Fremantle vs Sydney, Saturday Night 8:40pm, Domain Stadium
Freo and the Swans had two very different weekends. The Dockers blew their rivals right out of the water and crawled to the line, while Sydney were forced to keep the upstarts of GWS at arm’s length all Saturday evening.
What remains the same however, is that both teams have started the early rounds seeking to make a statement. Many had written the Dockers off in the off-season and the Swans were being quizzed about prized losses in Malceski and Mumford to their squad. Both have sought to bring back the manic intensity and pressure both teams are renowned for when on-song.
Fremantle has actually looked not as defensive in their first few outings for 2015, opting to zone the ground rather than press madly at all times to the point of exhaustion. Their ball movement has sought to use the corridor when applicable, although perhaps the quality of opposition they’ve faced (low intensity Port, average Geelong and poor Eagles teams) so far hasn’t defended it that well.
This is the Dockers biggest test for Saturday; getting their array of talented midfielders time and space to create off half-back whilst Sydney’s congestive pressure looks to block any route to goal.
For the Swans, the message is to just keep on keeping on. Their squad continues to bat deep and has somewhat seemed to avoid the usual early season slump that develops around the club. The only complaint is that there still seems to be patches of losing concentration (first three quarters against Essendon, Giants managed to create well and not execute throughout the game), but perhaps that’s the symptom of playing such a high intensity style.
Key Match Ups
Isaac Heeney vs Cameron Sutcliffe/Matt De Boer
The reputation the kid from Newcastle is getting maybe justified. May even start as sub, but is incredibly efficient and creative around goal. In what’s likely to be a tight contest, the Dockers small to mid-sized defenders have to keep an eye on him.
Michael Walters vs Rhyce Shaw
Huge battle for two reasons. Walters is an outstanding lead up forward and Shaw needs to be on his game to clamp him down. Shaw is also very good out of the back half, meaning Walters will have to try to slow or stop his clearing of the defensive 50.
Result
Game will mostly be on a knife edge for most of the evening, and probably hard to make a decisive argument for either team. The Swans perhaps have been slightly more impressive, but the Dockers will give it a fair shake.
Swans by 2.