Sydney Swans Took One Small Step
The Sydney Swans took one small step toward recovery in 2025. Yes, the red and white team recorded a victory over Richmond, last year’s wooden spooner. It was a match between the 2024 minor premiers and the bottom side of that season. Of course, a year or 6 months is a long time in AFL footy. It was great to have Harry Cunningham back in the team for the first time in 2025. It was like having an adult in the 18 out on the ground who knew what to do and how to go about his business. Similarly, Callum Mills played his second game of season 2025 and was solid for most of the afternoon.
Swans Not World Beaters Yet
Having too many kids in the side becomes a vulnerability, especially as the season progresses and their form wanes at times. The Swans did not look like world beaters by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a step in the right direction. Nick Blakey was really good all day in so many areas of the game – best player on the ground, I think. James Jordan kicked 3 goals and shut down the Tiger who loves to lift his arms in the tackle Nick Vlastuin. Hey, umpires open your eyes, the arm lift in the tackle is so bloody obvious, especially when a player does it 8 or 9 times. The 4 umpires were iffy at best; gee the standard of AFL umpiring has been ordinary this season!
Sydney Victory Over Tigers An Improvement
“An unanswered 10-goal run from Sydney resulted in the 11.14 (80) to 4.12 (36) victory.”
James Rowbottom was huge with a dozen tackles and his contest and pressure were awesome all day. He shut down the Tiger’s best player in the first quarter, Dion Prestia, too, for the remainder of the game. Brody Grundy got the better of Nank and he, Grundy, just got better as the match progressed. Aaron Francis was handy up forward. Hayden McLean played a solid game too. Gerard Healey reckons McLean needs to widen his stance in the marking contest to provide the anchoring required not to get pushed out of the way so easily. Do they have technique coaches at the Swans? The Swans desperately need more aerial presence around the ground and up forward. Tom McCartin was the best Swan in the air and played one of his best games in defence. Riley Bice looks better on a wing than at half back – wingers can be more attacking without having to defend as much.
“Cox provided some “tough love” to his troops following the deplorable defeat, and although Saturday’s clash with Richmond started nervously, the Swans restricted the Tigers to one goal after quarter time.”
Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney were good without being great. Angus Sheldrick played well and was tough in the contest too. Sheldrick needs to improve his ball use going forward. It was a good team effort from a struggling side playing on the MCG, where a lot of bad memories must reside. Swans have a bye next week.
“The Sydney Swans can ill afford to lose another game in 2025. Quite apart from finals becoming out of reach, what about the rapidly expanding lack of respect from the competition? “
Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of The Stoic Golfer and America Matters: Pre-apocalyptic Posts & Essays in the Shadow of Trump.
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