Lance Franklin has ex-club Hawthorn on notice, but its the Hawks flexible forwards thatll keep Sydney on high alert when they duel for the AFLs top spot.The second-placed Swans will rely on their league-best defence to combat the reigning triple premiers at the SCG on Thursday night.Key in who triumphs in the latest chapter of this fierce rivalry will be how well the hosts contain flying small forwards Paul Puopolo, Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli.The Swans have conceded the fewest points against in the competition thanks to their knack for reducing scores from the turnover.But defence coach Henry Playfair said the Hawks adaptability up front presented Sydneys defensive set-up with a specific challenge.With Breust, Rioli, Puopolo, theyre dangerous anywhere up the ground and deep, and they mix it up a lot, Playfair told AAP.(Jack) Gunston as well, whos that medium-sized or taller target they kick to a fair bit.The fact that theyre so flexible makes them quite dangerous, and makes it hard for your defence to get set.So well have to be on our toes and ready for anything, because they keep the ball alive as well which is the other unpredictable part.Nick Smith will spend time on Rioli, as he did when the Swans beat Hawthorn seven rounds ago.But like many battles, hell be a shared responsibility.Well have to be open because Rioli goes in the middle and gets up high up the ground, Playfair said.Hes really found some form and is back to his dangerous best which is really hard to handle.Sydney are high on confidence after last weekends away win over Geelong.Assistant coach Stuart Dew said it was crucial to maintain momentum in the business end of the season.We need to consolidate it and knock off a top team, Dew said.Theyre the best team in the comp so we expect a physical game.Jeremy Laidler wont take part after suffering a hamstring injury playing in the NEAFL last weekend. Cheap Cecil Cooper Jersey . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Wholesale Brewers Jerseys .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. http://www.cheapbrewersjerseys.com/ . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Cheap Brewers Jerseys China . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Cheap Brewers Jerseys . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Samuel Girard to a three-year, entry-level contract.Predators general manager David Poile announced the signing Wednesday.Girard, 18, has spent the past two seasons with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues Shawinigan Cataractes. He had 10 goals and 64 assists during the 2015-16 sseasons.ddddddddddddThe Predators selected Girard in the second round of the 2016 Entry Draft with the 47th overall selection. He skated over 20 minutes Tuesday in the Predators preseason game with the Florida Panthers. ' ' '
