Match day guide and preview for the 2022 AFL round four game between the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Match details
Who: Sydney Swans vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
When: Saturday 9 April 2022 at 2.40pm
Where: SCG, NSW
Weather: Min 17 Max 24 Chance of rain 95% 5 to 10 mm
Head-to-head record since 1980: Played 67. Swans 33 wins. Roos 33 wins. 1 draw.
Teams
Swans
IN: Justin McInerney, Peter Ladhams, Sam Reid
OUT: Dylan Stephens (omitted), Joel Amartey (omitted), Tom Hickey (injured), Sam Wicks (COVID protocols)
Wicks is a late out due to COVID protocols with Ben Ronke to start in the 22.
Hickey is a big loss for the Swans, but it presents a golden opportunity for off-season recruit Ladhams to play his first game for the club. McInerney is a key inclusion with Sydney missing his running and ball use against the Dogs last week. Veteran Sam Reid replaces Amartey and should provide the Swans a target up forward.
Kangaroos
IN: Atu Bosenavulagi, Flynn Perez, Luke Davies-Uniacke
OUT: Aidan Bonar (omitted), Eddie Ford (COVID protocols), Jared Polec (injured), Tom Powell (injured)
Coach David Noble has resisted mass changes after last week’s 108-point loss to Brisbane with three forced changes and Bonar being dropped. Davies-Uniacke is a key inclusion to the Roos midfield mix.
Season so far
Sydney Swans 8th – 116.3% | 279 points for | 241 points against | 2 wins 1 loss | LWW
The Swans started the year well with two quality wins over GWS and Geelong, but they were outplayed against the Dogs last week.
They weren’t too far off the pace against the Dogs, but it was their midfield that was well beaten in the contest.
They lost contested ball (155-131) and clearances (41-32) and were only in the game due to the Bulldogs inaccuracy in front of goals. They didn’t have much luck with the umpiring either, but that seems to be a common problem when they meet the Bulldogs.
On paper it seems a comfortable win for Sydney, but the rain can often even things up so they’ll be looking to improve their contested game.
North Melbourne Kangaroos 15th – 61.4% | 180 points for | 293 points against | 1 win 2 losses | LWL
The Kangaroos’ record doesn’t look too bad with one win and two losses but if last week’s thumping at the hands of Brisbane is anything to go by, it could be another long season for Roos fans.
They didn’t compete well enough against the Lions and almost looked like they gave up in the last quarter where Brisbane piled on nine goals to one.
Their 15-point win over the Eagles was also concerning, with West Coast fielding a severely understrength side.
While they may not be expected to win this game, they need to respond after last week and at least put up a fight.
Last 5 meetings and SCG history
- 2021 round 22 – Kangaroos12.5 (77) defeated by Swans 13.13 (91) at Marvel Stadium
- 2020 round 3 – Kangaroos 8.12 (60) defeated by Swans 10.11 (71) at Marvel Stadium
- 2019 round 9 – Kangaroos 10.12 (72) defeated by Swans 11.11 (77) at Blundstone Arena
- 2018 round 17 – Kangaroos15.8 (98) defeated by Swans 16.8 (104) at Marvel Stadium
- 2018 round 7 – Swans 9.12 (66) defeated by Kangaroos 9.14 (68) at SCG
The Swans have won the last four against the Roos, although there have been plenty of close games with the biggest margin just 14 points which was last year.
Since 2010, the sides have met just five times at the SCG with Sydney holding a slender 3-2 advantage.
Pre match predictions
What a Lad: Peter Ladhams to kick two goals in his Swans debut.
Corr Strength: Aidan Corr to take five intercept marks in a strong showing down back.
Swans by 32 points
