‘Disaster’: Sydney Swans embarrassed in upset loss to the Gold Coast Suns

The Gold Coast Suns caused arguably the upset of the AFL season to date with a spectacular defensive display to emerge victorious against Sydney.

Josh P. Kennedy of the Swans. Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Gold Coast Suns caused arguably the upset of the AFL season to date with a spectacular defensive display to emerge victorious at the SCG over top four candidates Sydney by 14 points.

In a win that was inspired by two late Levi Casboult goals, it provides a massive boost to under pressure coach Stuart Dew and places the Suns just a game outside of the eight.

For the Swans, the loss is their second in a row and is not only a dent to their top four hopes but was a dampener on what was meant to be a day of celebration as they marked the 10-year anniversary of their 2012 premiership triumph.

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“It’s more about the reality of how hard the competition is. It’s tough. There are no quarters given. It’s a tough game and you can’t afford to sit back and wait and see what the opposition have got,” Swans coach John Longmire told reporters in the post-match press conference.

The victory is Gold Coast’s fourth in their last six games against Sydney with three of them now coming at the SCG as they punished the Swans’ notorious slow starts by jumping out to a 14-point lead at quarter time and then hanging onto that margin at the final siren.

“Proud of the fight obviously, our belief has never wavered internally,” Suns coach Stuart Dew said.

“It’s a bit of a shot of confidence and it’s really good to get that one, clearly.”

Disaster here for the Swans. Bit embarrassing on the day your club is celebrating a 10-year flag reunion #AFLSwansSuns

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) May 7, 2022

Big win for Stuart Dew and his Gold Coast side. The Swans 2012 assistant coach will really enjoy the drinks tonight when he joins the 🦢 premiership reunion, 🐴 not so much. #AFLSwansSuns

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) May 7, 2022

Embarrassing performance @sydneyswans, keeping with the recent worrying trend. Well done to the @GoldCoastSUNS. Wanted it more than us the entire game #aflswanssuns

— David Scutt (@Scutty) May 7, 2022

With scores level at three quarter time, it was former Blue Casboult who was the hero with two final quarter majors, which were the only goals of the last term.

But it was in defence that the Suns shone with their excellent forward pressure coming to the fore again, while little known Connor Budarick starred at half back in just his 20th game as he accumulated 20 disposals and took 11 marks, many of which were contested.

Sam Collins was stellar in defence as well in an absorbing battle with Buddy Franklin as he kept the Swans superstar to just one goal coming off the six he kicked last week against Brisbane.

“He’s putting together an All-Australian year. As our vice-captain that’s what you’re after and he did a great job,” Dew said.

Making the win even more memorable for the Suns was that in came following the late omission of gun midfielder Noah Anderson but the likes of Brayden Fiorini and Brandon Ellis managed to pick up that slack with 30 and 26 disposals respectively.

Suns players celebrate their victory. Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Reunion Downer

It was a wonderful sight to see Adam Goodes, man bun and all, back at the SCG and mingling with the Swans faithful after his traumatic fracturing of relationships with the AFL in recent times. But not even his presence along with the rest of the 2012 premiership side from 10 years ago could inspire the Swans as they failed to wrestle back control of the contest for long enough periods.

Witts About Him

Jarrod Witts led the competition for hit-outs to advantage coming into the game and he proved why he’s so dominant in that area with a masterful ruck display from the co-captain against Peter Ladhams that was the hallmark of a memorable Sun win.

Return of Rory

On a day of positives for the Suns, another was the return of Rory Thompson into the Gold Coast line-up after four years away from AFL football due to a horrible injury run. The key position defender went close to kicking his first AFL goal in nine years as well in the first quarter in what was an assured comeback into the senior side.