Match day guide and preview for the AFL Round 15 game between the Swans and Power.
Who, when and where?
Port Adelaide Power vs Sydney Swans
Saturday 26 June 2021 at 4.35pm (AEST)
Adelaide Oval, South Australia
All time head-to-head record: Played 31. Swans 20 wins. Power 11 wins.
Ladder position and recent form
Sydney Swans 6th – 108.1% | 1122 points for | 1038 points against | 8 wins & 5 losses | LWWLW
After a blistering 4-0 start to the season, the Swans have dropped back to the pack with five losses from their last nine matches.
They’ve recorded wins over the Saints, Blues and Magpies in the last five weeks but none of them were that convincing.
They looked extremely flat in their 38-point loss against the Hawks before the bye so they’ll be hoping the break can rejuvenate them for the second half of the season.
Port Adelaide Power 5th – 122.9% | 1129 points for | 919 points against | 9 wins & 4 losses | WLWWL
The Power are starting to look a bit like pretenders this season with a 0-3 record against the top four teams.
They were smashed by the Lions in Brisbane before losing to the Bulldogs and Cats at home in a sign that they may not be genuine contenders this season.
However, they still find themselves in the top four race and if they can improve over the second half of the season, they’ll put themselves in contention once again.
Team selection
Swans
IN: Errol Gulden, Kaiden Brand
OUT: Lewis Taylor (medical-sub), Logan McDonald (omitted), Sam Wicks (suspended)
Gulden adds a touch of class to the Swans forward half which they have sorely missed in his absence. Brand adds some much-needed size to the backline that looked undermanned against the Hawks.
Logan McDonald loses his place after a couple of quiet games while Wicks is serving a one-match ban.
Power
IN: Dylan Williams, Todd Marshall
OUT: Lachie Jones (injured), Peter Ladhams (omitted), Robbie Gray (injured)
The Power were dealt a significant blow with Gray set to miss eight weeks with a knee injury while Jones is also out with a hamstring.
Small forward Dylan Williams will make his AFL debut with Marshall returns from concussion.
Click here to view full teams.
Players to watch
Swans – Callum Mills
After playing in the backline during his first five seasons in the AFL, Mills has transitioned into the midfield seamlessly in 2021.
He’s averaging 26.8 disposals per game and was one of Sydney’s best against the Hawks with 33 touches and 5 clearances.
The Swans midfield has a nice blend of youth and experience with Kennedy and Parker alongside the likes of Rowbottom and Warner, but Mills is the one coming into the prime of his career and is now becoming the number one man in the middle.
Power – Aliir Aliir
The former Swan has settled in brilliantly at his new club and is currently enjoying his best season yet.
His career stalled at the Swans last year as he was asked to play a number of roles and now with a change of scenery and a permanent role in the Power backline, it’s no surprise to see him playing so well.
He’s in the top five for intercepts in the AFL and he’ll want make sure he’s ready to go against his old side.
Last 5 meetings and Adelaide Oval history
- 2020 Round 14 – Power 11.7 (73) defeat Swans 7.5 (47) at Adelaide Oval
- 2019 Round 21 – Power 15.13 (103) defeat Swans 7.14 (56) at Adelaide Oval
- 2018 Round 2 – Swans 10.11 (71) defeated by Power 14.10 (94) at SCG
- 2017 Round 1 – Swans 12.10 (82) defeated by Power 17.8 (110) at SCG
- 2016 Round 20 – Swans 14.16 (100) defeat Power 4.9 (33) at SCG
The Power are building a solid recent record over the Swans, winning their past four matchups by an average of 31 points. They were far too good for Sydney in a low scoring affair last season and have been quite dominant in their recent victories.
The sides have met just the four times at Adelaide Oval with the Swans winning the first two and the Power taking the last two.
Pre match predictions
Dawson’s Creek: Jordan Dawson to provide plenty of flow for the Swans with 25 disposals and 5 score involvements.
Wines dines out: Ollie Wines to continue his stellar season with another 40 disposal game.
Other match day information
Saturday’s match will be shown live on 7mate in the ACT and NSW and Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 4.30pm.
The match was originally scheduled for 7.40pm but was changed to 4.35pm after the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney. The earlier timeslot allows the Swans to fly out of Adelaide immediately following the match.
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