The Sydney Swans (16.15.111 )have defeated Greater Western Sydney Giants (12.18.90 ) in the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.
The Greater Western Sydney Giants won the 2014 season opener, but could not convert the majority of their chances to claim the honours in 2015. A solid first half saw the emerging club hold a statistical advantage, but the class of the Sydney Swans proved too good in the end.
Isaac Heeney has shone for Sydney so far in his 1st year of AFL football. Heeney kicked 2.0 goals in the first quarter and 4.0 for the match.
“His finishing skill has been the thing that has impressed me,” commented former Swans forward and Fox Footy commentator Barry Hall.
“He is certainly a Sydney favourite at the moment.”
The 18th pick in the AFL draft is possibly keeping Adam Goodes out of the side. Goodes played well in the NEAFL reserve grade match in an attempt to get some good game time under his belt.
The ageing midfielder is working hard to remain in contact with the first squad, but with the young stars glittering on the field, coach John Longmire will have some tough decisions to make in the near future.
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin finished with a commendable 5 goals 5 behinds and he was made work for it. Buddy was provided with some excellent service from the midfield at times, but had to continuously look for the ball in and outside the forward 50. As the game opened up in the latter stages, Franklin won a number of contested marks against a tired defence.
Jeremy Cameron had a poor start to the match and could have put the Giants up early. The star forward kicked 1 goal 3 and would have been disappointed with his execution. The Swans took a 4.3.23 to 1.6.12 lead from the first quarter, but it was the Giants dominating the major possessions and clearances.
As scores drew closer, emotions were high and some Kieren Jack niggling drew a reaction from former Swan Shane Mumford in the centre of the pitch. A fifty metre penalty for lashing out helped Luke Palmer push the lead out to 26 points with 5 minuted to go in the half.
An incredible drop-kicked goal by Luke Parker off the in-step of his foot as he was collapsing to the ground pushed the margin to 30 points before the major break. The biggest margin of the game helped by the Swans dominance from the clearance. The Swans gained 506+ metres from clearances compared to the Giants 241+ metres.
Heeney kicked his third after the siren to blow the lead out to 35 points. GWS came from 36 down to beat Melbourne last week but were witnessing some freakish finishing from the Swans at their home ground.
GWS performed well in the first half but could not capitalise in front of goal. They were winning the majority of contests and clearances, even taking the better numbers for inside 50’s. James Cameron was kept quiet in the second quarter with no shot on goal.
Four goals in a row to Greater Western Sydney saw the second half begin with a bang. Franklin and Ben McGlynn had chances to stem the flow, but could only manage behinds. Interjections from Craig Bird, Kieren Jack and Lewis Jetta knocked the Swans lead back out to 31 and some wind out of the Giants sails.
Sydney remained composed in the final quarter, showing their physical prowess and premiership quality fitness levels. In what was the Swans most consistent performance of the year to date, home fans witnessed an impressive 21-point victory that has the Swans on top of the AFL Ladder with Adelaide on 12 points.
