AFL round 10: Lachlan McKirdy analyses Sydney’s win over Carlton

Sydney was left sweating on the findings of the MRO as concern over two bumps took the gloss off a season-salvaging win over Carlton. Lachlan McKirdy unpacks what the result means.

The Swans will be anxiously waiting on the match review findings from Friday night’s gritty win over Carlton, with Justin McInerney and Joel Amartey both facing potential suspensions for mistimed bumps.

It was a sour note for the hosts, who finally got back into the winner’s circle after the biggest call of Cox’s short coaching career paid off as Isaac Heeney inspired the Swans to a much-needed victory.

McInerney was late to a contest in the second quarter with Carlton’s Jack Silvagni and elected to bump, clipping the Blues defender in the head. While Silvagni eventually passed his HIA check, he was subbed out of the game at halftime due to groin soreness.

Patrick Cripps tries to crash his way through a pack.

Brodie Grundy goal

As the floodgates opened on what looked like a night of celebration for the Swans in the final term, Amartey added more cause for concern after he left his shoulder in on a bump on Carlton’s Jordan Boyd. It was needless contact from the Swans forward, with Boyd coming from the field late in the game to be assessed.
Carlton coach Michael Voss didn’t mince his words after the game, stating his belief that the Amartey incident in particular should come under heavy scrutiny.

“(Boyd’s) not doing so well in there at the moment,” Voss said. “I’m sure they’ll get looked at and get looked at very closely and should be treated accordingly.”

Cox was visibly frustrated with the Amartey incident post-match and said that his players had to do a better job of not crossing the line. McInerney and Lewis Melican have already copped three-week suspensions this season, with Amartey in danger of joining them after his bump on Boyd after making clear head-high contact.

“I think one thing the players are certainly aware of is that there’s a line that you need to go to and you can’t cross it,” Cox said.

“We need to make sure we keep reminding them of the line. And if you do cross it, there’s consequence for that.”

The Swans could be set to welcome back both Callum Mills and Taylor Adams for next week’s clash against Melbourne at the MCG, but it’s likely they could be without two key pillars in McInerney and Amartey, meaning Cox will have to test the depth of his squad once more.

Joel Hamling celebrates a goal.

For the most part, it was a night of vindication for Cox after making the big decision at the selection table of sensationally dropping one of their most consistent forwards, Hayden McLean, in favour of Joel Hamling.

He also sent a message to the rest of the squad by relegating Ollie Florent to the sub role. It might have been a reward for Angus Sheldrick for his cameos over the past fortnight, but it was also a sign that he wouldn’t accept below-par performances from mainstays of the team. “We wanted to make sure players are aware that if they don’t perform at a level that’s required then their position gets put in jeopardy,” Cox said.
“It’s easier for me to go a young player and take them out of the team, but to take an established player out does send a message. We want our players to understand that even if there are injuries, we’ve got to fight like hell for our spot in the football team.”

On a night where the turf at the SCG bore a closer resemblance to Wet’N’Wild throughout the match with players slipping and sliding across the surface, it was a big call to go tall and leave out one of the best contested markers in the side.

Joel Amartey bump on Jordan Boyd

Justin McInerney bump on Jack Silvagni

Charlie Curnow kicked his 300th career goal on Friday night. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Caiden Cleary soars.

But by the final term, as Brodie Grundy ran riot through the stoppages against a Tom De Koning-less Carlton midfield, it was clear the move had paid off. Peter Ladhams gave Grundy the help he needed in the ruck against the returning Marc Pittonet, the Swans had a +13 win around the clearances, and it allowed Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner to run over the top of their opponents late in the game.

For the first three quarters, it was almost a stalemate as the slippery Sherrin proved too strong for both sides. Quick ball movement become incredibly difficult and it was some impressive set shots from Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow that gave the Blues the edge.

Controversial free against Mitch McGovern

Curnow 300th goal

Brodie Grundy celebrates a running goal with the Swans fans. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Yet it was Grundy who had the decisive moment that completely changed the momentum of the game. He got on the end of a handball chain to kick a goal on the run from 50 metres out to bring the SCG to life.

With the Blues clearly deflated from failing to make the most of their inside 50 opportunities in the early stages of the match, the Swans made them pay. Heeney finished the game with a career-high 38 disposals and kicked his side’s penultimate goal to put a cherry on top of an elite performance.

The result means Carlton’s incredibly poor record at the SCG continues, losing 18 of their past 20 matches at the venue.

And while it was far from a pretty game, Cox will just be grateful that the heroics of his superstars got him over the line, and his big selection call didn’t backfire.

Originally published as AFL round 10: Lachlan McKirdy analyses Sydney’s win over Carlton