Halftime heroes and full time failures, the Sydney Swans turn toes up once again in Giant defeat. I don’t know what coach Dean Cox serves up at the halftime break but it might have been a lullaby because his players fell asleep. The GWS, well down after the first half of football at their home ground, came out post the long break and destroyed Sydney. Winning contests and running amok to kick multiple unanswered goals. Chad Warner was nowhere to be seen nor Isaac Heeney in that third quarter demolition. It reminded me of the game against the Gold Coast earlier in the year with a similar awful result for the Swans.
Halftime heroes and full time failures
Sydney Swans In A Tale Of Two Halves Of Football
Charles Dickens may not have been present at this match but a tale of two distinct halves it was. Red and white crusaders became witches’ hats in the second half, as the Giants tore them apart. It is like Sydney is a boxer with a glass jaw, all class until they get hit with the pressure. Then, the Swans crumble and fall apart. I have rarely witnessed an AFL season where the class difference between those teams vying for the 8 are so far out of the league of the also rans.
“The Giants have capped an unfathomable second-half Sydney Derby blitz, trumping the Swans 15.12 (102) to 8.10 (58) to kill their finals dream. GWS trailed by as many as 35 points in the second quarter before incredibly piling on nine goals to Sydney’s one in the third quarter to lead by almost four goals at the final change.”
Swans Cooked After Halftime By Giant Sizzle
Unfortunately, Sydney in 2025 carry too many piss ordinary footballers in their game day 23. When things are going alright and their way the swans appear to be pretty good but turn up the intensity and contest and they fall away rapidly. Yes, there were a few excuses like losing Hayden McLean in the opening minutes to a head clash and knock – he was stretchered off. Joel Hamling, who had been holding his own down back copped a leg injury and could take no further part after halftime. Tom Papley has been a crock, physically, all year. He gives plenty but his body will not stand up. Lewis Mellicen had to shoulder a lot down back and could not measure up to the Giant talent forward. Errol Gulden was mighty, effort wise, but you can tell he lacks match hardness due to the long lay off with serious injury. Callum Mills is in a similar situation and cannot go with someone like Jake Stringer when it really mattered. Sydney for 2 quarters looked darn good with Warner and Heeney firing early but GWS hadn’t got going. Sydney Swans turn toes up once again in Giant defeat.
Not Bloody Good Enough Swans Sink
Jake Lloyd tried hard all game, as did James Rowbottom. James Jordan was likewise in the mix most of the game. Sydney was thrashed by the Giant halfbacks in the third term and the run they created fried the Swans. Brody Grundy was a tireless contester all match and had a great duel with Briggs. Too much talent all over the park when it mattered did for Sydney in the end. Sam Wicks was disappointing. Aaron Francis cannot hold a mark under pressure and that told all game to the detriment of Sydney.
New Talent With More Gumption Required
The Swans will need to recruit some new talent for next year if they are to get back up the ladder. Cunningham, Rampe, and Lloyd are all getting long in the tooth for AFL. Jack Buller looks a likely type and could deliver long term. Sydney needs a powerful fast player like a Bailey Humphrey or a Finn Callaghan. Someone to break packs and burst through. Too many lightweight types make up the red and white ranks to the detriment of the team’s performance under pressure. Perhaps, a trip up the Kokoda to harden these lads up might be in order? Something has to buck the piss weak trend exposed in losing Grand Finals by double figures. It is tough to barrack for a club with a glass jaw that can’t handle the pressure when it really matters. Sydney Swans turn toes up once again in Giant defeat.
“It is bloody disgraceful the way the team is playing in 2025. Sides blanket Heeney, Blakey and Chad, and the Swans don’t fire a shot. Too bloody easy that stratagem. What is Dean Cox doing about that? Bugger all, as far as the results indicate. Not good enough Sydney.”
Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of The Stoic Golfer, Money Matters and America Matters: Pre-apocalyptic Posts & Essays in the Shadow of Trump.
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