AFL round 22: Sydney v Collingwood, result, full stats and SuperCoach scores

Sydney has all but ended Collingwood’s premiership defence after producing a stirring comeback led by stars Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner.

Jakson Bartoli

3 min read

August 9, 2024 - 11:13PM

News Sport Network

Sydney's Errol Gulden runs out during the Round 1 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Sydney Swans at the MCG on March 15, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – Phil Hillyard **NO ON SALES** – Â©Phil Hillyard )

A two-day break for players proved the perfect cure for Sydney’s stuttering premiership campaign with an SCG triumph which put a major dent in Collingwood’s back-to-back hopes.

Rebounding from a 112-point thrashing, Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner guided the Swans to a three-point win to leave the Magpies teetering on the verge of elimination, now two games out of the eight ahead of a full round of matches for their rivals.

Sydney coach John Longmire opted to give his men a break after last week’s shellacking at the hands of Port Adelaide, a fifth loss in six games which eroded their lead at the top of the ladder.

EVERY PLAYER RATED: HOW WE SCORED SWANS, PIES

Will Hayward booted three goals for the Swans. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Players only trained once, on Wednesday, with the single lead-in session enough for the Swans to rediscover the competitive desire which was severely lacking six days ago.

Having been held to single goal in the opening half last weekend, the Swans responded with six majors to be within three points at the major break. Strong performances from Will Hayward and Luke Parker in the first half helped the hosts be clinical from their limited chances.

The Magpies forward line threatened to score each time the ball hit the ground, with their small forwards creating havoc for Swans’ defenders. But it was the duo of Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron that created the most problems across the ground for the undersized Sydney.

The hosts’ looked well rested after a light week, running over the top of the Magpies in the dying stages of the last quarter. As Collingwood’s pressure wavered, Sydney kicked five straight goals to give them the lead with just four minutes to go.

The Magpies were on top for most of the night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

At three-quarter time, the margin was 21 points in favour of the visitors. But it was the chasing Swans that showed hunger and desire that hasn’t been seen since the early rounds of the season.

After reasonably quiet games, it was their key midfield quartet of Rowbottom, Warner, Heeney and Gulden that dragged the ladder leaders over the line and gave fans hope their early season form can be recovered.

For Collingwood, having raided back to life by taking down Carlton last weekend, Steele Sidebottom was their best on the day, doing everything in his power to drag them over the line and keep their season alive.

The veteran had Errol Gulden well covered for the first three quarters. He was also aided by Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron who threatened constantly with their height and contested marking abilities

Brodie Grundy and Darcy Cameron battle. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

SLEEP STARTS CONTINUE

Despite scoring more in the first quarter (3.3) than their last three opening quarters combined (1.4). The Swans still found themselves trailing at the first break, having conceded 5+ goals for the fourth straight week.

They’ve now lost 13 opening quarters through the 21 games of the season so far. Early in the season, Sydney were able to chase down teams after the main break, however they’ve now lost their last six games when not leading at quarter time.

Well that was unreal!

Watch the Last Two Minutes of Sydney v Collingwood thanks to Omo. pic.twitter.com/Y46xCQRCKF
— AFL (@AFL) August 9, 2024

LOGAN’S NEW PASTURES

The Swans’ newly re-signed key forward found himself at the opposite end of the ground against Collingwood, lining up against Dan McStay in the Magpies forward line.

He enjoyed a solid start to the game, keeping McStay at bay and taking some strong intercept marks. As he tired into the later stages, McDonald appeared uncomfortable under the barrage of attack being sent in by the Magpies. His redemption came in the Swans’ final surge as he was swung forward and booted a key goal from his troublesome range outside 50.

THE CHASING QUARTET

At three quarter time when the game felt out of reach, it was the Swans midfield that once again stood tall. Heeney, Warner and Gulden all kicked goals in the five-goal, final quarter surge to chase down the tiring Magpies.