SYDNEY SWANS v WESTERN BULLDOGS
KEY PLAYERS
Buddy Franklin and Kurt Tippett have the height and power to intimidate the Bulldogs defenders and cause a few headaches for the likes of Fletcher Roberts, Joel Hamling and Dale Morris. Franklin was at his best against Geelong and if he moves up the ground it is hard to see a key defender match his aerobic capacity. Both came to Sydney on big deals, now is the chance to repay them with a flag.
SYDNEY SWANS PLAYING STYLE
Five absolute guns in the midfield, superstars in attack and a defence that refuses to let the opposition score. The Swans are hard at the footy, skilful with ball in hand and finished top of the ladder for a reason. There is class on every line and they tend to start games well and shut their opponents down once they’re in front.
SCORING CAPACITY
Outside of the obvious one in Franklin, the Swans have a vast array of goalkicking options. Ben McGlynn and Tom Papley, Gary Rohan and Isaac Heeney, Kurt Tippett and Xavier Richards are just some of the players who can have an impact on the scoreboard and their star quintet of mids don’t mind a goal either. DEFENSIVE SIDE No team in the history of the game has been as strong as Sydney when it comes to soaking up pressure in its defensive 50. That was on display against Geelong when, despite 72 inside 50s for the Cats, they kept the opposition to just eight goals. Allir Allir won’t be out there this time, but Heath Grundy and Dane Rampe should be able to just keep doing what they do best.
KEY PLAYERS
Jason Johannisen and Tory Dickson are at opposite ends of the ground, but both are all class with ball in hand. Johannisen’s pace gives him separation from stoppages and his ability to break free opens up opportunities further afield for his teammates. Dickson is a pure forward, a strong mark and one of the best kicks for goal in the game, and if he gets it enough he will give the Dogs a chance.
WESTERN BULLDOGS PLAYING STYLE
The Bulldogs are all about contested ball, and Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Luke Dahlhaus are central to this area of their game. They love to run and handball and will back themselves when the ball is in tight. Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae acquire plenty of the footy and they have a willingness to fight to the death, meaning no lead the Swans get will seem insurmountable.
SCORING CAPACITY
Excluding the semi-final win over Hawthorn, the Bulldogs kicked more than 100 points against a top eight team just once this year, and average 87 points per game. Jake Stringer is the leading goal kicker with 41 and Tory Dickson has 37, with that pair set to be a focus up forward. Clay Smith has been in good touch and Liam Picken has had a brilliant finals series, but so many of the Dogs goals come from midfielders pushing forward.
DEFENSIVE SIDE
Only twice have the Bulldogs had 100 points or more kicked against them in 2016 — and on one of those occasions they won — so they know how to restrict the opposition. Matthew Boyd, Easton Wood and Jason Johannisen provide the run and Dale Morris the grunt, but locking down Franklin, Tippett, Heeney and McGlynn won’t be easy.