‘Greatest win ever’: AFL world lose it amid 89-year Swans first

The footy world has declared the 2024 premiership the Sydney Swans’ to lose after one of the more remarkable performances on Sunday.

Can anyone beat the Swans? Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Can anyone stop the Sydney Swans in 2024?

As more rounds tick on, it seems like it’s becoming the Swans’ premiership to lose, particularly after the insane 65-point turnaround to down the Cats 16.16 (112) to 12.10 (82).

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Fresh off a bye, the Swans were completely out enthused by the Cats, going to the first break down 5.2 (32) to 0.3 (3).

Having won seven in a row heading into the clash, it looked like the Swans had finally met their match against the third-placed Cats.

Despite having only arrested a four-game slide against the lowly Tigers last week, Geelong looked like world-beaters, booting the first six goals of the match.

But the Swans team is made of different stuff.

With three quarters to go, the Swans started chipping away at the lead, going to halftime down by just five points before taking the lead late in the third quarter.

“The best punishing team in the competition awoke from their slumber,” two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King said at halftime.

Tom Papley celebrates a goal. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Chad Warner has sent Sydney into hysterics. Photo by Phil Hillyard

The Swans kicked away to a 23-point lead in the fourth before the Cats launched a late charge to get within 12.

But it was in vain as the Swans responded with three quick goals to blow it out to 30 points.

“They kill you in every which way,” Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said in commentary after Errol Gulden kicked the second last goal to extend the lead to 24.

The win takes the Swans to an 11-1 start, the club’s best since 1935 where then-South Melbourne won 13 of their first 14.

Depending on the result in Sunday night’s Essendon-Carlton match, could see Sydney on top of the ladder by 10 points.

The AFL world were blown away by the performance as the Swans were down by 35 in the second quarter, by claimed the victory by 30.

One fan said: “Maybe the Swans greatest win ever? That was sensational.”

Another suggested: “Absolutely the gut performance we needed. Against a bogey team like Geelong. Brilliant stuff.”

A third posted: “At this point, the Swans are looking unstoppable and certainly appear to have the Flag within their grasp. Assuming they don’t choke big time that is.”

A fourth declared: “Right now, the flag is not anyone’s to win. It is Sydney’s to lose.”

Sport broadcaster Daniel Garb said: “Feels like I’m watching Judd, Kerr Cousins, Cox again. Warner, Heeney, Gulden, Grundy simply awesome.”

And on a day like this — it doesn’t get much better for Sydney. Photo by Phil Hillyard

The much-vaunted Swans midfield including the likes of Errol Gulden, Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney once again went to work for the Swans, with King arguing they may be unstoppable.

“This guy is the best player in the competition right now,” King said of Warner. “His ability to cut and run from stoppages, he comes at speed – just the two score involvements, that amazes me given the impact he had in that second term. Maybe it hasn’t come yet, but look out!

“If you give these guys space post-stoppage, you’re going to bleed – and they were so diligent in the first 40 minutes of football Geelong, but they lost the handle on the two most important players out there.”

Heeney is equal favourite for the Brownlow Medal in 2024 alongside Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, but seemingly the only thing that can stop him is his teammate Warner taking votes off him as their double team takes the Swans into rare air.

Originally published as ‘Greatest win ever’: AFL world lose it amid 89-year Swans first