“He’ll get off the chain”: Dan Hannebery shocks with a surprising Norm Smith Medal tip

Sydney premiership player Dan Hannebery has weighed in with his Grand Final predictions, choosing a left-field winner of the prestigious Norm Smith Medal.

Hannebery played 226 AFL games – 208 of those in the red and white and 24 times in finals including three Grand Finals.

He is well-versed to pass judgment on the season decider and has backed in-form forward Will Hayward to take out best on ground honours.

“I’m going to say Will Hayward, I think he’ll get off the chain a little bit,” Hannebery said on SEN Breakfast.

“There’s a lot of talk about the midfielders, we get that, so he’s going to have to kick three or four goals.

“He’s been in good form. He was solid in the Preliminary Final; he could get up for a couple.”

Hannebery also added his prediction for the match itself, admitting the Swans could reign supreme if the trio of talent sitting in Brisbane’s forward line can be stopped.

“The three small forwards in Cameron Rayner, Zac Bailey and Charlie Cameron, I'm a little concerned about,” Hannebery said.

“If the Swans can stifle that a little bit and get Brisbane to under 100 uncontested marks, they can get the game on their own terms.

“I think it will be super tight. Brisbane is a really good starting side, but I think the Swans will settle.

“I feel like the Swans with the extra week off will have the edge and win by a couple of goals.”

Saturday’s AFL Grand Final against the Lions and the Swans begins at 2:30pm (AEST).