AFL 2024: Dane Rampe wants Sydney to have best defence in the AFL after big Giants win

Dane Rampe couldn’t be happier with Sydney’s ‘clinical performance’ against GWS over the weekend. Now he wants his side to reach their next goal.

Oliver Florent and Dane Rampe of the Swans celebrate victory as they walk down the race during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants at SCG, on May 04, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The Swans are determined to own the best defence in the competition after surging into premiership favouritism following their comprehensive win over the Giants last weekend.

Throughout this season, John Longmire’s side has showcased their attacking flair and ability to dominate the game between the arcs. But against GWS, the number-one attacking team in the competition heading into round eight, their defence put on a clinic.

They limited the Giants to their lowest score (69) and fewest scoring shots (19) of the season. While the wet conditions limited some ball movement, they neutralised the Giants’ famed orange tsunami and ensured the game was played on their terms.

It’s the latest performance that enhanced the Swans’ defensive profile and provided them with the belief that they can be the team to beat in 2024.

Rampe was one of the Swans’ best in the wet in the win over the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“We readied ourselves all week and it was just a clinical performance,” Dane Rampe said.

“They’re the best offensive team in the comp and they started hot. To be able to absorb that, stem the flow and then get back to what we do best, which is defend, and then go the other way, it’s pleasing.

“We want to be the best defensive team in the competition. A lot is spoken about our offensive ball movement. But when we set ourselves up and defend well, we defend hard.”

For the majority of the game, the Swans also had to play without their number one key defender, Tom McCartin. McCartin was subbed out of the game after failing his HIA test following a collision with Callum Brown.

The 24-year-old is set to miss at least this week’s match against Fremantle at Optus Stadium, but given his history with concussion, it’s likely the Swans will opt on the cautious side to ensure he is completely symptom-free before he returns to training.

However, Rampe’s return was a major boost to their defensive structure and continued a long trend of the veteran being the most crucial player down back for the Swans.

Since the start of 2021, Sydney has won 66 per cent of matches when Rampe has been in the side in comparison to 60 per cent when he is on the sidelines. They also concede eight points fewer a game on average when he is playing.

Their one loss this season also came when Rampe departed the Richmond game at half time with hamstring tightness and they were forced to cover his absence on the fly.

In his return against the Giants, Rampe finished with 24 disposals as well as a game-high 15 intercept possessions and 10 contested possessions. Highlighting his importance, Rampe also received seven coaches votes for his performance.

Rampe kept Toby Greene goalless, a rare feat in a Sydney Derby. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The confidence the Swans gain from having Rampe marshalling the troops, and a fit and firing Lewis Melican, is set to be key for this upcoming stretch without McCartin.

“It’s great playing on a really good player, the amount of respect for Toby (Greene) doesn’t need to be stated,” Rampe said.

“When you play on the best, they give you opportunities and that’s what I love. They test you on both sides of the game.

“I felt confident (leading into the match). I deliberately gave myself an extra week just to be sure, I didn’t want to rush back.

“We know that we’re good offensively when we set ourselves up defensively. So that’s our challenge. We’ve always been a high-pressure defensive team, we went away from that a little bit after the first couple of rounds and we used that break to rest and refocus.”

The Swans will be without Tom McCartin for at least one game, but proved against GWS they can cover his absence. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Beyond the fact that they’ve conceded the third-fewest points in the AFL, the Swans have the make-up of a team built to defend from the front.

They are creating scores from turnovers, generating relentless pressure and limiting the amount of time the opposition has to find a good target inside 50.

It remains to be seen how the Swans will replace McCartin. Former premiership player Joel Hamling played forward in the most recent VFL match, meaning Aaron Francis or young Will Edwards are the most likely options. It could also be a way for Luke Parker to return to the side if the coaching staff have enough faith in Nick Blakey as the third tall.

But for Longmire, he knows the key against the Dockers on Friday, and for the rest of the year, is full-team, four-quarter defensive performances where winning the “dirty ball” is prioritised.

“(Against the Giants) we tried to get some dirty ball, we put pressure on up the ground which helped a little bit,” Longmire said.

“But our shape was important and our defenders played that part of the game well. They got their balance right between their contest but also the shape.

“Sometimes you can get worried about one and forget the other, but the balance of getting both at the right time was more often done than not and that was important.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Dane Rampe wants Sydney to have best defence in the AFL after big Giants win