AFL Round 8 Sydney v GWS: All the analysis and the fallout as the Swans win derby

This derby was billed as a potential grand final preview – but it was older brother Sydney who showed the Giants who’s boss in the premiership race, writes LACHLAN McKIRDY.

If they weren’t “smug” before the game, it’s fair to say the Swans silenced any doubters around their premiership credentials with a dominant 29-point win over the Giants in the Sydney Derby.

The game was billed as a potential grand final preview and 40,337 fans at the SCG didn’t leave disappointed.

The early running was a battle of two elite midfields. Chad Warner, James Rowbottom and Isaac Heeney took on the first centre bounce against Josh Kelly, Tom Green and the ever-improving James Peatling.

Local boy Kieren Briggs, in his first Sydney Derby at the SCG, rose to the occasion with an enormous early showing in the ruck against Brodie Grundy. While the Swans’ high-profile recruit dominated the hitouts, Briggs’ ability to win clearances created undeniable momentum.

By the first break, the Giants had opened up a 15-point lead with former number one draft pick Aaron Cadman’s irresistible left foot claiming two early goals.

Isaac Heeney celebrates with Sydney fans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But all week, the question was who would handle the weather best. While the early forecast of torrential rain all day wasn’t completely accurate, when it finally arrived in the second quarter, the Swans took to it, well, like a swan to water.

With the Giants’ contested-ball king, Green, subbed out of the game early with an ankle injury, the tide turned quickly as the Swans dominated the match.

Quick goals to Logan McDonald and Will Hayward quickly ate into their deficit before Joel Amartey finally got into the game taking the Swans’ first mark inside 50 for the game while the rain was at its heaviest.

A game that looked like one-way traffic early thanks to the Giants’ ability to shutdown Sydney’s key forwards quickly flipped on its head.

Grundy emerged as the barometer for Sydney’s form, with the Swans able to turn around their clearance work and surge forward much like their opponents’ famed orange tsunami. The hosts opened up a nine-point lead by the main break and with the rain beginning to subside, they were again the quickest to adjust to the conditions.

Hayward turned into a menace in the forward line, kicking three goals in the third to help open up the biggest lead of the game. The Giants fought valiantly to keep themselves within touch, but they became their own worst enemies. Brain fades including an avoidable 6-6-6 penalty gave the Swans opportunities they simply couldn’t afford.

Brodie Grundy and Kieren Briggs go head-to-head. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos

Callum Brown might be in trouble for this hit on Tom McCartin. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos

What really made Sydney’s performance so impressive was their defensive resolve. Their number one man down back, Tom McCartin, was forced from the field early in the second quarter after failing a HIA following an incident with Callum Brown.

Instead of losing their shape down back, like they did at many stages last year, the returning Dane Rampe and Lewis Melican masterminded a masterclass against what was the best attack in the competition coming into the game.

The Giants only kicked five goals after quarter time, with the relentless tackling pressure of the Swans disrupting the transition game that Adam Kingsley’s men thrive on. Rampe finishing the game with an incredible 15 intercept possessions.

With the ball in hand, it was the Sydney Swarm back in action as they continued to pile on the points in the final term. Warner and Errol Gulden continued their elite seasons, often running through the corridor without a Giants opponent near them.

Josh Kelly and the Giants couldn’t go with the Swans on Saturday. Picture: Spencer/Getty Images

By no means was it a poor performance from the high-flying Giants’ defence. But the ball never left their defensive 50, as Sydney finished with +25 inside 50s, a mountain of work that no defence in the competition can be expected to overcome.

Unlike last year’s match at the ground, there was no threat of a Giants comeback. Toby Greene was kept extremely quiet as his poor start to the year continued, while Cadman and Jesse Hogan lacked the service that has made them such a force so far in 2024.

Both these teams will be up the pointy end of the ladder by the time September rolls around. But this was big brother showing little brother who was boss, with a display that confirmed the Swans are the real deal this season.

Scoreboard

SYDNEY 2.6 6.8 10.11 14.14 (98)

GWS 5.3 5.5 8.5 10.9 (69)

GOALS

Swans: Will Hayward 4, James Rowbottom 2, Logan McDonald, James Jordon, Joel Amartey, Tom Papley, Errol Gulden, Hayden McLean, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner

Giants: Aaron Cadman 2, Jesse Hogan 2, Brent Daniels 2, Callum Brown 2, Darcy Jones, James Peatling

SEAN TEUMA’S BEST

Swans: Hayward, Gulden, Warner, Rowbottom, Heeney, Rampe

Giants: Briggs, Peatling, Daniels, Kelly

INJURIES

Swans: Tom McCartin (concussion)

Giants: Tom Green (ankle)

CROWD: 40,337 at SCG

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Sean Teuma’s votes

3 – Errol Gulden (SYD)

2 – Will Hayward (SYD)

1 – Isaac Heeney (SYD)

Originally published as AFL Round 8 Sydney v GWS: All the analysis and the fallout as the Swans win derby