The Swans are back in style for last week’s reality check against the Brisbane Lions, with superstar recruit Charlie Curnow booting six goals to lead his new side to a 35-point win over the Western Bulldogs at the SCG, 13.12 (90) to 7.13 (55).
The Bulldogs’ backman will be happy to see the back of Curno for now, given he kicked seven the last time they met in round seven, and his run on Friday night moved him to the top of the Coleman Medal leaderboard.
In Brisbane, the Swans suffocated, but against the Bulldogs, they were gifted space to roam free and wide. The Bulldogs also seemed happy to play pantomime villains in Sydney, sometimes falling dramatically to the ground after minimal contact.
Injuries to tall Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey forced the Swans to reshuffle their forward line, with Hayden McLean getting the nod to partner Curno.
They worked perfectly together, with McLean also finishing with three goals in just his fifth AFL game of the year.
The 27-year-old waited patiently for his opportunities and took each one that was given to him. With Emery out for 10 weeks with an Achilles strain, McLean’s form is vital for Swans, especially given his ability to deputize in the ruck when needed.
There was a strange lack of intensity from both teams in the first quarter, not helped by the rare sight of empty seats at the SCG for Friday Night Football, which holds just over 35,000 fans.
If the Lions provided the blueprint for how to suffocate the Swans with a superior defensive press, the Bulldogs completely ignored it, allowing the home side to roam around the SCG at will.
McLean volleyed the Swans’ first goal in the first two minutes and Curnow kicked three in the quarter to get the early goal practice.
One of the Swans’ rare bright lights from Brisbane, Chad Warner, scored against an opposition designed to showcase the midfielder’s full attacking skills.
James Jordan was tasked with tagging superstar Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontamelli to try and limit his influence, and Bontamelli managed to finish the quarter with just three disposals to his name.
The Bulldogs finished the first term not only goalless, but also bereft of energy and ideas on how to stop a Swans team, sealing its credentials as a premiership contender.
Curno’s fourth goal opened the second quarter. Swans was so deft and able to play with space that ruckman Brodie Grundy was confident enough to dummy a hand pass after the bounce. Grundy lost Shireen, but it didn’t matter. The Swans had regained their mojo after the thrashing in Brisbane.
Seven minutes into the second quarter, the Bulldogs scored their first goal through Bailey Dale. Swans’ Caiden Cleary kicked his second goal of the season to re-establish a 34-point lead.
The Bulldogs lifted their pressure and intensity from a weak start and were rewarded with goals from Artie Jones and Riley Sanders.
McLean’s second goal was the perfect reward for a forward who has had to persevere through a sparsely attended season in the VFL’s suburban grounds. McLean’s ability to apply defensive pressure from the forward line also frustrated Luke Beveridge’s men.
Grundy finished the half with 36 hitouts, dominating Bulldogs big man Rory Loeb who finished with just 11.
A wasted, reckless push by Errol Gulden on Cody Weightman gave the Bulldogs a free kick and an easy goal to Aaron Naughton to open the third quarter.
Isaac Heaney had a relatively quiet night by his standards, but he shook the Swans from their slumber by squeezing home his first goal from a tight angle in the forward pocket. McLean’s third goal gave the Swans a 36-point lead.
Two late goals from the Bulldogs’ Jordan Croft cut the lead to 24 points, which would have been the least likely of a comeback.
Curno scored his fifth and sixth goals in the final quarter, wearing down the Bulldogs’ speedy resistance and reminding him of the competition’s talent.
A comfortable win against the Bulldogs was just in time, but the Swans will also be acutely aware of the limits of their opposition.
The Swans’ attacking swagger is back, but a much tougher Fremantle defense will demand he take it to even greater heights in Perth.
On the match review front, hard-nosed bulldog Matt Kennedy will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of an incident where he made too much contact with Swan Caden Cleary.
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