Key posts
Where there’s a Will there’s a Hay
Bingo. The Swans have kicked a goal in the opening minute.
Will Hayward was paid a free kick for being tackled without the ball and booted truly with the set shot. The Swans have now equalled their goal tally for an entire first half against Port Adelaide last week.
That’s enough to put a smile on coach John Longmire’s face, surely?
Swans lead by seven points after two minutes.
Let the games begin
We’re off and running, and the Swans have at least won the centre clearance.
Great to see Jack Crisp and Isaac Heeney going head-to-head at the first bounce.
Swans army on song for monster clash
By Jonathan Drennan
What more could you want to wake the Swans up ahead a crucial contest?
We’ve got Mike Brady singing ‘Up there Cazaly’ and the crowd are joining in full voice ahead of the first bounce.
It’s all going to come down to the early physical contests for the Swans after getting bullied in successive weeks against the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide.
The basic KPIs will be to show fight in the early contests and at least lay down a marker against Collingwood who are fighting to keep their finals chances alive.
Packed to the rafters
By Jonathan Drennan
It is Friday night football in Sydney and hours before the game the roads have been even more choked with traffic than normal.
This game has been a sell-out well over a month in advance and at the time, the Swans were setting the pace at the top of the ladder on a ten-game winning streak.
After the 112-point disaster against Port Adelaide, the Swans will run out to the SCG in desperate need of confidence.
Every set of eyes will be on the centre bounce to see whether the Swans can actually win the first quarter and get their season back on track.
Tips and teams for round 22
Swans players given days off to recharge
Sydney coach John Longmire revealed this week that the Swans had been given two days off to help recover from their embarrassing 112-point loss to Port Adelaide. It was the Swans’ fifth loss in six games.
“We processed it on Sunday and then went into solution mode and part of that has been giving the players a couple of days away and try and freshen them up physically and mentally,” Longmire said.
The dejected Swans after their loss to Port Adelaide,Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Longmire said the Swans would tackle Collingwood at the SCG on Friday night after a short, sharp week on the track.
“Every team (this season) has had ebbs and flows. The thing that hit us on the weekend was the drop in performance and standards from where we’ve been and so the gap feels that much greater,” he said
“We’re mindful of that but we’re confident we can return to a level of competing that gives us the best possible chances in games.”
Collingwood coach Craig McCrae said many teams had been through mini-slumps this year.
“I think we lost four games in a row and Geelong lost six or seven and then you look at Sydney going through that now,” he said.
“We’re certain that we’re going to meet an opposition that will go back to the basics and come with what they stand for.”
Voss backs in Charlie’s body of work
By andrew wu
Carlton coach Michael Voss has dismissed concerns over the form of superstar forward Charlie Curnow amid criticism the back-to-back Coleman Medal winner is not doing enough to return the Blues to their winning ways.
Curnow was named in the Blues’ 23 on Friday night despite an ankle injury, but there are doubts whether he will be at 100 per cent for Sunday’s blockbuster at the MCG. A club spokesperson said Curnow completed the parts of training he needed to on Friday.
Charlie Curnow has been under an injury cloud ahead of Sunday’s Hawthorn clash.Credit: Getty Images
Curnow’s run of 66 games with a goal came to an end against Collingwood, a game in which he left the field in the final quarter with an ankle issue.
The injury concern comes amid criticism over Curnow’s recent performances and with pressure growing on the Blues, who after being second on the ladder for much of June and July could tumble out of the eight if they lose to the in-form Hawks.
Curnow had booted 10 goals in his three games before last round, or 11 in his past five, but former North Melbourne star and respected analyst David King said the Blues needed more from their spearhead to be a flag contender.
Voss, though, mounted a strong defence of his man, saying the sample size was too small to suggest Curnow was in a rut. Only Greater Western Sydney forward Jesse Hogan, with 58, has booted more goals this year than Curnow (56), who remains firmly in contention for a third straight Coleman Medal.
“I tend to look at a body of work when I look at form,” Voss said on Friday morning. “The guy’s consistency over two or three years now that I’ve been here has been at an extremely high level.
“And I’m not trying to say this tongue in cheek or be smart. He’s won a couple of Coleman Medals, it shows that he’s been fairly consistent over a long period of time.
“So he has an off day, an off moment, that’s not unusual to anyone, but he’s important to us. He’s significant. He knows that.”
Curnow’s injury has affected his training this week. The Blues recalled small forward Zac Williams, four weeks after he injured his hamstring. Seen earlier this season as among the main premiership fancies, the Blues have one win from their past five games.
Saints say no to Thomas
St Kilda have said they will not be recruiting former North Melbourne forward Tarryn Thomas.
The club issued a statement on Friday after it emerged the club’s head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allan had met with Thomas.
“I wish to provide clarity on our club’s position regarding contact between a club employee and former North Melbourne player, Tarryn Thomas,” Saints chief Carl Dilena said.
Read the full story here.
How the teams line-up
Sydney v Collingwood, SCG, 7.40pm
SYDNEY
FB: [24] Dane Rampe, [30] Tom McCartin, [22] Nick Blakey
HB: [13] Oliver Florent, [7] Harry Cunningham, [34] Matt Roberts
C: [14] Callum Mills, [1] Chad Warner, [21] Errol Gulden
HF: [26] Luke Parker, [2] Hayden McLean, [42] Robbie Fox
FF: [3] Taylor Adams, [36] Joel Amartey, [9] Will Hayward
FOL: [4] Brodie Grundy, [5] Isaac Heeney, [8] James Rowbottom
IC: [44] Jake Lloyd, [17] James Jordon, [16] Braeden Campbell, [6] Logan McDonald,
SUB: [33] Caiden Cleary
COLLINGWOOD
FB: [17] Billy Frampton, [30] Darcy Moore, [4] Brayden Maynard
HB: [9] John Noble, [38] Jeremy Howe, [35] Nick Daicos
C: [27] Jack Bytel, [25] Jack Crisp, [7] Josh Daicos
HF: [23] Bobby Hill, [8] Lachie Schultz, [5] Jamie Elliott
FF: [31] Beau McCreery, [11] Daniel McStay, [32] Will Hoskin-Elliott
FOL: [14] Darcy Cameron, [10] Scott Pendlebury, [22] Steele Sidebottom
IC: [1] Patrick Lipinski, [3] Isaac Quaynor, [44] Ned Long , [46] Mason Cox
SUB: [29] Joe Richards
Umpires: Jamie Broadbent (20), Nathan Williamson (22), Andre Gianfagna (27), Jacob Mollison (32)
