The Sydney Swans year of redemption has taken a significant step forward in the last month, with their performance against Hawthorn a fortnight ago particularly ominous. At 7-2, John Longmire’s side is sitting pretty in third position nearing the halfway point of the season. A thick, even spread of contribution across the board sees Sydney on another path towards a late date in the season. And after last year’s capitulation at the big dance, they appear one of the hungrier outfits in the competition this season.
 
One of the prime movers in the competition is Dan Hannebery. Aside from Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe, you would be hard-pressed to find a bookmaker in the country without the hardnosed Swan at the pointy end of their odds. Already a genuine A-grader, Hannebery has rebounded from a disappointing season by his standards last year, to drive the Swans engine room. Along with last year’s Bob Skilton medallist, Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh, Sydney has arguably the most potent midfield in the game. And once you include Lewis Jetta, Tom Mitchell and Harry Cunningham into the mix, you understand the true meaning of the word ‘depth’.
 
Adam Goodes has attracted headlines like not many other footballers in the last decade or more. His war cry in the opening half against Carlton last weekend has dominated talkback forums and filled more newspaper pages than any other story in the last week. But what got lost in the wash up was his performance against the Blues. After stepping down to the NEAFL following round two and staring down the barrel of mortality, Goodes has returned for the last five games after a two-game stint in the reserves. His form hasn’t been near his Brownlow medal winning best, but he has performed his role with precision. Against Carlton, the two-time premiership star collected a season-high 21 possessions, five inside 50s and kicked two goals to demonstrate his worth.
 
After being held scoreless against Hawthorn for the first time since round 20, 2009, Lance Franklin returned serve with a vengeance against Carlton at the SCG. The triple Coleman medallist has been slightly patchy in 2015 but his best has been right out of the top drawer. His supporting act, Kurt Tippett, has drawn widespread criticism throughout the opening two months and in the last week in particular. Tippett has kicked 16.7 from nine starts in 2015, with a haul of four goals against Melbourne his best return. With Franklin beside him, the former Crow isn’t required to steer the ship. But, a healthier disposal and goal tally will silence his critics.

Key Players

Statistically, he may not have dropped off much at all last season, but Dan Hannebery wasn’t quite as good as he was in his All Australian season of 2013. But in the opening nine weeks, he has gone above and beyond that breakout season and emerged as one of the best players in the competition this season. If Nat Fyfe wasn’t having as dominant a year as he is having, more attention would be paid to the opening two months constructed by the courageous onballer. Hannebery is averaging a career-high 30.1 possessions (ranked 5th in the competition), 5.3 clearances, 5.3 tackles and 5.6 inside 50s. Pencil him in for another All Australian guernsey, and don’t wait too long to jump on him for the most coveted individual award in the game. The premiership Swan leads John Longmire’s side for metres gained with an average of 415.6m – his drive and power on transition capable of cutting opposition sides apart. It may have taken a few years, and maybe due to his stocky appearance, but Hannebery is now being lauded as the best gut runner in the game. Anyone that has watched the endurance goliath closely marvels at his unbelievable ability to keep running when the petrol gauge is empty. Or should be empty.
 
A seven-goal, best-on-ground performance by Lance Franklin last weekend was a timely reminder of how destructive he can be. Admittedly Carlton were severely undermanned with Simon White manning him early, but no one could have stopped him last Friday night. With no blemishes on his scoresheet, Franklin produced a very un-Franklin-like performance. In comparison to his earlier effort against Greater Western Sydney where he booted 5.5, a tidy Buddy is capable of just about anything. When Tippett plays close to home, Franklin can inflict damage higher up the ground as well. And that’s exactly what he did against the Blues with a season-high seven inside 50s and 22 possessions. After nine rounds, the spearhead has booted 27.18 to sit in fourth position in the Coleman medal race – ten goals behind runaway leader Josh Kennedy.
 
Reigning Bob Skilton medallist Luke Parker has picked up where he left off last year with a generous helping of early season dominance. The contested ball winning animal has produced few better performances than his effort against Geelong in round seven when he gathered 31 disposals, 11 marks, six inside 50s and five goals. His contested to uncontested ball percentage is in favour of the former, emphasising his insatiable thirst for the contest. Parker’s ability to complement the likes of Hannebery, Kennedy and Jack is what makes this midfield such a force. They are like a well-drilled army platoon, all fully aware of their designated roles. For a player taken at pick No. 40, he has quickly emerged as another steal by revered recruiting boss Kinnear Beatson. Hannebery was taken at 30 as well to highlight the shrewd recruiting by Beatson and the Swans list management team.

Key Match Up

With Gold Coast defender Rory Thompson still sidelined with a hip injury, the SUNS remain undermanned in defence despite the return of May from suspension. With both Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett inside 50, it is likely that May will spend time on both key posts at different times, leaving the inexperienced Henry Schade to have to sit on one of them. A tough task for any player, let alone one with five games of senior experience. Given the job May performed on Hawthorn triple premiership star, Jarryd Roughead, expect the SUNS No. 1 defender to go to the man who is in the best form on the night. As it stands, that man is clearly Franklin. But there’s every chance that could change. Another factor will be who plays closest to goal, Rodney Eade and the coaching staff won’t want Franklin to go one-on-one with Schade deep inside 50, like he did against Carlton’s Simon White at the SCG last Friday night.

Recent Results

Rd. 9 Sydney 19.8 (122) def Carlton 9.8 (62) @ Sydney Cricket Ground
Rd. 8 Sydney 11.7 (73) def Hawthorn 9.15 (69) @ Melbourne Cricket Ground
Rd. 7 Sydney 18.12 (120) def Geelong 11.11 (77) @ ANZ Stadium
Rd. 6 Sydney 12.16 (88) def Melbourne 7.8 (50) @ Melbourne Cricket Ground