THIS should be one of the games of the season and quite possibly a preview of this year's Grand Final. The Swans have been outstanding in winning their past 12 matches and could be bolstered by the return of Kurt Tippett and Dan Hannebery to an already-powerful side. But Josh Gibson and Brad Hill are back for Hawthorn, which is inching closer towards full strength at the right time of the year. The teams are evenly matched, but the Hawks might have the edge in outside run - and that counts for plenty at the MCG.




WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday July 26, 7.40pm AEST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

PAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2014, Sydney Swans 15.17 (107) d Hawthorn 13.10 (88) at ANZ Stadium
1QF, 2013, Hawthorn 15.15 (105) d Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) at the MCG
R23, 2013, Hawthorn 17.10 (112) d Sydney Swans 16.4 (100) at ANZ Stadium
R7, 2013, Hawthorn 18.11 (119) d Sydney Swans 12.10 (82) at the MCG
GF, 2012, Sydney Swans 14.7 (91) d Hawthorn 11.15 (81) at the MCG

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THE SIX POINTS
1. When the Sydney Swans beat Hawthorn in round eight, Kurt Tippett booted four goals, Dan Hannebery was the standout with 40 possessions and two goals and Lance Franklin kicked 2.7 against his old side.

2. The Hawks are averaging 57.7 inside 50s a game this season, the most in the AFL. The Swans are next best at 56.7 a game.

3. In 156 contests between these clubs, Hawthorn holds the edge, 86-68, with two draws.

4. The Sydney Swans will need to create history to beat Hawthorn. The Swans have won 12 straight games since round five – the fourth time they have won a dozen consecutive matches – but have never won 13 in a row.

5. Hawthorn has kicked the most goals this season – 274 in 16 games. The Swans are fourth with 224 goals, also in 16 games (Port Adelaide and Fremantle have played one more game and kicked 256 and 226 respectively).

6. Swans Kieren Jack (eighth), Josh Kennedy (ninth) and Lance Franklin (10th) will be the highest-ranked players on the ground on Saturday night in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Jarryd Roughead is the leading Hawk at No.15.

PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 10 points