Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead are preparing for a shootout on Saturday. Source: Getty Images
What: AFL Grand Final
Who: Sydney v Hawthorn
When: Saturday, September 27, 2:30pm
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground
TV: Channel Seven (live coverage of the game, plus live pre-game and post-game coverage); Fox Footy (live pre-game and post-game coverage)
It’s the most important day on the footy calendar: the AFL grand final. As the countdown to that one day in September draws to a close, we bring you a preview of the big day as the Swans and Hawks prepare to do battle.
Sydney Swans
By Patrick Sexton
Road to the grand final
Qualifying final: Sydney 13.15 (93) def. Fremantle 10.9 (69)
Three goals each to Lance Franklin and Ben McGlynn and standout performances from Daniel Hannebery and Josh Kennedy helped the Swans kick away from the Dockers in the second half to ease into the preliminary finals.
Preliminary final: Sydney 19.22 (136) def. North Melbourne 9.11 (65)
The Swans were never troubled in this one, comfortably seeing off the Kangaroos to qualify for their fourth grand final since 2005. Another big performance by Franklin and a four-goal haul from Kurt Tippett were the catalysts for the win.
Key Players
Lance Franklin: The big sub-plot all week has been whether the $10 million man will line up against his former club after helping them to their 11th premiership last season. Expect good mate Josh Gibson to match-up against the 27-year-old, who was the league’s leading goal-kicker with 67 majors. Keeping Buddy out of the game will be a tough ask, though, with his booming left foot, marking ability and natural athleticism making him arguably the best player in the league.
Daniel Hannebery: One of the most important elements of Sydney’s hard-running and tenacious midfield, Hannebery has the ability to change games off his own boot. The former Xavier schoolboy has already proven his worth on the big stage, playing an integral part in the Swans’ grand final win over Hawthorn in 2012, and don’t be surprised if the 23-year-old has a similar performance on Saturday afternoon.
Why they can win
The Swans have one of the stingiest defences in the competition, ranked number one for restricting high scores. But what makes them such a good side is the speed with which they turn defence into attack. The likes of Nick Malceski, Rhyce Shaw and Lewis Jetta are particularly adept at not only winning the ball back from their opponents inside their defensive 50, but have the ability to launch lethal counterattacks that are such a big part of coach John Longmire’s gameplan. And with a forward line comprising the likes of Franklin, Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid, the Hawks will have to be at their best to stop them. And even then, they might have to pray the Swans have an off day to come away from this one with a win.
Sydney by 7 points
Hawthorn Hawks
By Peppe Cavalieri
Road to the grand final
Qualifying final: Hawthorn 15.14 (104) def. Geelong 10.8 (68)
The Hawks played the better in the opening in this one, and although the Cats rallied late to tie it up at the interval a weight of second half opportunities saw the Hawks storm to the line. Despite being a tight tussle, late goals added cushion to the scoreline. The Hawks had overcome its most fierce rival to earn the week off, advancing to the preliminary final.
Preliminary final: Hawthorn 15.7 (97) def. Port Adelaide 13.16 (94)
The match-hardened Power dominated early against the Hawks, who seemed a little rusty. Contested ball and possessions fell heavily in Port Adelaide’s favour, but inaccuracy plagued the Power’s hard work. And it cost them dearly. The Hawks hit their straps in the second and third quarters. But as one of best finishing sides in the AFL, Port’s final foray came with deadly precision. Four quick goals drew them within a kick of the lead – only a captain’s smother from Luke Hodge and a questionable holding the ball decision in the dying stages preventing them from possibly one of the most famous comebacks in a final ever.
Key players
Jarryd Roughead: The Hawks are well practised in sharing the goal-kicking load and are one of the most unpredictable attacking teams in the AFL because of their ability to spread their scoring power. But with a superstar centre-half forward in Lance Franklin looming large at the other end, Hawthorn will need a big man to stand up and square the ledger. Jarryd Roughead is certainly the man to do that. He provided a fruitful presence up forward against Port Adelaide last week, booting six majors in a dominating performance. Perhaps the key to overhauling the Swans is not to quell Franklin’s influence but to at least match him at the other end. If Roughead can kick four or five and receive support from talents such as Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo, Isaac Smith, Bradley Hill and Jordan Lewis, it will go a long way to the Hawks avenging its 2012 premiership loss.
Sam Mitchell: The 31-year-old remains one of Hawthorn’s biggest weapons, and given last week’s scrappy start against Port Adelaide he’ll need to rally the troops in the midfield to stir them into action. If the Hawks are any chance of beating the Swans they’ll need to be more than competitive in the midfield. The Hawks have plenty of depth in the centre square and can include the likes of Lewis, Will Langford, Liam Shiels, Bradley Hill and Luke Hodge. If Mitchell can flick the switch, his clearance work is as good as anyone, and sending the ball the Hawks’ way will prove pivotal. A midfield win will allow the Hawks to set up their defence in a more attacking manner. This will allow them to better quell the Swans star-studded forward 50, and it all starts in the centre circles. Mitchell needs to lead the way.
Why they can win
Hawthorn faces one of its most challenging assignments yet. The Swans’ form is white hot and they’re cherry ripe for the big dance. They’ve lost just two of their past 20 outings, yet one of those was against Hawthorn. Their forward line is as efficient as it is intimidating, but only if Sydney’s forwards can get their hands on the ball – and therein lies the key. The Hawks were jumped by the Power last week but rallied to win in a thriller. They won’t be so complacent in the biggest game of the year. The Hawks’ midfield is skilful and battle hardened and will be ready for a physical contest. Hawthorn knows how to deal with adversity – it’s had to see off plenty of that this year – and in today’s modern game, fit with aggressive momentum swings, they’ll be sure to fall behind at some stage. But as mentally strong as the Hawks are, and as accurate and efficient in front of goal as they are, if they can give themselves enough chances, they’ll be able to overpower Sydney, who rely heavily on restricting its opposition. If the Hawks can spread the goal kickers across their forwards and midfielders, as well as win the inside ball and set up their defence in an attacking manner, they’ll be too unpredictable and too difficult to shut down.
Hawthorn by 10 points
