Sydney’s credentials as a premiership contender are well documented, and Western Bulldogs Senior Coach Brendan McCartney is under no illusions as to the test that awaits his men on Sunday.
The Swans standing at the top of the ladder is indicative of their spread and depth of talent across the ground, but it is their midfield group that McCartney is particularly wary of.
“They are where they are on the ladder because they have a lot of talent,” McCartney said.
“Daniel Hannebery is a class player and he just looks like he’s building fitness again, I have a lot of respect for Jarred McVeigh he is almost like a coach on the ground – everything that’s happening for their team he’s involved in.
“Luke Parker is just assuming a nice role in their midfield, there’s a couple of jobs there, we will fine tune all of that today.”
However McCartney was also quick to point out his side’s preparation won’t be too heavily dictated to by negating individuals within the Swans outfit, rather ensuring all are aware of their responsibility to put time and defensive work into their opponent.
“We won’t be too reactive, we will just go into battle with a couple of jobs like we always do,” he said.
“More play the way we want to play for a bit longer and see where it takes us.”
As last year’s late season clash against Sydney proved, both the Swans and Dogs thrive on the contested elements of the game.
In 2014, both sides rank in the league’s top three for tackles per game – Swans first and the Bulldogs third - and amass more contested possessions than their direct opponent each week.
Led by Josh Kennedy, the Swans top the competition for contested disposals this season averaging 148.4 per match, they also rank fourth in the competition for uncontested possessions (231.1 per match).
The Bulldogs rank seventh in the league for average contested possessions per match (143.6), while have outperformed the Swans around the stoppages this season, ranked fifth (39.9 per match) in the league for clearances to the Swans tenth (38.5 per match).
