Mike Pyke and his role in Round 22
Round 22 is here and Canadian Mike Pyke is in the thick of it for the Swans. With Shane Mumford struggling with a strained knee and possibly in doubt even for the first week of finals - Mike Pyke looms as the ruck key for the Swans in a battle for a home final.
The round 22 fixture this year has been different to previous seasons with the timeslots kept fluid until a few weeks back. The likely finals contenders are kept away from the last Sunday of the season. There are five matches scheduled for 'Super Saturday', and whilst there's no realistic chance of a team dropping out of the top eight, there is still some interest in the bottom half of the final eight.
At this point, we know that week one of finals will see Collingwood vs the Bulldogs and Geelong vs StKilda. The Top four has no important changes to occur and no interest around interstate home finals. The bottom half is another story altogether. As it stands, Fremantle and Sydney are in the box seat for home finals in week one.
Fremantle MUST defeat Carlton to retain fifth or sixth. If Hawthorn defeats Collingwood then the Hawks will overtake any of the Swans or Freo should they lose. Hawthorn could yet finish fifth. If Carlton wins they will overtake Freo on percentage and the Swans should they lose.
For the Swans, come Saturday night 7.10 pm at the Gabba - they will know the equation. Carlton will have battled Freo at Subiaco the night before, whilst Hawthorn will have played their cards that afternoon at the 'G.
The Swans will know whether only a win will do. And Mike Pyke, on the back of probably his best game will most likely lead the Swans into battle as the number one ruckman. Last week he produced some pretty good numbers to be listed amongst the Swans best. 13 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles and 13 hit outs. (Mumford had 20).
Pyke has an opportunity to grow further this week. He's been steadily improving in recent months and a couple of weeks back secured a full contract until end 2012; he may over the next two weeks have a super stage to display all that he's learned.
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