The ‘unique’ Docker standing between the Swans and another grand final

After completing an intense week of training on Friday afternoon, Swans players were divided on what to do that evening. Some wanted to watch the semi-final between Fremantle and Geelong, which would determine their opponent in next weekend’s preliminary final. Others were happy to tune out of footy for the night and wait until they reconvened to begin the forensic analysis of their next match.

The Swans who did tune in to the Dockers’ tense 14-point victory at Optus Stadium were treated to an exceptional performance from ruckman Luke Jackson, with the onus now shifting to how to stop him at the SCG.

Swans coach Dean Cox, one of the AFL’s greatest ever ruckmen, will be aware that if Sydney can nullify Jackson, another grand final is possible.

Jackson was a key man in Fremantle’s minor premiership, but the Dockers are by no means a one-man band. Jackson was joined on this year’s All-Australian team by four teammates: Shai Bolton, Jordan Clark, Murphy Reid and Josh Treacy. Against the Cats, Bolton was outstanding, kicking two goals and finishing with 26 disposals. But it was Jackson who flipped the game.

With five minutes left of the third quarter, Fremantle had conceded three successive goals and their home crowd was tense. Jackson, a former Australian under-17 basketball star, finished the quarter with eight disposals, two goals, four score involvements and 12 hitouts.

In their previous meeting this season, in Perth in July, the Swans held a two-point lead at the end of the third quarter before Fremantle kicked nine goals in the final term to win by 38 points and underline their premiership credentials.

In that game, Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy had 29 hitouts to Jackson’s 26, with Fremantle also able to utilise Mason Cox, who had 10 hitouts. The Swans do not have a deputy with the experience of Cox, having recently used forward Hayden McLean to relieve the veteran Grundy at stoppages.

Grundy’s dominance has been a foundation of Sydney’s finals run, but against Jackson in the preliminary final he will face one of the biggest tests of his career. Grundy cannot match Jackson’s scoring threat, with the Fremantle ruck averaging a goal a game and finishing the season with 27 majors, a rarity for his position.

But in the core skill of hitouts, Grundy averages 34.3 a game compared to Jackson’s 25.7. Grundy also possesses an ability to act as an auxiliary midfielder when needed and will need to do so to curb Jackson’s influence.

The Swans’ midfield trio of James Rowbottom, Jai Serong and Errol Gulden combined beautifully in their qualifying win against Brisbane to help dominate clearances, but a lot of their success came through Grundy’s dominance at stoppages.

Grundy’s presence in the Swans side has transformed their ability to score from clearances. According to Champion Data, no player has averaged more hitouts-to-advantage at centre bounces than Grundy (3.9) since 2024.

This season, the Swans rank No.1 for scores from clearance, and they have 14 wins and 0 losses when they outscore the opposition from clearance, highlighting the importance of Grundy’s ability to outwork Jackson.

Fremantle will travel to face a heavily depleted Swans team missing the suspended Riley Bice, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Nick Blakey. Captain Callum Mills is also missing from the backline after suffering an ACL injury against Brisbane, depriving them of vital on-field leadership.

History is not on Fremantle’s side at the SCG. Fremantle have won six times at the stadium and lost 14 times. However, more recently, Fremantle have won two out the last three games at the SCG dating back to 2023. The AFL will on Sunday confirm the date and time of the preliminary final.

In his post-match press conference on Friday, Geelong coach Chris Scott was full of praise for the impact of Jackson.

“I always hesitate to say unique, but he’s as close as there is to unique in that position as there is in the competition,” Scott said.

The Swans also have their own unique ruckman. The contest between them will go a long way to deciding which side progresses to the grand final.