Questions to ponder ahead of Round 3: Can the Pies be re-heated, Are Port the real deal, Can Jezza's form last for the Cats?
Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
Opinion
Sydney’s youth put on a masterclass of football at the SCG on Saturday afternoon in a comfortable 33-point win against last year’s wooden spooners.
Fresh off an upset win against premiership contender Geelong, Adelaide were expected to challenge Sydney in a hotly-anticipated clash.
The opening stanza lived up to the hype, but before long the match fizzled out as Sydney built a dominating win.
After making a quick start and punishing Sydney’s defensive lapses in the opening quarter with three of the first four goals, Chad Warner (two goals, 20 disposals), Errol Gulden (22 disposals, 11 score involvements), Braeden Campbell (25 disposals, 700 metres gained) and Justin McInerney (20 disposals, one goal) were outstanding.
McInerney, playing his first game for season 2021, grew into the game before becoming a forward-half force in the second and third quarters, before booting his first goal of the season.
Tex Walker played a lone hand for the Crows in the first three quarters, finishing with six majors for the match in a near best-on-ground effort, while Shane McAdam kicked three in the last quarter to finish with four for the match.
Speaking in the AFL press conference post-match, Matthew Nicks heaped praise on his star forward.
“It wasn’t so much his lead up at the footy, [I think he] had four or five tackles inside the forward 50, and we were kicking goals off of pressure.
“That may have broken the number of tackles that he’s had in the forward 50 over course of his career.”
Lance Franklin made his long-awaited return to senior football – 581 days after his last match – with a goal in the opening quarter.
Not often we'll post a set shot in the first quarter, but geez it's good to have Buddy back!@ColesGoals | #AFLSwansCrows pic.twitter.com/YDoJp4hKs1
— AFL (@AFL) March 27, 2021
Swans coach John Longmire was happy his star forward made it through the match unscathed.
“Our expectations were very low today with Lance, to come in and play a role, and hopefully things work out and get through and play the game.
“The good thing is that he feels good now, so we’ll be interested to see how he pulls up this week.”
Despite dominating the play, Adelaide could only muster scoring chances from errors by the Swans defence, coughing up three scoring shots from free-kicks.
A late goal to Tom Hickey – his second for the match – steadied the Swans before they launched their attack on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
Whatever was said behind closed doors in the Adelaide change rooms had the desired impact as their first-quarter pressure returned to elite levels.
Despite Adelaide having more of the ball and forcing the less-experienced Sydney players into turnovers, Sydney were absolutely ruthless on the turnover, scoring an incredible nine goals six to three-quarter time.
Taylor Walker, Rory Laird, Tom Lynch and Shane McAdam (two) missed gettable chances that would have dragged the Crows back into the match, while young Swans Sam Wicks and Chad Warner booted impressive goals on the run late in the quarter to extend the lead to 51 points at the last change.
Chad Warner with an absolute ripper!#AFLSwansCrows pic.twitter.com/AdG4SvNn4t
— AFL (@AFL) March 27, 2021
Rory Laird was once again excellent for the Crows, finishing with a match-high 30 disposals, while Rory Sloane (21 disposals) and Ben Keays (28 disposals, one goal) contributed extensively in the second half.
Sydney Swans senior coach John Longmire conceded that despite the win, his chargers still have a lot to work on.
“You go into the game, thinking you’re going to win by 33 points, and you do well injury-wise, we would have taken it.
“A few things to work on, they ended up having 31 scoring shots – 16 scoring shots from stoppages, but on the balance take that every week.”
Jordan Dawson (corked thigh) and Tom Papley had late injury scares but were able to finish the match.
Next up
The Swans take on premiership favourites Richmond at the MCG on Easter Saturday who may welcome back Bachar Houli and can expect James Rowbottom to make his return. The Crows take on the Gold Coast Suns on Easter Friday at AAMI stadium in another match between two up-and-coming teams.