“100 per cent,” Lindsay Thomas said when asked whether a trip to Sydney is one of the toughest in football.
With Sydney at 7-2, fourth on the ladder and undefeated in the last eight matches at the SCG, the stage is set for North on Friday night.
The Swans have enjoyed a settled start to 2016. Of their 29 players used, 23 have made six or more appearances.
Out of that base, there has been the emergence of talented youngsters to help the strong start along.
The likes of Zac Jones (21 years old, seven games), Tom Papley (19 years old, eight games) and George Hewett (20 years old, eight games) have been quite valuable.
Meanwhile academy products Isaac Heeney (20 years old, nine games) and Callum Mills (19 years old, nine games) have often looked like experienced veterans, such is their level of composure.
In addition to the youth performing well, the Swans have been a formidable force in 2016, thanks to their experienced core maintaining their usual high standards.
The midfield has been particularly impressive. Dan Hannebery (almost 31 disposals per game), Luke Parker (almost 29 disposals per game) and Kieren Jack (23 disposals per game) have all had their usual share of the Sherrin. But last week, there was another man to step up.
Tom Mitchell, largely known for his ball-winning abilities, was given a defensive role on Hawk Sam Mitchell. The Swan comfortably won the matchup, keeping the four-time premiership player to 15 largely ineffective disposals, while still gathering 21 himself.
Coincidentally, it was at about this time last year that a Roo – Ben Jacobs – started making headlines for his tagging ability, kick-started by his job on a Swan (Hannebery). There’s every chance the reverse could happen on Friday night based off Mitchell’s performance against Hawthorn.
Sydney’s forward line has been dominated by one man – Lance Franklin.
The 29-year-old is currently leading the Coleman Medal with 37 goals and appears every chance of approaching the magical century in his current form.
While Franklin is undoubtedly the main forward close to goal, it’s by no means a one-man show for the Swans.
Kurt Tippett, now playing as a ruck-forward instead of the opposite, has still kicked 15 goals for the season. At ground level players like Papley (11 goals), Ben McGlynn (nine goals) and Hewett (eight goals) have all chipped in, while the midfielders can also get forward and hurt opposition sides on the scoreboard.
If the Roos are to win their 10th consecutive game for only the second time in their history, they’ll have to turn in a consistent performance in every area of the field.
