FORM GUIDE
Sydney have shown no signs of a Premiership hangover, winning four of their first five games to sit comfortably in fifth position on the AFL ladder.

The Swans’ only blemish so far has been a four-goal loss to undefeated Cats back in Round 4 at the SCG.

The Lions got back onto the winners’ list last weekend against Melbourne, which saw them move four rungs up the ladder into 12th position.

However, the Lions are considered rank outsiders to cause an upset against the reigning Premiers – who will be even more determined to win for Captain Jarrad McVeigh in his 200th AFL match. 

SELECTION TABLE
Although the final teams won’t be confirmed until Friday afternoon, both the Lions and Swans have already signalled at least one change to their respective sides.

The Lions have omitted young defender Sam Docherty, with the returning Pearce Hanley his obvious replacement. Hanley, who was serving a one-match ban for striking last weekend, will be a welcome addition for the Club.

Jordan Lisle, Ryan Lester and Jack Crisp are also chances to play after being named on the extended bench.

The Swans, meanwhile, have dropped Andrejs Everitt and included Mitch Morton, Jesse White, Jed Lamb and Tommy Walsh on their extended seven-man interchange bench.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Livewires Lewis Jetta and Pearce Hanley have both been named on the wing and could deliver some sort of spectacle should they actually match-up on each other.

Both players provide run and carry for their sides, and are near impossible to catch should they find space.

The Swans’ backline is recognised as one of the toughest to score against in the AFL competition, but they will have some big bodies to contend with on Sunday.

Matthew Leuenberger (204cm), Jonathan Brown (196cm) and Aaron Cornelius (192cm) have been named in the Lions’ forward six, while Billy Longer (202cm) and Marco Paparone (194cm) are also likely to spend time in attack.

With Lewis Roberts-Thomson sidelined, the Swans will be relying heavily on key backs Heath Grundy (192cm), Ted Richards (192cm) and Martin Mattner (188cm) to bring the ball to ground.       

PLAYERS TO WATCH
James Polkinghorne responded to his omission from the side in Round 4 with one of the finest performances of his career against the Demons at the Gabba.

Polkinghorne collected a career-high 30 disposals, grabbed eight marks and kicked a goal playing predominantly in the midfield.

His physical presence also helped somewhat soften the blow of having Daniel Rich on the sidelines with a broke scapula.

For the Swans, it’s hard to go past their Co-Captain Jarrod McVeigh who lines up for his 200th match this Sunday.

McVeigh has kicked a club-high 11 goals in five games so far this season, while averaging 25 disposals per game.

He is just one of Sydney’s prime movers, but is arguably their most dangerous when the ball's in his hands.  
  
MISSING IN ACTION
Simon Black looked close to a senior call-up this weekend, but the Club has decided to take a cautious approach with the Brownlow Medallist's recovery and will afford him one more game in the NEAFL.

Daniel Rich (shoulder), Stefan Martin (ankle), Matt Maguire (leg) and Claye Beams (knee) are also among the senior Lions players sidelined with injury.

The Swans will be without two key backmen, with Lewis Roberts-Thomson out for an extended period, while Rhyce Shaw is close to returning. 

RECENT HISTORY
The Lions have lost their last five matches against the Swans by an average margin of 44 points.

Their last win at the SCG came in Round 22 of 2009, when the Lions prevailed by eight points to book themselves a home final the following week at the Gabba.

It was the only time in the past eight seasons that the Lions have participated in the AFL Finals, while Sydney have experienced September action in 14 of the past 17 seasons – a remarkable record.