Saturday fifth AFL Round 7 match is between Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans with the game to be played at Gabba. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.40pm AEST with away team Sydney Swans currently holding favouritism. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans.

Round: Round 7, Saturday May 3, 7.40pm AEST
Stadium: Gabba
Weather: 20° Sunny.

[iframe_loader width=”690″ height=”530″ src=”https://sportsnews.com.au/afl/match.php?id=3132643″]

Odds Comparison:

Brisbane Lions	4.50	4.35	4.35	4.35	4.50	4.40
Sydney Swans	1.22	1.22	1.23	1.22	1.22	1.22

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

The Lions take on the Swans on Saturday night, 7.40PM at the GABBA.  Despite Brisbane’s home ground advantage, Sydney will be expected to win here as they slowly get their 2014 season into gear.   Having to defend against Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, and Adam Goodes in the same forward line is a tough ask of anyone, and the Lions don’t really look like they have what it takes.

Saying that, however, Brisbane have improved a lot in the last two weeks and even managed their first win against St Kilda last round.  While the return of veterans Daniel Merrett and Andrew Raines, together with the continued strong form of champion Jonathan Brown will give them some confidence, they are an outside chance at best.

Teams:

Brisbane Lions:
B: Darcy Gardiner, Joel Patfull, Justin Clarke
HB: Sam Mayes, Jed Adcock, Tom Cutler
C: Andrew Raines, Ryan Lester, James Aish
HF: Dayne Zorko, Josh Green, Marco Paparone
F: Daniel Merrett, Jonathan Brown, Luke McGuane
Fol: Trent West, Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff
I/C: James Polkinghorne, Nick Robertson, Rohan Bewick, Lewis Taylor
Emg: Jordan Lisle, Mitch Golby, Ryan Harwood
In: Rohan Bewick,
Out: Pearce Hanley (back)

Sydney Swans:
B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Rhyce Shaw
C: Dan Hannebery, Craig Bird, Kieren Jack
HF: Lewis Jetta, Sam Reid, Ben McGlynn
F: Harry Cunningham, Adam Goodes, Luke Parker
Fol: Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh
I/C: Jake Lloyd, Brandon Jack, Jeremy Laidler, Tom Derickx
Emg: Tom Mitchell, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Dean Towers,
In: Sam Reid, Brandon Jack,
Out: Lewis Roberts-Thomson (omitted), Lance Franklin (knee)

News:

Hoodoos were meant to be broken in the AFL – just ask Sydney ahead of Saturday night’s Gabba clash with cellar dwellers Brisbane Lions.

The last time Brisbane emerged triumphant over the Swans was way back in 2009.

It has ensured Sydney have won 15 of their last 17 games against the former three-time champions dating back to round 18, 2004.

And that streak did not look like being snapped any time soon after the withdrawal of Lions gamebreaker Pearce Hanley (hamstring) on Thursday.

However, this year has taught an up and down Sydney (3-3) not to take anything for granted.

Barely two weeks ago North Melbourne notched their first SCG win over the Swans in 10 years and first victory over Sydney in nine attempts – a 43-point round four upset.

And the stage was set for Sydney’s rollercoaster start to 2014 when Greater Western Sydney ambushed their cross town rivals in a stunning season opening upset.

Swans defender Ted Richards said his side would assume nothing when they ran out against the dead last Lions despite stringing together back to back season wins for the first time.

“One thing I’ve known in my time in football is you can’t take anything for granted,” he said.

“I think if we just assume things are going to happen, then we’ll get found out pretty quick.

“I think it should be irrelevant where a team is on the ladder.

“We treat every team just equally and it’s worked for us in the past and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Sydney can break into the top eight for the first time this season with a Gabba win.

Even without Lance Franklin (knee) and Kurt Tippett (rib), Sydney are expected to have too much firepower with Adam Goodes and Sam Reid in their forward line.

But Richards did not have to be reminded that Brisbane would be buzzing from their maiden win – last round’s three point victory over St Kilda – after enduring a tough 2014 start.

“I’m sure that (win) will give them some confidence,” he said.

“But at the same time I notice that they’ve played Hawthorn, Geelong and Port Adelaide.

“It’s not like they’ve had easy games so far.”

Meanwhile, Rohan Bewick replaces Hanley in the only change to the side that emerged triumphant last round in Wellington.

Hanley looked set to play after being nursed through the week but pulled up sore after Thursday’s training.

Veteran midfielder Brent Moloney was again overlooked.