Swans Dominate Brisbane Amidst Injury Concerns
The Sydney Swans have delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Brisbane Lions by a significant 44 points at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The victory was built on the Swans’ ability to ruthlessly exploit a depleted Brisbane squad, who were heavily impacted by a raft of suspensions and injuries.
However, the win was soured by a serious concern for star midfielder Errol Gulden. In the fourth quarter, Gulden was forced off the field clutching his shoulder following a tackle from Brisbane’s Lincoln McCarthy. He spent the remainder of the game in a sling, casting a shadow over the Swans’ impressive victory. This setback is particularly worrying for Gulden, who missed the first half of the previous season with an ankle injury that significantly hampered the Swans’ attacking prowess.
Speaking post-game, Swans coach Dean Cox was unable to provide a definitive diagnosis on Gulden’s shoulder. “It’s a shoulder [injury] of some sort, we’re going to get that looked at in the next day or two,” Cox stated. He added that while Gulden was walking around the change rooms, further assessment would be required. “It’ll be what it will be, unfortunately. Hopefully, it is quick. If it is longer than normal, then so be it as well. We’ve got to make sure that we do whatever we can to get him right as quickly as we can.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Gulden and a minor hamstring concern for Isaac Heeney, the Swans can take immense satisfaction from their performance. Forward Joel Amartey was a standout, booting five goals and spearheading a dominant third-quarter surge that saw the Swans establish a commanding 53-point lead.
Amartey’s resurgence is a testament to his dedication. Having missed a significant portion of last season due to injury, he has worked diligently on his strength and conditioning. “To his [Amartey’s] credit in the off-season, there were some changes in our program we wanted to adjust to get him right, he dived into that all the way through his off-season,” Cox explained. “You talk about the program he needs to maintain, that’s not just when he’s at the football club to be able to do that, but his time away and make sure he can prepare as well as he possibly can because he’s so powerful, he needs to be able to do that.”
Swarming Attack and a Rising Star
The Swans’ offensive display was reminiscent of the fluid, rapid ball movement celebrated in football circles. In the first half alone, they registered ten goals, with Riley Bice playing a pivotal role, being involved in six of those majors. Bice’s performance was particularly noteworthy given his journey; just two years ago, he was working on a building site in Albury. He finished the game with an impressive 27 disposals, adding another chapter to his remarkable AFL story.
Brisbane’s task was made significantly harder by their own woes. They arrived in Sydney with a staggering 17 players unavailable due to a combination of suspensions and injuries, including three of their 2023 All-Australian selections: Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, and Zac Bailey.
The absence of Harris Andrews was particularly felt in Brisbane’s defence, leaving them undersized and inexperienced. While veteran Ryan Lester managed to keep Charlie Curnow goalless, it inadvertently created more space for other Swans forwards. Isaac Heeney and Logan McDonald both contributed two goals each.
This performance was a stark contrast to the Swans’ opening round victory against Carlton, where they were sloppy in defence and out-fought in the midfield during the first half. This time, they started with intent, piling on seven goals in the first quarter to establish a 40-point lead. Key contributors in the opening term included Nick Blakey, Malcolm Rosas, Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Logan McDonald, and a brace from Joel Amartey.
Exploiting Space and a Mid-Game Shift
Traditionally, the SCG is considered a compact ground, but against a weakened Brisbane outfit, the Swans found ample space to operate, particularly through the corridor, with Gulden orchestrating much of the play. Amartey’s second goal was a prime example of this, seeing him unmarked in the goal square after a pass from Warner, almost appearing surprised by the ease of the opportunity.
In the second quarter, Brisbane managed to stem the tide of the Swans’ relentless ball movement, with Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden being effectively contained for periods. However, Brisbane’s success in isolating one player often opened up opportunities for others. Justin McInerney registered his first goal of the night, and Amartey secured his third. Despite being limited to four disposals in the second quarter, Heeney still managed to find the goals for his second major.
As the third quarter progressed, Logan McDonald added his second goal after a selfless assist from Heeney. Brisbane then began to show glimpses of their capabilities, enjoying a period of dominance in stoppages and mounting a partial comeback. Despite their depleted numbers, they showcased class in their midfield through Josh Dunkley and Lachie Neale, who began to win possessions more regularly. This midfield pressure allowed Charlie Cameron to kick his second goal, and former West Coast captain Oscar Allen also got on the scoreboard with his first.
In the final term, Brisbane continued their late surge with goals from Kai Lohmann and Cam Rayner. However, the Swans responded decisively with majors from Brodie Grundy, Justin McInerney, and a fifth for Amartey, ultimately extinguishing any lingering hopes of a Lions fightback.
The reality was that the game had been decided long before the final siren. The sight of Errol Gulden on the bench, nursing his injured shoulder, served as a stark reminder of the potential cost of such a dominant victory, tempering what should have been a night of unadulterated celebration for the Sydney Swans faithful.
