A potential Grand Final preview looms as an all-conquering Swans juggernaut finally comes toe-to-toe with the last side to beat them all the way back in Round 1, a Lions side roaring towards September thanks to a Club record nine-match winning streak.

A spot on the undercard at the Gabba will only add to the atmosphere of this top-of-the-table clash, giving fans the chance to see the future of their Club in action before the AFL kicks off later that afternoon. The Lions will take confidence from their dismantling of Canberra last weekend, and will be hoping Sydney return from the bye a little rusty.

However that may be wishful thinking, as a star-studded Swans side packed with youthful exuberance may return from the week off re-fuelled and ready for a tilt at the title. The Lions will have to bring their A-game to combat Sydney’s runners and gunners.

Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans
Saturday, 5 August 
The Gabba @ 12.45pm (Gate 2 open at 12.30pm). 

The entire match will also be live-streamed below. 

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 6, 2017: Sydney Swans 15.12 (102) d Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65) at the SCG
Round 1, 2017: Brisbane Lions 17.9 (111) d Sydney Swans 12.13 (85) at BISP
Round 19: 2016: Sydney Swans 24.16 (160) d Brisbane Lions 3.7 (25) at BISP

TALKING POINTS

1. The Swans kick their goals from everywhere. They have a long list of small forwards and midfielders with the ability to kick a bag like Jordan Dawson, Will Hayward and James Rose, just to name a few. Expect Matthew Eagles to cover the tall forward, while a mammoth task awaits Brisbane’s defensive set up to curb the impact of the rushing tide of smaller goalkickers. Don’t be surprised if players who have spent more time up forward as of late like Liam Dawson and Ryan Harwood are sent back to help sure things up.

2. To find out the best way to inflict the Swans’ first loss since April Fools Day, the Lions may well look to that match for hints on how to get it done. Brisbane controlled possession, being patient and picking their way through a well-structured Sydney defence. They won the disposal count 399-302 and the marks 129-61 on the way to a 26-point victory

STATS THAT MATTER

The numbers don’t lie – the Swans have dominated the 2017 NEAFL season. Their 14 wins have been by a preposterous average margin of 85 points, with six of those wins being by over 100 points. The closest any side has got to defeating them since their Round 1 loss was 24 points, in Round 5 against NT Thunder in Darwin.

TEAM

In: 16. Jarrad Jansen 1. Ben Keays 21. Sam Skinner 39. Corey Lyons 33. Michael Close

Out: 22. Marco Paparone (injured) 55. Bailey Lambert (omitted) 54. Luke O’Sullivan (omitted) 45. Jack Frost (injured)