The Fremantle AFL legend is playing consecutive games for his boyhood Lions in a first since recommitting to the club, and finally got to sing the song after their victory over Mansfield last week in a moment more than two decades in the making.
It shapes as a fascinating match-up after the late heart-stopping drama that defined their previous meeting; this weekend carries all the more significance.
Seymour and the Swans set for a scuffle (avg. per game)
Contested possessions: 128.9 (11th) - 150.6 (first)
Contested marks: 15.7 (third) - 17.9 (first)
Clearances: 32.7 (12th) - 40.1 (fourth)
Kicking efficiency: 66% (t-2nd) - 61% (ninth)
Midfield tackles: 40.2 (fourth) - 39 (fifth)
One of the key takeaways is that hardly anything — if anything at all — will be easily earned.
This is especially true in the marking game, where both sides can lay claim to some of the most aerially proficient contributors going around.
The home side has its regularly scheduled pillars at either end, with spearhead Riley Mason (38 contested marks) and Lachlan Waite (32 intercept marks) providing the mitts of steel.
First use of the ball could prove pivotal, given the Swans’ dominance in the contest, showing no shortage of willingness to throw themselves around.
A large — imposing, even — part of that fact comes from their mountain in the middle, with Mark Kovacevic leading the contested possession count among his side and eighth in the league.
It’s hard to step out of such a shadow, but Zac Alderton has more than made the most of the wealth of chances Kovacevic has afforded his on-ballers with 6.2 clearances, 11.4 contested touches and 8.1 ground ball gets a game.
Mundy-mania always tends to galvanise those around him at Kings Park, though, and there’s good reason to believe the midfield tide can turn when he’s added to the mix despite the small sample size.
In his three games this year, Mundy has averaged an impressive 14 contested touches and five clearances an outing and he’ll be one to turn to if Seymour wishes to keep its season hanging on.
It’s, of course, relatively cliched to suggest the midfield is where Saturday’s encounter is likely to be won and lost.
That said, with such similar levels of pressure in both teams’ respective engine rooms in terms of one-percenters and tackles in the centre, it’s perhaps never been truer for these sides.
ˑ One FM will broadcast the Goulburn Valley League match between Shepparton United and Echuca from 1.30pm on Saturday and Sunday's Kyabram District League fixture between Longwood and Avenel, on air from 2pm.
