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Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns Tips - Swans to shade the Swans in Gather Round shootout

adam-cusworth
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Last updated: Mon 06 Apr 2026 23:47
In an exhilarating upcoming clash, the Sydney Swans are set to compete against the Gold Coast Suns. Both teams enter with an impressive 3-1 win-loss record. The Swans are strategizing to exploit their lead in metrics such as metres gained, clearance, and contested possession to challenge the Suns, fresh off their first defeat of the season against Melbourne. The game is anticipated to be high-scoring, with Sydney's offense averaging 120 points per game. Key players such as Charlie Curnow and Ben King are likely to play leading roles in this thrilling showdown.
Adam Cusworth 06 Apr 2026
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  • Sydney Swans and Gold Coast Suns both have 3-1 records.
  • Sydney is expected to leverage their strategic dominance in key areas.
  • The match promises to be high-scoring with both teams excelling offensively.
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Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns SCG
Brodie Grundy shapes as a key player for Sydney against the Gold Coast Suns (Getty Images)

Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns Preview


Sydney can hand Gold Coast back-to-back losses in what shapes as a Gather Round shoot-out at Norwood Oval. 

The two sides come in with 3-1 win-loss records, with the Suns tasting defeat for the first time this season when going down to Melbourne by 20 points at the MCG, while Sydney provided West Coast a reality check in Perth, knocking over the Eagles by 128. 

Like Melbourne did last week, Sydney have the profile to beat the Suns at their own game. The Swans rank No.1 in the AFL for metres gained and sit ahead of Gold Coast for both clearance differential and contested possession differential, which becomes critical after the Suns were exposed in those areas against Melbourne.

The ruck battle looms as the defining factor with Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts going at it. Witts had his colours lowered by Max Gawn and will be out to rebound. 

Grundy was outstanding again last week with 28 disposals and 33 hitouts, and if he can give first use to the Swans’ midfield, Sydney’s ball movement through the corridor should create repeat scoring looks.

Expect the Round 5 fixture to turn into a shootout. These are the top two scoring sides in the AFL in 2026, with Sydney averaging 120 points per game and Gold Coast 118, so scoreboard pressure should remain constant throughout. That sets up Charlie Curnow 3+ goals and Ben King 3+ goals as strong same-game multi angles with the Swans getting the edge in the head to head. 

  • Sydney have won three of the past four matches between the two sides
  • Charlie Curnow has booted nine goals in his past two matches against Gold Coast
  • Ben King has kicked 19 goals from four matches this season, hitting the 3+ in each
  • Sydney average 120 points per game in 2026, Gold Coast average 118. 

Head to Head


Gold Coast were 38 point winners against an undermanned Swans outfit in Round 7 last season at the Gold Coast with Ben King (5 goals), Bailey Humphrey (4) and Jed Walter (3) al having scoreboard impact. Sydney claimed the three games prior to that. 

Christian Petracca has had 25+ disposals in his past four matches against Sydney and Ben King has kicked 17 goals in his past five against the Swans. For Sydney, Charlie Curnow had booted nine in his past two against Gold Coast, while Justin McInerney has had 25+ disposals in his past two. 

Sydney Swans Form Analysis


Sydney sit 3-1 and have registered some big winning margins so far, giving West Coast a brutal reality check to win by 128-points last weekend, restricting the Eagles to just four goals in the 4.11 to 24.19 scoreline. 

They burst out of the blocks in 2026 with a 63-point win over Carlton, followed by a 44-point victory over an undermanned Brisbane side then went down to Hawthorn by 17 points.

Isaac Heeney and Charlie Curnow booted four goals each against West Coast. Curnow now has four goals from his first four matches as a Swan and is looking more at home. Joel Amartey has 11 from four matches, while Heeney has eight from three. 

Justin McInerney is averaging 25 disposals per game this season, while Brodie Grundy has been a strong presence in the ruck and picked up a game-high 28 disposals against the Eagles to go with his 33 hitouts. 

Sydney Swans Team News


The Swans are unlikely to make too many changes to their side following the big win over West Coast. Malcolm Rosas was a late withdrawal from the Eagles match with a calf injury and will be assessed during the week, while Isaac Heeney made a successful return from injury.

Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis


The Suns come into this with a 3-1 win-loss record, tasting defeat for the first time this season in the 89-109 loss to Melbourne. The loss was also the first time they have been kept under 100 points this season, having scored 125 points or more in their three matches heading in with their victories against Geelong by 59, West Coast by 58 and Richmond by 68.  

The turnaround against Melbourne came in the middle of the ground where they were beaten in hitous, clearances and contested possessions, leading to fewer inside 50s. Noah Anderson (22 disposals) and Touk Miller (21) were down on normal output, while the 2025 Brownlow Medallist, Matt Rowell, had just 13 in his return match. 

Ben King booted three goals to take his tally to 19 for the season, while Ethan Read also chimed in with three. King has kicked 3+ goals in eight of his past nine home and away matches. 

Gold Coast Suns Team News


There were no injuries for the Gold Coast against Melbourne. Rowell was quiet in his return but will improve with the run under the belt. Christian Petracca is edging closer to a return from a hamstring injury, while Bailey Humphrey still has a week of his suspension to serve. Ben Jepson, Alex Davies and Ned Moyle were solid in the Suns VFL side last weekend and may get a look in should Damien Hardwick decide to make changes. 

Verdict

Swans to edge past Suns in high scoring match with Charlie Curnow and Ben King amongst the goals at either end
Best Bet1: Sydney Swans Win @21/25 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Charlie Curnow To Score 3+ goals @17/20 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Ben King To Score 3+ goals @6/13 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Over 192.5 O/U @7/8 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
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