The last game of Saturday’s AFL Round 8 matches is between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers. The game is set to commence at 7:40pm local time with the game to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Home team Sydney Swans go into the match as the clear favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers.
Round: Round 8 7:40 PM May 18, 2013
Stadium: SCG
Weather: 19° Possible shower.
Featured Bookmakers:
Sydney Swans $1.40 vs Fremantle Dockers $2.95 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Sydney Swans $1.38 vs Fremantle Dockers $3.15 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by AFL Odds:
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| Sydney Swans | 1.40 | 1.38 | 1.38 | 1.38 | 1.40 | 1.41 |
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Fremantle Dockers
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2.95 | 3.00 | 3.15 | 3.00 | 2.95 | 3.00 |
Preview:
Sydney returns home after chasing Hawthorn from the opening bounce last week where they finished 37 points in arrears.
That was only their second loss but Sydney have been afforded a generous start to the season in terms of the draw, only facing top eight sides in three matches thus far.
In those games against the better sides, the Swans whilst competitive appeared to lack the tenacity that comes with regular and tougher opposition.
They sit fifth on the ladder, just in advance of this weekend’s opponents, Fremantle who also hold a 5-2 winning record.
The Dockers defeated Collinwood at home last week, jumping out of the blocks to kick five goals to Collingwood’s one in the opening quarter and led by as much as 44 points in the first half.
After half time, Collingwood surged and took a slight lead for a period of time in the final quarter before Freo rallied again late to win by 27 points.
Freo will not be afforded a lack of concentrations like that of last week against Sydney.
Not much has separated these two clubs in their three most recent clashes with the final margin being 13, 11 and 9 and the Swans successful on two occasions.
Last week’s outing against the Hawks can only benefit Sydney who in the next three rounds face Collingwood, Essendon and Adelaide (in Adelaide) so they’ll need to find their 2012 form quickly.
Teams:
Sydney Swans:
B: Nick Malceski, Ted Richards, Nick Smith
HB: Marty Mattner, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe
C: Lewis Jetta, Ryan O’Keefe, Dan Hannebery
HF: Jarrad McVeigh, Sam Reid, Jude Bolton
F: Tommy Walsh, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
Foll: Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack
Int: Mitch Morton, Shane Mumford, Craig Bird, Luke Parker
Emerg: Tony Armstrong, Andrejs Everitt, Jesse White
In: Morton, Mumford, Walsh
Out: White, Armstrong, Lamb
Fremantle Dockers:
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Luke McPharlin, Alex Silvagni
C: Danyle Pearce, Ryan Crowley, Paul Duffield
HF: Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne, Nathan Fyfe
F: Matt de Boer, Zac Clarke, Michael Walters
Foll: Jack Hannath, Clancee Pearce, David Mundy
Int: Cameron Sutcliffe, Hayden Ballantyne, Hayden Crozier, Nick Suban
Emerg: Tom Sheridan, Tanner Smith, Tendai Mzungu
In: Clarke, Fyfe
Out: Griffin, Mzungu
Freo rush back ruckman for Swans clash
With their ruck stocks battered, Fremantle have rolled the dice by recalling underdone big man Zac Clarke for Saturday night’s AFL clash with Sydney at the SCG.
Clarke hasn’t played since injuring his calf in the WAFL seven weeks ago, and coach Ross Lyon was eager to give the 23-year-old one or two runs in the reserves before handing him a senior recall.
But with Jon Griffin and Kepler Bradley ruled out for the season with knee injuries, and No.1 ruckman Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) still at least five weeks away from resuming, Fremantle opted to give Clarke an earlier-than-planned recall.
Lyon was confident Clarke’s superior aerobic ability would hold him in good stead despite the lack of match practice.
“He’s done an enormous amount of training,” Lyon said on Thursday.
“We know he’s a gifted runner. We know he can handle up around 90 per cent (of game time), so that will be the aim.
“If it doesn’t work we can always sub him out and bring on a runner.”
Clarke has played in the shadow of Sandilands for much of his 36-game career, but now has the chance to cement himself as a frontline ruckman.
“Like any player he’ll relish the opportunity. If you don’t relish that opportunity you’re in the wrong business,” Lyon said of the 203cm Docker, who has also spent time on the wing and up forward.
“There’s some pressure to perform but it is on the whole club to keep performing and we understand that.
“It’s not all going to happen in one game for Zac. We just want him to compete and give really good effort.”
Fremantle have been bolstered by the return of midfielder Nat Fyfe from suspension, but the Dockers will still enter the match as underdogs given Sydney’s prowess at the SCG.