Talking points

u After being blessed on the injury front last year, the Swans can’t take a trick. Arguably eight of their best 23 will be missing today.

u North will also take an unsettled line-up into today’s game with at least six changes after a raft of injuries last week.

u Can Lance Franklin turn back time? With so many injuries to the Sydney tall forwards, so much will rely on what sort of impact he will have.

u George Wardlaw will make his long-awaited debut for the Kangas. The No. 4 selection at the 2022 NAB AFL Draft will add class and hardness.

u Swans coach John Longmire has a 14-3 record against the team for which he played in a premiership.

Ashley Browne

Prediction: Sydney Swans by 20 points

Grand Final Start Time

u One of the game’s time-honoured traditions will remain intact with the 2023 Grand Final set to start at 2.30pm at the MCG on Saturday, September 30. Incoming chief executive Andrew Dillon is a strong supporter of daytime Grand Finals, but in making the announcement this week, the League noted the “great presentation of a twilight event” and said that future start times would be reviewed.

PIES’ FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

u Ladder-leading Collingwood is the new star attraction of the AFL following the release of the rounds 16-23 fixtures. The Magpies will feature in four Friday night blockbusters, taking on the Western Bulldogs (round 17), Carlton (round 20), the Geelong Cats (round 22) and the Brisbane Lions (round 23). The fixture for round 24, will be announced one month before. See fixture page 52.

Away record: 44-41-1

Home record: 48-33

Highest score: 24.8 (152), round 11, 1996, at Princes Park.

Lowest score: 5.9 (39), round 16, 1963, at Arden St Oval.

Greatest winning margin: 107 points, round 18, 2001, at the SCG.

Longest winning sequence: 14, round 11, 1929, to round 8, 1937.

Most goals in a game: 11, Lindsay White, round 15, 1942, at Princes Park.

Clarkson Steps Away

u North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has stepped away from the club indefinitely as he continues to deal with the fall-out of an investigation into alleged mistreatment of First Nations players in his time at Hawthorn, allegations he strongly refutes. The club said Clarkson will have “whatever time he needs to restore his health”. Brett Ratten becomes interim senior coach.