The two teams competing at the MCG on Sunday afternoon have each traversed a long and arduous path since their previous encounter on a sweltering March evening in Sydney a season and a half ago. Both experienced periods of success at various times last year. The Demons ran out of steam in midseason while the Swans went on to narrowly miss the ultimate prize in the sport. Now, they find themselves outside of finals contention as the season approaches the halfway mark. 

The winner this week will remain in contact with the leading pack, while the loser may well find itself on a precipice, staring into the abyss. 

The current season has presented numerous challenges for most clubs, particularly those positioned in the middle tier. The Essendon experience in suffering a significant 91-point loss to the Bulldogs, just one week after defeating the Swans, may not be typical, but it illustrates the unpredictability of outcomes under the league’s present set up. 

Narrm travelled into hostile territory in Brisbane last week and demonstrated that, following a period of struggle under coach Simon Goodwin's revised game plan, the team has finally adapted, embracing the changes with renewed energy and enthusiasm, as evidenced by their accelerated ball movement and enhanced overall gameplay. 

All I can say is, “Vive la différence!”

That difference is between a style of play that had them among the bottom three or four clubs in the competition in the following statistical categories from Rounds 0 to 5 through an unbelievable transformation from Rounds 6 to 10 —

• Fifth in points for.

• First in contested possession differential.

• Second in inside 50 differential.

• First in tackling differential and

• Second in clearances differential.

These statistics provide a clear indication of the differences between the current combination and the one observed earlier in the season. Our visual assessment and intuition are confirmed by the data, highlighting the distinct characteristics of this team. 

Nevertheless, securing a victory over Sydney will be a formidable challenge, given their exceptional midfield including that mercurial duo of Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, who are both performing at an elite level. The Swans also possess ample pace around the wings and flanks, which has historically caused difficulties for the Demons. 

One of Narrm’s greats in Christian Petracca is likely to be matched up against one of the Swans’ gun midfielders in his 200^th game for the club. Not only will he be pumped up for action against the likes of Heeney because of his fantastic milestone, but to turn the tables on him for the ridiculously staged specky that Heeney took over him in that insufferable Colgate Ad!

The ruck division is also expected to be a fiercely contested area, with former teammates Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy facing off for the first time since last year's Round Zero clash, in which Grundy emerged victorious. Max Gawn, being a proud individual, will be determined to prevent a repeat of this outcome. 

With the anticipated return of Jake Lever and Jack Viney, the former of whom will be renewing his defensive partnership with Steven May for the first time since late last year, I believe that Narrm possess a new-found stability that the Sydneysiders will struggle to counter. 

I am therefore placing my confidence in the resurgent Narrm Demons, anticipating their continued success and a victory over one of last year's grand finalists for the second consecutive week. If the Dees can capitalize on their scoring opportunities, which they have been unable to do at all this year, let alone consistently, it could even result in a significant victory for them.

Narrm by 37 points.

THE GAME 

Narrm vs Sydney Swans at the MCG on Sunday 25 May 2025 at 3.20pm      

HEAD TO HEAD 

Overall Narrm 96 wins Sydney Swans 118 wins 2 drawn
At The MCG Narrm 51 wins Sydney Swans 47 wins 2 drawn
Last 5 meetings Narrm 2 wins Sydney Swans 3 wins 
The Coaches Goodwin 4 wins Longmire 8 wins 

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Sydney Swans 12.14.86 defeated Melbourne 9.10.64 in Round 0 2024 at the SCG

 The weather was hot and humid, the ground squelched under the players’ feet and the Demons had difficulty getting the ball through the big sticks against an improved Sydney unit.

THE TEAMS (to be loaded when available)

NARRM

SYDNEY SWANS 

Injury List: Round 11

Jack Viney  — concussion / Test 

Marty Hore — calf / 3 - 4 weeks

Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season

Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season

5 hours ago, Demonland said:

The two teams competing at the MCG on Sunday afternoon have each traversed a long and arduous path since their previous encounter on a sweltering March evening in Sydney a season and a half ago. Both experienced periods of success at various times last year. The Demons ran out of steam in midseason while the Swans went on to narrowly miss the ultimate prize in the sport. Now, they find themselves outside of finals contention as the season approaches the halfway mark. 

The winner this week will remain in contact with the leading pack, while the loser may well find itself on a precipice, staring into the abyss. 

The current season has presented numerous challenges for most clubs, particularly those positioned in the middle tier. The Essendon experience in suffering a significant 91-point loss to the Bulldogs, just one week after defeating the Swans, may not be typical, but it illustrates the unpredictability of outcomes under the league’s present set up. 

Narrm travelled into hostile territory in Brisbane last week and demonstrated that, following a period of struggle under coach Simon Goodwin's revised game plan, the team has finally adapted, embracing the changes with renewed energy and enthusiasm, as evidenced by their accelerated ball movement and enhanced overall gameplay. 

All I can say is, “Vive la différence!”

• Fifth in points for.

• First in contested possession differential.

• Second in inside 50 differential.

• First in tackling differential and

• Second in clearances differential.

These statistics provide a clear indication of the differences between the current combination and the one observed earlier in the season. Our visual assessment and intuition are confirmed by the data, highlighting the distinct characteristics of this team. 

Nevertheless, securing a victory over Sydney will be a formidable challenge, given their exceptional midfield including that mercurial duo of Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, who are both performing at an elite level. The Swans also possess ample pace around the wings and flanks, which has historically caused difficulties for the Demons. 

One of Narrm’s greats in Christian Petracca is likely to be matched up against one of the Swans’ gun midfielders in his 200^th game for the club. Not only will he be pumped up for action against the likes of Heeney because of his fantastic milestone, but to turn the tables on him for the ridiculously staged specky that Heeney took over him in that insufferable Colgate Ad!

The ruck division is also expected to be a fiercely contested area, with former teammates Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy facing off for the first time since last year's Round Zero clash, in which Grundy emerged victorious. Max Gawn, being a proud individual, will be determined to prevent a repeat of this outcome. 

With the anticipated return of Jake Lever and Jack Viney, the former of whom will be renewing his defensive partnership with Steven May for the first time since late last year, I believe that Narrm possess a new-found stability that the Sydneysiders will struggle to counter. 

I am therefore placing my confidence in the resurgent Narrm Demons, anticipating their continued success and a victory over one of last year's grand finalists for the second consecutive week. If the Dees can capitalize on their scoring opportunities, which they have been unable to do at all this year, let alone consistently, it could even result in a significant victory for them.

Narrm by 37 points.

THE GAME 

Narrm vs Sydney Swans at the MCG on Sunday 25 May 2025 at 3.20pm      

HEAD TO HEAD 

Overall Narrm 96 wins Sydney Swans 118 wins 2 drawn
At The MCG Narrm 51 wins Sydney Swans 47 wins 2 drawn
Last 5 meetings Narrm 2 wins Sydney Swans 3 wins 
The Coaches Goodwin 4 wins Longmire 8 wins 

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Sydney Swans 12.14.86 defeated Melbourne 9.10.64 in Round 0 2024 at the SCG

 The weather was hot and humid, the ground squelched under the players’ feet and the Demons had difficulty getting the ball through the big sticks against an improved Sydney unit.

THE TEAMS (to be loaded when available)

NARRM

SYDNEY SWANS 

Injury List: Round 11

Jack Viney  — concussion / Test 

Marty Hore — calf / 3 - 4 weeks

Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season

Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season

5 hours ago, Demonland said:

That difference is between a style of play that had them among the bottom three or four clubs in the competition in the following statistical categories from Rounds 0 to 5 through an unbelievable transformation from Rounds 6 to 10 —

• Fifth in points for.

• First in contested possession differential.

• Second in inside 50 differential.

• First in tackling differential and

• Second in clearances differential.

These statistics provide a clear indication of the differences between the current combination and the one observed earlier in the season. Our visual assessment and intuition are confirmed by the data, highlighting the distinct characteristics of this team. 

Nevertheless, securing a victory over Sydney will be a formidable challenge, given their exceptional midfield including that mercurial duo of Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, who are both performing at an elite level. The Swans also possess ample pace around the wings and flanks, which has historically caused difficulties for the Demons. 

One of Narrm’s greats in Christian Petracca is likely to be matched up against one of the Swans’ gun midfielders in his 200^th game for the club. Not only will he be pumped up for action against the likes of Heeney because of his fantastic milestone, but to turn the tables on him for the ridiculously staged specky that Heeney took over him in that insufferable Colgate Ad!

The ruck division is also expected to be a fiercely contested area, with former teammates Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy facing off for the first time since last year's Round Zero clash, in which Grundy emerged victorious. Max Gawn, being a proud individual, will be determined to prevent a repeat of this outcome. 

With the anticipated return of Jake Lever and Jack Viney, the former of whom will be renewing his defensive partnership with Steven May for the first time since late last year, I believe that Narrm possess a new-found stability that the Sydneysiders will struggle to counter. 

I am therefore placing my confidence in the resurgent Narrm Demons, anticipating their continued success and a victory over one of last year's grand finalists for the second consecutive week. If the Dees can capitalize on their scoring opportunities, which they have been unable to do at all this year, let alone consistently, it could even result in a significant victory for them.

Narrm by 37 points.

THE GAME 

Narrm vs Sydney Swans at the MCG on Sunday 25 May 2025 at 3.20pm      

HEAD TO HEAD 

Overall Narrm 96 wins Sydney Swans 118 wins 2 drawn
At The MCG Narrm 51 wins Sydney Swans 47 wins 2 drawn
Last 5 meetings Narrm 2 wins Sydney Swans 3 wins 
The Coaches Goodwin 4 wins Longmire 8 wins 

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Sydney Swans 12.14.86 defeated Melbourne 9.10.64 in Round 0 2024 at the SCG

 The weather was hot and humid, the ground squelched under the players’ feet and the Demons had difficulty getting the ball through the big sticks against an improved Sydney unit.

THE TEAMS (to be loaded when available)

NARRM

SYDNEY SWANS 

Injury List: Round 11

Jack Viney  — concussion / Test 

Marty Hore — calf / 3 - 4 weeks

Shane McAdam — Achilles / next

5 hours ago, Demonland said:

The two teams competing at the MCG on Sunday afternoon have each traversed a long and arduous path since their previous encounter on a sweltering March evening in Sydney a season and a half ago. Both experienced periods of success at various times last year. The Demons ran out of steam in midseason while the Swans went on to narrowly miss the ultimate prize in the sport. Now, they find themselves outside of finals contention as the season approaches the halfway mark. 

The winner this week will remain in contact with the leading pack, while the loser may well find itself on a precipice, staring into the abyss. 

The current season has presented numerous challenges for most clubs, particularly those positioned in the middle tier. The Essendon experience in suffering a significant 91-point loss to the Bulldogs, just one week after defeating the Swans, may not be typical, but it illustrates the unpredictability of outcomes under the league’s present set up. 

Narrm travelled into hostile territory in Brisbane last week and demonstrated that, following a period of struggle under coach Simon Goodwin's revised game plan, the team has finally adapted, embracing the changes with renewed energy and enthusiasm, as evidenced by their accelerated ball movement and enhanced overall gameplay. 

All I can say is, “Vive la différence!”

That difference is between a style of play that had them among the bottom three or four clubs in the competition in the following statistical categories from Rounds 0 to 5 through an unbelievable transformation from Rounds 6 to 10 —

• Fifth in points for.

• First in contested possession differential.

• Second in inside 50 differential.

• First in tackling differential and

• Second in clearances differentials

It's funny all those stats we have come roaring back into elie in are the ones we dominated in 2021 our premiership year.

As @binman (and i) have said repeatedly you need to play to your strengths and the new game plan is just another string to the bow not our solution.

We can't compete at elite and precision kicking there is no point taking on teams with that when we are not elite at it.

We can compete with our old strengths back, a little less predictability and a few kids like Langdon, X and Windsor who can kick.

That Colgate ad is all the incentive Tracc needs (as if he needs any) to crush Heenan.

Go Dees!

15 hours ago, Wrecker45 said:

It's funny all those stats we have come roaring back into elie in are the ones we dominated in 2021 our premiership year.

As @binman (and i) have said repeatedly you need to play to your strengths and the new game plan is just another string to the bow not our solution.

We can't compete at elite and precision kicking there is no point taking on teams with that when we are not elite at it.

We can compete with our old strengths back, a little less predictability and a few kids like Langdon, X and Windsor who can kick.

One man’s poor kicking ability is another man’s poor decision making.

Ours has always been the latter - our game plan for years minimised the clarity of where one would kick it so it has been a hard habit to shake.

For example and against popular opinion, Petracca is a fine kick - he hasn’t had to take the extra .5 of a second that players of his ilk should take to make a better decision and also lower his eyes when territory is not as important as it used to be. Now he is more inclined to take that extra time and deliver a better outcome.