Media Watch

Swans will need to make history to play finals
The Daily Telegraph, Neil Cordy
May 17

IF the Sydney Swans qualify for the finals this season it will be the equivalent of winning the Stawell Gift starting from the carpark.

After their worst start to a season in 24 years, surely the Swans can’t make the finals from here — or can they?

As good as they looked in their 42-point demolition of North Melbourne on Sunday the Swans will need to make history if they are to recover from their 0-6 start to the AFL season and play finals.

No team has managed the feat from an 0-5 start let alone 0-6, the best rescue mission clearly belongs to Ron Barassi’s 1975 North Melbourne team who bounced back from 0-4 to finish third and go on to win their first premiership.

Are Sydney Swans storming back into the finals picture?
The Age, Rohan Connolly
May 16

It should already go without saying that in this ridiculously even AFL season, most, perhaps all things are possible. But if you still need to be convinced, you might be after this weekend.

Two weeks ago, Sydney's 2017 was shot to ribbons. Beaten by Carlton, the Swans had reached their lowest ebb for more than a couple of decades, standing 0-6, the only team yet to win a game, and anchored firmly to the bottom of the ladder.

No team has ever reached a finals series after that bad a start. But could we end up witnessing another slice of football history?

While a win over Brisbane was expected regardless of that horrendous scoreline, it was Sunday's emphatic victory over a North Melbourne side in good form and fresh off a pasting of Adelaide which really got people thinking again.

McVeigh to miss Saints clash
sydneyswans.com.au
May 16

Sydney Swans veteran Jarrad McVeigh has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

Despite receiving treatment for a hamstring injury early in the match, McVeigh played on and booted two goals in Sunday’s win over North Melbourne.

Head of Football Tom Harley said the 32-year-old has undergone scans and will miss at least one week.

“Scans have revealed a low-grade hamstring strain so it was a really brave effort by Jarrad to not only play, but contribute with a couple of goals,” Harley said.

Medical Report

Shaun Edwards (shoulder) Test
Kieren Jack (hip) 1 week
Alex Johnson (knee) indefinite
Jarrad McVeigh (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Dane Rampe (arm) Test

Fresh Faces

Sydney has introduced a range of new players in the early stages of this season, with John Longmire handing debuts to seven players across the first eight rounds. Lightning quick medium-sized forward Will Hayward was taken with pick No. 21 last November and has played all but one game so far. Rookie defender Lewis Melican made his first appearance at the highest level a month ago and has since played four games down back in the absence of Dane Rampe. Polished left-footer Nic Newman had to wait more than two years before earning an opportunity at the highest level, but he has since played five games and amassed 35 touches against North Melbourne on Mother’s Day.

Star

He may have experienced a difficult start to his tenure as captain, but Josh Kennedy has still made a significant contribution across the first two months of 2017. Kennedy, who has never finished off the podium in the Bob Skilton Medal in seven seasons in the harbour city and has won the prize three times, is averaging the second most contested possessions (15.8) and the third most clearances (7.6) in the competition, along with 27.9 disposals. He starred against North Melbourne last Sunday, amassing 37 possessions (17 contested) and nine clearances.

Stats that matter

Sydney has fallen from the No. 1 ranked defence in 2016 at a measly 68.9 points against per game to No. 11 at 94.0 points and have drifted from the fourth highest scoring side in 2016 at 98.4 points to No. 12 at 88.6 points.

Team

B: D. Rampe, H. Grundy, N. Smith
HB: N. Newman, L. Melican, Z. Jones
C: J. Lloyd, J. Kennedy, C. Mills
HF: G. Newett, L. Franklin, I. Heeney
F: H. Cunningham, S. Reid, T. Papley
R: C. Sinclair, L. Parker, D. Hannebery
Interchange: W. Hayward, G. Rohan, K. Tippett, D. Towers
Emergencies: A. Aliir, J. Dawson, O. Florent

IN: D. Rampe, G. Rohan, K. Tippett
OUT: S. Naismith (knee), J. McVeigh (hamstring), H. Marsh (omitted)

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