It was a trip down memory lane for the Sydney Swans as they defeated the West Coast Eagles by 45 points at the Sydney Cricket Ground in round 12 action of the Australian Football League. Sydney easily played it’s best game of the season and arguably one of it’s finest in years with a blend of youth and experience shining through with the result. Tom Papley starred for Sydney kicking 5 goals in a blistering best on ground performance, whilst Swans box office draw, Lance Franklin also booted 5 goals in his usual brilliant manner. For the West Coast Eagles, they showed some signs of fight in the first term and early in the second quarter, but were never able to measure up to the Swans consistent pressure.
Isaac Heeney boots the ball into the Swans forward zone. Photo: Jodie Newell
Sydney were out of the blocks quickly and kicked 3 easy goals, as the Eagles struggled to contain Sydney’s offensive pressure. Lance Franklin, Tom McCartin and James Rose goaled. Rose’s effort in particular was pretty decent, snapping a goal from over 50 metres out that bounced through the goalposts. West Coast were able to reply in emphatic fashion, with spearhead Josh Kennedy kicking two superb goals on very tight angles from the eastern pocket at the Randwick end of the ground. Liam Ryan soon followed with a goal and the Eagles were back in business by only being down by 5 points at the first change.
West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey practicing his footballing craft. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Swans forwards continued to fire in the second term. Sam Reid kicked three goals for the quarter, with Lance Franklin kicking two. Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan and Willie Rioli helped keep their side in the game booting 3 goals for the term, but the Eagles again struggled to contain the Swans forwards. Callum Sinclair dominated against Tom Hickey with Sydney being a lot more competitive in the rucking duels. Jake Lloyd was dominant in the midfield winning 42 disposals. Andrew Gaff, quietly worked his way to 28 disposals, but his efforts were nullified with Sydney’s desire for the football.
Effective. Callum Sinclair played well in the ruck for Sydney. Photo: Jodie Newell
In the final half of the game, Sydney ran out comfortable winners, kicking 9 goals to West Coast 4. The Swans victory was made even more impressive with three players out for most part of the game through injury. Jarrad McVeigh (thigh), Colin O’Riordan (concussion) and Jackson Thurlow (head knock) spent the majority of the game on the pine. Dane Rampe who was celebrating his 150th AFL match played a magnificent game in defense. Whilst Josh Kennedy kicked 3 goals for the Eagles, Rampe was able to lead the Swans defense in a tightly, drilled manner. Rampe was ably assisted by Lewis Melican who made 7 tackles and picked up 13 disposals. Ex Kangaroo, Ryan Clarke played his best game for Sydney. In a midfield, defender type role, Clarke made 7 tackles and gathered 22 disposals. Jack Redden was the standout man in terms of pressure for West Coast with 9 tackles and 19 disposals.
150th game for Dane Rampe as he leads out the Sydney team. Photo: Jodie Newell
Swans coach John Longmire was glowing in his praise for his under-manned side ” It was probably the best wins we’ve had, not just for the season. I struggle to recall where we’ve had 3 down (players) at half-time, I can’t think of a time when we’ve had that, where 3 still couldn’t come back on and still finish as strongly as we did. It was one of the better wins I can remember “.
A visibly annoyed West Coast coach in Adam Sinclair lamented his team’s effort “Effort’s one thing, but I think the old adage don’t get beaten by what you know probably comes to mind. They executed their plans better than we executed ours”
The Sydney Swans 15th (4 wins, 8 losses) and West Coast Eagles 5th (8 wins, 4 losses) both have a week off due to the mid season break. When Sydney returns they play Hawthorn 12th (5 wins, 7 losses) on Friday night, June 21 at the SCG. West Coast will resume their season against Essendon 10th (6 wins, 6 losses) in Perth on Thursday night, June 20.
Box office gold. Lance Franklin turned on a show at the SCG. Photo: Jodie Newell
SYDNEY 4.1 9.6 14.7 18.8 (116)
WEST COAST 3.2 6.3 7.8 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Sydney: Papley 5, Franklin 5, Reid 3, McCartin, Rose, Hewett, Sinclair, Parker
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Ryan 2, Rioli 2, McGovern, Darling, Waterman
BEST
Sydney: Papley, Franklin, Clarke, Sinclair
West Coast: Shuey, Kennedy, Redden
INJURIES
Sydney: O’Riordan (concussion), Thurlow (head knock), McVeigh (thigh)
West Coast: –
Reports: –
Umpires: Dean Margetts, Sam Hay, Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer
Official crowd: 36,640 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park, Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales Australia
