The Sydney Swans will look to make it three wins in a row when they take on GWS Giants at the Sydney Cricket Ground this afternoon. Join us for live scores and commentary as our coverage gets underway at 1.10pm AEST.
The Swans were solid without being inspiring last week against Melbourne and were easily beaten on the ground by the Demons, but were still able to chalk up a 31-point victory.
Their work at stoppages was world-class and was enough to guide them to victory – something they’ll be looking to happen again this week.
And, if we’re going to be honest, they shouldn’t have any issues at all with the Giants, who still remain winless throughout 2013.
GWS threw everything they had at the Western Bulldogs last week but were unable to walk away with the points in hand.
That match will definitely have taken a lot out of them and could well lead to a blow-out in this one if the reigning premiers show up and deliver the world-class performance that we’ve been waiting for.
Sydney will be without a number of key players as Adam Goodes (knee), Lewis Jetta (shin), Sam Reid (quad) and Lewis Roberts-Thompson (knee) are all unavailable.
Shane Mumford (cheekbone) and Rhyce Shaw (abdomen) will also both have pass a late fitness test to be included for the Sydney derby.
The Swans slipped up against Port Adelaide a few weeks back and they didn’t really get out of second gear against Melbourne, so expect them to turn that around in this one.
The Giants have started games very well this season (as Geelong can no doubt attest to) but they simply don’t have the prowess and ability to win turnovers and dead-ball situations like the Swans do.
And in the end, that should pave the way for a huge second half that sees the Swans run away with a very commanding, percentage-boosting, win.
Swans by 81 points.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Lucky the Swans kicked 27 behinds or it could have been a flogging!
Allan
Guest
Yes I would, because you can't fool the people in the area you claim to represent.
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
If the captain came out and said "We have no chance and we just hope to keep it under 100" would you be happy? % is almost irrelevant for the swans as they have that draw which means the only team that they are competing against for % is Freo.
gawa
Guest
'Their work at stoppages was world-class' Thanks for the comic input.
Allan
Guest
129 point demolition when the Captain came out and said they had a chance of winning, is there anything this team can do right ?
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
FULL TIME. Swans 171 (24.27) beat Giants 42 (5.12) by 129 points. Abysmal from GWS, very good from the Swans—even without being all that good. That percentage will help the Swans heading into the finals, as the 2013 season can't end soon enough for the Giants. McVeigh (36 disposals) and Hannebery (31 disposals) were brilliant today. Mitchell, Tippett, White and Pyke all kick three goals for the Swans while Cameron kicked three of the five Giants' goals. He was probably the lone spark from them today, though Shiel was also pretty impressive at the back. Is the GWS experiment working? Hard to say, but it doesn't appear like it. Swans weren't that good today, and they won by over 100 points. Make of that what you will from the defending premiers. Anyway, thanks for joining me today. Make sure you keep it on The Roar this afternoon for post-match reaction and other live commentary from around the league this afternoon (games listed below). Thanks! Dan. WESTERN BULLDOGS VS. ESSENDON (LIVE!!!) WEST COAST VS. FREEMANTLE (2:40pm kickoff)
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 1:45 remaining. Swans 171 (24.27) lead Giants 42 (5.12). Hannebery goes long and hits O'Keefe right in front, 20 out. Too easy from Sydney, and this is the easiest training session they've ever had. O'Keefe won't miss from there, and the margin is 129 points. This is the most scoring shots (51) that the Swans have had in a single game in over 30 years.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 1:45 remaining. Swans 165 (23.27) lead Giants 42 (5.12). Rushed behind, Giants. Swans looking to chip it around now, but knowing how easy today has been for them, they'll likely grab another goal. Last goal-scorer? I'll go with Kennedy as we approach time-on.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 2:00 remaining. Swans 165 (23.27) lead Giants 41 (5.11). From the kick off, Swans go up the right to O'Keefe. O'Keefe to Kennedy inside 50, who looks up and hits Pyke on the goal-line. Goes back and slots his third from the day. Great mark from the Canadian. Swans by 124, and they haven't even been that good.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 3:13 remaining. Swans 153 (21.27) lead Giants 40 (5.10). GOAL - BOLTON (SWANS) Another goal-scorer for the Swans, as Bolton gets on the board after some scrappy footy leads to a kick off the ground. Can the Giants finish the game with a goal here? The kids are getting tired...
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 4:13 remaining. Swans 153 (21.27) lead Giants 40 (5.10). All Swans, all inside 50. And like so much of today, it's another behind from Sydney. Already 100+ in front, but should be about 150 in front. Longmire won't be THAT impressed with the margin, although it is hard to be unimpressed when your team wins by over 100 points. Giants experiment isn't working.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 5:30 remaining. Swans 152 (21.26) lead Giants 40 (5.10). 50 free for in the back and the Swans get it inside 50 from Grundy. White takes a mark close to the right boundary line, will kick it from 40 out. Hits it well, and bags himself his third goal of the day. Will this be the second week in a row that the Swans' substitute leads the team in goals? White needs one more.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 6:50 remaining. Swans 146 (20.26) lead Giants 40 (5.10). Behind from Bird as the Giants fall apart. No running, no movement. Swans killing them with handballs alone. Giants have given up.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 8:40 remaining. Swans 145 (20.27) lead Giants 40 (5.10). GOAL - MITCHELL (SWANS) Poor from GWS, who turn the ball over again from the kick in. Mitchell grabs his third with the instant snap. Giants falling apart—need to hang in there and try and get this margin back under 100. Don't deserve to lose by that much. Parker breaks from the bounce and bombs from long, but it's wide.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 9:07 remaining. Swans 139 (19.26) lead Giants 40 (5.10). Another post for the Swans, with Kennedy hitting the left upright. Giants rush through another behind, as the margin hits 99 points.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 10:06 remaining. Swans 137 (19.23) lead Giants 40 (5.10). GOAL - KENNEDY (SWANS) Approaching the 100-point margin here as Kennedy grabs another. Tippett flies high at the top of the square and Kennedy snaps off hands. Too easy for the Swans, as Tim Mohr appears to be injured for GWS. Hyper-extended his right knee. Could be done for the day.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 11:02 remaining. Swans 130 (18.22) lead Giants 40 (5.10). Nearly from the Swans, with Mitchell's kick touched over the line by a diving Giants player. Giants break well up the right flank through Smith, but they turn the ball over inside the Swans 50 to Kieran Jack.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 12:00 remaining. Swans 129 (18.21) lead Giants 40 (5.10). Great kick from Mitchell to find White in a one-on-one 30-out, right in front. Having started today as the sub, White runs back and kicks his second of the day. Great footy from the defending premiers against a Giants side that look more lethargic than anything else.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 13:30 remaining. Swans 123 (17.21) lead Giants 40 (5.10). Grundy takes the mark on 50 and splits the defense beautifully to find Tippett , on a tight angle close to the right boundary. From 30 out, Tippett sneaks it through the right post for a behind.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 13:30 remaining. Swans 122 (17.20) lead Giants 40 (5.10). Back in familiar territory (the Giants' 50) and the Swans are getting stoppages, which should be dangerous.