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THE STORY SO FAR: The Sydney Swans opened up their account with a disappointing two point loss to St Kilda at the Testra Dome, while Port Adelaide fought back bravely against the Cats at home at AAMI stadium.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Sydney 17.16 (118) def. Port Adelaide 13.9 (87) rd8, 2007 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Sydney Swans faced top of the table Port Adelaide Power at the SCG, after a 26-point defeat to St Kilda the previous week. The swans jumped out of the blocks, playing a direct brand of football which resulted in six goals in the first quarter. Port Adelaide fought back late in the match, but Sydney ran out comprehensive 31-point winners.
INJURIES: Luke Ablett appeared to struggle at the end of the St Kilda match with groin issues, while Jared Crouch remains on the sidelines with a hamstring tear. Peter Everitt is a slim chance to return this weekend, and Kristin Thornton and Nick Malceski remain out with ACL injuries.
For Port Adelaide, Michael Wilson is injured with an Achilles injury while Nathan Krakouer and Adam Cockshell could be available for the Power.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Darren Jolly vs Brendan Lade: Jolly will once again be up against it in the ruck against Lade. Lade had 26 possessions, kicked two goals and had 29 hitouts against the cats, and must be stopped for Sydney to have a realistic chance to win this weekend.
Adam Goodes vs Chad Cornes: Roos has already foreshadowed this match up, which worked to great effect last time these two clubs met. Goodes was also in a form slump that game, but was able to keep Chad Cornes quiet in a tagging role, keeping Cornes to 15 disposals while kicking a goal and gathering 10 possessions of his own.
Brett Kirk vs Kane Cornes: Kane Cornes was exceptional against the Cats and will need to be stopped for the Swans to have a chance to win the match. Brett Kirk is the man who can do it.
SUMMARY:
This match has some eerie similarities to the corresponding match last year for Sydney. The Swans face Port Adelaide at the SCG after coming off a disappointing loss to the Saints. Adam Goodes comes into the match seemingly out of form, and several Swans are under the pump to retain their spots.
Port look to have match winners all over the ground, with the Cornes brothers in good shape, and Lade in form in the ruck. But Ports relatively youthful defence will have their hands full with a fitter Barry Hall and Ryan O?Keefe, who looks to be in stellar shape early on.
However, Sydney will need their youthful players to step up, and the enthusiasm of Kieran Jack, Jarrad Moore and Craig Bird will help lift a side stung by the criticism of their round one performance.
TEAMS
LAST TIME THEY MET: Sydney 17.16 (118) def. Port Adelaide 13.9 (87) rd8, 2007 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Sydney Swans faced top of the table Port Adelaide Power at the SCG, after a 26-point defeat to St Kilda the previous week. The swans jumped out of the blocks, playing a direct brand of football which resulted in six goals in the first quarter. Port Adelaide fought back late in the match, but Sydney ran out comprehensive 31-point winners.
INJURIES: Luke Ablett appeared to struggle at the end of the St Kilda match with groin issues, while Jared Crouch remains on the sidelines with a hamstring tear. Peter Everitt is a slim chance to return this weekend, and Kristin Thornton and Nick Malceski remain out with ACL injuries.
For Port Adelaide, Michael Wilson is injured with an Achilles injury while Nathan Krakouer and Adam Cockshell could be available for the Power.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Darren Jolly vs Brendan Lade: Jolly will once again be up against it in the ruck against Lade. Lade had 26 possessions, kicked two goals and had 29 hitouts against the cats, and must be stopped for Sydney to have a realistic chance to win this weekend.
Adam Goodes vs Chad Cornes: Roos has already foreshadowed this match up, which worked to great effect last time these two clubs met. Goodes was also in a form slump that game, but was able to keep Chad Cornes quiet in a tagging role, keeping Cornes to 15 disposals while kicking a goal and gathering 10 possessions of his own.
Brett Kirk vs Kane Cornes: Kane Cornes was exceptional against the Cats and will need to be stopped for the Swans to have a chance to win the match. Brett Kirk is the man who can do it.
SUMMARY:
This match has some eerie similarities to the corresponding match last year for Sydney. The Swans face Port Adelaide at the SCG after coming off a disappointing loss to the Saints. Adam Goodes comes into the match seemingly out of form, and several Swans are under the pump to retain their spots.
Port look to have match winners all over the ground, with the Cornes brothers in good shape, and Lade in form in the ruck. But Ports relatively youthful defence will have their hands full with a fitter Barry Hall and Ryan O?Keefe, who looks to be in stellar shape early on.
However, Sydney will need their youthful players to step up, and the enthusiasm of Kieran Jack, Jarrad Moore and Craig Bird will help lift a side stung by the criticism of their round one performance.
TEAMS
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