Giants’ comeback stuns Swans in spiteful and chaotic Sydney Derby

After a sickening start, Sydney found their groove to comfortably lead GWS at the major break. Then a ridiculous third term turned the match on its head.

The finals race is now, officially, down to nine teams as the big, big sound reminded everyone outside of NSW that the Giants are primed for a tilt at their elusive maiden premiership.

In a game of two distinct halves, GWS put their foot to the ground in a brutal third quarter that not only ended the Swans’ season but showcased just how scary their scoring power can be.

The Sydney Derby has been a one-sided affair over the past two years, with the Swans searching for a sixth-straight victory over little brother. And the early running was as one-sided as the record suggested, with Dean Cox’s side completely in control.

Their method of first-half dominance was entirely predictable.

It was a spiteful derby. Picture: Brett Costello

In the pre-match press conference, when Jack Buckley was asked what had caused their poor recent form against the Swans, GWS’s work around the contest was the obvious answer.

For 60 minutes, it was like the Giants hadn’t listened as Sydney opened up an incredible 35-point lead during the second term.

Brodie Grundy’s All-Australian form over the past two months continued, Errol Gulden was playing with his own Sherrin, and skipper Callum Mills was running the show off half back. The Swans’ midfield dominance meant that by the main break, they were +7 for clearances, +14 for contested possessions, and had restricted the Giants to just three goals.

Sydney started the game superbly. Picture: Getty Images

Will Hayward was the main destroyer, kicking three first-half goals in a forward line that was missing all three of Sydney’s first-choice talls after Hayden McLean was forced off through a head knock within the opening minute of the game.

The Giants had scored 100+ points in each of the past five weeks. Yet with just 22 on the scoreboard as they went into the rooms, they would have been left wondering where the goals were going to come from.

But amid the steam coming out of his ears, skipper Toby Greene had the perfect insight into the Giants’ game plan. Wait out the Swans, and opportunities will come.

His “overweight” jab at Tom Papley during a half-time interview might have been a chance to have a laugh at a mate’s expense, but it also exposed GWS’s strength. They felt they could run over the Swans, and they couldn’t have been more right.

Adam Kingsley might need a few throat lozenges on Saturday morning, but his half-time spray had the Giants running on air and ready to turn things around.

Finn Callaghan set the tempo with a brilliant goal on the run that brought the crowd to life and gave his teammates belief. But no one could have predicted the turnaround it sparked over the next 30 minutes.

The Giants kicked nine goals to one in the third term as they took the Swans’ finals chances and pummeled them into the ground.

Toby Bedford kicked two brilliant goals from the pocket, Greene produced the perfect poacher’s finish before Jake Stringer finally got in on the action.

"It's almost as perfect a quarter a footy as you'll see."

The Giants have kicked NINE goals in the third term 🔥

📺 Watch #AFLGiantsSwans on Ch.503 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/N16YR75hTd
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/giAcZHwAZj
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/eUESHMWoFvpic.twitter.com/SgiC4AvQtc

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 25, 2025

It was perfect football in every sense of the word. They linked up beautifully by hand, were efficient moving the ball inside 50, and the Swans simply had no answers.

The Giants put the dagger in even further with three potential goal of the year contenders that had the fans on their feet. Harry Himmelberg bent one through from 50 metres out in the pocket, before Lachie Ash and Stringer kicked two more in two minutes to all but end the contest.

It looked as though the Giants’ chirp would be their undoing yet again. But in the space of one quarter, they turned things around with the best 30 minutes of football any team has played in 2025.

GWS went on a second-half rampage. Picture: Getty Images

The Swans were left on the canvas and had no energy to respond. Gulden and Grundy tried to will their team one last time in the final term, but just like swimming in a rip, there’s no point going against the orange tsunami.

Kingsley’s side is the real deal this season. They’ve put together six straight wins and beaten plenty of contenders along the way.

But overcoming a 35-point deficit to win a Derby by 44 points, a match-up that they haven’t won in five games? It could be their finest of the lot. And it makes their path to September a whole lot easier as they search for a top-four finish and a finals double chance once again.

Dean Cox had no answers in the second half. Picture: Getty Images

SICKENING START

Hayden McLean had to be helped from the field within the first minute of the Sydney Derby following a head clash.

The Swans had the first forward 50 entry of the match, which led to a massive marking contest directly in front of the posts. Unfortunately, McLean came off second best after copping two massive hits.

Hayden McLean is knocked out.

Firstly, his head connected with the back of returning defender Sam Taylor’s shoulder. That sent McLean cannoning into the ground, where his head hit the turf with severe force. The footage appeared to show that McLean was already out after the first contest, with the whiplash from the second impact disorientating him even further.

McLean is helped by trainers after the incident. Picture: Getty Images

He was then taken from the field. Picture: Getty Images

McLean was always moving his arms and legs, and even though he was trying to get up, the Sydney medical staff kept him on the ground while they braced his neck.

The medicab was brought onto the field to assist McLean from the field, but after about four minutes, he was able to get to his feet and sit on the vehicle on his own.

While he was talking and moving freely, the 26-year-old was visibly dazed from the incident.

The Swans immediately activated their sub, with Aaron Francis coming into the game. It was a major blow to Sydney’s forward stocks, as they already went into the Derby without Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald.

Originally published as Giants’ comeback stuns Swans in spiteful and chaotic Sydney Derby