The Giant challenge facing Sydney Swans’ red-hot defence

Over the years, the Swans’ overall form can be placed with how well they’ve defended. Nothing will put that to the test better than a date with this year’s best attacking team, the GWS Giants.

The form of Tom McCartin and the Sydney defence have been a huge contributor to the Swans’ fast start to 2024. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Swans’ new-found defensive resolve is set to be the springboard for their premiership charge following another dominant display against Hawthorn.

For most of the match on Sunday afternoon, the Hawks led the inside 50 count and had numerous opportunities to get the ball deep into their forward line. However, Sydney finished with a 76-point victory on the back of 11 more scoring shots than their opponents.

Tom McCartin, Nick Blakey and Lewis Melican were particularly impressive, combining for 13 intercept marks, 26 intercept possessions and nine spoils between them.

“Going into the game we just wanted to make sure that we were sharp, especially with our defensive shape and setting up behind the ball,” McCartin said.

“We knew they were going to bring good pressure, we respect them as a footy club so we’re glad we were able to come away with the win playing good footy.

“We can’t really control inside 50s but the way we defend to the death and really work as a unit is something we take pride in and we’re gonna keep working on.”

McCartin finished the game with nine intercept possessions and five intercept marks. Picture: Michael Klein

McCartin has had one of his more consistent starts to a campaign, playing the opening seven games of a season for just the second time in his career.

He currently leads the Swans for intercept possessions, spoils, intercept marks, contested marks and one-percenters in 2024. It’s that last category that he believes holds the most value.

“I think one-percenters is a big one for me,” McCartin said.

“It’s my shape and the way I communicate with teammates. Then it’s my forward impact, I take pride in shutting my man out of the game. If I can keep my man limited, then I can go from there.”

Sydney’s defensive balance has always been the key to unlocking their best form. That is clearly on display when you compare their 2022 and 2023 seasons.

In the year they made the grand final, McCartin and Dane Rampe played every game (25) while Paddy McCartin made 24 appearances as they averaged 73.5 points conceded per game. A year later, McCartin and Rampe each played 15 matches, Paddy was forced into retirement due to ongoing concussion issues and the Swans conceded 81 points on average.

While Rampe has been on the sidelines for several weeks with a hamstring injury, McCartin has two new deputies in Melican and Blakey to share the workload. The trio lead the club for one-percenters, have built some strong combinations and currently have the second-best defence in the AFL with 70.4 points conceded per game.

Having that support around him has given McCartin the freedom to trust his instincts and play to his strengths.

McCartin and Melican have combined as a formidable defensive duo. Picture: Michael Klein

“A key indicator for us as a team defence is limiting scores and that’s something we’ve been doing pretty well,” McCartin said.

“I love playing with Pel (Melican). He’s a really selfless teammate and it’s good to have a bit of height down there.

“I feel like we work really well together and we help each other on the ground and in the air. I feel like he’s building on his confidence each week and I love watching him and playing alongside him.

“The Lizard (Blakey) is just dominating. I think the thing that is the key indicator of when he plays well is when he’s defending really well.

“It’s unique to have a player that can do what he does both offensively and defensively with the height that he has. He can play tall and impact in the air, he’s going really well.”

The Sydney key defender is looking forward to the challenge of coming up against the best attack in the AFL, the GWS Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The toughest challenge of the Swans’ season will come this Saturday when they take on the free-scoring Giants. They’re the number one attacking team in the competition, averaging 107 points per game.

Rampe could make a welcome return, but McCartin is confident that whoever lines up in the backline can get the job done.

“Obviously, we’re missing Ramps down there at the minute, but we’re just trying to build each week and no matter who comes down there, everyone can play a role,” he said.

“It’s gonna be a big game. We’re looking forward to it, we’ve got a big month coming up so we’ll keep building each week and focus on our processes and go from there.”

Originally published as The Giant challenge facing Sydney Swans’ red-hot defence