AFL Round 22 Sydney vs Gold Coast: All the news, action and fallout as Swans make finals move

Sydney is back in the top eight for the first time since round five – but the Swans were forced to fight hard against a gritty Gold Coast outfit.

Daniel Garb

2 min read

August 12, 2023 - 6:15PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Sydney fans enjoy a Swans goal. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

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They were challenged by a gritty Gold Coast outfit who came to the SCG with a defined plan but the Sydney Swans were able to ultimately prevail for a fifth straight victory in their surge towards September.

The 24-point win moved the Swans into the top eight for the first time since round five but they were forced to do it the hard way as the Suns held the lead at both the quarter and half-time breaks.

The move to send two-time All-Australian Touk Miller to Swans dynamo Errol Gulden for a hard tag helped stagnate Sydney in the first half, with Gulden kept to just six disposals to the main break.

Sydney were able to slowly but surely break down the Suns in the second half and a six goal to two second term helped John Longmire’s side take control of the contest.

With Gulden kept quiet for large periods, Chad Warner enjoyed greater freedom to finish with 28 disposals and two goals including a stunning snap on his left in the third term that helped ignite a Swans crowd that were wondering at times if their run to the finals would come to a crashing halt.

Gold Coast’s excellent first half was sparked by the tag from Miller as well as Jack Lukosious’ damaging boot in attack, along with the continued excellent form of Sam Flanders who finished with 23 disposals.

Sydney's Logan McDonald and Chad Warner in the win over Gold Coast. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Matt Rowell was the Suns’ shining light overall though with 25 possessions, and eleven score involvements in a brilliant fighting display in the clinches.

Last week it was the Swans key forwards who led the way while in this encounter it was the mid-sized attackers who starred with Will Hayward delivering four majors and Isaac Heeney two in what was an excellent first half from the 2022 All-Australian.

Three consecutive goals in the last term, including Matt Roberts’ first AFL major sealed the Swans triumph and keeps them on track for a top eight finish which seemed highly unlikely, two months ago.

TOUK’S TAG

There have been few more damaging players than Errol Gulden in 2023, so it’s natural that opposition teams will look to lock him down. Touk Miller was assigned that task and did so with aplomb early. As the Suns chased the game late they released the shackles on Gulden who asserted his influence on the contest but the Swans star can expect more close attention from here on in, such was Miller’s effectiveness early.

Hayden McLean celebrates a goal. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Ben Ainsworth gets wrapped up by Ollie Florent. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

TACKLING MACHINE

With the game fractured and slow at times to suit Gold Coast it became tough in the clinches and James Rowbottom’s attack on the footy was critical as the Suns controlled the stoppages early through the crafty ruck work of Jarrod Witts.

Rowbottom would finish with eight tackles and is now just eight shy of the single season Swans record of 170 held by Brett Kirk and Luke Parker.

Sam Collins tries to spoil Will Hayward. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

SAM’S MILESTONE DAY

Sam Day is an inaugural Sun but after a series of injury plagued seasons he brought up game 150 in his 12th season at the club. He finished with just seven touches and no goals but he’s now a life member of the Suns.