Swans back in the spotlight as ‘rampaging’ opponent looms
After a week out of the spotlight - relatively speaking - the focus of the footy world will once again return to Sydney, as it prepares to host Brisbane in a qualifying final.
The Swans will be without Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon, after the five were suspended for a late night of partying in Melbourne following round 23.
No Blakey or Heeney for Sydney this finals series. AFL Photos via Getty Images
It has been a tumultuous few weeks for the club in the wake of the incident, with emotions spilling over as they took down North Melbourne in their final game of the home-and-away season.
Sydney was already locked into second and had the pre-finals bye up its sleeve, and there’s no doubt it needed the break more than any other club.
They sit just two SCG wins away from a third grand final appearance in five years, but without three All-Australian calibre players and with the subsequent shockwaves that have hit the club, James Hird is backing Brisbane to take them down.
The Lions have lost just one game in the last three months and are gearing up for their tilt at a third consecutive premiership.
Despite the Swans having the home ground advantage, Hird believes Brisbane will have too much firepower.
“This is going to be tough. The Brisbane Lions are rampaging,” the former Essendon coach told Nine’s Footy Furnace.
“If the Lions are at their best and they hit top form with all of their talent, it’s going to be very hard for Sydney with the quality of players they’ve got out.
“Brisbane for me. I think they’re the favourites.”
Sydney could be bolstered by the return of key forward Joel Amartey, who missed most of the season with an Achilles injury, while Hayden McLean will clear concussion protocols and put himself in the mix as well.
Similarly, midfielder Justin McInerney is also racing the clock to be available to return from a hamstring injury.
All eyes will be on the team sheets when they are unveiled on Thursday night.
