The Sydney Swans have re-ignited their 2017 AFL finals ambitions with a solid 46 point win over the reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday night. It was a typical Swans performance of old, with hard contested football, incredible ruck work and all team members chipping in. For the Western Bulldogs they were completely outplayed, out muscled and looked extremely flat and bereft of any attacking ideas. For a grand final re-match it was the complete reversal in terms of intensity for the Sydney Swans and if they are able to maintain this level, they will go very close to securing a finals berth.
Hard at it. Sydney were first to the ball all night. Photo: Jodie Newell
The evening’s game began in slippery, but clear conditions with the SCG surface receiving a good soaking throughout the week via consistent showers. The team that used the ball more efficiently in the greasy conditions were the Sydney Swans. They immediately applied themselves at the contest. Josh Kennedy was right amongst the packs getting plenty of the ball out to his team mates. Isaac Heeney, Dan Hannebery and Kieran Jack also contributed. It was a welcome return for Jack who has been missing via injury and his experience and application was appreciated. The Bulldogs were having trouble getting the ball into their attacking 50 metre zone. The usual class of Marcus Bontempelli was absent as the Swans effectively pressured the star midfielder into turnovers. Caleb Daniel tried hard to get his team into the game but all too often his kicks were also put under pressure or his team mates where unable to make use of the ball to the Dogs advantage.
“Slammin” Sam Reid. He’s put together some consistent form of late. Photo: Jodie Newell
The second quarter could have seen Sydney gain an almost unassailable grip on the match if they had kicked straighter, with four consecutive behinds. Despite this, the Western Bulldogs kept in touch. Sydney were able to build a reasonable buffer with Lance Franklin kicking two goals and Tom Papley a single and they took a 23 point lead into half-time. It really was a poor effort by the Western Bulldogs forward line, with Travis Cloke being extremely quiet and would only take 3 marks for the game. Jake Stringer was hardly visible and it was no wonder the Dogs had only 2 goals on the scoreboard.
Western Bulldogs midfielder Toby McLean makes a clearing kick. Photo: Jodie Newell
There was little change in the Swans intensity as they never allowed the Bulldogs to gain any ascendancy. In one of the most lopsided ruck stats in recent memory the Sydney Swans ruckman in Callum Sinclair (31) and Sam Naismith (33) had 65 to 16 hit-outs. It was a shocking statistic and it did contribute to the Swans ability to get first use of the football.
“Up There Cazaly” Photo: Jodie Newell
The third quarter was an entertaining one with both sides kicking four goals. It was the first time the Western Bulldogs were able to string consecutive goals via Jake Stringer and Tory Dickson but it was to no avail as Sydney were able to post replying goals. Sam Reid was providing a solid target up forward and took some really good marks and goaled. Dogs skipper Easton Wood and Luke Dahlhaus kicked 2 late goals and kept their sides faint hopes alive at the final break with the Swans leading by 29 points.
Doink! Bulldog Matthew Boyd’s kick goes astray thanks to Sydney’s Callum Mills pressure. Photo: Jodie Newell
In the first ten minutes of the quarter the game was put beyond doubt as Sydney booted away thanks to goals from Luke Parker, George Hewett and Jake Lloyd. The Bulldogs final quarter could best be described as abysmal as they could only manage 3 behinds for the term. Sydney easily winning the match by 46 points. Josh Kennedy was best on ground with a clutch performance of 37 disposals including a goal. He won 17 contested possessions and made 6 clearances (3 from the centre and 3 from stoppages). Isaac Heeney and Jake Lloyd were also in fine touch both players picking up 31 disposals.
Sydney ruckman Sam Naismith was superb getting 33 hit-outs on the night. Photo: Jodie Newell
Post-game coach Sydney coach John Longmire indicated he was well pleased with the effort and how his team didn’t stop working throughout the game. A normally cool and in control Luke Beveridge was clearly disappointed in his team’s effort. He became slightly agitated when pressed about the non-inclusion of premiership player Tom Liberatore which has provided much debate in football circles. Sydney face Richmond next Saturday afternoon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for what promises to be a tough, but must win encounter. The Western Bulldogs play Melbourne next Sunday at the Docklands Stadium (Etihad).
Pleased with the work rate. Swans coach John Longmire post-game. Photo: Jodie Newell
Dog of a night. Western Bulldog coach Luke Beveridge wasn’t happy. Photo: Jodie Newell
SYDNEY 2.2 5.8 9.14 12.16 (88)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 2.3 6.3 6.6 (42)
GOALS
Sydney: Franklin 3, Reid 2, Papley 2, Hannebery, Kennedy, Parker, Hewett, Lloyd
Western Bulldogs: McLean, Daniel, Stringer, Dickson, Wood, Dahlhaus
BEST
Sydney: Kennedy, Heeney, Lloyd
Western Bulldogs: Daniel, Macrae Dahlhaus
INJURIES
Sydney: Jack (hand)
Western Bulldogs: Adams (foot)
Reports: No Reports
Umpires: Mathew Nicholls, Sam Hay, Robert Findlay, Shane McInerney
Verdict: Despite 4 umpires, it wasn’t a very good game from the Messers. McInerney, Findlay, Hay and Nicholls. I’d hesitatingly rate it as the worst performance by the men in lime so far this season. The Swans crowd have been described over the years as “knowledgeable” and they certainly are when it comes to average officiating which was in play. Plenty of boos and “maggot” calls this week. Rating: 3 /10
Official crowd: 20,692 at the Sydney Cricket Ground
