Hawthorn Hawks vs Sydney Swans preview, tips, odds and teams – 2014 AFL Round 18

The second game of Saturday AFL Round 18 matches is between Hawthorn Hawks and Sydney Swans. The game is set to commence at 7:40 PM local time with the game to be played at MCG. Away team Sydney Swans go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Sydney Swans.

Round: Round 18 , Saturday July 26, 7:40 PM
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 15° Shower or two.

Featured Bookmakers:

Tips: Sydney Swans to win at $1.85 with Sportsbet.com.au + Sign-up NOW and get a $250 FREE BET on the match.

Preview:

THIS should be one of the games of the season and quite possibly a preview of this year’s Grand Final. The Swans have been outstanding in winning their past 12 matches and could be bolstered by the return of Kurt Tippett and Dan Hannebery to an already-powerful side. But Josh Gibson and Brad Hill are back for Hawthorn, which is inching closer towards full strength at the right time of the year. The teams are evenly matched, but the Hawks might have the edge in outside run – and that counts for plenty at the MCG.

PAST FIVE TIMES

R8, 2014, Sydney Swans 15.17 (107) d Hawthorn 13.10 (88) at ANZ Stadium
1QF, 2013, Hawthorn 15.15 (105) d Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) at the MCG
R23, 2013, Hawthorn 17.10 (112) d Sydney Swans 16.4 (100) at ANZ Stadium
R7, 2013, Hawthorn 18.11 (119) d Sydney Swans 12.10 (82) at the MCG
GF, 2012, Sydney Swans 14.7 (91) d Hawthorn 11.15 (81) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. When the Sydney Swans beat Hawthorn in round eight, Kurt Tippett booted four goals, Dan Hannebery was the standout with 40 possessions and two goals and Lance Franklin kicked 2.7 against his old side.
2. The Hawks are averaging 57.7 inside 50s a game this season, the most in the AFL. The Swans are next best at 56.7 a game.
3. In 156 contests between these clubs, Hawthorn holds the edge, 86-68, with two draws.
4. The Sydney Swans will need to create history to beat Hawthorn. The Swans have won 12 straight games since round five – the fourth time they have won a dozen consecutive matches – but have never won 13 in a row.
5. Hawthorn has kicked the most goals this season – 274 in 16 games. The Swans are fourth with 224 goals, also in 16 games (Port Adelaide and Fremantle have played one more game and kicked 256 and 226 respectively).
6. Swans Kieren Jack (eighth), Josh Kennedy (ninth) and Lance Franklin (10th) will be the highest-ranked players on the ground on Saturday night in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Jarryd Roughead is the leading Hawk at No.15.
Teams:
HAWTHORN
B: Angus Litherland, Josh Gibson, Ryan Schoenmakers
HB: Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Matthew Suckling
HF: Bradley Hill, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust
F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis
Fol: Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Liam Shiels
I/C: Jonathan Simpkin, Jonathon Ceglar, Alex Woodward, Will Langford
Emg: Taylor Duryea, Ben Ross, David Hale

SYDNEY
B: Jeremy Laidler, Ted Richards, Nick Smith
HB: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe
C: Lewis Jetta, Josh Kennedy, Gary Rohan
HF: Ben McGlynn, Lance Franklin, Adam Goodes
F: Sam Reid, Kurt Tippett, Luke Parker
Fol: Mike Pyke, Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh
I/C: Craig Bird, Harry Cunningham, Jake Lloyd, Dean Towers
Emg: Brandon Jack, Tim Membrey, Toby Nankervis

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!