We take a look at a few important talking points from the Swans’ Round 3 breakthrough against Carlton.
1. Isaac Heeney is still one the best young talents in the league
Heeney exploded onto the AFL scene as a fresh-faced, blonde-haired bombshell in Round 1 of 2015 against Essendon. He picked up 16 disposals – eight contested – and seven tackles.
Since then he’s battled numerous injuries and almost missed the start of the 2019 season with an ankle issue from the final JLT game.
Like Lance Franklin last year, coach John Longmire said that Heeney has barely been able to train in the lead-up to the first two rounds of football. A solid week on the track paid dividends, with Heeney ripping Carlton’s midfield and defence to pieces, finishing with 26 disposals and eight marks to go with his four-goal haul.
It was arguably the best game of his fledgling career, and the Swans will need more of the same, with Dan Hannebery plying his trade at St Kilda, and the numbers looking a little thin.
2. Zac Jones needs to play in the midfield
Jones has been one of the breakout performers in a revamped midfield this season, averaging 26 possessions and six clearances a game. In the past, he’s been criticised for his lack of poise and poor decision-making, often running into contests before the team is set up for him to deliver the ball.
Against Carlton, his decision-making was on point, forming a formidable duo with captain Josh Kennedy, finishing with 31 disposals and seven clearances each.
Known more for his defensive play earlier in his career, and the occasional swing into midfield or the wing, Jones has taken his outside game to another level this year, even adding inside grunt to his repertoire.
He was rewarded with six AFLCA votes, behind Heeney (ten) and Patrick Cripps (eight).
3: Jarrad McVeigh’s loss will hurt
McVeigh’s defiance of father time finally caught up with him on Saturday afternoon, straining his quad while kicking a ball out of defence in the last quarter.
McVeigh’s importance to the team cannot be overstated. He’s guided a young and inexperienced outfit with aplomb. His absences have always been noticeable, losing matches in 2018 when he was out.
It seems that he will miss the next two months and return after the bye, but with Sam Reid missing an entire season off the back of a serious quad strain – and given McVeigh’s age and recent injury record – this may have been the last time we see the stalwart pull on the red and white.
Tom McCartin, Will Hayward, Kieren Jack and Alex Johnson celebrate victory (Photo by Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images)
4. Tom McCartin is an even better centre half back than forward
This was definitely one of the coaching moves that John Longmire pulled from the proverbial hat. It was as unexpected as salt and caramel making a delicious combination in smooth, silky ice cream.
This kid can play. Not only as a forward but with a sample size of one game, in defence too.
There was a specific ‘Ted Richards’ feel about his game on Saturday, lacking the physical strength that bigger centre half backs have, but having the pace and closing speed to bring the ball to the ground.
One of his best plays was deep in the last quarter, when he was beaten by his opponent. He recovered fast enough to chase down the player who received the handball and tackle him over the boundary line. It was in stark contrast to some of the other Swans defenders, who’ve lacked the pace, positioning and reading of the play to pull off the same move.
5. Lance Franklin doesn’t need to kick a bag for Sydney to win
Liam Jones, the victim of Franklin’s ten-goal haul in Round 23, 2017, showed that he’s come a long way in a little over a year. While he copped a total hiding that night, his strangling performance on one of the elite forwards of the competition gave the Blues something to cheer about.
Buddy had two goals in the first half, with his last major involvement coming late in the last quarter, assisting Tom Papley’s goal with a chain of dribble kicks that fortuitously landed in the path of his teammate.
With nine score involvements, one goal assists and two goals from 12 disposals, the big man had the impact Sydney needed, even if he didn’t do much scoreboard damage.
6: Swans do it the hard way
Despite comfortably winning the disposal count by 107, the Swans just managed to win the contested possession count 152-148, while losing the clearance count 38-43 (11-16 centre clearances).
They had to withstand a barrage of pressure throughout the fourth quarter, down to two rotations on the bench, while the Blues wasted numerous opportunities.
With the game still in the balance and five minutes left on the clock, Heeney was awarded a contentious free-kick directly in front of goal. His fourth goal sealed the win, Sydney’s first of the season, consigning Carlton to their third straight loss.
With 54 inside 50s apiece, leading the tackle count 70-52, and recording four more tackles inside 50 (14-10), the Blues’ desperate defence was a thorn in the Swans’ side.
Jones’ performance on Franklin was a particular highlight and one of the reasons they were still in the game late in the fourth quarter.
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