AFL grand final 2024: How Sydney failed again with fourth grand final loss in 11 seasons

This year, the Swans were supposed to put three painful grand finals behind them. And yet, after a near-perfect season, they’ve once again failed on the biggest stage.

The 2024 season was meant to be a chance for the Sydney Swans to right their wrongs. To bury the demons that have followed them for the past decade.

2014. 2016. 2022. The memories of three grand final failures that had hovered over the legacy of both John Longmire and this current generation of Bloods.

The results and maturity of the team this season suggested they had learned the lessons of their previous defeats. But somehow, they saved their most uninspired performance until last, rounding off a decade of disappointment.

Outplayed. Outcoached. Outlasted. No, it wasn’t a new season of Survivor, but a three-word summary of one of the most one-sided grand finals in recent times.

The Swans had everything in their favour going into this game. They finished on top of the table, won both their finals at home and had the perfect preparation to leave everything on the field.

However, from the opening minutes, it was clear that one side wanted this more.

A grand final between the two previous losers naturally meant that one team was always going to suffer heartache again. But this will haunt the Swans. They were never in the contest in a game where it looked like it was men playing against boys.

Ahead of the grand final, Sydney was described as the most consistent team in an inconsistent season. And they didn’t disappoint with equal flashes of brilliance and frustration early.

John Longmire has lost his last four grand finals as coach. Picture: Phil Hillyard

First quarters. Longmire is sick of being asked about them, and Sydney seemingly still hasn’t figured out how to master them. However, an early 11-point lead following goals from Will Hayward and Tom Papley would have given them some optimism.

At quarter time the Swans led the inside 50 count, 15-12. But they trailed by eight points at the first break and that margin should have been greater if not for Joe Daniher’s inaccuracy.

Sydney had their chances but looked disjointed and frenetic. When the likes of Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney broke out of stoppages, kicks were sailing over their teammates’ heads into the MCG’s empty pastures. Their forwards had no hope of creating a contest.

Longmire had a chance at the first break to speak to his troops. A steadying goal to James Rowbottom just prior highlighted the need to remain patient and trust their processes.

Slow. It. Down. The words would have been ringing in the ears of the Swans as they looked to lift in the second term.

By the time Longmire got to speak with his players again, the match was over. If there was any hope his grand final record would turn around, it completely evaporated in the next 30 minutes.

The Lions scored seven goals to one in the second quarter. The gulf in class between the two teams was obvious and the Sydney players were left shell-shocked. They looked spent, were on their haunches and there was still a half of football to play.

Brisbane’s superiority stemmed from the midfield. They ran rampant and the Swans had no answers, spending most of the game looking at the studs on their opponent’s boots.

Sydney's Luke Parker and Chad Warner after the final siren. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Lachie Neale was elite in the close contests, Will Ashcroft was running on air and young Kai Lohmann had the Midas touch in the forward line. It was clear the team with the fresher heartache felt like they had more to play for.

The maroon jumpers were everywhere. Any time the ball sailed through the air, the Lions outnumbered their opponents and quickly turned it forward.

But the big concern for Sydney was how they were tactically torn apart. If you drew up a list of what not to do against Brisbane, Sydney was ticking them off like items they needed to pick up from the shops

Brodie Grundy should have had a field day against a ruckman who hadn’t played since round seven. Instead, he and Hayden McLean were left stunned by the physicality of Darcy Fort and Daniher.

Sydney’s forwards had no rhythm. Joel Amartey, Hayden McLean and Logan McDonald – the latter of which was subbed out just after half time in scenes reminiscent of Sam Reid in 2022 – never got near it. Luke Parker was sent to play a high defensive role on Harris Andrews, but got no help from the rest of his teammates.

Logan McDonald was subbed out. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Then there was the general lack of energy. The Lions chipped the ball around for fun and would have been stunned at how easily the Swans allowed them to bring their uncontested marking game into the biggest match of the year.

There was no composure or calm, and it’s no wonder Callum Mills tried so desperately to make himself available for the match as his teammates looked devoid of direction and inspiration.

The onslaught continued into the dying minutes of the encounter. The game was all but over early in the fourth quarter but the Lions were still fighting harder at every contest.

There can be no excuses for the Swans or John Longmire.

The day will rightly be remembered for the incredible scenes of Chris Fagan celebrating a maiden premiership triumph.

But for Sydney, they will be left to rue another season of unfulfilled dreams and wasted potential. And of their four recent grand final defeats, this one will hurt the most.

Originally published as AFL grand final 2024: How Sydney failed again with fourth grand final loss in 11 seasons