A match that had loomed as a critical fixture for ladder positions, possible home finals and even premiership favouritism has lost a little of its lustre. Defeat in two of the Swans' past three fixtures means they can no longer finish in the top two and earn a home final in week one. The best they can now hope for is third and that would require a percentage-boosting win over Hawthorn and for Fremantle to suffer a huge upset loss to St Kilda. The Swans' dip in form appears to be partly as a result of its mounting injury toll, which added another name in Dan Hannebery (knee) from last week's loss to Geelong.
None of the above, however, takes away from what still should be a fascinating clash between last year's Grand Final combatants. The Hawks can sew up the minor premiership, which would mean these two sides meet again in the first week of September. Swans coach John Longmire has already said he won't be keeping any cards up his sleeve and will expect his side to play its usual tough, contested football in preparation for its premiership defence. Will Hawks counterpart Alastair Clarkson adopt the same attitude, or will he hold back a few aces in preparation for a potential showdown the following week?
WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Friday, August 30, 7.50pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R7, 2013, Hawthorn 18.11 (119) d Swans 12.10 (82) at the MCG
GF, 2012, Swans 14.7 (91) d Hawthorn 11.15 (81) at the MCG
R22, 2012, Hawthorn 15.12 (102) d Swans 14.11 (95) at the SCG
R5, 2012, Swans 16.10 (106) d Hawthorn 10.9 (69) at Aurora Stadium
1SF, 2011, Hawthorn 19.8 (122) d Swans 13.8 (86) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Luke Hodge starred the last time these sides met, Hawthorn's 37-point win in round seven this year. That was their first meeting since the 2012 Grand Final.
2. The Swans have won five of the past eight clashes against Hawthorn dating back to 2010. Overall, the Hawks lead the head-to-head battle 84-67, with two draws.
3. There was only one change to the top 10 in the Official AFL Player Ratings this week, Lance Franklin's move from 13th to 10th after his five-goal haul against North Melbourne. It was his first time back in the top 10 since round eight this year. For the Swans, Kieren Jack (6) and Josh Kennedy (8) remained steady, despite the team's loss to the Cats.
4. This will be Hawthorn's second trip to ANZ Stadium. Its only other visit to the Olympic venue was in round two, 2009, when the Swans prevailed by 38 points. The Hawks have won their past two trips to Sydney, however, both at the SCG in 2011 and 2012.
5. Mike Pyke, Shane Mumford and Josh Kennedy have been key figures for a Swans side that is ranked first for both hit-outs and clearances in 2013. Hawthorn is sitting sixth and ninth respectively.
6. The Hawks' 2411 total points scored this season has them ranked first in that category to the Swans' fourth (2144). The premiers are the AFL's top-ranked tackling side, laying 71.2 per game, while Hawthorn is ranked ninth (63.8).
