The final round of the regular season kicks off with a clash that sees fourth placed Sydney up against Hawthorn.

Sydney suffered a 44 point defeat at the hands of Geelong last week. It was only the fourth time they faced a team inside the top eight since round 14. Of those four games, they’ve won one.

Sydney are missing some key players at present and last week, those player’s absences were noticeable as Geelong led at every change. Add to their injury list Daniel Hannebery, who will miss this week’s clash with a knee injury and Sydney will have to do it tough.

Losing two in a row and three of your last four is not ideal for the Swans heading into the finals.

The Hawks had to find something in the second half as they trailed a spirited North 117 – 103 at the major break but, as all good teams do, they did find a way with the comeback led by Captain Luke Hodge.

A win here will see Hawthorn claim the minor premiership – their second in row and one that would be thoroughly deserved.

When they last met back round 7, Hawthorn were comfortable victors 119 – 82. That win kept the ledger balanced as each of the clubs has won two each of the last four encounters but with Sydney just struggling for some traction and Hawthorn out to secure the minor premiership and keen to hit the finals running, they’ll be too good for the Swans and would expect they’ll cover the 10.5 line that’s in place.

Odds comparison by AFL Odds:

Sydney Swans	2.40	2.40	2.45	2.40	2.40	2.42
Hawthorn Hawks	1.57	1.57	1.55	1.57	1.57	1.57

Teams:

Sydney Swans:
B: Rampe Grundy Everitt
HB: McVeigh T Richards Malceski
C: O’Keefe K Jack Rohan
HF: Bolton White McGlynn
F: Parker Tippett Mumford
FOLL: Pyke Kennedy Bird
I/C: Biggs Cunningham B Jack Mitchell
EMG: Lamb Morton X Richards
IN: Shane Biggs, Brandon Jack, Jude Bolton, Harry Cunningham
OUT: Jed Lamb (omitted), Daniel Hannebery (hand), Rhyce Shaw (knee), Nick Smith (calf)
New: Shane Biggs, 22, Bendigo Bombers

Hawthorn Hawks:
B: Stratton Lake Whitecross
HB: Burgoyne Gibson Birchall
C: Smith Hodge Hill
HF: Breust Franklin Lewis
F: Hale Roughead Gunston
FOLL: Bailey Mitchell Sewell
I/C: Savage Duryea Anderson Puopolo
EMG: Spangher Cheney Simpkin
In: Taylor Duryea, Jordan Lewis, Paul Puopolo
Out: Cyril Rioli (ankle), Liam Shiels (ankle), Brent Guerra (back soreness)