The Sydney Swans have taken on the old Muhammad Ali rope-a-dope strategy, it seems. Absorb the opposition’s punishment for most of the match and then come out all guns blazing at the death knock. In this edition, Bloods sacrifice to beat Saints. Unfortunately for Will Edwards and James Rowbottom it was their blood and bone sacrifices on the altar of victory. A terrible injury for the rookie defender Will Edwards has finished his brilliant season prematurely. Rowbottom will likely be back for the finals. The Swans needed this win to hold onto second spot on the AFL ladder and it did not come cheaply.

Key Swans Suffer Serious Injuries Against St Kilda Saints

Indeed, for most of the game it looked like the St Kilda Saints would win this contest. For much of the first 3 quarters the Saints had more winners all over the ground. Watching the match, as a Sydney supporter was none too pleasurable up until the final 10 minutes of the game. It was like the red and white side needed to see a serious game stopping injury to one of their own to wakeup to what was actually required. Bloods sacrifice to beat Saints. Apparently, it was Dean Cox’s birthday and it did not appear to be any sort of gift he would want coming from the playing group for much of the contest. St Kilda were good and their play cleaner and harder than the Swans. I do not want to make light of the terrible injury to Will Edwards, but somehow it galvanised the playing group and motivated them to lift all over the ground. I hope that he heals quickly and can return to play in 2027. We need him for the successful future of this club.

Saints Huge But Lose In The End To Sydney At Marvel

The 2 million dollar man was weaving his magic for the Saints, especially in the first half. Nas was too quick for JJ and too skilful for our good. A beautiful exponent of AFL to watch if you were not barracking for the opposing team. Hall and Wilson were other talented Saints damaging our chances constantly. However, Chad Warner was lighting up Marvel himself and doing super stuff for the visitors. Errol Gulden, whilst not quite back to his very best, is running into form. Big Brodie Grundy is a tireless force for the Swans. Jai Serong played a great game and this new addition to the red and white is a ripper. Logan McDonald kicked 4 goals and played his most impressive full 4 quarter game for Sydney. Isaac Heeney was held for large parts of the contest but still provided Rolls Royce moments and non-stop grunt.

Sydney Lose Key Players Going Forward

Jack Silvani held Charlie Curnow for most of the match but dislocated his shoulder in the final quarter. Charlie kicked 3 goals. It was a fierce contest and the fight, seemed to go out of St Kilda in the last 10 minutes. The Swans piled on 7 goals to 1 in that last term. The rope-a-dope strategy cost 2 key Swans players. James Rowbottom is the tackling king at Sydney and the side will miss him. Be great if he could teach some teammates how to effectively tackle. The placid McLean needs a rocket up him. Riley Bice requires intensive contest and tackling lessons. Too many Swans sprint at oppo players and are easily evaded or pushed away. Please focus on this aspect of the game if you want to win finals.

Playing rope-a-dope with Geelong or Hawthorn will not end well for Sydney in the finals.

The Sydney Swans Defence Must Improve

The Sydney Swans can score quickly when allowed to surge down the field toward their goals. Games of AFL are won and lost out of the centre. The Swans midfield are brilliant, when they are on, but they have periods when they are not. The Swan’s defence is patchy and leaks. Will Edwards was doing a sterling job as a big key defender in his rookie year. Tom McCartin is our top defender in the air and patrolling the D50. Nick Blakey is the tearaway attacking halfback par excellence. Bice is the wannabe Blakey. Callum Mills is the Captain and a solid defensive soldier. Dane Rampey is the veteran with great one on one experience. Lewis Melican will come back in to replace Edwards. Together they are okay without being stellar. Mark McViegh is the defensive coach for the Sydney Swans. This unit will have to lift if the Swans are to be successful in the 2026 finals.

In comparison, Adelaide and Hawthorn are far better defensive units. We lost to these sides in part because of that superiority.

No More Passengers In The Swans Team Please

I have bad memories of the 2022 and 2024 GFs. Of my team being outplayed all over the field. Of Swans losing contest after contest and being largely uncompetitive. It takes a team to defeat a team. A few star players cannot do it, especially in finals. I do not want to see passengers pulling on the red and white guernsey. Players who can’t or won’t tackle or apply pressure to the opposition. Players who are content to always be second to the contest. I saw that on GF day in 2022 and 2024. I have seen that too regularly this season. Root them out now and replace them with blokes prepared to gut run and win contests all day. Bloods sacrifice to beat Saints. That is what is required for those 120 minutes every game. Take the heart and application of a Rowbottom and inject it into every player. The power and spirit of a Heeney. The fierce talent of the Chad. The fleet footed endurance and skill of Errol. Sydney is loaded with brilliance like Blakey and Campbell. All of these guys need to believe in themselves and play for each other. Bloods unite and shake down the thunder from the sky. Play hard and never give up.

Faux AFL Not Really National Competition

• (https://wordsforweb.com.au/the-afl-is-really-an-expanded-vfl/)

Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of The Stoic Golfer; The AI Heresy; What Price Life?; America Matters: Pre-apocalyptic Posts & Essays in the Shadow of Trump; and other titles. NOW AVAILABLE AT APPLE BOOKS & GOOGLE PLAY BOOKS. Google Play Books AUDIOBOOK

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