Amartey party: Nine goals from 10 touches as Swans belt Adelaide

Joel Amartey has kicked a career-high nine goals to lead Sydney to a 42-point come-from-behind victory over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

The Crows led by 23 points late in the second quarter of Saturday night’s match, and they overcame Amartey’s first blitzkrieg to still lead by 16 points late in the third.

But Amartey’s heroics eventually proved too much to handle for the Crows as Sydney kicked the next 10 goals of the match to secure the 16.13 (109) to 10.7 (67) win.

The victory was Sydney’s ninth on the trot, and lifted them three wins clear on top of the ladder with a 12-1 record.

One of Joel Amartey’s four goals in the second quarter.Credit: Channel Seven

Amartey didn’t have a disposal to his name at quarter-time, but he kicked four goals in the second term and another four in the third to flip the match on its head. He added another goal in the final term to finish with 9.1 from 10 disposals.

The 24-year-old’s haul was the most by a Sydney player since Lance Franklin kicked 10 against Carlton in round 23, 2017.

Amartey’s previous personal best was four goals, but his magical night against Adelaide boosted his season tally to 31 goals and has put him in the mix for the Coleman Medal.

Errol Gulden was also huge for Sydney with 35 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal and 766m gained, while Brodie Grundy racked up 31 possessions, nine clearances and 49 hit-outs.

AAP

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Joel Amartey has kicked a career-high nine goals to lead Sydney to a 42-point come-from-behind victory over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

The Crows led by 23 points late in the second quarter of Saturday night’s match, and they overcame Amartey’s first blitzkrieg to still lead by 16 points late in the third.

But Amartey’s heroics eventually proved too much to handle for the Crows as Sydney kicked the next 10 goals of the match to secure the 16.13 (109) to 10.7 (67) win.

The victory was Sydney’s ninth on the trot, and lifted them three wins clear on top of the ladder with a 12-1 record.

One of Joel Amartey’s four goals in the second quarter.Credit: Channel Seven

Amartey didn’t have a disposal to his name at quarter-time, but he kicked four goals in the second term and another four in the third to flip the match on its head. He added another goal in the final term to finish with 9.1 from 10 disposals.

The 24-year-old’s haul was the most by a Sydney player since Lance Franklin kicked 10 against Carlton in round 23, 2017.

Amartey’s previous personal best was four goals, but his magical night against Adelaide boosted his season tally to 31 goals and has put him in the mix for the Coleman Medal.

Errol Gulden was also huge for Sydney with 35 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal and 766m gained, while Brodie Grundy racked up 31 possessions, nine clearances and 49 hit-outs.

AAP

There’s the final siren in Adelaide.

For the last quarter and a half, it was all Sydney.

They come away with a 42-point victory.

Swans 16.13 (109) d. Adelaide 10.7 (67)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 23.11 (149) d FREMANTLE 12.10 (82)

Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates kicking a goal.Credit: Getty Images

BULLDOGS WIN THE CONTEST
Both clubs needed a win and they went about it in different ways. The Dogs wanted to play to their strength and turn the game into a series of contests and force the ball to stay on their side of the ground, while the Dockers wanted to win the ball and then power away using their speed. That speed shone early, but when the game was there to be won, the Bulldogs made it a battle and worked over the visiting side. Marcus Bontempelli was typically classy – more on him later – and Tom Liberatore was immense around the contests, inspiring others to join the cause. Fans won’t like how the Dogs coughed up some of their 58-point lead, but they will love the play that led to it. They go into their first bye of 2024 on the edge of the top eight and deserve it. The small forwards shone as well, with Cody Weightman, Rhylee West and Harvey Gallagher kicked nine goals between them. The Dogs have something very solid, the question is how consistently they can show it. Rory Lobb’s three goals were the cherry on top of a big day out.

BONTEMPELLI’S GOAL OF THE YEAR CONTENDER
The talk before the game was all about Bontempelli battling a virus this week, but Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge noted pre-game that Bontempelli missed training the week before his best-on-ground display against Collingwood earlier in the season. Beveridge proved correct as his skipper was again brilliant, and he stood up while playing more time as a forward, including a contender for the goal of the year. He attempted a mark, chased the ball on the ground and beat three Dockers to grab the ball, get to his left boot and snap the goal. Liberatore or others might beat him to three votes, but his three goals, three goal assists and 30 disposals were immense.

DOCKERS FAIL BADLY
For all their promise, this was a test of Fremantle’s finals bona fides, and they missed the mark badly. They remain in top-eight contention, but a team filled with serious talent, speed and promise couldn’t stand up in a contested battle. Dockers coach Justin Longmuir had his head in his hands for much of the second half, knowing his side could have both pushed an opponent down the standings and boosted themselves. Instead, the questions will ring out, more so, when they played with such dare and desperation once they were down by 58 points. To make matters worse, skipper Alex Pearce limped off late. Hopefully, it was just cramp rather than an injury, while Michael Walters injured his hamstring and was subbed out. He will surely miss some time.

KEY STATS

Goodness, this has quietened the Adelaide crowd live nothing else ....

Chad Warner joins the party.

Five minutes of play to come.

Swans 16.11 (107) lead Adelaide 9.7 (61).

Tom Papley gets this one, his first, 12 minutes into the final quarter.

Sydney could really tear this match apart. It could get ugly after Adelaide’s early form.

Swans 14.11 (95) lead Adelaide 9.7 (61)

Josh Rachele of the Crows is tackled by Harry Cunningham.Credit: AFL Photos

Izak Rankine of the Crows competes with Taylor Adams of the Swans.Credit: Getty Images

Errol Gulden of the Swans is tackled by Chayce Jones of the Crows.Credit: Getty Images

Swans are carrying a mountain of momentum ....