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81-year drought
By TIM MORRISSEY
May 1, 2004
SINCE the Sydney Swans last beat Essendon on the MCG there has been a world war, two Olympic Games in Australia, the fall of the Berlin Wall and Warwick Capper's shorts.
The Swans have even managed to win their last flag in 1933 during that time.
Today the Swans have a chance to end their 81-year MCG curse against the Bombers which has reigned since their 1923 10.14 (74) to 8.9 (57) semi-final victory over Essendon.
And two players who could have a huge influence on whether the curse ends or continues are Sydney's Barry Hall and Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd.
Hall is aware of the Swans' poor record against the Bombers on the MCG but he's not interested in a history lesson.
"It's certainly a pretty interesting stat but it's not something you sort of look at before a game," said Hall.
"We are pretty focused on what we have got to do to beat Essendon."
For what it's worth though the Swans all-time record against the Dons at the MCG isn't pretty with the Bombers holding a 10-1 advantage.
And since 1923 the Swans have lost all eight encounters against the Bombers on the MCG with their last three defeats absolute shockers losing 160-100 in round 11 in 1998, 149-68 in round three in 1999 and 123-54 in the 1999 quarter-finals.
However statistics don't mean much to Lloyd either, instead what remains fresh in his mind is the Swans' 133-79 demolition job on his team in Sydney last season.
After losing to the top two sides currently in the competition in St Kilda and Port Adelaide in the opening rounds Essendon have bounced back to winning their last three against sides that are struggling. Lloyd believes a win over the Swans will give his side credibility as a top four contender this year.
"Both [Sydney and us] are sitting on 3-2 so it's a huge game for both clubs," said Lloyd. "I know they fixed us up last year in Sydney and it's been a long time since we played Sydney at the MCG and we are looking forward to it.
"I think the Swans are in the Port Adelaide-St Kilda category and I think it's going to be a real test on how far we have come over the last three weeks," said Lloyd.
"The three sides we have beaten aren't in the top eight at the moment so I think it's about time we beat a side who are top four material which the Swans have shown that they are."
Despite the stunning recent match-winning form of Bombers captain James Hird statistics point to Lloyd being the real dangerman for Sydney to contain.
In his past seven matches against the Swans Lloyd has kicked a total of 37 goals at full forward and this year he has kicked 18 goals ? just two more than Hall. Both players are in excellent touch which could provide the anticipated 50,000 strong crowd with a classic shootout this afternoon.
81-year drought
By TIM MORRISSEY
May 1, 2004
SINCE the Sydney Swans last beat Essendon on the MCG there has been a world war, two Olympic Games in Australia, the fall of the Berlin Wall and Warwick Capper's shorts.
The Swans have even managed to win their last flag in 1933 during that time.
Today the Swans have a chance to end their 81-year MCG curse against the Bombers which has reigned since their 1923 10.14 (74) to 8.9 (57) semi-final victory over Essendon.
And two players who could have a huge influence on whether the curse ends or continues are Sydney's Barry Hall and Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd.
Hall is aware of the Swans' poor record against the Bombers on the MCG but he's not interested in a history lesson.
"It's certainly a pretty interesting stat but it's not something you sort of look at before a game," said Hall.
"We are pretty focused on what we have got to do to beat Essendon."
For what it's worth though the Swans all-time record against the Dons at the MCG isn't pretty with the Bombers holding a 10-1 advantage.
And since 1923 the Swans have lost all eight encounters against the Bombers on the MCG with their last three defeats absolute shockers losing 160-100 in round 11 in 1998, 149-68 in round three in 1999 and 123-54 in the 1999 quarter-finals.
However statistics don't mean much to Lloyd either, instead what remains fresh in his mind is the Swans' 133-79 demolition job on his team in Sydney last season.
After losing to the top two sides currently in the competition in St Kilda and Port Adelaide in the opening rounds Essendon have bounced back to winning their last three against sides that are struggling. Lloyd believes a win over the Swans will give his side credibility as a top four contender this year.
"Both [Sydney and us] are sitting on 3-2 so it's a huge game for both clubs," said Lloyd. "I know they fixed us up last year in Sydney and it's been a long time since we played Sydney at the MCG and we are looking forward to it.
"I think the Swans are in the Port Adelaide-St Kilda category and I think it's going to be a real test on how far we have come over the last three weeks," said Lloyd.
"The three sides we have beaten aren't in the top eight at the moment so I think it's about time we beat a side who are top four material which the Swans have shown that they are."
Despite the stunning recent match-winning form of Bombers captain James Hird statistics point to Lloyd being the real dangerman for Sydney to contain.
In his past seven matches against the Swans Lloyd has kicked a total of 37 goals at full forward and this year he has kicked 18 goals ? just two more than Hall. Both players are in excellent touch which could provide the anticipated 50,000 strong crowd with a classic shootout this afternoon.
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