SUMMARY
This has been a one-sided contest in recent years and again looks like a mismatch on paper. The Swans have won the past five matches by a minimum of 47 points and come in fresh from a strong win over Port Adelaide. The return of star forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett from suspension is another headache for the Lions' young defence. The hosts have shown a definite improvement in form since the bye, pushing Adelaide and Fremantle for three quarters before being overrun in the last term on both occasions. They have been disciplined and proved difficult to beat and could prove a tricky assignment for the Swans. It's hard to see the boys from Sydney not returning south with the four premiership points though.
WHERE AND WHEN: the Gabba, Sunday, July 12, 4.40pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2014, Sydney Swans 18.15 (123) d Brisbane Lions 6.8 (44) at the Gabba
R6, 2013, Sydney Swans 17.13 (115) d Brisbane Lions 8.7 (55) at the SCG
R15, 2012, Sydney Swans 16.14 (110) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) at the SCG
R24, 2011, Sydney Swans 18.11 (119) d Brisbane Lions 9.13 (67) at the SCG
R11, 2011, Sydney Swans 17.14 (116) d Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans dominated the Lions in all areas in their only clash in 2014, winning the disposals (428-320), marks (112-95), tackles (59-49), scoring shots (33-14) and inside 50s (62-38). Dan Hannebery was best on ground with 31 possessions.
2. The Swans love to dispose of the ball by hand, leading the AFL in 2015 with 176.3 handballs a game, compared to the Lions' 143.9 a game, ranked 16th.
3. The Swans have dominated the Lions recently, winning the past seven matches, a club record. The Lions' last win was in round 22, 2009. Four of the last five Swans victories have been by more than 50 points.
4. The Swans have been one of the best contested possession teams in 2015, ranked fifth with 139.5 a game, while the Lions have struggled, ranked 17th at 129.3 a game.
5. Despite their good contested work, the Swans have struggled in centre clearances, ranked 17th with just 11 a game. The Lions are ranked eighth at 12.3 a game.
6. Last week against Fremantle, the Lions managed 121 tackles, the fourth highest in AFL history. The Lions will need to keep up the pressure against the big bodied Swans.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … DANIEL MERRETT
After spending most of the Season on the sidelines, Daniel Merrett is expected to make his return to Senior football this weekend and it's not going to be an easy task! Merrett will be expected to match up on one of the Sydney Swans' two power forwards. Merrett will add a heap of experience to the young Lions' defence and if he can shut down one of the Swans' big men, it could go a long way towards an upset.
