With the Blues hanging tough and fighting for every inch of the SCG turf, the Swans flexed their muscles when they had to, seeing off the dogged Carlton challenge.
It wasn’t an exciting or pretty match to watch from a Swans fan’s perspective, but credit is due to the Blues, who more than held their own for the majority of the match.
We look at some of the talking points from the Swans’ Round 11 win against the Blues at the SCG on Friday night from a Swans fan’s perspective.
1. Air-tight Swans defence stifles the Blues
For the 30th game in a row the Swans held their opponents to less than 100 points. The last time a team scored more than 100 points was Greater Western Sydney in Round 5, 2017.
Geelong threatened to break through last year, kicking 98 points in their 59-point semi-final win, while Port Adelaide kicked 94 points in their upset win in Round 2 this season at the SCG.
2. Swans wasteful in forward half
The Swans often concede more inside 50s than their opponents, but on Friday night it was the opposite, recording a massive 21 more inside 50s to Carlton. Frustratingly for the fans, the Swans took 16 marks inside 50 to Carlton’s eight, yet kicked eight goals.
Buddy threw the ball at Rowe's face and gave a free away for it. ?
Thoughts? #AFLSwansBlues pic.twitter.com/foJ9ooJLTI
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 1, 2018
It was a topic of frustration for Swans coach John Longmire after the game, lamenting his side’s inaccuracy, kicking 5.10 from turnovers
3. Intensity flux-capacitor overloaded
Carlton were dialled in from the get-go, but the Swans were found wanting in the early parts of the game. When their intensity lifted, they threatened to run away with the game but seemingly let the advantage slip away, and Carlton took the half-time lead.
A happy John Longmire speaks to the press after Sydney's solid win over Carlton.#AFLSwansBlues pic.twitter.com/sjLTsy5eBu
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 1, 2018
Sydney lifted after half-time, kicking five unanswered goals in the third quarter, but they let the initiative slip in the last quarter again.
4. Horse’s bite worse than his bark
The Swans’ work rate and intensity were nowhere to be seen going into half-time, with memories of their Round 6 loss to Carlton last year flashing before their eyes.
Callum Sinclair and Josh Kennedy after the match admitted that John ‘Horse’ Longmire gave them a spray at the long break, sparking them into action.
Carlton couldn’t sustain their challenge, registering just four behinds in the third quarter as the match slipped from their grasp.
5. Callum Sinclair shouldering the load
Arguably one of the league’s biggest improvers, Callum Sinclair has elevated his game to a level few expected this season. While hit-outs and centre contests continue to be a weak point, what he does around the ground is undoubtedly influenced by West Coast Eagles great Dean Cox.
Where does Callum Sinclair rank amongst the game's best rucks? Had a blinder tonight…#AFLSwansBlues pic.twitter.com/72zmxamSRb
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 1, 2018
His 30.9 hit-outs per game is ranked 13th, but for ruckmen in the competition he’s recorded the third highest disposals (171) behind Stefan Martin and Brodie Grundy, first for marks (45), second for contested possessions (103) behind Brody Grundy, fifth for contested marks (12), equal-first for marks inside 50 (eight) and equal-first goal goals kicked (seven).
6. Where there’s a youngster, there’s a way
It was the battle of the youngsters, with Carlton and Sydney boasting a plethora of established young stars or up-and-coming youngsters. The Curnow brothers were good on the night, while young leader Patrick Cripps was restricted by another Swans youngster, George Hewett.
Swans second-year players Will Hayward and Oliver Florent were the difference on the night, with Florent recording 13 possessions in the second half, his best so far in his fledgling career, proving influential when Carlton still had a sniff.
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