Sydney Cricket Ground, Paddington, Sydney Australia
The Sydney Swans have crushed an ordinary Port Adelaide football club to the tune of 67 points at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sydney got off to a flying start kicking 6 goals and kept the Power goalless in the first quarter. After that, Port Adelaide never threatened and it was a relatively easy win for the Swans.
Sydney were too good in all departments of the match. In particular, their defensive structures looked extremely solid and helped keep the Power to only 4 goals for the game.
The back eight of the Swans defense were superb with Dane Rampe, Heath Grundy, Callum Mills and in particular Aliir Aliir, the pick of the defenders. The Swans turned defense into attack and in one instance turned into a superb goal from Dane Rampe in the second quarter.
Nice Ramps, Nice! Isaac Heeney & Co celebrate a superb goal on the run from defender Dane Rampe. Photo: Jodie Newell
Power were impotent in attack, they struggled to get the ball into the actual 50-metre zone and were unable to get any scoreboard pressure. Their first half of football was woeful booting only 2 goals.
As with any good Swans game the usual midfield suspects in Kennedy, Parker, Hannebery, Mitchell and co were the instigators of the beating.
Justin Westhoff had a disappointing day for his 200th AFL game. Photo: Jodie Newell
200 gamer Justin Westhoff had an average day, amassing 17 disposals. He tried hard to present himself to the ball, but wasn’t able to gain any traction against a solid Swans defense.
Up forward Buddy Franklin was serviceable booting 2 goals. He was joined by Isaac Heeney who also kicked 2 goals for the game. The “mini-break” Heeney enjoyed a few weeks ago seems to have paid dividends as he was a handy target up forward. Heeney took 8 marks for the game and is in superb touch.
The one mark that did get away. Isaac Heeney was a potent target up forward for Sydney. Photo: Jodie Newell
There wasn’t much joy for Port Adelaide except for midfielder Ollie Wines who racked up 32 possesions. He was supported by Jasper Pittard and Travis Boak, but due to the Swans constant pressure their efforts weren’t able to gain any headway.
John Longmire was happy with his team’s effort, whilst Ken Hinkley (right) thought the Swans were simply too good. Photos: Jodie Newell
Swans coach John Longmire was reasonably pleased about the 67 point win, but when asked bout the pending finals series, he was cautious and took the week-by-week response when pressed by reporters. For the Power, coach Ken Hinkley was obviously disappointed stating that the Sydney Swans were simply too strong and of a better class. When asked about his recruiting strategy, Hinkley whilst giving little away, indicated there would be significant list changes come 2017.
The Sydney Swans (14-5) as of Saturday night, were sitting 2nd on the AFL ladder. They face St-Kilda next Saturday night at the Docklands in Melbourne. Port Adelaide (9-10) are currently 9th on the ladder. They play a red-hot Melbourne team (who defeated competition leaders in Hawthorn) at home at the Adelaide Oval next Saturday night.
SYDNEY SWANS 6.5 9.10 14.14 14.16 (100)
PORT ADELAIDE 0.0 2.3 3.6 4.9 (33)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 2, Rohan 2, X. Richards 2, Heeney 2, Towers, Mitchell, Papley, Rampe, Kennedy, Hannebery
Port Adelaide: R. Gray, Butcher, Impey, Krakouer
BEST
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Heeney, Rampe
Port Adelaide: Wines, Pittard, Westhoff
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Rohan (hip)
Port Adelaide: –
Reports: –
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Jordan Bannister, Robert Findlay
VERDICT: Probably the best game of the year in terms of umpiring. There were no controversial frees or pedantic calls. The way a game should be umpired. Outstanding game by Donlon,Bannister and Findlay!
Official crowd: 30,204 at the SCG
