Sydney Swans overcome ‘haunted house’ to keep finals hopes alive

Richmond started on fire but were quickly tamed as they only marginally avoided rewriting the record books for all the wrong reasons.

Sydney have claimed their first win at the MCG since their harrowing 10-goal loss at the venue in last year’s grand final, defeating a young Richmond outfit by 44 points.

The Tigers got off to a fast start and led at quarter time, but failed to kick another major for almost all of the remaining three quarters — with the Swans winning 4.12 (36) to the hosts’ 11.14 (80).

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Only a Seth Campbell goal with a few minutes remaining prevented the Tigers from recording their lowest-ever score against Sydney with just 28 points to their name, and were barely avoiding their club’s lowest total against their former establishment South Melbourne (26), which was registered all the way back in August of 1909 — a near-116-year first!

Star ruck Brodie Grundy continued his strong stretch of form to be one of the visitors’ best, finishing with 19 disposals, 51 hitouts, five clearances, five inside 50s and a clever goal.

Up forward, tough nut James Jordan kicked a career-high three goals, while Chad Warner kicked his sixth two-goal haul for 2025.

THE 3-2-1... (with Ben Cotton)

3. SWANS EXORCISE DEMONS AT ‘HAUNTED HOUSE’ TO KEEP FAINT FINALS HOPES ALIVE

Hearing that Swans song would’ve sounded as good as ever … certainly for Dean Cox!

Sydney got back on the winner’s list with a much-needed victory over Richmond at the MCG in a game the Swans “started to show some signs of getting their game back together,” as put by Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy.

With it, the Swans have kept a faint of hope in their 2025 season after a brutal fortnight in big losses to Adelaide (by 90 points) and Melbourne (53 points).

Don’t underestimate the influence of 6am beach sessions after losses!

Dean Cox’s side improved to 5-8 ahead of its mid-season bye, with the likes of Joel Amartey, Errol Gulden and Tom Papley nearing returns from injury.

They’d effectively need to go 8-2 after their bye to be a chance of playing finals, but there’s at least a small pulse.

Just as importantly, Sydney exorcised some MCG demons.

The Swans are alive after taking care of Richmond on Saturday at the MCG. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Swans had won just three of their previous 10 games at the MCG, which includes two heavy grand final losses.

While Saturday’s result came against a bottom-three team, experiencing that winning feeling at the G’ counts for something.

“Bit of a slow start, but since then they’ve certainly hit their straps,” former Hawthorn sharpshooter Ben Dixon said on Fox Footy.

“We know the form they’ve been in, so this has come at a good time to play at the MCG – this place has been like a haunted house for the Swans.

“The scars hurt.”

2. SKIPPER’S RETURN HELPS LIZARD GET BACK TO HIS BEST

Nick Blakey got back to his best on Saturday afternoon in a welcome sight for Swans fans.

The star halfback looked like the All-Australian Blakey of last season, racking up career-high disposals (34) and kicks (31) to go with 886 metres gained as his trademark run and carry was on show.

It was helped by the returns of Harry Cunningham and skipper Callum Mills providing “better structure behind the ball” and allowing Blakey to play his usual running game.

Blakey started hot out of the gates with nine disposals in the first quarter alone when his side wasn’t playing that well.

Mills (25 touches, nine marks) was also prolific for Dean Cox’s side, with he and Blakey two of Sydney’s best at the MCG.

“We haven’t seen ‘The Lizard’ (Nick Blakey) play like this since last year,” Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said on Fox Footy in the opening term.

Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson was also full of praise of Blakey’s impact.

“Let him run,” Johnson said on Fox Footy at half-time.

“It’s been a huge half. The inclusions have created better structure behind the ball and allowed the Lizard to play his well. He’s dominated the first half.”

Nick Blakey was back in full flight as he tore the Tigers to shreds. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

1. TIGERS VETERAN SHOWS NEW TRICKS

Outside of the opening quarter, it was a tough day for the Tigers faithful as their side kicked just one goal after quarter time.

One man who was seriously hot in that first quarter was Dion Prestia.

Playing in just his second game in 2025, Prestia was everywhere in the opening term with 12 of his 21 touches.

The Tigers veteran also showed off a few new tricks.

Prestia in the first quarter provided the highlight of the game, kicking a crafty goal where he sold candy twice before slotting a banana through the big sticks.

Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson said Prestia was among the Tigers to “set the tone” in the opening term and let his side get out to an early six-point lead.

As Prestia, 32, plays for a new contract in 2026, Saturday’s showing will do his chances of that no harm as a wise old trusty head to help nurture the otherwise young Tigers.

As much as anything, it was just good to see the injury-prone midfielder back out there playing well.

Originally published as Sydney Swans overcome ‘haunted house’ to keep finals hopes alive