AFL round 8 Sydney Swans v GWS: All the news, fallout and analysis from the Swans’ 14-point win over the Giants
Dean Cox says Lewis Melican’s ‘immaculate’ record should help him at the tribunal after he cleaned up Toby Bedford, with no malice in the hit.
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Swans coach Dean Cox called for the ‘immaculate’ record of Lewis Melican to be taken into account as the defender awaits his fate with the MRO.
Melican collected Toby Bedford with high contact in a contest for the ball, ultimately forcing him out of the game at halftime.
Bedford passed a HIA, but was ruled out with complaints of blurred vision with nasty swelling present.
Cox said the incident wasn’t a characteristic of Melican’s game.
“I’ve only seen it briefly. I understand that it’ll go through the AFL and the tribunal. Obviously we hope Toby is okay,” he said.
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“Lewis has probably got an immaculate record (at the tribunal). The way he plays his footy, he isn’t malicious.
“He’s always been a ball player and that’s why we love having him at our footy club. That will play out in the next couple of days.
“You want to back your players in playing at a level that doesn’t overstep the mark.”
GWS coach Adam Kingsley confirmed Bedford’s eye bore the brunt of the collision, but wouldn’t be drawn in to comment on the challenge from Melican.
“He seems okay. He’s just got really blurred vision. He can’t see out of that eye at all,” Kingsley said.
“We had to make the sub at halftime which was quite disappointing for us.
“I didn’t really see it and I haven’t watched the replay, so it’s not really fair for me to make comment.”
The incident wasn’t isolated with both teams refusing to take a backwards step in a spiteful 30th edition of the Sydney Derby.
After a disappointing defeat to the Gold Coast, Cox said he called on his players to take the contest to the Giants.
I think in every game you’ve got to get to the line and test it,” he said.
“We’re in such a ruthless, competitive environment that you have to get to there (the line) as often as you possibly can.
“We went away from that last week, so the players wanted to redeem that. They did really well.”
SWANS CLAIM FIERY DERBY WIN
Sydney has ensured its remains within striking distance of the top eight after a 14-point derby victory over GWS.
There was no love lost between the Swans and Giants as the 30th edition of the Sydney Derby proved one of the fieriest.
Battle lines were drawn inside 20 seconds with the first push and shove of the afternoon, setting the tempo between two sides with a genuine dislike of each other.
Hayden McLean capped Sydney’s early dominance with a big shoulder on Connor Idun, before Lachie Ash responded with a late shot on James Rowbottom that had the majority of the 39,260 at the SCG seeing red.
Things settled down in the second half, with the Swans in pole position to make it five-straight over the Giants when they led by 15 coming into the final term.
GWS tried to mount a late charge, but Sydney was able to find another gear, sealing the game with Joel Hamling’s first career goal and ending a three-game skid in the process to come out on top 12.15 (87) to 10.13 (73).
The loss resigns the Giants to their third loss in succession ahead of a challenging road trip away to Geelong.
BLOODS ON FIRE
Sydney’s intent from the opening bounce was spot on as they ambushed the Giants throughout the opening exchanges.
The opening centre clearance saw them march inside 50 within seconds, completely dominating GWS on their way to kicking the first five goals of the contest.
They ran rampant through the corridor with their counter-attack beating the Giants at their own game.
Their 31-point advantage was gradually chipped into by the Giants late in the first term and throughout the second, getting them back to within a kick at the main break.
JUDICIARY CONCERNS
The MRO will have its hands full with a few incidents set to draw attention.
The most notable was Lewis Melican midway through the second quarter.
A bouncing ball was there for the taking with him and Toby Bedford both charging in, before the Sydney defender collected him high with his fist, drawing claret and his eye noticeably swelling up.
Substitute Jake Stringer was injected into the game for Bedford at halftime.
TAKING CONTROL
Chad Warner took the contest early and was a key man in setting the tempo for what would prove to be Sydney’s most impressive win of the season so far.
He put the writing on the wall in the first quarter with 10 disposals, including four inside 50s and two score assists to help open up a lead that the Swans would never relinquish.
Warner finished with 24 disposals and seven clearances.
GREEN SHOOTS
If there’s one positive to take from the Giants, it’s Jake Stringer’s form in front of goal in the fourth quarter.
Much has been made of his woes in front of the big sticks since moving north.
But he gave GWS some life with three majors on a disappointing afternoon for the club.
Jake Stringer gives the Giants a spark 🤩#AFLSwansGiantspic.twitter.com/srQ0Eqm6O1
— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2025
SCOREBOARD
SYDNEY 5.4 6.5 8.10 12.15 (87)
GWS 2.1 5.5 6.8 10.13 (73)
BEST
Swans: Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Hayden McLean, Justin McInerney, James Jordon
Giants: Finn Callaghan, Tom Green, Callan Ward, Lachie Ash
GOALS
Swans: James Jordon 2, Isaac Heeney, Caiden Cleary, James Rowbottom, Hayden McLean, Will Hayward, Nick Blakey, Aaron Francis, Corey Warner, Joel Hamling, Angus Sheldrick
Giants: Jake Stringer 3, Aaron Cadman 2, Darcy Jones, Jacob Wehr, Callan Ward, Jesse Hogan, Tom Green
INJURIES
Swans: N/A. Giants: Toby Bedford (eye), Kieren Briggs (ankle)
39,260 at SCG
SEAN TEUMA’S BEST
3: Chad Warner (SYD)
2: Finn Callaghan (GWS)
1: James Jordon (SYD)
Originally published as AFL round 8 Sydney Swans v GWS: All the news, fallout and analysis from the Swans’ 14-point win over the Giants
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