Sydney triumph over Giants in 27-point Derby win

The Sydney Swans have sent another ominous warning to the rest of the competition after a comprehensive victory over the Giants. LACHLAN MCKIRDY has the analysis.

Chad Warner celebrates kicking a goal. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Sydney’s stranglehold on this year’s premiership became even tighter after a second-quarter onslaught over the Giants delivered a 10th straight victory and put even more space between them and the chasing pack.

It was an ominous sign to the 17 other teams trying to catch them with the Swans irrepressible for the majority of the match. They produced an all-round masterclass in both attack and defence to equal their best-ever opening to a season.

It’s the first time in more than 100 years that the Swans have gone 13-1 and despite the best efforts of their cross-town rivals, they look as close to unbeatable as we have seen in recent history.

Errol Gulden starred for Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

The early signs suggested the match would be won in defence with both teams putting their lockdown credentials on display early. And for a game producing plenty of run between the arcs, both sets of defenders found themselves on top in the first term.

At one end, Leek Aleer and Jack Buckley were marshalling the best attack in the competition and reading the flight of the ball better. At the other, Nick Blakey and Tom McCartin were using their elite closedown speed to spoil the ball into Row Z and limit the Giants’ scoring opportunities.

It was a fascinating tactical battle with all-star match-ups turning into compelling viewing. Last week’s hero Toby Bedford went straight to Chad Warner, while Lachie Whitfield found himself in James Jordon’s pocket again.

But as the first quarter went on, the star players came into their own. Brodie Grundy’s ability to act as a fourth midfielder around the stoppages gave the Swans the momentum, while Nick Blakey’s blistering run through the corridor set up the first goal of the game for Hayden McLean nearly 20 minutes into the match.

It opened the floodgates with Toby Greene snapping a brilliant goal from a turnover to cap off a strong start to the game from the Giants’ skipper. Justin McInerney and Jake Riccardi then traded goals to give Sydney a rare lead going into the first break.

Adam Kingsley would have been fairly positive after his side’s opening quarter. He would have been even happier when Jesse Hogan marked strongly, directly in front, to give the Giants the lead.

Brodie Grundy racked up plenty of the ball. Picture: Getty Images

However, the Swans have already shown this year they can flick the switch like no other team. When they’re in the mood, they’re relentless in their scoreboard pressure and the opposition can find themselves out of the game quicker than it takes a fan to grab a hot dog and chips.

And although Warner, Errol Gulden and Isaac Heeney have been the main men this season, it was James Rowbottom who produced arguably the best half of footy of his career to spark a seven-goal to one quarter.

By the main break, Rowbottom had 22 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine clearances and eight score involvements. While tagging Warner took out one threat, it completely unleashed another.

The Swans are the best team in the competition at scoring from turnovers and the Giants found out the hard way. The stats were even for most of the term, but Gulden, Tom Papley and Jake Lloyd all kicked truly to punish the hosts.

Warner’s first of the day, 50 metres out from the boundary line, summed up the confidence John Longmire’s side are playing with this year. A kick that would leave most midfielders second-guessing, but Warner’s never looked like missing.

Isaac Heeney was prominent again. Picture: Getty Images

If the Giants thought the pain would end, three more majors to the Swans early in the third made it 10 straight and opened up a 58-point margin.

But as their motto suggests, GWS will never surrender. Despite Sydney’s overwhelming dominance, their opponents slowly worked their way back into the game.

Max Gruzewski’s first of two goals on his debut provided a much-needed energy boost as his teammates gave him the customary hair ruffles and backslaps. Toby McMullin was another standout with some strong contested ball wins while Tom Green almost played a lone hand in the stoppages as he finished with 35 disposals in one of his best games for the year.

The Giants’ pressure continued to lift and five straight goals brought the Swans’ lead back to 23 points to give themselves a sniff of a remarkable comeback.

However, with all the talk about bridges this week, it was a bridge too far for the Giants who just left themselves too much work to do. Caiden Cleary started the celebrations for the Swans, kicking a goal with his first-ever touch. Jordon wrapped up the result with his first of the day to take Sydney to triple figures yet again.

As the game wore on, Gulden’s influence continued to grow. He finished with 41 disposals to win his third-straight Brett Kirk Medal as the player of the match.

All the talk leading into the game was whether the Swans are untouchable in 2024. If they keep playing like that, they might as well be.

SCOREBOARD

GWS 2.1 3.3 7.4 11.9 (75)

SYDNEY 2.4 9.7 13.10 15.12 (102)

GOALS

Giants: Max Gruzewski 2, Jake Riccardi 2, Callan Ward 2, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Brent Daniels, Harvey Thomas

Swans: Chad Warner 2, Tom Papley 2, Hayden McLean 2, Will Hayward 2, Logan McDonald, Justin McInerney, Errol Gulden, Justin McInerney, Taylor Adams, Caiden Cleary, James Jordon

BEST

Giants: Tom Green, Finn Callaghan, Lachie Whitfield, Harry Himmelberg

Swans: James Rowbottom, Brodie Grundy, Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Tom Papley

INJURIES

Giants: N/A

Swans: N/A

CROWD: 19,751 at Engie Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sean Teuma’s votes

3 – Errol Gulden (SYD)

2 – James Rowbottom (SYD)

1 – Brodie Grundy (SYD)

Originally published as Sydney triumph over Giants in 27-point Derby win