Swans storm home for great win

Sydney   88 defeated West Coast   67

An eight-goal to three second half has propelled the Sydney Swans into third position on the AFL Ladder, recording a 21-point victory over ladder leaders West Coast this afternoon at the SCG in a finals-like atmosphere.

Despite being seven points down at half-time, Sydney came out fired up and produced a sensational half of football where they tore the Eagles to shreds. The turning point in the game came when Chris Judd missed an absolute sitter which was to cost West Coast dearly. Judd was running into an open goal under little pressure but somehow the Brownlow Medallist’s goal-bound shot missed and the Swans kicked seven of the next eight goals.

Both teams made one late change to their selected side, with Sydney bringing in Jarrad McVeigh, who replaced Nic Fosdike - missing from the team due to a quad injury. West Coast made a very late change when Rowan Jones was called up only minutes before the bounce, to replace the sick Andrew McDougall.

McDougall, who completed the warm-up, was feeling ill and the Eagles took the safe option and named Jones, who has been in consistent form for Claremont in the WAFL. The Eagles also had a debutant in their selected side with youngster Matt Rosa playing his first AFL game. Rosa, selected at pick no.29 in the 2004 draft, is a 189cm tall running midfielder, similar to utility Andrew Embley.

For the Swans, Brett Kirk (26 possessions) and Paul Williams (21 possessions) were the stars whilst young guns Amon Buchanan and Adam Schneider were also very impressive.

For the losers, Chad Fletcher, Chris Judd and David Wirrpunda (all 21 disposals) were the best on a disappointing day for the Eagles.

The first term had all the makings of a final – two quality sides going at each other and some intense and physical pressure. The Swans made the better going of the opening term, booting three goals to the Eagles’ one.

West Coast were wasteful in front of the goals, with Chad Fletcher, Sam Butler and Phil Matera all missing gettable shots and the visitors finished the term with 1.5. Amon Buchanan gave Sydney plenty of run through the midfield, and used his supreme skills to advantage, as the Swans led by nine-point at the first change.

The second term saw the start of the Dean Cox show, as the leagues premier ruckman snared four goals and did a fantastic job in the ruck. It was no surprise that Cox’s sensational form coincided with the a good quarter from the Eagles, as they booted five goals to two.

Cox showed supreme agility with his first two goals, the first from a left foot snap around the body and the second, a long running goal from 45m out. His next two goals were from set shots close to goal, and they were also the last two goals of the term, as the Eagles took a seven-point lead into the long break.

Sydney controlled the third term, booting four goals to one in a dominant display. Michael O’Loughlin got the Swans off to the perfect start with a quick goal, but what was to follow would be the turning point of the quarter. Then Judd missed his sitter which was followed by an awesome goal.

The highlight of the term was Adam Schneider’s running goal, as the Swan burned Michael Braun off with scintillating pace, before taking two bounces and slotting a long goal on the run. A late goal from Nick Davis gave the Swans a 10-point lead at the final change.

The last term was all the Swans from the start, booting the first four goals to coast out to a 33-point lead, and despite two late consolation goals from the Eagles – there was never any doubt about the final result.

Next week sees the Eagles have a relatively easy home game against Hawthorn at Subiaco on Saturday afternoon, whilst Sydney have a tough road-trip playing Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

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