking four of the Swans' nine goals in a low-scoring contest. Franklin is nine goals clear of Jarryd Roughead in the race for the Coleman Medal.
5. This will only be Richmond's second appearance at ANZ Stadium. They played the Swans at the Olympic stadium back in round 22, 2002, losing by 40 points.
6. Richmond has seven players in the top 100 of the Official AFL Player Ratings, but none of them are currently in the top 50. Brett Deledio, at No.57 overall, leads the way.
Prediction: Sydney Swans by 9 pointshttp://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-26/preview-sydney-swans-v-richmond