AFL 2021 LIVE updates: Saints take on Swans at SCG in crunch clash
Key posts
- Not a great start to the day for Adelaide
- The numbers favour Swans
- Magnificent Mills the midfielder
- Swans kick accurately, Saints don’t
1 of 1
Not a great start to the day for Adelaide
The Crows have copped a $50,000 fine for a COVID breach. Here’s the full statement from the AFL:
The AFL confirms the Adelaide Crows have been fined $50,000 for breaching the AFL COVID-19 Protocols.
A number of Crows players and officials did not adhere to the applicable rule of wearing a facemask while on a commercial flight from Sydney to Adelaide last weekend.
The AFL, in conjunction with the club, investigated the matter and determined a number of officials and players did not wear their facemasks properly while on the flight.
The club has been fined $50,000, with 100 per cent of the sanction to be included in their Football Department Soft Cap.
AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon said there was simply no excuse for not abiding by the very simple applicable regulations.
“First and foremost, we all have a very clear responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to best protect the health and well-being of our family, friends and everyone in the community,” Mr Dillon said.
“The rule here is clear and has been in place for some time and there is simply no excuse for not abiding by it.
“We will not compromise the health and well-being of the community, and remind everyone in the industry – players, coaches, officials and staff – that they have a responsibility to adhere to the rules for the safety of everyone.”
It’s a beautiful day
Gorgeous conditions in Sydney
Big ins for both teams
Hunter Clark is back for the Saints, but the Swans also welcome back a key player in star ruckman Tom Hickey.
The numbers favour Swans
Of course, today’s game at the SCG was originally meant to be staged at Marvel Stadium, but was transferred as a result of Victoria’s latest COVID breakout.
It’s one of four games this weekend to switch venues.
After starting the year 4-0, the Swans’ form has been scratchier of late, going loss-win in their past six games and aiming for consecutive victories for the first time since round four today.
Importantly, a win for John Longmire’s side would see them be outside the top four by percentage alone by the end of the day. A win for the Saints, on the other hand, would see them stay in touch with the top eight.
Sydney also have the wood over St Kilda in recent years. The Saints did manage to finally beat the Swans last year, but before that, Sydney had won 10 in a row against the Saints and they haven’t lost to them at the SCG since 2009.
And after only winning six of 19 games at the SCG from 2018-2020, the Swans have turned their home ground into a fortress again, winning six of their last seven matches there.
St Kilda have only won two of their last 15 games at the SCG by a combined total of three points.
Last time they met: Saints solidify spot in top four with win over Swans
Clubs with feel good stories often become a second favourite team for footy fans.
That is, of course, until they start winning on a regular basis and become a serious threat to your own club’s flag aspirations.
Enter the 2020 incarnation of St Kilda, who snapped a 10-game losing streak to Sydney, with a six-goal final term, to march to an emphatic, 53-point victory over the Swans at the Gabba.
Click here to read the full report.
Callum Sinclair gets above Rowan Marshall as they challenge for the ball.Credit:Getty Images
Magnificent Mills the midfielder
Swans kick accurately, Saints don’t
St Kilda has recorded a shot at goal accuracy of 42.2 per cent across the season – ranked 17th. Sydney’s shot at goal accuracy of 51.6 per cent ranks third in the league behind Essendon (53.3 per cent) and West Coast (54.8 per cent). Max King has posted a shot at goal accuracy of 33.3 per cent – ranked last of the top-20 in the AFL for shots at goal.
Greetings, everybody
Hello everyone and welcome to our Round 12 edition of the mega Saturday live AFL blog.
Sydney and St Kilda kick things off today in the early game at the SCG, followed by a twilight meeting between Adelaide and Collingwood at Adelaide Oval.
But the best is definitely saved for last with the main event between Essendon and Richmond at a sold-out Optus Stadium for the first ever “Dreamtime in the West” match bringing us home later tonight.
Feel free to leave a comment throughout the day.
1 of 1
Most Viewed in Sport
Source: Read Full Article