An unsung Sydney hero will attempt to shut down Geelong superstar Georgie Prespakis in a midfield match-up that could determine their AFLW semi-final.
Tanya Kennedy is expected to make a beeline for Cats ball-winner Prespakis at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday as the Swans look to continue their improbable premiership push.
The 33-year-old Irishwoman was instrumental in the club’s 29-point elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs, locking down midfield gun Isabelle Pritchard.
Pritchard, on return after being sidelined for a fortnight with a knee injury, was kept to just 14 disposals and three clearances.
It was well below Pritchard’s season average of 24.3 disposals and 6.6 clearances.
In her duel with Pritchard, Kennedy had laid a whopping 17 tackles and also managed to slot one goal.
Prespakis was allowed by Melbourne to run rampant in last week's qualifying final and had almost orchestrated a dominant victory for Geelong with 34 touches and eight clearances.
The Demons came to life late to pull off a four-point victory and claim bragging rights over former premiership coach and current Cats boss Mick Stinear.
Swans captain Lucy McEvoy wouldn’t be drawn on the club’s tactics for Saturday’s semi-final, but backed Kennedy to have the same impact.
“She's had a few big scalps over the past few weeks,” McEvoy said.
“The best thing about Tanya is she's not just a tagger. She can get her hands on the ball and be really damaging.
“Even whilst she does do the job defensively, we know that once she gets the ball she's got breakaway speed and she's really strong in the contest.
“We're lucky enough to have her on our side. I would hate playing against her.
“No doubt she'll have a job this weekend on someone, whoever that is. We'll figure that out.”
McEvoy expects to have the mental edge over the Cats after watching their fourth-quarter capitulation to the Demons.
Geelong had soared to a 28-point lead before the Demons stormed home with the last five goals of the game.
Chloe Scheer marked and had a shot at goal for Geelong with 20 seconds left, but the Cats forward missed.
Sydney haven't played Geelong this season, but beat the Cats by five points in round three last year.
“I hope they are a little bit rattled,” McEvoy said.
“We know they're going to be hard to beat back at GMHBA as well … and we're hoping Geelong maybe just have a little dent in their confidence.
“But they've got experienced players and I know (star midfielder) Nina Morrison really well. She won't allow that at all.”
