Battered Bloods have it over Blues in hardness Experienced: Shane Mumford. 1 Have Sydney's injuries finally taken their toll? The Swans' lengthy injury list this season has placed added responsibility on their senior players and the extra burden is starting to tell. In the past three weeks they have been beaten by 19, 21 and 54 points in the second half, feeding perceptions they are running out of gas. The Blues, in contrast, have posted stunning victories in the past fortnight after giving up huge starts. The Swans' extra two days of rest will help but they might also want to be carrying a decent lead into half-time. 2 Battle of the big men Sydney's giants failed spectacularly last week but they have a golden chance to atone after Matthew Kreuzer's withdrawal. A battle of attrition will suit the seasoned bodies of Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke against Blues beanpole Robert Warnock and youngster Levi Casboult. Warnock and Casboult are also not known for their defensive capabilities which will make Mumford and Pyke dangerous targets inside Sydney's forward 50. Warnock, however, is a deft tap ruckman. Both sides rely heavily on winning contested possessions so the ruck duel will be critical to the game. 3 How much will the Swans miss Adam Goodes? The Swans have not had Adam Goodes since round 13 and, up until recently, were doing OK without him. After 12 weeks out, it's likely he would have been more of a role player than a match-winner. His absence, and that of Gary Rohan, may rob the Swans of pace but it also means they have just the one player short of match practice - Lewis Jetta - rather than three, which would have been a huge risk in a final. Shane Biggs and Harry Cunningham might be green but at least they are not entering the game with doubts over their fitness. 4 Who will stop Chris Judd? Ryan O'Keefe has been the Swans' primary midfield stopper this year though if the Swans want an opponent who can also hurt the Blues offensively Kieren Jack could be an option as he has also had success on Judd in the past. Whoever gets the job should understand its importance as Judd has turned in some herculean performances against the red and white. He won the Norm Smith Medal playing for West Coast in 2005, almost single-handedly lifted Carlton over the line in a final three years ago and in 2011 delivered one of his best home-and-away games in the wet at the SCG. 5 Who will win and why? Since the introduction of the new finals system in 2000 only two sides have bowed out of September in straight sets, though few teams have been as banged up as the Swans are in 2013. The extra two days off should freshen up the Swans though the Blues, with three wins and a narrow defeat in their past four games, are in better form. That said, the Blues have in recent years been troubled by hard and physical sides, and the Swans are still extremely strong in these departments despite their recent woes. Prediction: Sydney by 11 points.