SYDNEY has had time to reflect on its troubling end to the home and away campaign but now faces a major test of its depth as it hosts a qualifying final against two-time reigning premier Brisbane.
The Swans locked in a top-two finish with one round remaining but will be without Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice for the rest of the season due to a club suspension. A victory over a lacklustre North Melbourne in round 24 was Sydney's fifth in a row against non-finalists and should boost its hopes that it can overcome the loss of five key players. But the Swans are also staring at a worrying record against the leading teams this year with only one win – against the Lions in round one – in six matches against the rest of the eventual top six.
The Lions have mastered timing their run towards a premiership tilt in recent years and are primed for another finals campaign after winning 10 of their past 11 matches by an average of 48 points. That stretch of victories includes a resounding win against Sydney as well as triumphs over fellow top-six sides Hawthorn and Geelong, with Brisbane's only blemish in that time a thumping defeat to Carlton. The Lions will be licking their lips at the opportunity to face the undermanned Swans in a qualifying final on the road with the prize of a home preliminary final there for the taking.
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