Sydney have claimed their biggest scalp yet and made it nine wins from their last ten with a 13-point victory over the GWS Giants on Saturday night.
The thirteenth edition of the Sydney slam (I’m not calling it the Battle of the Bridge) brought a record 21924 fans to Spotless Stadium, the biggest crowd yet seen at the ground for any event.
As if their injury list wasn’t long enough already, GWS were hit with arguably their biggest out yet – Jeremy Cameron withdrawn before the bounce due to a hamstring injury, with Tendai Mzungu not exactly a like-for-like replacement.
The Giants dominated most of the first term and put the first goal of the game on the board through Toby Greene, who kicked a second in that quarter.
However, they generally struggled to capitalise on their early advantage in the middle, while the Swans were much better at taking their opportunities.
That, along with a free kick and 50-metre penalty that gifted the Swans a shot at goal, saw Sydney kick four majors to two in the first.
The Swans also started to even things up in the midfield after that point, and as a result both the second and third quarters were fairly even.
In fact, both sides kicked three goals each in the second, and a further three goals each in the third.
Lance Franklin was important with a pair of back-to-back majors in the second giving Sydney a timely boost, while on the other side of the team sheet, Josh Kelly kicked a classy pair and Jonny Patton launched two big ones from long-range.
The margin was 12 points to the Swans at the quarter-time break, then 11 at half-time, and 13 at the final change. It was a tight game of footy is what I’m saying, and the stage set for a dramatic final term.
The Giants drew in as close as a single goal away when Steve Johnson, who had kicked a handy one before three-quarter time, booted his second in a row, the first of the final term.
But they wouldn’t get any closer than that. While former Swan and known snag-lover Shane Mumford kicked two to keep the Giants in it, Lance Franklin kicked two of his own in response (four for the night), and Tom Papley chimed in with another two as well (three for the night) including the sealer.
The result makes one thing pretty clear – the Swans’ season has come around the full circle since their lowest ebb when they were smashed by the Giants at home Round 5.
Tonight Sydney is wearing red and white! And not just because Arsenal are in town.
Final score
GWS Giants 12.11.83
Sydney Swans 14.12.96
Asd
Guest
GWS seem to be off there game injuries to .Sydney won but it wasn't a overly best spectacle of football .very flat
I ate pies
Guest
The Swans get the crowds because their crowds are full of ex-pats from AFL states. Sydney people just don't go to sporting events. That's been proven many times.
Mitcher
Guest
Speaking of the usual whinging...
steveng
Roar Rookie
'I hate pies' don't complain as 21k is an excellent crowd in Sydney, if you want to see a sad stadium, and a joke, have a look at the some of the NRL crowds at Olympic Stadium (the ANZ) with 7k of spectators or even 15k, which is very 'normal'. That is a 'SAD' state of affairs and a reflection of what the NRL attracts in Sydney. The AFL are doing exceptionally well and the AFL is growing every year in comparison to the NRL. The Swans get packed crowds at the SCG which the NRL would only dream of and wish for.
Mark
Guest
Let it go, you're becoming ever so tiresome.
Sir Col in paradise
Guest
Been working past 11 to 9 months mainly in Sydney and AFL and GWS are still miles behind NRL in public media discussions etc - Swans getting very supported .But have noticed this season GWS is picking up. It's a long way to go but they are on track. Yes the umpiring was crap last night - farcical at times - so bad couldn't work out who it favoured!
Mark
Guest
Think the forwards were doing alright consider they had less inside 50s and clearances. Defence won them the game. It's good to see that tackling pressure the swans are known for was working against a top tier team. If they keep this against the other four top 8 contenders they may stay for September action. Who would have thought?
Bruce
Guest
Yeh good comment. You can't manufacture a rivalry. It has to come from a pulsating big stakes final.
MG
Roar Rookie
July is the best month for a form slump. Three players coming back from injury plus Cameron out. Swan's defence won it.
MG
Roar Rookie
Soccer fans mostly gone by the time we left. Also Disney on Ice but couldn't see that crowd anywhere.
Kevin Pearson
Guest
Enjoyed the game and good crowd turning up to watch it. Between two Sydney AFL teams. They seem to be already getting better crowds then some NRL games. Did not take many years to achieve.
I hate pies
Guest
Its sad when a record crowd is 21,000 and there's empty seats at the stadium. That's like a north Melbourne vs st Kilda crowd... Any who, it was good to hear the commentators talking about GWS' top heavy forward line - I've been saying it all year. Get the ball to ground and you've got them. Good win for the swans though; funnily enough, when they get the rub of the green the usual whinging about the umpires falls very silent.
Swannies
Guest
Swans doing okay for a team everyone wrote off in May. Giving the rest of the comp a 6-game handicap.
Sydneygirl
Guest
Battle of the bridge was a stupid Sheedy invention. Two teams now have some real rivalry rather than invented hype. Good to see Sydney get a win over GWS. Well played guys!
Eddy Jay
Guest
I like the idea of the Battle of the Bridge. The idea back in 2012 proposed by Kevin Sheedy didn't specify which bridge, so we can move it around for each Sydney Derby. This match was for the Hen and Chicken Bay Bridge, which is half way between the SCG and the Sydney Showgrounds. A worthy prize.
rod
Guest
I was home at Croydon within 35 minutes. Not bad, very surprised. Well done sydney rail. Finally kicked one
Mitcher
Guest
Full respect for rejecting the 'Battle of the Bridge' malarkey. Not convinced by the slam, but acknowledge your decision not to enshrine in capitals. I'm happy with Sydney Derby personally. If the clash actually gains some genuine meaning down the track (let's be honest, the heat between the lists is not even closely reflected among the fan groups) and something organic develops then so be it. But let's not force it Q Clash style. Not everything needs the marketing boffins' brush. As I type more on this, I fear I'm over thinking it... anyway.... Fantastic win to the Swans. Great ride this season following the inauspicious start.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Every weekend, aye. Josh has quite the knack for headlines.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Isn't every night a slow night getting home in Sydney?
Raimond
Roar Guru
This is pretty much the result I expected, but there's plenty of upside for the Giants. I'm still not sure if this is a prolonged mid-season lull, or it's just not going to be their year.