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From the very first bounce, Sydney were never given the chance to feel anywhere near close to in the grand final. The Swans were quite overmatched on the day by the undoubtedly best team of 2022, Geelong.
The Swans were at least within dreaming distance at half-time with a 36 point deficit, when the Cats decided to turn the burners on and really put the game to bed with a six-goal third quarter to make it a true blowout.
Sydney was completely and utterly dismantled in every single facet of this game and almost every man was beaten by their direct opponent quite handily; and it shows in their ratings.
Nick Blakey – 4
Had a nervous first kick of the final, resulting in an out of character out of bounds on the full free kick. Got better, but for a player the Swans really rely on to provide speed and rebound from defensive 50 he couldn’t do much of that at all today.
Braeden Campbell – 4
Activated as the medical substitute just after half time for Sam Reid who never looked right, and he had just as little impact on the game as the man he replaced. Just didn’t get much opportunity to do anything worthwhile in the game as the Cats had already taken it away by the time he entered the contest.
Ryan Clarke – 5
One of the better performers for the Swans today. Was given the Tom Stewart match-up and did a great job in limiting his influence, keeping him restricted to just the 16 disposals and 277 metres gained off half-back.
Oliver Florent – 3
Another of the Sydney players that just did not match their usual performance level today. Kept pretty quiet overall and had no influence, was caught unawares several times, and made some poor decisions leading to five turnovers and two free kicks against.
Lance Franklin – 2
A completely out of character day for Buddy, and the second final this year where he was completely outplayed. Didn’t get much access to the ball coming into forward 50, but when it did, he was easily defended by Jack Henry; and he gave away an unnecessary 50m penalty when the game was still up for grabs. Missing his usual energy, physicality, and willingness to come up high and be a linking half-forward for a team that couldn’t move the ball past the wings for the most part – very unusual.
Robbie Fox – 7
One of the two best on ground for the Swans, Kept Jeremy Cameron to no goals in the first three quarters and was doing as much as he could to provide dash and speed to transition the ball from defensive 50. Had a nice personal highlight when he closed down a strong Cameron lead and then followed up with pressure acts at ground level.
Errol Gulden – 3
A player that normally provides a great link for the Swans in their efforts to move the ball was just nowhere to be found for the most part, and unable to use the ball as cleanly as he normally does due to the Cats’ pressure.
Will Hayward – 5
Kicked a beautiful goal making use of his crumbing skill to give the Swans their first – and what would turn out to be their only score of the first quarter. Didn’t get any more chances after that, though, due to how well controlled the Cats had the ball and the game in general.
Isaac Heeney – 6
Had zero touches in the first quarter, thought he built more into the game from the second quarter onwards. Showed flashes of his normal skill and quality – kicked a goal, threw himself into tackles and contests around the ground trying to get his team to lift, but ultimately found no response.
Tom Hickey – 2
Just thoroughly worked over by the multiple ruckmen Geelong had rotating through. Couldn’t help get the ball to ground in contests on the wing. And he committed the cardinal sin of being bodied out of the contest and getting a goal kicked against him from a throw-in… twice.
Jake Lloyd – 5
He held up as best as you could expect in a defence that was being beset by inside 50 entries with next to no pressure on the kicker. Tried his best to use the ball from defensive 50 to get the team transitioning, but there was just not enough help ahead of the ball to aid him.
Paddy McCartin – 4
Another one of the Swans who were completely not allowed to play their normal game. Wasn’t able to provide intercept marking and be a presence coming off his own opponent to help in marking contests, due to the way the Cats were able to pick off targets inside 50 almost at leisure. Got a goal late in the game after being moved forward – a true consolation prize.
Tom McCartin and Paddy McCartin of the Swans look dejected after losing the grand final. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Tom McCartin – 3
A bit of a harsh game for him. Did a great job early on Tom Hawkins, stopping him from getting free on leads for marks inside 50 or up the ground, but Hawkins started to get a hold of him in the second quarter. He then committed two huge mistakes that resulted directly in goals that began the Cats’ third-term burst.
Justin McInerney – 5
Another one of the Sydney players that was a null factor in this game. His biggest personal win is that he didn’t commit any big mistakes when this game was still even slightly up for grabs.
Hayden McLean – 5
Did his best to help Hickey in the ruck a couple of times, to no real effect. But he did take a good pack mark and convert a close-range set shot to give the Swans one of their rare highlights, to somewhat justify his surprise selection over the incumbent Logan McDonald.
Callum Mills – 4
Kicked a great goal from 50 to try and ignite his side in the second term. Did his best to try and help his defence by playing as a spare from partway through the first quarter, before getting moved back on ball. Only had the 13 touches though; like many of his Swans compatriots, wasn’t quite at his best, and well below the All-Australian level he displayed throughout the year.
Tom Papley – 5
Like Franklin, it is just hard to be the electric player he normally is when there’s no supply into the forward 50. However, he did work up the ground quite a bit to try and get the ball out of defensive 50 and to provide numbers for contests between the arcs.
Luke Parker – 6
Probably rounds out the Swans’ better performers. Kept throwing himself into contests and will his team into finding their normal selves, an effort all for nought in the end as the Cats were just too good. Still managed to get himself 23 disposals personally.
Dane Rampe – 3
Thoroughly outplayed by Tyson Stengle. Never looked comfortable, due to Stengle’s ability to be clean with the ball and break away with speed. As one of the leaders, if not the leader, of the Sydney defence, also did not manage to get his backline sorted and playing like their normal selves.
Sam Reid – 1
Never looked even close to being match fit from the first bounce. Couldn’t hold his ground in marking contest or cover the ground with any fluidity. Probably should’ve done the team thing and taken himself out of consideration for selection.
James Rowbottom – 5
Started the game with a great effort to smother a kick from Tyson Stengle. Kept that effort level up even in the dying stages.
Dylan Stephens – 4
Yet another Swan who had next to no influence. Kept his effort level high, but just wasn’t physical enough; plus, had an opportunity to goal that he squandered.
Chad Warner – 8
Best on ground for the Swans, with almost no contest. Worked up and down the ground trying to help break lines, change angles, and put speed on the ball. Showed his normal ability to win contests and provide pressure as well, which is saying quite a lot given nearly none of his teammates looked capable of standing up to the Cats. Kicked two goals as well to make the scoreline look a bit kinder.
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