The Sydney Swans have left no doubt in anyone’s mind about their NEAFL premiership chances, dispatching the in-form Gold Coast SUNS by 107 points at the SCG on Saturday.
All 22 contributors for Sydney on the day showed the impressive readiness of their entirety of their list. As the full time siren rang, the final score read 21.10 (136) to 4.5 (29).
The Swans opened like a house on fire, with goals out of the blocks from Harrison Carr, Brandon Jack, and two from Toby Pink, as they hoped to set the pace for their afternoon.
However, Gold Coast continued to battle strongly, undeterred by their opponents’ hot start, as they slowly begun to wrestle back the battle through the midfield and across half-forward.
They were rewarded for their bravery with a settling goal through Timikoi Bowie, and should’ve had more if not for some underwhelming disposal inside 50.
As Gold Coast tired, the Bloods’ class exiting defence proved to be a little too much; a nice chain of disposal started at halfback by Aliir ended in a goal in the goal square to Callum Sinclair, to lead by 30 points at the first break.
Similar to the first quarter, the SUNS’ run and carry resembled the structures of a top six team hunting their third win in a row, but the class required to finish off their work seemingly evaded them.
It was in stark contrast to their opponents, whose slingshot style of footy helped them slowly build their lead through goals to James Rose, Sam Fisher and two to Sinclair.
Out of the half-time gates, the pace of the game certainly looked like it belonged to the Swans, as they made the margin seemingly impassable within the first 10 minutes of the second half.
After some high-energy football to start the match, it was disappointing to see a young team in positive form so easily put away in the third quarter, but it spoke to where the Swans are at in the competition through 15 rounds.
The SUNS certainly tried their hardest in the last, but it was almost as if the extra pressure from their opposition sent the red and white to another level.
Gold Coast return home next week to play host to the Redland Bombers in an AFL curtain raiser at Metricon Stadium.
Sydney Swans v Gold Coast SUNS at the SCG
SYDNEY 6.2 10.2 17.7 21.10 (136)
GOLD COAST 1.2 2.3 3.3 4.5 (29)
GOALS
Sydney: C Sinclair 5, J Rose 4, H Carr 4, B Jack 3, T Pink 3, S Fisher, L Maze
Gold Coast: D Currie 2, T Bowie, C Loersch
BEST
Sydney: C Sinclair, A Aliir, J Laidler, C O’Riordan, J Rose, H Marsh
Gold Coast: D Currie, J Scrimshaw, M Rischitelli, J Heron, T Bowie
