AFL Round 21 GWS v Sydney: All the news, action and fallout from the Sydney Derby

The Swans finals hopes are still alive after an enthralling Sydney Derby – and it was Errol Gulden who stunned the footy world. See the goal and all the fallout.

A scrappy, to the wire encounter has delivered one of the best Sydney Derbies in recent history, with the Swans taking a much needed 11-point win over GWS at a wet Sydney Showground.

After a decade with one of the game’s greatest ever players as their key forward, the Swans’ next generation forward line put on a clinic in front of goal, kicking 12 straight majors in the first half.

It brings to an end the Giants seven-match winning streak and keeps Sydney’s finals hopes well and truly alive, with both teams well in the hunt.

Buddy Franklin’s retirement looks to have unlocked a new era for Sydney, with the Swans sharing the efforts across nine goalkickers in the 26th Battle of the Bridge.

GWS proved the perfect test for how the Swans new-look forward line would manage a Franklin-less future, with Giant Sam Taylor one of the most consistent defensive performers so far in 2023

“Taylor and they’ve been as good a team as any defensively, they’ve been brilliant,” Swans’ coach John Longmore said post-match.

“To their credit, they’re very tight stopping teams from scoring.

“We knew it was going to be tough. We’ve played (Hayden) all year and kept him going and kept persisting and giving him opportunities because he’s got a big tank and he can play a couple of different roles.”

Chad Warner and the Swans were celebrating on Saturday night. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GWS dominated the inside 50 count but couldn’t convert dominance to points, struggling to take clean marks, hampered by consistent rain and contested possession going the way of the Swans defence.

The Giants had the better of channel play through the wings, moving the ball through Stephen Coniglio and Tom Green but pathways into the 50 were congested by an intent Swans backline.

A more considered approach to goal after the main break had GWS slowing play and keeping the contest alive through the third, with Hogan and Irishman Callum Brown finding form in front of goal.

But with rain playing increasing havoc on the game, the Swans early urgency paid dividends.

The wet weather and a Robbie Fox tag combined to prevent Toby Greene from delivering the same surge that urged his team to a comeback win over the Bulldogs last week.

Greene’s increasing maturity was on full display but it couldn’t unlock the potential energy of the Orange Tsunami to deliver GWS an eighth straight win.

Sydney play Gold Coast at home next week in a great opportunity to break into the eight, while GWS travel to Adelaide to face the Power.

Callum Mills tackle Giants skipper Toby Greene. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney’s next headache?

Hayden McLean is quickly becoming one of the Swans’ most important players. A key target inside 50, McLean shared ruck duties again – this time with Tom Hickey who was recalled to the side after three weeks in the reserves. With the Swans struggling for consistent performance in the centre, McLean’s versatility in the dual role could prove a headache for Sydney, who will hope to use him more in the forward line following Franklin’s retirement. “Whether we’ve had other players or not we’ve stuck with (McLean) because we think he’s got something to offer,” Longmire said.

“He’s been able to kick goals in front of the ball, he can go in the ruck and do that as well and it’s pretty handy having those types of players.”

Nick Haynes 200th

Haynes was recalled to the Giants side for his 200th match and was responsible for the loudest moment of the night, when he kicked his side’s sixth goal.

Haynes, one of the last standing players from GWS’ inaugural season, is in his final year of his contract at GWS but at 31, looks to have plenty of footy left in him.

Errol Gulden was at his brilliant best in the win. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos

Errol Goalden

Errol Gulden delivered one of the great moments of the night with a phenomenal solo effort, giving and getting on the outer wing and showing the work he’s put into developing his pace this year to send the Swans back in front.

ERROL STOP IT 🤩#AFLGiantsSwanspic.twitter.com/tCpiugg0W8

— AFL (@AFL) August 5, 2023

Swans Buffet

Sydney shared the responsibilities and the glory in front of goal. After its 6.18 draw with Geelong just a month ago, the Swans’ work at cleaning up their set shot kicking was the difference on the night, given GWS’ scoring inefficiency.

Scoreboard

GWS – 4.2 | 7.6 | 10.9 | 12.13 85

SWANS- 5.0 | 11.0 | 13.2 | 15.6 96

GOALS

GWS: Greene 3, Hogan 2, Lloyd, Brown 2, Bedford, Haynes, Riccardi, Ward

SYD: McLean 4, Gulden 2, Amartey 2, Heeney 2, Wicks 2, Papley, Hayward, Florent, Warner

BEST

GWS: Taylor, Kelly, Coniglio, Himmelberg, Ward, Green

SYD: McLean, Parker, Gulden, Lloyd, Rowbottom, Fox

Werner’s votes

3 – Errol Gulden (SYD)

2 – Hayden McLean (SYD)

1 – Tom Green (GWS)

Originally published as AFL Round 21 GWS v Sydney: All the news, action and fallout from the Sydney Derby