Sydney v West Coast Preview

Posted on April 21, 2016June 7, 2018 | Posted by Digby Beacham

Sydney v West Coast

Saturday, 11.45am SCG

A match-up with Sydney at the SCG is not looked upon kindly by most sides in the competition. And understandably so. But this contest couldn’t have come at a better time for West Coast. Embarrassed by Hawthorn in round two, the Eagles have taken down Fremantle and Richmond in performances which are more akin to what we witnessed last year when they marched to the grand final.

The Swans were terrific against Adelaide and with a slice of good fortune, would host this contest unbeaten. The inside midfield work of Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker is outstanding, while the efficiency of their forward line and team defence, headlined by the ever-improving Dane Rampe, cannot be ignored. Given the Eagles were slaughtered midfield by Hawthorn, how they handle the Swans’ pressure will be crucial.

Adam Simpson’s men squeeze the life out of their opposition on the narrow confines of Domain Stadium and will need to get the angles right at the saucer-shaped SCG. The Swans, as you would expect, play the ground particularly well and seem to still create enough one-on-one opportunities for Lance Franklin to terrorise his direct opponent. If the task for West Coast wasn’t hard enough, the forecast of some rain assists the Swans further.

VERDICT: Sydney by 23 points

1st Goal Scorer: Luke Shuey

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