Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly has Port Adelaide counterpart Dean Brogan covered in round nine last year
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Where and when: Manuka Oval, Sunday February 22, 3.40pm AEDT
Broadcast: Fox Sports
PRE-SEASON FORM GUIDE
Sydney Swans: The Swans don't have a strong history in the pre-season competition, not winning a game since Paul Roos' first full season as coach in 2003. Last year, they were pipped by Hawthorn by two points in Tasmania, a match infamous for Roos' revealed instruction to Jarrad McVeigh to miss a goal in the late stages. In 2007, they were beaten by the Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval. The year before that they fell to North Melbourne at the same venue.
Port Adelaide: Competitive summer hit-outs haven't brought much recent success for the Power either. Last year, they lost at home to Carlton by 15 points but started on a winning note in 2007 – pipping rival Adelaide by three. A week later, they stumbled in a Darwin quarter-final against Geelong with three points the margin again. In 2006, Adelaide thrashed them by 72 points in the first round.
PREPARATION
Sydney Swans: The club has made no secret that the turnovers and poor decision-making of 2008 have been a main focus of pre-season training. Cardio work has been integrated with skill-based drills in the summer regime. Off the field, the Swans have seen further changes to a list that looked settled at the start of November; Irish defender Tadhg Kennelly returned home a year earlier than expected and Nic Fosdike retired with a knee injury. Now veteran Leo Barry (knee) is on the long-term injury list.
Port Adelaide:
The Power are determined to win this match and will not hold back in fielding experienced players before the season proper. Brendon Lade and Peter Burgoyne were stand-outs in the club's recent six-period practice match against Sturt and Port Adelaide Magpies. Chad Cornes and Steven Salopek were also moving well, and while returned midfielder Josh Carr sat out that game, on Sunday he'll wear the Power colours for the first time since 2004.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sydney Swans:
Rhyce Shaw: The importance of this former Magpie's shift to the Swans swelled when Kennelly announced he was heading home. Shaw's run-and-carry ability will be crucial for the Swans this year as they look for new drive from defence. He'll also be keen to impress at his new club.
Mike Pyke: All eyes will be on the former Canadian rugby union international who arrived at the Swans via December's NAB AFL Rookie Draft. Roos believes the 24-year-old has shown enough improvement since then to warrant a competitive hit-out, and he's set to get that on Sunday when he combines with Darren Jolly in the ruck.
Jarred Moore: After a breakthrough season in 2008, Moore was recently named in the Swans' nine-man leadership group. The 22-year-old was voted in by his teammates and is the youngest of the group. It will be interesting to see if the new title helps lift him to another level this year – starting this weekend.
Port Adelaide:
Josh Carr: It won't be a totally unfamiliar sight when Carr runs out on Sunday, given he played 105 games for the club between 2000 and 2004. While the tenacious onballer walked out to join Fremantle, he has been welcomed back to Alberton with open arms. Now 28, will the move give Carr a whole new lease on life?
Hamish Hartlett: The highly-touted midfielder is a strong chance to make his pre-season debut nearly three months after joining the club at No.4 in the NAB AFL Draft. Hartlett has recently overcome a post-season shoulder reconstruction and is ready to go. With beautiful skills and awareness, his first run will be one to watch.
Danny Meyer: The former Tiger is rookie-listed after the Power threw him a lifeline in December. The South Australian is back in familiar territory and has seemingly settled in well, booting two goals in the club's recent scratch match and demonstrating impressive athleticism.
SUMMARY
We know Paul Roos isn't a big fan of the pre-season competition, given his side's bleak strike-rate over the last six years. The Swans will send a young side to Canberra, punctuated by the odd senior player, and haven't shied away from their disinterest in the result. Meanwhile, Port Adelaide will send a much stronger outfit and have stated their desire to win.
PREDICTION
Port Adelaide by 22 points
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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