Match day guide and preview for the 2022 AFL round 23 game between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda Saints.
Match details
- Who: St Kilda Saints vs Sydney Swans
- When: Sunday 21 August, 4.40pm
- Where: Marvel Stadium
- Click here to buy tickets
- Head-to-head record since 1980: Played 72. Swans 44 wins. Saints 27 wins. 1 draw.
Teams
Swans
IN:
OUT: Braeden Campbell (medi-sub)
The Swans have made no changes to their settled side for the second straight week as they look towards finals.
Saints
IN: Dan Hannebery, Josh Battle, Tom Campbell
OUT: Brad Crouch (suspension), Cooper Sharman (injured), Jimmy Webster (injured), Mason Wood (injured)
Sydney Swans champion and premiership player Dan Hannebery will fittingly play his final AFL match against his old side, while Battle and Campbell return. Crouch has been suspended, while Sharman, Webster and Wood all injured.
Click here for complete team line-ups.
Current form and finals ramifications
Sydney Swans 2nd – 128.3% | 1979 points for | 1542 points against | 15 wins 6 losses | WWWWW
The Swans have sharpened their focus in recent matches and are now on a six game winning streak as they build nicely for finals.
They were too strong for the Pies last week at the SCG, with their backline in particular looking solid, while Franklin and Heeney were dangerous up forward.
Ever since a shock loss to Essendon in round 16, Sydney have really improved their contested ball and pressure game. It was almost like that loss just sent a message to the side that they need to step up their game if they want to be a genuine threat this season.
Sydney head into the round in second place but that will change by the time this match starts.
A win will likely see the Swans host a qualifying final, while a loss could see them slip out of the top four. It’s pretty obvious how important this game is for Sydney, so they just need to get the job done.
St Kilda Saints 10th – 100.1% | 1629 points for | 1627 points against | 11 wins 10 losses | LLWWL
After starting the season 8-3, it’s been a really disappointing second half of the year for the Saints.
They shot themselves in the foot in last week’s loss to the Lions that all but ruined their chances of playing finals.
St Kilda had all the momentum and play in the second half, but continually missed easy shots at goal that allowed the Lions to stay in the match and ultimately get the win.
They would need an absolute miracle to still make finals, but they will still want to end the season with a win and are more than capable of causing an upset on their day.
Last 5 meetings and Marvel Stadium history
- 2022 round 15: Swans 12.11 (83) defeat Saints 4.8 (32) at SCG
- 2021 round 21: Saints 14.9 (93) defeat Swans 10.4 (64) at Marvel Stadium
- 2021 round 12: Swans 13.14 (92) defeat Saints 12.11 (83) at SCG
- 2020 round 9: Saints 15.11 (101) defeat Swans 6.12 (48) at Gabba
- 2019 round 23: Swans 17.7 (109) defeat Saints 8.16 (64) at SCG
The Swans have won three of the past five clashes, including a comprehensive 51-point drubbing earlier this season.
Since 2010, the sides have met at Marvel Stadium seven times with the Swans holding a 5-2 advantage.
Pre match predictions
SCG September: The Swans to book a home qualifying final with their 16th win of the year.
Heroic Hanners: Dan Hannebery to kick a goal in his final AFL match.
Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
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