Charlie Curnow kicks six goals as the Sydney Swans prove far too strong for the Western Bulldogs at the SCG
The Swans bounced back in style after last week’s reality check against the Brisbane Lions; Superstar player Charlie Curnow kicked six goals to lead his new team to a 35-point win over the Western Bulldogs at the SCG, 13.12 (90) to 7.13 (55).
Bulldogs’ supporters will be happy to see the back of Curnow for now, as Curnow kicked seven kicks the last time they met in round seven and his strike on Friday night moved him to the top of the Coleman Medal standings.
Brodie Grundy, meanwhile, looked almost unstoppable in the group, fishing 17 disposals, five interceptions, six clearances and a staggering 60 bunkers. The Bulldogs had just 29 benches as a team.
As Grundy dominated, Tim English was deployed deep in defence, prompting Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Jason Dunstall to ask on Kayo Sports commentary: “What message is there?” [Bulldogs coach] Luke Beveridge sending Tim English out to play full-back? “This is a vote of no confidence in the party,” he said.
In Brisbane the Swans were stifled, but against the Bulldogs they were given the opportunity to roam free and wide. The Bulldogs also seemed happy to play the role of pantomime villains in Sydney, occasionally going down dramatically after what appeared to be minimal contact.
Injuries to tall men Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey have forced the Swans to reshuffle their forward line, with Hayden McLean receiving the nod to partner Curnow.
They worked brilliantly together, with McLean finishing with three goals in his fifth AFL game of the year.
The 27-year-old patiently waited for his opportunities and took advantage of every opportunity given to him. With Amartey sidelined for 10 weeks with an Achilles tendon injury, McLean’s form is crucial for the Swans, especially given his ability to operate off the bench when required.
There was a curious lack of intensity from both teams in the first quarter, which wasn’t helped by the rare empty seats at the SCG for Friday night football, which was attended by more than 35,000 fans.
If the Lions provided the blueprint on how to smother the Swans with high defensive pressing, the Bulldogs completely ignored it and allowed the home side to roam around the SCG at will.
McLean scored the Swans’ first goal within the first two minutes and Curnow got early target practice, taking three shots in the quarter.
Chad Warner, one of the Swans’ rare bright lights from Brisbane, scored a goal against the opposition that appeared designed to showcase all the midfielder’s attacking prowess.
James Jordon was tasked with tagging superstar Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli to limit his influence and this proved successful as Bontempelli finished the quarter with just three disposals to his name.
The Bulldogs not only finished the first term goalless, they finished the first term bereft of energy and ideas on how to stop the Swans team desperately sealing their reputation as title contenders.
Curnow’s fourth goal opened the second quarter. The Swans managed to play with such swagger and freedom that ruckman Brodie Grundy was confident enough to fumble a hand pass after jumping. Grundy eventually lost Sherrin, but that didn’t matter; The Swans had regained their enthusiasm following their defeat in Brisbane.
Seven minutes into the second quarter, the Bulldogs scored their first goal from Bailey Dale. Swans’ Caiden Cleary scored his second goal of the season to take the lead back to 34 points.
The Bulldogs turned up their pressure and intensity after their poor start and were rewarded with goals from Arty Jones and Ryley Sanders.
McLean’s second goal was the perfect reward for a striker who had to work patiently in the VFL’s sparsely attended suburban home ground for much of the season. McLean’s ability to apply defensive pressure from the forward line also frustrated Beveridge’s men.
Grundy finished the first half with 36 points, emphasizing his superiority over Rory Lobb, who finished with just 11 points. To give that context, Grundy has made an average of 34 appearances per game this season.
Errol Gulden’s unnecessary and careless push on Cody Weightman earned the Bulldogs a free kick and an easy goal for Aaron Naughton to start the third quarter.
Isaac Heeney had a relatively quiet night by his standards, but woke the Swans up early by scoring his first goal from a tight angle in the front pocket. McLean’s third goal gave the Swans a 36-point lead.
Bulldogs Jordan Croft’s two goals late in the quarter cut the lead to 24 points, creating a situation from which a comeback would be unlikely.
Curnow scored his fifth and sixth goals in the final quarter, breaking the Bulldogs’ temporary resistance and reminding the competition of his talent.
A comfortable win over the Bulldogs was achieved with perfect timing, but the Swans will also be fully aware of their opponents’ limitations.
The Swans’ attacking flair is back but the much tougher Fremantle defense will require this to be taken to even higher levels in Perth.
On the match review front, tenacious Bulldog Matt Kennedy will be eagerly awaiting the findings of an incident in which he made head-on contact with Swan Caiden Cleary.
Bulldog linebacker Nick Coffield was accidentally hit in the head with his knee midway through the final period and was taken off the ground for a head injury evaluation.
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