3 minute read

Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2021 AFL Season.

We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.

SYDNEY V GWS

Saturday 28 August @ UTAS Stadium

13 … Thirteen. There is nothing more needs to be said as an homage to Huddo than just that. The Launceston authorities should play that on the loud speakers as the Swans run on.

Buddy Franklin would not need much to be up for a Final but that would be the final arousal.

Lance had that glint in his eye against the Gold Coast and the closer he nears 1000, the more we will be shattered no one will be allowed on the ground as has been done historically.

So in emphasising what Launceston has meant to him in his career, Tasmania now gets to host its first ever Final (and its second will happen a day later at the same venue).

Good on them. And now the AFL have given them a pathway so it is a great way to show off what it means.

The Sydney Derby has had a finals perspective in the past and it's gone interestingly in one direction. Unlike the Perth, Adelaide or Queensland teams, Sydney and GWS have the shortest existence together yet played the most finals.

A Qualifying Final in 2016 was as bash and crash a Demolition Derby as one could witness. It was a Giant sized thrashing at the Olympic Stadium (not sure why it was played there – well I am but won't express that).

Then an Elimination Final, as this match is, in 2018 which was even more one-sided. The Swans were so Buddy conscious that day it wasn't funny.

But that is all in the past as a new look Sydney and GWS take flight in yet another weird place to play a Derby. That means over the last 12 months they've played them in Perth, Sydney, Gold Coast and now Launceston.

And what a journey both teams have been through. No other teams have had such a vigil. Since the Bye both have been on the road and hubbing like gypsies.

That nomad nature has to take its toll eventually but since both are facing off this weekend, one will get by the issue for another seven days.

The Swans have truly had an incredible year. From 16th in 2020, many saw the possibilities of improvement both through new blood (no pun intended) to regenerate and old faces returning as well. Franklin, Kennedy and Heeney missed huge amounts of last year and that is well over 600 games experience.

Then you add in addition of Tom Hickey who has been magnificent and the kids like Campbell, Gulden with McInerney and Dawson off wings, McCartin down back and others through the year.

The future is bright. But now you have to deal with the present and what you face is now elimination time. Those to stare you down are a Giants team equally on a roll.

Around their loss to Port they've beaten Essendon, Geelong, Richmond and then did enough to give Carlton a going away present.

They recaptured what made them a good team. Good around the ball and then able to drive forward. It isn't always pretty football but can be very effective.

As mentioned earlier, they've had a system good enough to beat Sydney in Finals before. Will it stack up now against a team that has changed its mantra?

When you have Toby Greene in your line up he is always a chance to kick five off his own boot and that can take a lot pressure of the likes of Hogan and Himmelberg. McCartin will go to Hogan you'd say so does Rampe go Himmelberg or float and take Greene.

The Swans will have a big issue through the middle. They had it anyway but with Mills and Kennedy out then Ward, Hopper, Kelly even Whitfield at times will need so much attention. Luke Parker can't do the lot and GWS have several tagging candidates. Callan Ward is back to his brutish best too.

The kicking game of the Swans can open up GWS and that could make the Giants tired late. Chasing that quality ball movement is not that easy. Conditions have a role to play here as well.

It has been a great year for Sydney and if things stay with forward momentum they will challenge big time next year. Signing the likes of Parker, Dawson, Stephens etc will be on the agenda.

But this could be one game too many for them if the heat early gives them concern. And surely both won't have all the late 'outs' like on the Gold Coast. We'll take GWS just, much like the early round at the SCG.

Match Selection: GWS by 8 points

Suggested Bets: GWS 1-39 @ $2.50