After a huge week in which one footballer had the audacity to consume a beer or three on his day off and a modern legend got off at the tribunal because he’s a good bloke – and, you know, the vibe – we now, tragically, have to talk about an actual football game. The Bombers are just chugging along at the moment. The stink of the first two rounds has been washed away, but it’s hard to tell yet if they’re any good. There’s no shame in their past two losses – Geelong and Collingwood could well be the two best teams in it – but losses are just that, and at 3-4 they’re precariously placed for a team that expects to play finals at a minimum. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share There’s no such difficulty in getting a handle on Sydney. For the first time in living memory, the Swans stink. Sydney optimists will point to the 0-6 team of 2017 as evidence that the Bloods can turn it around, but this team isn’t of that quality. The Swans have been quietly rebuilding the core of their list for a few years now, and they’re up to their ears in that rebuild right now. The team that lost to Brisbane was on average about six months younger and 13 games less experienced than the apparently youthful Lions. Eight of the 22 in last week’s loss had played fewer than 50 games, and that will become nine tonight with four-gamer Colin O’Riordan replacing Harry Cunningham and his 111 games of experience in the only change to their line-up. The Bombers – playing off just a five-day break – have made four changes to a team that was no match for Geelong. Orazio Fantasia comes in – much to the delight of Brian Taylor and the despair of viewers across the country – as do David Myers, Brayden Ham and Zac Clarke. Out of the team go Joe Daniher – ‘managed’ after the short week – as well as Kyle Langford, Jordan Ridley and Mark Baguley, who have all been dropped. Advertisement Advertisement With Daniher joining Mitch Brown on the sidelines and Cale Hooker now spending his time in the back half, it leaves the Bombers a little short in attack. Aaron Francis will likely float forward and Jake Stringer isn’t small in the true sense of the word, but there’s no major aerial threat. Kicking it long into attack could play into Sydney’s hands. The Swans are ranked dead last this season when it comes to conceding inside-50s, giving up on average 61.4 per game – Carlton are next worst at 58 a game. What they do well, however, is bring the ball to ground or take it away when it comes in. Despite conceding so many inside-50s, they have conceded the fourth-fewest marks in their defensive 50. Aliir Aliir has a strong say in that. His 23 intercept marks this season are the third most behind Alex Keath and Jeremy McGovern. However, should the ball come in regularly, it will take an exceptional display from Aliir, Dane Rampe and the unproven and unconvincing Lewis Melican if the Swans are to restrict the Bombers to a low score. Stringer, Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti are all extremely comfortable hunting the ball once it hits the deck. Advertisement Advertisement Stringer, in particular, is having an exceptional season – his finest since his All-Australian year of 2015. Rampe is well suited to take on the former Bulldog. The midfield battle will be an interesting one, and if the home team are to pull off an upset, it’s the one area they could find an edge. Isaac Heeney is the best on-baller in tonight’s match, though just how much time he spends following the footy is always a bit of a conundrum for coach John Longmire given Heeney’s ability in attack where he is even more valuable with Lance Franklin out of the side. Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker are both past their best, but they’ll keep on keeping on. Zak Jones is spending more time in the middle and is capable and can provide some much-needed dash, though he won’t put fear into many opponents. Ollie Florent is coming along nicely. George Hewett, however, could be the key tonight. Hewett is a tough bugger and a capable tagger. I expect he’ll go to Zach Merrett, who has been known to struggle with heavy attention. Advertisement Advertisement Another option could be to send him to put the clamps on former cross-town rival Dylan Shiel. Unflinching Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell is having a very solid season and will be more than comfortable banging against Parker or Kennedy all night. The Bombers should have a slight edge around the footy, but nothing major. Their defenders, however, will have slept well. Hooker, Michael Hurley, Patrick Ambrose and runners Adam Saad and Conor McKenna should dictate terms and drive the ball towards their attack without too much difficulty against a ho-hum collection of Sydney forwards. Sydney aren’t your traditional bad team, but they are a bad team nonetheless. If Essendon are to be taken seriously this season, this is the kind of game they should win and win comfortably. Advertisement Advertisement I’m tipping the Bombers by four goals. That’s my Friday night forecast. What’s yours?<doc-sep>Lauded for its silky run and gun, Essendon has once again failed to show it can kick, scratch and, ultimately, be a finals certainty. Having only won three matches this season - all off the back of high-scores and attractive footy – the Bombers couldn’t beat the Sydney Swans at their home ground on Friday night, or at their own game. In a test of the Bombers’ ability to win ugly, Sydney strangled the life out of the side at the SCG to win a tense encounter 77 points to 72. Stream Sydney Swans v Essendon on KAYO SPORTS. Live & anytime in HD. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly > It was only Sydney’s second win of the year, while Essendon have now lost three in a row and sits just four points away from 17th on the ladder. Essendon had been billed as a potential top four side but is looking anything but after earlier losses to GWS, St. Kilda, Collingwood and Geelong. Alarm bells were ringing but a loss to the struggling Swans may now see the finger inch closer to the panic button. Sydney pushed Essendon to that threshold, responding to its challenge with relentless pressure that the visitors – after a spirited display for three and a half quarters – eventually crumbled under. The Swans were yet to win a home match this season and were once again without star forward Lance Franklin, who continues to be sidelined with a hamstring injury. Another loss would have left John Longmire’s side bottom of the ladder and with its finals aspirations almost over. There is still a long way to go but the Swans are now still a chance to play football in September, something the club has done every season since 2009. “Definitely a big relief after a win like that,” forward Tom McCartin told foxsports.com.au after the match. “We’ve all missed the feeling and it was so good to sing the song with all the boys again at the end of the game. “We love to get the win for the fans, they show up every week and their support tonight was great. Their chanting at the end really got us up. “All the forwards tonight were really dangerous. It felt really good down there and we worked well together and I’m lucky enough to be in the same forward line as those boys. We’re all working well at this stage.” Usual suspects Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker were ball magnets for the Swans, collecting 24 and 33 disposals respectively. The former led the side with an equal match-high 10 tackles. Jordan Dawson was the only Swan to boot multiple goals in a true team performance. At the other end, Orazio Fantasia played a lone-hand up front in his Essendon return, kicking four goals straight in the absence of tall forward Joe Daniher. Zach Merrett also shone for the Bombers, picking up 28 disposals and nine tackles while midfield partner Dylan Shiel was tagged out of the first half in which he only had five disposals. He ended the game with 17. Essendon’s finals chances are now on shaky ground having slumped to five losses after eight rounds. In a minor positive, the Bombers hadn’t scored more than 69 points in a loss this season but on Friday scored 72. In their winning matches, the Bombers have kicked 130, 112 and 116 points; all markers which they came well short of. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the new FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! Follow Round 8 of the 2019 AFL season in our live blog below. IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT, TAP HERE!<doc-sep>The stuttering Swans run into an Essendon outfit desperate to stay in touch of the top eight on Friday night. Sydney’s season is already in tatters with finals out of reach and almost all of their veterans missing through injury. While the Swans managed to claw their way out of a similar situation in 2017, losing the first six matches of that campaign, the 2019 edition looks far less capable. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share While coach John Longmire has hinted at rebuilding, he was quick to praise the impressive Brisbane Lions outfit last week. The difference between the two teams was stark. It was a reminder of what can happen when you’re at the top for so long, and continually buck the AFL’s cyclical trend. There were warning signs in 2018 after the bye, with losses to Richmond, Essendon, Geelong and the Gold Coast Suns foreshadowing their current predicament. Thrilling wins against North Melbourne, Collingwood, Melbourne and the GWS Giants gave the Swans hope, before the Giants well and truly realigned expectations. With nothing more than pride and an improved ladder position to play for, the Swans will be out to prove a point: that there’s still life in their season. Essendon haven’t had it all their way either this year, failing to show up early in the season. Advertisement Advertisement Impressive wins against Melbourne, Brisbane and North Melbourne were undone by consecutive poor performances, that leaves their season resting on a knife’s edge. Essendon have to win on Friday night if they’re serious about playing finals. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti looms as the danger man for the Bombers, with 13 goals already this season including 7 against Brisbane, while enigmatic spearhead Jake Stringer is set to torture the Swans’ beleaguered defence. Tom Bellchambers has proven his doubters wrong this year, racking up plenty of ball and being rated elite for hit-outs to advantage (37.6 per cent). Sydney on the other hand haven’t had consistent performances from game to game, let alone quarter to quarter. Harry Cunningham – Sydney’s most consistent player this season – was the latest man to be struck down by injury, ruled out for eight weeks with an adductor strain. Superstar forward Lance Franklin is in doubt for Friday night, facing a race against the clock to prove his fitness, while Tom Papley faces the same dilemma. Advertisement Advertisement Scoring has been a huge issue for the Swans this season, ranked 15th for points conceded and 14th for points scored. They’re yet to pass 100 points, and haven’t since Round 17 last year. Their highest score this year – 93 points – came against Carlton in Round 3. The SCG no longer holds the fear factor that it once did, and the Swans have seemingly forgotten how to play it. They’ve lost five games in a row there – as well as seven of the last eight – in their worst run since 1994, conceding an average of 103 points per game this season, losing by an average of 30 points. The only thing that’s in their favour is their recent history against Essendon at the venue, winning the last six since 2010 and claiming ten of the last 12. These are the key match-ups. Callum Mills vs Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is as exciting to watch as Cyril Rioli was in his formative years. His seven goals against Brisbane in Round 4 were as good as any you’ll ever see. Advertisement Advertisement A player with unique athletic abilities, he will push Callum Mills to the absolute limit. Callum Sinclair vs Tom Bellchambers Callum Sinclair started the season in great form, but has found the last four weeks some of the toughest of his career. Belted in hit-outs by Max Gawn, registering just nine in Round 4, before Shane Mumford, Stefan Martin and Oscar McInerney took their turn crashing into him. Tom Bellchambers, on the other hand, has wound back the clock, finding form and providing enough impact at the contest to be considered an extra midfielder. Dane Rampe vs Jake Stringer Jake Stringer is as capable a match-winner as there is in the competition, booting 14 goals from 27 shots, and almost inspiring a woeful Essendon to victory in Round 6 against Collingwood. Advertisement Advertisement Dane Rampe has been Sydney’s best defender of the last three years, and will need to be at his best to stop the athletic and powerful forward. Six key points Sydney holds a strong record against Essendon at the SCG, winning the last six encounters. 2. The Swans are ranked 18th in the league for contested possession differential (-17.3 per game), 18th for inside-50 differential (-13.4 per game), and 16th for total contested possessions (971). 3. Scoring has been an issue for the Swans at the SCG this year, averaging 73 points per game while conceding 103 – a whopping 30-point differential. 4. Whichever team capitalises on turnovers will give themselves every chance of the win, with Essendon ranked 12th in the league for turnovers (73.4 per game), while the Swans are ranked 15th (74.3). 5. Despite being smashed in contested possessions (-42) and inside-50s (-37) in Round 7, the Swans still managed 42 clearances – five more than Essendon. 6. Joe Daniher may prove to be the difference between the sides, kicking seven goals in his three games after returning from a long stint on the sidelines. It’s a big week for… He’s just one cog in a struggling forward line that’s barely been able to score, but it’s time Sam Reid stood up and lead the line in Lance Franklin’s absence. With six goals from seven games this season, Sam Reid needs to perform. Advertisement Advertisement Prediction Essendon Bombers by 41 points.<doc-sep>Lance Franklin trained with the Swans on Wednesday. Swans superstar Lance Franklin remains a chance to return from injury for his side’s crunch Friday night clash against Essendon, despite limited training time on the training track on Wednesday night. The Swans will assess how Franklin, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury, pulls up on Thursday before making a call whether he returns against the Bombers. The Swans, who host Essendon at the SCG on Friday night, are 1-6 and on track to miss finals for the first time under coach John Longmire. Lance Franklin worked away from the main group. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia “He’s a superstar and we want him out there but there’s a few things he has to tick off,” Swans defender Aliir Aliir said of Franklin. The gun forward appeared to be on restricted duties during the early stages of Wednesday night’s training session. Daniel Menzel was alongside Lance Franklin for the early part of the session. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia Daniel Menzel and Lance Franklin have yet to play a game together. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia But Franklin was in good spirits as he gently moved around the SCG turf and kicked and handballed with teammates. The four-time Coleman medallist, who hasn’t played since Round 5, headlines the list of veterans that Sydney are sorely missing. Lance Franklin hasn’t played since Round 5. Picture. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia The defence has been severely depleted, with stalwarts Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith all unavailable because of long-term injuries. Harry Cunningham, redeployed in defence after McVeigh tweaked his quad, will be an enforced omission this week because of a torn adductor. Aliir has only played 35 games but finds himself pitched into the role of mentor. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > The defender declared it’s time Sydney’s next generation step up and stop the rot that has the perennial AFL finalists languishing in last spot. “Everyone has to step up in terms of leadership. Because the other boys are going to be out for a while,” the versatile defender said. “It’s one of those things that I still need to improve. I don’t really see myself as a leader but I’ve got to step up when the younger guys are coming through because I’ve been at the club for six years now. “It hasn’t been a great start to the year … we don’t want to be down the bottom of the ladder but that’s the reality of it and we just have to work hard.” LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES OR SPOTIFY ON YOUR PHONE? CLICK HERE TO LISTEN Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills and Tom Papley — all aged 22 or 23 — are part of the Swans’ leadership group. Aliir, who is 24, noted the team’s young guns have spoken of the need to stand up. “We can’t keep leaving it to the older guys to try and lead and do everything. We have to voice our opinions, understand situations and try to change that,” Aliir said. “The younger guys in the leadership group have all been great. It’s time for me, Lewis Melican, all us young guys coming through to help them.” Brisbane had a staggering 76 inside-50s in their Round 7 win over the Swans. The Swans are giving up a league-worst 61.6 inside 50s this season, underlining just how much Aliir and other members of their undermanned defence have been under the pump.<doc-sep>
Neither Joe Daniher nor Lance Franklin will take to the SCG turf on Friday night. But with difficulty comes opportunity — and a number of players will get a golden chance to shine on the Friday night stage. These are the Bombers and Swans who get a chance to have their say. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > WHY THE RAZ CAN CHANGE THE GAME With Essendon electing to manage star forward Joe Daniher, the Bombers forward line will be made up of a number of hybrid players, rather than key tall targets. Aaron Francis is set to be deployed as a key target, with Jake Stringer and a host of small forwards rounding out the forward line. Stringer is the Bombers’ leading goalkicker, having booted 14 goals this season. But despite Daniher’s absence, St Kilda great Leigh Montagna believed the addition of Orazio Fantasia to the side outweighed Daniher’s exclusion. Fantasia has missed the last two rounds due to illness, but has kicked eight goals in his five appearances in the red and black this season. Orazio Fantasia will be vital to Essendon’s chances. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images “If you look at Essendon’s record, they’ve won 12 of 16 games going back to last season without Joe Daniher. So they are capable of winning,” Montagna said on Fox Sports News’ Selection Night. “It gives them a more dynamic forward line, it gives them a bit more to work with and really I think the big one is Orazio Fantasia back into the side. Because to be fair, they’ve only won three of 11 games with him out of the side.” Co-host Julian De Stoop believed lively forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was a real barometer for the Bombers and if he could get on top of the Swans defenders, it could lead Essendon to victory. “They’re five and five in their last 10 games and in their five wins Tipungwuti has kicked 20.1, in the five losses he hasn’t even scored,” he said. “When he plays well, the Bombers win.” Lance Franklin and Joe Daniher are both out. Pic: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia CYGNETS OUT TO FILL BUDDY VOID Lance Franklin was always a very slight chance to get up for this game. Realistically, the star Swan never looked close to featuring on Friday night, turning in some proppy appearances at training through the week. It means for the second straight week, the Swans have the chance to test some young guns. While Tom Papley booted four goals against the Lions and Sam Reid will be expected to play a role, it’s two young talls that are in for a big experience. Youngsters Tom McCartin and Nick Blakey will be two of the focal points inside 50 on Friday night — and will have to earn their keep against the likes of Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker and the hard-nosed Patrick Ambrose. Having started the season down back, McCartin has booted two goals and averaged four marks across his past two games. Meanwhile, Blakey has kicked five goals across his six games, including two against the Giants in Round 6. Sydney's Nick Blakey. Pic: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia “I think he’s (John Longmire’s) just looking to the future,” former St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna said on Fox Sports News’ Selection Night. “He’s looking to get games into these kids now. He’s flagged that. “In some ways with Buddy not playing, is a bit of a silver lining there that it gives the opportunity for the likes of Tom McCartin and Nick Blakey to really have to stand up and provide something for the Sydney Swans as focal points up forward. “That’s a great way to get the experience into them. “Sydney have to learn eventually to play in that forward line without Buddy Franklin and their midfield is to kick to players other than Buddy Franklin. “So while we always want the champions out there, there’s a bit of a silver lining there for Longmire that he can continue to find the next wave of talent.”