Swans the favourite to vanquish ghosts of 2014 in AFL Grand Final

THE Sydney Swans may be heading into the Grand Final as the $1.60 favourites at Sportsbet.com.au to win their second premiership in four years, but their lineup is far from cemented heading into Saturday.

The Swans elected to leave out injured duo former All-Australian Jarrad McVeigh and 2016 Rising Star winner Callum Mills from the side that overcame Geelong at the MCG on Friday night, but neither player is a certain starter coming into the weekend.

To compound John Longmire’s injury woes, emerging defender Aliir Aliir suffered a knee injury that saw him miss the majority of Friday night’s win, but the Sydney coach said the 22-year-old’s aliment was not as bad as once feared.

Longmire said that while the injured trio failed to train on Monday, they will be given until the end of the week to prove their fitness.

“Jarrad (McVeigh) and Callum (Mills) did what they had to do on Sunday, but we did make the decision last week not to push Jarrad.

“We think it was the right call in the end. He’s an experienced player, and they’ve got a bit more to draw upon as far as what they can play with, and what they can’t.

“We’ll see what Wednesday brings, and they’re all different.

“We expect Callum to do a fair bit, Aliir to do a little bit less, and with Jarrad we’re not quite sure yet.

“It’s all about how they pull up Thursday.”

The Bulldogs are facing a fresh injury concern after the season from hell in the medical department.

Ruckman Jordan Roughead was hit in the eye after a ball was booted into his face in the second quarter, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the Dogs’ amazing six point win over the Giants on Saturday night.

Ophthalmologist Dr Andrew Atkins, the man who examined Roughead after the injury, said the swingman is far from a lock for Saturday’s grand final.

“It’s a week away, so I don’t know at this stage.” Dr Atkins said.

“There won’t be any permanent damage to the eye, which is obviously good news, but it’s too early to know if he’ll be right for next week. We’ll just have to wait,”

If Roughead is unable to take his place it’s likely that forgotten big man Will Minson may get a call up to the senior side after playing a key role in Footscray’s VFL premiership victory on Sunday.

2016 AFL Grand Final Odds

Market provided by Sprotsbet.com.au

Sydney Swans – $1.60

Western Bulldogs – $2.40

2014 Grand Final hammering ‘won’t be happening again’ – Parker

Sydney is heading into Saturday’s Grand Final as the red-hot favourite to win its second premiership this decade, but star on-baller Luke Parker said his side will be taking nothing for granted.

The Swans entered the 2014 Grand Final as the team to beat against Hawthorn, but were embarrassed on the big day, and Parker said his side failed to focus in the week leading up to the decider.

“You can put it down to that.” Parker said in reference to his team’s lacklustre 2014 performance.

“You get caught up in the week, all the people patting you on the back for making the grand final and then you don’t show up on the day.

“All that outside noise we’ll focus on what we can inside the club. Grand finals aren’t just given to you. We’ve got to rock up with the mindset like tonight.”

Parker is one of many Swans who failed to fire on the big stage, amassing just 20 touches and three tackles; well down on his 2014 average of 25.9 disposals and six tackles.

The 23-year-old is averaging career-highs in both disposals and tackles in 2016, and will enter this year’s grand final as one of only five players in single figures for the Norm Smith medal at Sportsbet.com.au.

Parker is $9 to be adjudged best on ground on Saturday but the nuggetty midfielder said averages and reputations mean nothing heading into the most important game of the year.

“You don’t rock up on the day and think it’s just going to happen. It obviously doesn’t. We learn our lesson that way, I’m sure it won’t be happening again.”

Norm Smith medal market

Market provided by Sportsbet.com.au

Marcus Bontempelli $7

Josh P. Kennedy $8

Dan Hannebery $8

Luke Parker $9

Lance Franklin $9

Isaac Heeney $14

Luke Dahlhaus $16

Tom Mitchell $16

Lachie Hunter $18

Jason Johannisen $21

Matthew Boyd $21

Kieren Jack $21

Jack Macrae $23

Dane Rampe $23

Liam Picken $23

Tom Liberatore $23

Kurt Tippett $28

Jarrad McVeigh $34

Gary Rohan $34

Jake Stringer $34

Easton Wood $34

Clay Smith $34

Ben McGlynn $34

Caleb Daniel $34

Jake Lloyd $41

Aliir Aliir $51

Tom Papley $51

Callum Mills $51

Tory Dickson $51

Josh Dunkley $51

AFL Grand Final bookmaker promotions

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