Match day guide and preview for the 2022 AFL round 19 game between the Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows.

Match details

Who: Sydney Swans vs Adelaide Crows

When: Saturday 22 July, 1.45pm AEST

Where: SCG

Weather: Min 12 max 18. Chance of rain 90%, 3 to 5 mm

Click here to buy tickets.

Head-to-head record since 1991: Played 43. Swans 18 wins. Crows 25 wins.

Teams

Swans

IN:

OUT: Harry Cunningham (medi-sub)

No changes to the Swans side that beat Freo in Perth last week. Veteran Josh Kennedy has been named as an emergency after returning from a hamstring injury in the VFL last week.

Crows

IN:

OUT: James Rowe (medi-sub)

The Crows have also kept the same team that almost upset the Pies at home last week.

Click here for complete team line-ups.

Season so far

Sydney Swans 6^th – 120.8% | 1546 points for | 1280 points against | 11 wins 6 losses | WWLWL

The Swans have put in two of their best performances of the season in the last two weeks to put themselves back in the premiership mix.

After a slow start against Fremantle last week, Sydney took control of the game by chipping the ball around and using their foot skills to pierce the Dockers zone. It was different to how the Swans usually played but it showed they are capable executing different game styles.

While there are no easy games in the AFL this year, the Swans have a pretty favourbale draw over the last five weeks and a spot in the top four beckons.

Adelaide Crows 16^th – 83.8% | 1292 points for | 1542 points against | 5 wins 12 losses | LLLWL

It has been another difficult season for the Crows, managing just the five wins so far as they continue to rebuild.

They played well last week against the Pies, pushing them all the way to end but just couldn’t quite get over the line.

Former Swan Jordan Dawson has been one of their best this season, while Rory Laird continues to play consistently good footy.

While they don’t have much to play for in terms of finals, the Crows and coach Matthew Nicks would love to finish the season strongly to carry into next year.

Last 5 meetings and SCG history

• 2021 round 2: Swans 18.13 (121) defeat Crows 11.22 (88) at SCG
• 2020 round 1: Crows 11.5 (71) lost to Swans 11.8 (74) at Adelaide Oval
• 2019 round 2: Swans 8.14 (62) lost to Crows 12.16 (88) at SCG
• 2018 round 5: Swans 10.15 (75) lost to Crows 12.13 (85) at SCG
• 2017 round 22: Crows 11.14 (80) lost to Swans 13.5 (83) at Adelaide Oval

Not much between these sides in recent times with Sydney holding a 3-2 edge, while three games have been decided by ten points or less.

The Swans were too strong for a wayward Adelaide outfit early last year at the SCG, but the Crows have actually had a good recent record at the venue.

Adelaide have won two of the last three meetings at the SCG and six of the last ten.

Key players

Sydney – Chad Warner

Warner has had a breakout season for the Swans, with his form over the last few weeks as good as anyone in the AFL.

Over the last three weeks, the 21-year-old has averaged 28.3 disposals per game, 11.3 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 10.3 score involvements and has kicked 6 goals. Not bad for a bloke that has played just 31 AFL matches.

The beauty of Warner is that he really damages his opponents when he gets the footy, through his elite ability to burst from stoppages, break tackles and hit the scoreboard.

Sydney haven’t had a damaging midfielder like Warner for quite some time and given he’s getting more notice than ever before, it might be a matter of time before opposition club’s start employing a tag against one of the most exciting youngsters in the competition.

Crows – Jordan Dawson

The Swans were desperate to keep Dawson at the end of last year, but the talented left footer decided to return home and has been brilliant in his first year at the Crows.

The 25-year-old had his breakout year last season at Sydney, but has improved his numbers at Adelaide, averaging 24.4 disposals per game, 7.1 marks, 6.2 rebound 50s, 3.6 inside 50s and has kicked 9 goals.

He’s such an important part of this Adelaide side, with his elite ball use coming out of the backline a real weapon for the Crows.

Sydney will be looking at ways to limit his influence on the game so Ryan Clarke could get the tagging job. If Clarke is too undersized for the job, Will Hayward could also be an option to keep Dawson accountable.

Pre match predictions

Flying Fox: Robbie Fox to continue his strong form for Sydney with 20 touches and 10 marks.

Off Keays: Adelaide’s Ben Keays to have less than 20 disposals for the first time this year.

Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.

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