Both the Swans and Tigers will be keen to get back on the winners list when they face off in the AFL’s inaugural Gather Round.
Match details
- Who: Sydney Swans vs Richmond Tigers
- When: Friday 14 April, 8.10pm
- Where: Adelaide Oval
- Weather: max 26. 80% chance of rain, 0 to 6mm
- Click here to buy tickets
- Head-to-head record since 1980:Â Played 69. Swans 35 wins. Tigers 34 wins.
Teams
Swans
IN: Corey Warner, Hayden McLean, Matt Roberts
OUT: Dane Rampe (injured), Lance Franklin (injured), Paddy McCartin (injured),Tom McCartin (injured)
The Swans have been hit badly by injuries, particularly to their backline with all three tall defenders out. Their changes seem a little strange of the surface, with no defenders coming in to replace Rampe and the McCartin brothers other than Robbie Fox who was the sub last week. Corey Warner comes in to make his debut and will play alongside Chad, while Roberts comes in to the 22 after being the sub multiple times this year. McLean replaces Buddy up forward.
Tigers
IN: Ben Miller, Jack Riewoldt
OUT: Jack Graham (injured), Toby Nankervis (injured), Tom Lynch (injured)
The Tigers have a few injury issues of their own with three key players missing. Lynch would’ve been licking his lips given Sydney’s decimated backline, but unfortunately he has a significant foot injury and has been replaced by Riewoldt. Richmond ruckman Nankervis is also a big out while Graham missing weakens their midfield.
Click here to see the complete team line-ups.
Season so far
Sydney Swans 6th – 126.2% | 376 points for | 298 points against | 2 wins & 2 losses
After two soft wins to start the year, Sydney have faltered in their first two proper tests of the season.
They were a little unlucky against Port last week, with Ollie Florent’s kick after the siren falling agonisingly short after looking through for all money.
Sydney also lost the McCartin brothers early in the contest which left their backline depleted, but they lead by 20 points halfway through the last quarter so would be disappointed not to seal the win.
The Swans also won the inside 50s count 67-45 but could only manage 9 goals. They blazed away too much going forward and their talls were out marked far too often.
With a tough month of footy in front of them, this is a really important game for Sydney to win to show they are still a contender in 2023.
Richmond Tigers 14th – 88.1% | 299 points for | 286 points against| 1 wins, 2 losses & 1 draw
Richmond are a hard team to get a good read on at the moment, with their best footy looking really good, but they haven’t really been able to string a solid four quarter performance together.
Their second quarter against the Bulldogs last week was simply incredible kicking eight goals, however they managed just four goals in the other three quarters combined.
They have been belted in the inside 50s the last two weeks which makes it tough to win games. But, on the positive side, the Tigers have still been competitive in those games, so if they can start winning the territory battle, they should start kicking a winning score.
A bit like the Swans, Richmond’s season is at an interesting position and this game shapes as a really important one.
Last 5 meetings
- 2022 round 11: Swans 16.10 (106) defeated Tigers 15.10 (100) at SCG
- 2021 round 3: Tigers 10.12 (72) lost to Swans 17.15 (117) at MCG
- 2020 round 6: Tigers 4.10 (34) defeated Swans 3.8 (26) at Gabba
- 2019 round 5: Tigers 13.11 (89) defeated Swans 10.7 (67) at Marvel Stadium
- 2018 round 15: Tigers 14.9 (93) defeated Swans 11.1 (67) at Marvel Stadium
The Tigers have won three of the previous five meetings, however Sydney have claimed the last two in a row.
Last year’s game was an absolute thriller, with Sydney mounting a second half comeback to steal a victory. The game finished in controversial fashion with Chad Warner booting the ball into the crowd after the siren, unaware that a free kick had been paid to Richmond by an umpire away from the contest.
Unsurprisingly, this is the first meeting between the sides at Adelaide Oval. However, they did meet at the neutral Gabba in 2020 where the Tigers won an extremely dour affair by eight points.
Pre-match predictions
Blockbuster premiere:Â The Warner Brothers to star in their first outing together on the big stage, combining for 45 possessions and two goals. Swans by 19.
Tigers of old: Veteran Richmond stars Jack Riewoldt and Dusty Martin to combine for 6 goals.
Have any pre-match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
