Swans leading from the back

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LANCE Franklin and Kurt Tippett have been grabbing the attention with their goal kicking feats but the Swans resurgence has been underpinned by a defensive effort which is equally impressive.

As Franklin and Tippett get the glory Ted Richards and his group of unheralded back men have quietly become the best defence in the AFL.

DEADLY SWANS THRASH CATS BY 110 POINTS

Going into Thursday night's match Sydney were already the top ranked defensive team conceding just 73.2 points per game, holding Geelong to just 38 points on Thursday night has lowered the mark to a measly 69.7 points per game.

Since turning their season around with their win over Fremantle the average opposition score is even lower at 57.8 points. Three of those six games have been against the top four teams of last year, Hawthorn, Fremantle and Geelong.

Geelong's Tom Hawkins and Sydney Swans Ted Richards battle during AFL match Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats at the SCG. pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

One of the key ingredients to the Swans success down back has the defender's ability to make tactical decisions on the field.

"Only having one runner means the communication between the coaches isn't as quick as it used to be," Richards told the Daily Telegraph.

"We need to sort out the match ups on the ground and we can't wait for the coaches communication it would be just too slow. We try to sort things out as quickly as we can just among ourselves.

"It doesn't come down to just the one person making the decision we all work together to get the match ups we think are right. We also try to work out what they are doing to us and try not to be dictated to as a defensive unit."

That tight defensive unit thrives on working for each other on the ground and in the air. It may be surprising but the most difficult task in the AFL right now it's taking a mark inside the Swans defensive 50.

Sydney lead the AFL in restricting marks in their forward line averaging just 7.4 opposition marks per game. Fremantle are second with 8.4 per game.

On Thursday night they restricted Geelong to just four marks for the whole match.

Ted Richards spoils David Myers. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

This was with Cats a forward line which boasts one of the most damaging full forwards in the game in Tom Hawkins.

"If the opportunity is there to help out a team mate especially with the high ball that's what we do," Richards said.

"It's a sign of when we are playing at our best when we work for each other. There have been plenty of my team mates who have stood in the space in front of the full forward and copped the hits in the back. Nick Malceski does it a lot and doesn't get the recognition for it he deserves."

Stability is another factor which is helping the Swans defence enormously. Richards, Heath Grundy, Nick Malceski, Rhyce Shaw, Nick Smith and Dane Rampe have all played in each of the Swans 10 games this season. Newcomer Jeremy Laidler has missed just one game this season.

While the stars in the forward line and midfield snare the headlines Richards and his team mates down back are happy to fly under the radar.

"One of the good things about the team is outside recognition isn't important," Richards said.

"Internally we really value each individual playing their role for the team. That's is one of the key parts of the culture we've got."

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Swann doubts Judd’s playing future

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OUTGOING Carlton chief executive Greg Swann doubts whether one of the club's greatest players Chris Judd will go on again next season.

Judd, who turns 31 in September, has yet to commit to playing on in 2015 after a frustrating season so far.

SWANN AT PEACE WITH BLUES EXIT

SWANN LEAVES, LIONS AWAIT?

The former Blues skipper tore his hamstring after only five minutes of play when coming on as the sub in the Round 5 game against Western Bulldogs, following from surgery on his Achilles during the pre-season.

"He said he would weigh it up at the end of this year, but I just think with these injuries he has had ... I'd say it is more unlikely than likely," Swann said on SEN.

"He's played one game and lasted five minutes. I think that will weigh on him.

"He told us at the end of last season that he might make a call at the end of the year., but in his own mind he thinks he is closer to the end than not.

Swann departs the Blues at the same time as president Stephen Kernahan. Source: News Corp Australia

"But if he finishes the season off (well), he might go again."

Swann said Judd trained superbly on Thursday and that if it was up to him, he would make his return against Geelong next Friday night rather than through the VFL.

"I'd play him, but I don't pick the team," he said.

"We know he is going to be a bit underdone ... but he is a champion. I am pretty sure (if he plays next week), then he won't be the sub.

"I was watching training (on Thursday) and he actually trained the lights out and I said to Mick (Malthouse) 'how come he's not playing this week?'

"He said: 'No, we are giving him a proper grounding before we play him."

"He has done all the training this week and he did a little bit last week, so he will have a good base going in to next Friday night's game against the Cats."

Swann will leave the Blues on June 23, the same day as Stephen Kernahan ends his presidency.

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Live Super Rugby: Reds v Highlanders

Will Genia plays his 100th game for the Reds tonight. Source: News Limited

THE final round of Super Rugby before the international break kicks off with the Crusaders hosting the Force in Christchurch in a match that has a huge bearing on both the Australian and New Zealand conferences.

Riding the wave of an amazing season, the Force will be looking to add the Crusaders to a list of high-profile scalps that already includes the Chiefs, Highlanders and Waratahs.

It won't be easy however with the Crusaders finding form at exactly the right time.

Following that match in Christchurch, we're off to Brisbane where the Reds will welcome the Highlanders to Suncorp Stadium.

Will Genia will play his 100th match for the Reds while the Highlanders need a win to ensure they don't lose touch with New Zealand pacesetters, the Crusaders and Hurricanes.

Follow both matches in our Live Blog below and check out Match Centre for stats and video!

Crusaders v Force

Reds v Highlanders

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Clarko still calling the shots

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HAWTHORN'S stand-in coach Brendon Bolton expects Alastair Clarkson to have some input into the team's operations while he recovers from Guillain-Barre syndrome.

But Bolton says that will come only if the dual premiership coach's doctors allow it — and if it is in the best interests of his recovery.

Bolton and general manager of football operations Chris Fagan visited Clarkson in hospital on Tuesday night, while chief executive Stuart Fox went in to see him yesterday.

The Hawks intends to ensure their second longest serving coach is allowed sufficient time to heal from his rare viral condition.

EXPERTS: CLARKSON SIDELINED FOR MONTHS

"Our main thoughts are with making him be able to relax and not have to worry and stress so he can focus on his family, in Caryn (his wife) and his kids and himself, to get back as quickly as possible," Bolton said.

"Knowing Clarko, he'll want to know absolutely everything, but that's OK.

"I'll touch base with the doctors, the medicos, Clarko himself, Caryn (his wife), to get a feel for what's best for his recovery.

"If he wants lots (of input) and that's OK, well I'll give him what he wants but if it only needs to be minimal based on him being able to recover and relax, that'll be the case."

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Fagan reiterated the club's position that Clarkson's health was the paramount concern.

"We are in the hands of the (medical) experts, and that's the way it should be with something like this," Fagan said.

"Our first priority and Alastair's first priority is his health, and he wants to do all the right things to ensure he is healthy again as soon as possible."

Bolton was the unanimous choice to take over as senior coach in Clarkson's indefinite absence.

"I'd say it's probably an opportunity for "we" to step up — that's our leadership group to fill a little bit of the void and we've got a terrific coaching staff, which have always worked as a group and a team," Bolton, 35, said.

"All it means is that there is one less person there and we've all got to take a little bit of what Clarko gives.

"Clarko has tried to create real sustainable processes — so while he's out, we can all just share the load.

"(The players) understand what's required and our coaches have been here and together for a number of years.

"What makes it easier is that everyone wants to share the load, both coaches and players, so I think it'll still work."

Bolton insisted he was not considering coaching the Hawks in September.

"I'd love to think that we're still competitive at that stage but at the moment, it's a week by week proposition," he said.

Newbold wrote to members yesterday, detailing the club's faith in Bolton in Clarkson's absence.

"Circumstances like this certainly put the game we play into perspective. There is nothing more important than our health, and the health of our families and friends, and that is why our club will give Clarko as long as he needs to fully recover," he wrote.

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Season stats prove Blues should win

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AS we all know, State of Origin's not played on paper. But what if it was? Would the outcome be any different?

Let's discount Queensland's obvious and legitimate advantages that give them heavy favouritism for this year's series.

They play two matches at their intimidating home fortress Suncorp Stadium and they have eight years of winning experience in the memory bank.

Put that aside, let's talk about form.

Breaking both teams down into the following categories: fullback, wing/centre, halves, props, hooker, backrow, bench, who holds the edge.

The superstar names favour Queensland, but does 2014 NRL form favour NSW? You might be surprised.

GALLERY

FULLBACK

This battle pits two of the game's genuine superstars against one another. Billy Slater has sealed his position as one of the greatest fullbacks of all-time. Jarryd Hayne is still building his legacy but his Dally M season of 2009 and his form this season has featured some of the most breathtaking football played by anyone, anytime. This season Slater's been more involved but Hayne's been more effective. Both have played all 10 games, Slater's had more possessions per game but Hayne's made more metres, more tackle busts, more tries, more try assists, more linebreak assists and the equal number of linebreaks. He's also made less errors and missed less tackles.

Who's got the edge? NSW

Jarryd Hayne has been one of the stars of the 2014 NRL season. Source: News Corp Australia

WING/CENTRE

The battle of the flanks pits Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings, and Daniel Tupou in the blue corner against Brent Tate, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis and Darius Boyd in the red corner. The NSW quartet has completed 39 of 40 NRL matches so far this season, while Justin Hodges and Darius Boyd have missed six matches between them through injury bringing Queensland's total matches down to 34.

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The NSW outside backs have tallied 19 tries to Queensland's 11, with Hodges and Boyd crossing the line just once between them. Linebreaks is also tilted heavily in favour of the Blues. Where Queensland have a big advantage is in the creative department, with Inglis and Hodges in particular racking up big numbers of linebreak assists and try assists. It's a pretty close contest but in just about every area Boyd has been a passenger. You can't afford passengers in Origin.

Who's got the edge? NSW

Brett Morris has been in dazzling form for the Dragons. Source: News Corp Australia

HALVES

It doesn't matter if you play this contest on paper or on a football field, the Bulldogs pairing of Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds are clearly outgunned by superstars Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston. Yes, NSW's rookie pairing have had an incredible season but even though they sit in lofty positions in the Dally M vote count, they're numbers still don't compare to the Maroons stars. Thurston and Cronk have eight tries to Hodkinson and Reynolds's 4.

The Queenslanders have eight linebreaks to the Blues' six. The experienced just edge the linebreak assists column but their dominant in try assists. They also kick for more metres per game and force more drop outs. Even on paper, it's a slaughtering.

Who's got the edge? Queensland

Johnathan Thurston is a class above of the halves in the NRL. Source: News Corp Australia

PROPS

This looks to be an evenly matched contest and that's probably how it will play out on the field. But so far this NRL season, the outstanding prop by the length of the straight has been Matt Scott, so for now he wins this category for Queensland.

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While Nate Myles's stats are probably just overshadowed by James Tamou and Aaron Woods in 2014, Scott leads the way in tries (three), average possessions, average metres, tackle busts (by a big margin), and linebreaks and has made the least errors and missed tackles. Throw in Myles's massive workrate in defence and you've got a winning pairing, albeit by a fairly narrow margin.

Who's got the edge? Queensland, just

Matt Scott has led the way for the Cowboys. Source: News Corp Australia

HOOKER
Cameron Smith has been considered the pre-eminent hooker in the game for the best part of a decade but over the past two seasons, debate has quietly surfaced over whether Robbie Farah had started to put his nose in front. The Tigers skipper isn't going to win that argument too often but when it comes to the 2014 NRL season, he's comfortably got the edge.

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Putting aside the three games he missed with injury, Farah has been nothing short of outstanding. Pitted against Smith he averages more possessions per game, more runs, more average metres, more average metres per run, more tackle busts, more linebreaks, more linebreak assists, more try assists and more tackles. On paper, it's no contest.

Who's got the edge? NSW

Robbie Farah has staked his claim for world's best hooker this season. Source: News Corp Australia

BACKROW

Once again this is a pretty tight battle but the hot form of Broncos backrow pairing Corey Parker and Matt Gillett appears to give the Maroons a narrow edge. Paul Gallen's been outstanding since returning for the Sharks and he sits alongside Parker when it comes to the best individual numbers. Gillett's the next rung down, and then Hoffman, McQueen and Scott are difficult to split. On the defensive end the Queensland trio make more and miss slightly less tackles than their NSW counterparts.

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They've also scored convincingly more tries and had more linebreaks. Somewhat surprisingly, Gallen is out on his own when it comes to creating points. He's easily the stats leader in try assists and linebreak assists. The Blues have the edge in average metres but Queensland have a clear advantage when it comes to tackle busts and offloads.

Who's got the edge? Queensland

Corey Parker is in incredible form coming into Origin I. Source: News Corp Australia

BENCH

Laurie Daley and Mal Meninga have selected two benches to perform quite different tasks. While the Blues have got four forwards — two to play tight and two to play wide, Queensland have got three backrowers and a half. Daly Cherry-Evans is in the same class as Thurston and Cronk, while Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams, and Trent Merrin are three of the most in-form forwards in the NRL this season and they've got the Queensland trio of forwards comfortably covered in the stats department. Just look at running metres, which will be vital off the bench in this series: Watmough, Williams and Merrin all average over 100 metres per game, leaving Guerra, Te'o and Papalii in their wake — each are in the 70s. The Blues also easily win the tackles and offloads category and have scored more tries.

Who's got the edge? NSW

T-Rex could be the x-factor to get NSW over the line. Source: News Corp Australia

THE VERDICT

NSW 4 d Queensland 3

It's been a long time coming, but finally the Blues have something to cheer about.

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Live blog: Countdown to kick-off

Join our live blog as we cover all the build up as well as the game. Source: DailyTelegraph

IT is less than an hour till kick-off in State of Origin I, the 100th time the teams have clashed in this epic contest.

For New South Wales, this is judgement day. All the changes, all the talk - now it's time to back it up with actions.

For Queensland it's all about keeping cool and driving the seemingly unstoppable Maroon machine to another victory at Fortress Suncorp.

Join the converstion with our game day live blog as we keep you up to date with all the breaking news and colour of the build up and get you through from kick off to the final whistle!

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Live: Sharks v Rabbitohs

Monday night football: Sharks v Rabbitohs. Source: FoxSports

BOTH of these sides have been hit with State of Origin losses.

Nathan Merritt will replace superstar fullback Greg Inglis and Ben Lowe returns to cover for Ben Te'o.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis are also on Origin duty and Chris Heighington and Tinirau Arona have been named in their place.

For the Rabbitohs, the likes of John Sutton and Adam Reynolds will be eager to perform after having missed Origin selection.

For rolling updates follow tonight's match centre.

For exclusive pictures and polls, follow the action in our live blog below:

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LIVE: Socceroos v South Africa

Tim Cahill will lead the squad in Sydney. Source: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

WORLD CUP spots are up for grabs as the Socceroos take on South Africa, but the international friendly at ANZ Stadium in Sydney is also a chance for the Australian public to say farewell to our side ahead of its journey to Brazil.

Ange Postecoglou's squad leaves on Wednesday, so this is the squad's final hit-out on home soil before taking on the might of Chile, Netherlands and Spain in June.

Follow all the action as it unfolds in our live blog below, and join in and have your say throughout the evening.

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Magpie Brown to undergo shoulder surgery

Magpie Brown crashes to the ground in a marking contest. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

COLLINGWOOD'S defensive depth will continue to be tested after luckless stopper Nathan Brown was ruled out for the season with another shoulder injury.

Brown was yesterday told he would need an operation on a dislocated shoulder suffered in his comeback game against West Coast, the same one he dislocated in Round 2.

His backline colleague Jack Frost is also in danger of missing the St Kilda clash on Friday night as he battles to convince the club he has shrugged off concussion.

Meantime forward-turned-defender Ben Sinclair did his hamstring in the VFL and could be out for as long as two months.

The news comes as the Pies declared Ben Reid possibly a month away from playing his first game of the year after a frustrating battle with a calf injury.

Collingwood director of football Rodney Eade said Brown, who also missed 2011 with serious knee injuries, would need 16 weeks to recover from shoulder surgery.

"It stayed out of the socket for quite a while and there was a bit of damage," Eade told the Collingwood website.

"After meeting the surgeon today it's been decided that he'll have an operation later in the week so that will be the rest of the year for him. He's got a couple of little ailments as well, he needs a knee scrape so we'll get that done over that period."

Magpie Nathan Brown cradles his injured shoulder. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Eade said Frost would be closely monitored this week before he was declared fit to face the Saints.

THE BAROMETER: Who's hot, who's hurt

"It didn't seem that big a knock, but he was pretty crook at half-time and after the game," he said.

"He's pulled up pretty well today so fingers crossed he'll be able to play on Friday, but he'll have an assessment and train on Wednesday."

Reid's highly-anticipated return has been delayed again, this time by fixturing.

"He was available for selection this week, but he'll need to come back through the reserves," Eade said.

"Unfortunately the reserves have got a bye this week so that delays his comeback by another week. In AFL Round 12 he'll be playing in the reserves and then he'll probably need a week or two at that level before being back in the seniors.

"From Ben's point of view he's been frustrated as well.

Scans revealed Sinclair had hamstring bleeding, with further tests to be performed next week.

"Best case it's three to four, but worst case could be eight to 10," Eade said.

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