AFL: Swans and Power battle for grand final spot

A place in the AFL grand final is up for grabs when Sydney and Port Adelaide clash at the SCG on Friday night.

Sydney finished the regular season at the top of the ladder, with Port Adelaide in second, and now they will battle it out in the first preliminary final of the week.

The Swans can be backed at 2.40 to go on and win the grand final, but first they have to overcome a Port side that are 8.00 to go all the way.

With home advantage on their side, Sydney are in the box seat to book a grand final spot, but Port Adelaide cannot be written off.

Both sides head into the game on the back of hard-fought wins, and another close battle could be on the cards at the SCG.

The winner will go on to play either Geelong or Brisbane in this years grand final.

. What: Sydney v Port Adelaide
. Where: SCG, Sydney
. When: 19:40 (AEST), Friday 20th September
. How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo, Channel 7
. Odds: Sydney 1.33, Port Adelaide 3.35

Swans back in form

Sydney have won the last four games on the bounce and should head into the prelim full of confidence.

They edged out Greater Western Sydney by six points in the qualifying final, and following a week off, should be fresh and ready to go.

However they do have one big selection dilemma as captain Callum Mills has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Coach John Longmire now has to decide whether to replace him with defender Robbie Fox or midfielder Taylor Adams.

The Swans have a shocking record against the Power, losing the last eight games, including a 112-point thrashing in Adelaide on 3rd August.

However Longmire says that result is in the past and will have no effect on his players ahead of Friday night’s clash.

Sydney are now back in top form and are priced at 5.50 to win by 25-36 points.

Isaac Heeney was a revelation in the win over GWS, booting three goals and collecting 30 disposals.

Heeney can be backed at 13.00 to kick the first goal of the game, or 1.22 to score at anytime.

Farrell pushing for Port start

Port Adelaide defender Kane Farrell is facing a race against time to try and make Friday night’s clash.

Farrell has been missing with a hamstring injury, but is back in training and doing all he can to be available.

Ryan Burton and Charlie Dixon are also facing late fitness tests before coach Ken Hinkley can name his side.

Port have a great record against the Swans, but winning a preliminary final in Sydney is still a huge ask.

Even so, they can be backed at 6.50 to win by 1-12 points, and the gritty win over Hawthorn proved they have the stomach for the fight.

Mitch Georgiades booted three goals in the win over Hawthorn and is 11.00 to boot the first on Friday night.