Back for another week, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.
Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.
But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.
Here is what we consider certainties for the Round 16 Friday night clash between the Sydney and Geelong.
Luke Parker to have 25+ disposals
Massive Friday night games call for big game players and that’s exactly what Luke Parker is.
Averaging just under 25 touches for the year, Parker will ensure that doesn’t stay his average for too much longer.
Expecting him to go head-to-head with Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield for the whole night, which means he’ll be around the pill.
If the Swans are any chance of playing finals this year, they must win tonight and get a big performance from their proven stars.
Lock it in.
Isaac Heeney to kick a goal
In what has been a disappointing year for the Swans star, I’m tipping him to put on a show on the big stage.
Expecting him to play primarily as a forward tonight, and if that’s the case, he’s going to cause some headaches for Geelong’s backline.
Given there’s no obvious match-up for someone that can go with him in the air and on the ground, he’s going to have at least three shots on goal.
He’ll put at least one of them through the big sticks.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Issac Smith to have 20+ disposals, 3+ inside 50s
Reigning Norm Smith Medallist Isaac Smith is a model of consistency again in 2023.
The 34-year-old wingman has hit the 20-disposal mark in 10 of his 14 games this season and averages 21.4 disposals as a result.
Against the Swans at GMHBA Stadium earlier this year in Round 6, he only had 19 touches, but in his two trips to the SCG in Cats colours, he has hit 23 and 22 respectively.
Confident he’ll pick up at least 20 disposals on Friday night.
Smith also averages 3.6 inside 50s this year, and given the smaller size of the SCG, we’re banking on him pumping the ball into attack on at least three occasions.
Rohan to kick 2+ goals
Gary Rohan was unfortunately the cause of Jeremy Cameron’s nasty concussion against Melbourne last week.
Of course it was an accident, but Rohan picked himself up to become the match-winner for the Cats by kicking 3.2.
Rohan has kicked 3.9 in his last four outings against his former club the Swans, averaging three shots per goal in that time. He also knows the SCG better than any other ground having kicked 54 goals in 45 matches at the venue.
With Cameron absent, the Cats are going to need him to step up again and help lighten the load on Tom Hawkins.
With that being the case, we reckon he’ll be amongst the goals again.
Andrew Slevison
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