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Round: Finals Week 3, Friday September 19, 7.50pm AEST
Stadium: ANZ Stadium
Weather: 20° Shower or two.
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Preview:
On a cold, wet day, Ben Cunnington showed his class with 30 disposals, 11 clearances and 10 tackles in a comprehensive 43-point Kangaroo triumph. It was the Swans’ biggest loss of the year and lowest score, with defender Jeremy Laidler their only multiple goalkicker with two. They were without Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid.
PREVIOUS FIVE ENCOUNTERS
R4, 2014, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Sydney Swans 6.12 (48) at the SCG
R3, 2013, Sydney Swans 20.11 (131) d North Melbourne 13.14 (92) at Blundstone Arena
R4, 2012, Sydney Swans 17.11 (113) d North Melbourne 10.17 (77) at the SCG
R10, 2011, Sydney Swans 10.12 (72) d North Melbourne 9.17 (71) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2010, Sydney Swans 12.13 (85) d North Melbourne 7.13 (55) at the SCG
KEY MATCH-UPS
Luke Parker v Ben Cunnington
They may not necessarily go head to head, but the midfielders are barometers for their respective sides and will spend plenty of time in the same vicinity. Whether it’s diving into packs to secure a clearance, landing a big tackle or kicking a crucial goal, whoever has the bigger influence could well lead his team to victory.
Lance Franklin v Scott Thompson
Back in round four, Thompson produced 24 touches, nine rebound 50s and seven marks. He regularly cut off supply to Franklin, who kicked just one behind. It was Buddy’s first SCG home game and it’s fair to say he’ll be a little more accustomed to his teammates this time around.
MEDICAL ROOM
Sydney Swans
By contrast, a Kangaroos victory will give them a Grand Final berth that no one predicted, where they would take on Hawthorn or Port Adelaide.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY LOSE?
For both teams a loss means it’s time for a post-season refreshment, a possible overseas holiday and then another crack at it all next year.
THE SIX POINTS
1. Before their victory in round four this year, the Roos had a dreadful record against the Swans, losing seven consecutive games dating back to round six, 2007. Their previous victory in Sydney came in round 19, 2004.
2. This match will mark only the third time the two clubs have met in a final. North can boast of the 1996 Grand Final, which it won by 43 points, while the Swans won an elimination final back in 2008 by 35 points.
3. Overall the Swans have played in 13 preliminary finals for seven wins and six losses. This is the third consecutive year they have reached this stage of the season. The Kangaroos have a 9-9 record in prelims, but have lost their past two (2000, 2007) and haven’t won one since 1999.
4. There is a significant difference in finals experience between the two teams. The Swans enjoy a combined 281 games and 202 goals from finals action, compared to North’s 124 games and 67 goals.
5. If North can get over the line, it will be the first team outside the top four to reach a Grand Final under the current finals format, which was adopted in 2000. The Roos would also be the first traveling side to win a prelim since West Coast knocked off Adelaide en route to the 2006 flag.
6. Franklin not only won the Coleman Medal in his first year in Sydney with 67 goals, he also finished second in the AFL for pressure acts inside 50. Brent Harvey’s importance to the Roos also can’t go unnoticed. He was third in the AFL for goals by midfielders with 27 and second for score assists.
The upside of an AFL season interrupted by injury is that North Melbourne midfield ace Daniel Wells couldn’t feel more fresh.
Wells is primed for the Kangaroos’ preliminary final against powerhouse Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Friday night after missing much of the season with a troublesome foot problem.
He was sidelined from round six to 21 and then missed round 22 through suspension.
The 29-year-old said a grand final berth would ease the disappointment of missing the bulk of the season.
Wells was only 20 when he made his finals debut in 2005 and the Kangaroos were thrashed.
The midfielder was also part of North’s preliminary-final side in 2007 and elimination-final exits in 2008 and 2012.
“I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to play a lot of footy this season but it’s great that I’m here at the pointy end,” Wells said.
“After 16 weeks off the body feels good.”
North will be hoping that Wells is able to reproduce his impressive form in their 43-point win over Sydney back in round four before his injury.
Wells, along with Aaron Black, kicked three goals to bank the Kangaroos’ first win over the Swans in nine attempts dating back to 2007.
The 29-year-old showed glimpses of his brilliant best in their elimination final win over Essendon, finishing with 28 possessions.
In the semi-final victory over Geelong last week he drew plenty of attention from the Cats allowing teammates Nick Dal Santo and Sam Gibson room to shine.
“I’m slowly getting back there,” Wells said.
“As long as I’m out there having an impact and not hurting them in any way, it’s so far so good.”
Despite the breakthrough win in round four the two-time club best and fairest said finals was a whole new ball game.
He said that the Swans had kicked on since that loss to be the benchmark side.
“After that game they went nuts and won 12 in a row and showed everybody what kind of team they are,” Wells said.
He also dismissed the notion that Sydney’s game plan falls away in the wet, despite that SCG match being played in the rain.
“It doesn’t matter if it rains they’re a class act all over the ground,” he said.
“They’re the best team in the comp so we’re not under any illusions they’re going to be any worse off in the wet.”
