AFL Eagles vs. Swans tips – Kennedy or Franklin for most goals?

Thursday, April 13, 2017, 8.10 pm AEST, Domain Stadium, Perth, Watch live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.

A PIVOTAL round four match looms for the Sydney Swans as they travel to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium.

The Swans fell agonisingly short against the Magpies last Friday night.

After being blown away early, the home side hit the front in the last quarter, only to have the Pies take the lead again late in the match to seal a one-point win. It was the second time in two weeks the Swans have surged to the lead late in a game, only to concede late and go on to lose.

The Swans now face an incredibly-tough road trip, then a difficult rivalry match up against the Giants in a fortnight’s time. The Swans could go 0-5 for the first time in John Longmire’s coaching tenure, which would put his perfect top-eight record in serious jeopardy, but the coach is refusing to look that far ahead.

“That’s not as important as this Thursday, and that’s all we can focus on,” Longmire said.

“We can understand outside discussions about where we sit (on the ladder) and our opportunities at the end of the year, but internally it’s very much about (putting) one foot in front of the other, and getting that right.”

The Eagles were disappointing losers last week against the Tigers in Melbourne. The Eagles led midway through the last quarter but were outgunned by the home side for the reminder of the second half to taste defeat for the first time this season.

Despite the loss, the bookies are favouring the Eagles early in the week.

The home side is the $1.37 favourite at Sportsbet.com.au, but they would have to turn over a poor record against the Swans at Domain Stadium if they are to win on Thursday.

Sydney has won five of the last six matches between the two sides in Perth.

Josh Kennedy predictions

Reigning Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy had an unusually quiet game against the Tigers last week, collecting just ten disposals and booting two goals.

Prior to that, the former Blue had nailed 11 goals from the opening two games of the season, including a seven goal haul against North Melbourne away from home in round one.

Kennedy loves playing at Domain Stadium and given Sydney’s backline is not even close to the formidable force it was in the past we are backing the full forward to boot five or more goals on Thursday night.

Tip: Josh Kennedy to score five or more goals ($2 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Jake Lloyd predictions

The 23-year-old former rookie Jake Lloyd has been a revelation since forcing his way into the Sydney side.

The prolific on-baller has already proven that he is not a one-season wonder too, averaging over 30 disposals across the opening three rounds of the 2017 season.

Taking a look through the disposal markets, we were stunned to see the $2.40 on offer for Lloyd to make it three weeks in a row collecting 30 or more touches, but we are more than prepared to snap up those odds.

Tip: Jake Lloyd to have 30 or more disposals ($2.40 at Sportsbet.com.au)

Match predictions

Match result: West Coast Eagles to win ($1.37 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Line betting tip: West Coast Eagles -17.5 ($1.92 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Bonus bet: Josh Kennedy to score the first goal of the match ($6 with Sportsbet.com.au)

It is only a month into the season but it is already do-or-die for the Sydney Swans in 2017.

Unfortunately for John Longmire and his men, the match that they need to win right now is arguably the toughest road trip in the AFL – a journey to Perth to face the offensive juggernaut that is the West Coast Eagles.

On paper, unless Lance Franklin puts in a goliath effort and the Swans midfield combines for over 120 disposals, we do not know how they can match the running prowess and the offensive firepower that the Eagles possess.

The Swans looked slow in the midfield last week, and it could be more of the same on Thursday.

Andrew Gaff, Lewis Jetta and Luke Schuey all have fantastic breakaway speed and work tremendously hard running forward, which could expose the likes of Kennedy and Parker who struggled to match Collingwood’s hard-working midfield last week.

The Eagles have too much class across the ground for the Swans, who are going to go into the Battle of the Bridge against GWS in round five 0-4 unless they can pull something special out of the fire.

We do not see that happening and we are recommending punters take the Eagles at the -17.5 point line on Thursday night.