Normal AFL service in the Harbour City has officially resumed, with the Swans handily dispatching the upstart Greater Western Sydney Giants at the SCG on Saturday night.
The win came thanks to a first-half masterclass from prized recruit Lance Franklin, who booted four goals, including one that surely will be a contender for goal of the week – if not goal of the year – to blow the inexperienced Giants away.
The seven-goal win erases the shock loss that the young Giants handed the Swans in Round 1 at Spotless Stadium.
It also extends the Swans’ current winning streak to a franchise-best ten games. Not since the 1930s has the Sydney/South Melbourne franchise notched up an even ten-game winning streak. The Swans came close to a similar streak in 2012 – a premiership year, which augurs well for the current squad – but fell one short.
This time around, with the high-flying Swans enjoying strong wins against premiership contenders Hawthorn, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and a 110-point belting of Geelong en route to this historic mark, win number ten came against Sydney’s fledgling cross-town rivals on a cold, windy and rather unpleasant winter night in front of a little more than 27,000 fans, which is a pretty good return when you take the near-cyclonic winds into account.
What is it about Sydney derby games that seems to bring out the worst sort of weather imaginable? We endured a fierce storm at Spotless Stadium that stopped play for the better part of half an hour in the season opener, and while there was no precipitation or lightning, damaging winds howled through the city before Saturday’s game, doubtless keeping many fans away.
Two weeks ago, against Port Adelaide, commentator Anthony Hudson labelled Franklin ‘Cyclone Buddy’, and on Saturday night Mother Nature chimed in, delivering damaging wind gusts that dropped the temperature considerably, but the elements didn’t seem to worry Buddy, who has 26 goals in the last six games. The man wearing #23 on his back was the most damaging force out there.
Make no mistake, this was the win the Swans needed. GWS had their collective backs up, with two straight wins coming in, and you have to imagine Sydney circled this return clash on their calendars after the embarrassing Round 1 defeat.
It wasn’t the greatest game we’ll ever see, but the Swans did enough in the first half, thanks to Franklin’s four majors (and a few handy score assists, too) and were never really troubled after the long break. The second half was a dour contest, neither team scoring much in the way of style points. Not that it mattered – the damage had been done, and done well.
It was alluded to in the week by Luke Parker and others that the Swans, fresh off the coup of landing Buddy, headed into the season opener against the Giants complacent, which they paid for in a big way. There was no repeat of this in the SCG clash; in its place was the usual Swans ruthlessness.
The star-studded Swans midfield jumped all over the young Giants at the outset. Kieran Jack, the birthday boy and Brett Kirk Medallist, had 22 touches to half time, and people started wondering if he’d brought his own footy. Shane Mumford was well held by Mike Pyke, after big Mummy’s powerhouse effort in Round 1 set the table for so much of what the Giants did offensively. It was a red-letter day for Pyke, the Canadian ruckman playing one of his best games.
Much has changed for the Swans since Round 1. Their history-making loss to the Giants was part of a 1-3 start, and there is little similarity between the team that played in those first four games – jerseys aside, of course – to the team that took the park last night. They have improved out of sight.
Of course, Franklin’s grasping of the Sydney game plan and his return to form has been a big part of that, as has the return of Kurt Tippett and the improved fitness of midfielders like Jarrad McVeigh and Jack. It’s amazing the difference 15 rounds of football can make.
The gulf in class between the Swans at their very best and the still-young GWS squad was on display for all to see. So, it’s back to the drawing board for Leon Cameron and his coaching staff.
They will be without Heath Shaw, who was taken to hospital for concussion tests after a sickening collision with Kurt Tippett’s knee during the first quarter. The former Collingwood star was out cold on the turf, necessitating the arrival of the medical cart to get him off the field. The incident was entirely accidental, but still something very hard to watch. You can only imagine how Tippett must have felt.
Ten wins is great, of course, there is still lots of football to play, and the Swans have a very narrow margin for error after their 1-3 start. With a tough road trip to Perth to play the inconsistent – but still very dangerous – West Coast next week and Carlton the week after, before return clashes against heavyweights Hawthorn and Port Adelaide, now is not the time for complacency.
Creating history is something to remember, but the real task ahead is a hard tilt at September finals action, and Sydney will need to keep up their intensity if they are to hoist the AFL Premiership Cup at the MCG on grand final day.
Don Freo
Guest
We haven't had Anthony Morabito since 2010. Missed the Rising Star by only 2 votes. A choice between Alex Johnson and Morabito is a no brainer. Johnson is good. Morabito is Adam Goodes good. You keep saying Freo can't use injury as an excuse then cite injuries for Hawks and Swans as an excuse. You tend to forget your arguments half way through. Freo has had as many injuries as the Hawks, but Freo's players are more significant. Sydney's injuries have been minimal by comparison. Brissy, Melbourne, Freo and Adelaide have been most significantly affected. It is a valid excuse but, if you look over past posts, it has never been used as an excuse but as a reply to your myopic reasons for saying Freo is off the pace while you cite returning players as a justification for your favoured clubs to improve. It goes all ways. Look at who is missing from teams before you play that card.
Truth
Guest
I can see by your exclamation marks that this issue is for some reason, close to your heart. Yes Sydney's heritage is South Melbourne, a club that was dead, debt and record losses sent the club to the brink. The AFL moved the team to Sydney and that is how they are known, their official name is Sydney Swams limited. And it's former name is 'South Melbourne.' Not sure what else is irritating you, Sydney acknowledge South Melbourne and incorporate it's history into the club, but they are a NSW team, they are Sydney. All in the AFL are under no illusion that this is a Sydney team. The South Melbourne heritage will slowly die away, but credit to the Swans that they continue with the SMFC, a token to the history of their club. Unless your an insular state hating bogan, there isn't too much wrong with having your clubs roots formed interstate. Sydney swans have a rich history, they pioneered the game out of Victoria, revolutionised the game into the 'AFL,' and their home is the iconic SCG. It is meaningful and proud. Contrast that with league, manly-central coast? Manly merged, ate the bears, took the money and spat the team to the curb, no acknowledgment at all of the bears, Or take the meaningless botched Wests tigers? No history, just two broke clubs mashed together, or St George Illiwarra, again, no feeling or pride in yet another NRL hyphenated team. How many Vic born players does the storm contain? This proud Melb represented team? 0, nil, zilch. Look at the Swans producing local talent, look at Keiran Jack, club captain, born in NSW to a famous NRL father, now captaining the Swans. Take your 'ideas' to that soccer ground (aami) this weekend and watch your origin depleted team get beaten in the compromised nation rugby league.
Storm Boy
Guest
"the Swannies players play for one club, for one town, and for one state,"???? Hullo!!!!!!! They are claiming a South Melbourne VICTORIAN FL record!!!!
Wilbur
Guest
Storm created by news Ltd to build pay Tv subs and win comp in second year when best players from 3 clubs plus a News Ltd broncos prop lent to them to win premiership and every decision went their way in second half of GF to win a GF yet noone said boo. WWE
Wilbur
Guest
Bosk is a RL envy man
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
You just seemed to be using them Michael. I also seem to remember the excuses flowing pretty freely whenever the 2013 Prelim was brought up.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
I've just copied and saved that little rant there Bosk. Cheers.
Michael huston
Guest
Only Mitchell and Gibson? Their best defender and their best player entirely? Freo always seem to have the excuse that they've not been able to field their best 22, but neither have Hawthorn or Sydney. We haven't had Alex Johnson in two years, and if you don't know how important he is, watch the 2012 grand final. Or what about the three losses we suffered in the first month? When we didn't have our biggest key forwards in Tippett and Goodes? Or what about when we won a streak of tough games without our main ruck man in Pyke and had to rely on a ruck whose not even played half a seasons worth of games? These are all excuses Sydney could use, as seems to be the frequent case with Freo, but the games we lost we lost because of the effort of the players out there on the day. You could mention that Freo lost to Hawthorn because they couldn't contain their run, same with Port, and that they were a little dodgy with their skills against North, and that they struggled under Sydneys tackling pressure. I'm still waiting for a Freo supporter to echo this sentiment of accountability.
Michael huston
Guest
To see them pass that test, refer to 2013.
Bosk
Guest
The Ross Lyon gameplan has had its time. Teams have worked it out, though few sides have the personnel needed to break through the flood often enough over four quarters to trouble Freo, especially at home. That said I don't regard Freo as a serious September threat. They simply lack goalkickers. Walters was a massive loss and isn't likely to come back for the finals in any kind of form after missing most of the year. Pavlich is all but cooked and can no longer carry the load against a quality defense. Mayne & Ballantyne are flat-track bullies who rarely deliver on the big stage, and by "big stage" I'm hardly referring to the piddly little 40k capacity oval you have over there. At the other end of the ground McPharlin is cooked, and Dawson is still a spud. The Freo defense isn't anywhere near as scary as it once was. Sandilands and the team's midfield is still excellent, but there are far too many holes in the list for the Dockers to go all the way this year. I'd be shocked if they even made the grand final because frankly Port, Sydney & Hawthorn are on a level above them and even Geelong might edge them out in pressure finals. Sorry, but Freo had their chance last year and blew it. Back to mediocrity now I'm afraid.
Bosk
Guest
....except that Freo didn't have to ransom their depth to acquire him. I look forward to observing how well the Swans cope when their depth is finally tested. (they've enjoyed the best injury run of any team in the competition this year)
kick to kick
Guest
Don't think folk are giving GWS enough credit. They were extremely competitive for the first 15 minutes and showed why they had beaten Carlton and the Lions in previous weeks ( and only gone down to the Hawks by 7 points). The Swans miss Hannebery and Shaw and even while the Swans won most stats the Giants had more tackles, more stoppage clearances and better disposal efficiency. That's indication of a committed team with talent and on the rise. Going to be scary opponents the year after next. Sydney also made mistakes - especially in the last quarter and were on occasion over ambitious rather than in cruise control.
Don Freo
Guest
Why will the Hawks get more dangerous? They have only Mitchell and Gibson to come back. Freo has 5 top liners to come back. Hawks won't get Rioli back. They will get weaker. As for history, you can't compare history when Freo's history is a basket case. That is not this side. Leigh Wardell-Johnson, Daniel Parker, Scotty Chisolm, Clem Michael and Andrew McGovern are no longer there. Fyfe, Mundy, Hill, Barlow and co are not bad replacements. I suppose the most recent finals history of a preliminary final win at Geelong is too recent to suit your stats.
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
Swans won't want to let him go. Embarrassment of riches at the moment, though.
Don Freo
Guest
History just never has a say. I was a fine cricketer and hockey player...once. You should see me now!
Michael huston
Guest
But you could argue the same for all three teams above them. Port have no right to be where they are with such a young team, and Hawthorn and Sydney have both, like Fremantle, had to deal with that balance between experience and youth. I think we can all agree that all four teams have done remarkably well so far. Freo may very well be at the top by seasons end, but the reason I think they're a level ever-so-slightly below Sydney and Hawthorn is because of history. Sydney and Hawthorn have proven in recent years (with almost their entire current teams) that they can win anywhere. Sydney defeated Adelaide in Adelaide in 2012, and got the job done against the Hawks at the MCG - a ground completely opposite in every way to their fortress the SCG - in the grand final. Similarly, you only need to look at Hawthorns win-loss record to see that they travel well. Plus, Hawks have a very good record against Freo and they will only get more dangerous. Add to the fact Sydney and Hawthorn are proven finallists year-in, year-out. THAT is my justification for why I am reluctant to put Freo in the same class as the other two. Port and Freo are the new kids on the block, with lists that will probably make the top four on a regular basis. But Sydney and Hawthorn are perennial top four teams and don't look like stopping. So don't feel like I'm always an anti-Freo person in my judgements of teams. It's just I'm more pro-Hawthorn and Sydney, as a betting man.
Michael huston
Guest
Getting used to it so much that it puts me to sleep.
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
Well played, sir.
Truth
Guest
As apposed to the Storm? The clubs own players will jeopardise the Melbourne Storms season to play in a Qld v NSW tournament? You tell me if Melb storm is a true Melbourne league team? I hear Cronk's first game back after a shoulder injury sustained in origin 1, will be origin 3? Seems like he couldn't give bugger all about Victoria or Melbourne? Watch the Melbourne players line up to represent Qld or NSW and leave Melb to the wolves. At least the Swannies players play for one club, for one town, and for one state, and will do whatever to put their team into a grand final, that includes not putting themselves through pointless state games that have no relevance to their teams success. So again Storm Boy, tell me which team and players are actually playing for their town/suburb?
Don Freo
Guest
Ouch! I bit my tongue. I've got to stop putting it in my cheek. We were talking about buying an unbeaten run. (Bosk's silly comment.) No-one believes Colin is in Freo's top 30 players. We just have a few out and a few being primed. Be very afraid!