Still a bridge too far for Giants

GWS Giants key forward Jonathon Patton is ready to make his mark on the competition. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph

IT might look like a mismatch on paper but the battle between the reigning premiers and wooden spooners will be a lot closer than many think.

With a season under their belts the GWS Giants are more settled and less starry-eyed than round one last year, when they fielded a massive 14 debutants.

As expected the Swans have been slow to kick into gear after winning the premiership and have been patchy in the NAB Cup.

They will need to get their hard edge back in this match or the Giants could spring an upset. The Giants are significantly bigger after a big summer in the gym and have added more than 100kg to their total bodyweight.

They also had an impressive NAB Cup campaign, going close against finalists Brisbane and Carlton and beating a full-strength St Kilda to gain plenty of confidence.

They also have their young forwards Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton fit and firing. It will make for an enthralling contest in the forward line given the Swans had the best defence in the AFL last year.

KEY MATCH-UPS

TED RICHARDS V JEREMY CAMERON: A great match-up, the Swans' best defender against the Giants' best forward. Cameron has put on weight and will be a bigger challenge for Richards this time around.

The Giants will need to move the ball fast to give Cameron as many one-on-ones as possible.

HEATH GRUNDY V JONATHON PATTON: Jon Patton now has a full pre-season under his belt and has shown what all the fuss was about when he was drafted at No. 1 in 2011.

Heath Grundy is a clever player who knows how to use his body well.

KIEREN JACK V TOBY GREENE: Kieren Jack loves playing against the Giants, he picked up 32 possessions in both games last year. Watch for a big game from him. In a team of super midfielders Toby Greene stole the show last year and is looking to add goalscoring to his bag of tricks.

TACTICS

The premiers will want to make their mark early and quash any hopes of an upset. With a 4.40pm start warm weather could test a number of underdone Swans.

GWS will look to use their speed and run the Swans around; if they can be close near the end they have shown they are good finishers.

VERDICT

Swans by 24 points

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