Sydney’s season had been “torpedoed” even before they were locked in to meet two-time reigning premiers Brisbane in a qualifying final, at least according to the club’s chair, Andrew Pridham, a couple of weeks ago. But a season that seemed to be heading toward an inglorious ending – with five players suspended by the club for a breach of club standards – has suddenly taken flight again, after the Swans blew away the Lions for a stunning 53-point triumph at the SCG. Even without the suspended Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice, the Swans who lined up against the Lions on Saturday afternoon looked as familiar as any to run out in red and white this year.
The rapid and relentless ball movement that has been critical to the Swans’ resurgence this year was there for all to see. So was the newfound strength at stoppage with Errol Gulden rising to the occasion, James Rowbottom putting his head over the ball, and unheralded recruit Jai Serong playing the most influential game of his career as he clamped down on the Lions’ dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale. But the Swans’ victory could have come at a huge cost after captain Callum Mills jarred a knee and had to be helped from the field late in the first term.
The scene is one that even occasional fans have seen too many times before, as Mills went to change direction in an attempt to tackle Lions midfielder Will Ashcroft, but slipped a touch, collapsed to the turf and immediately grabbed at his knee. There was little warmth for Sydney as they managed the fallout from their five players’ post-round 23 celebrations. But Mills earned respect for the way he fronted up to answer questions in the days after, then led the side to a stirring win over a listless North Melbourne.
Mills’ emotions spilled over in the dying stages of the game against the Kangaroos as he felt the support of Swans fans. Now the Swans are left hurting for their skipper as they hope for the best but fear the worst, in a reminder of how harsh the game can be. The undermanned Sydney were always likely to ride their emotions again after a tumultuous few weeks for the club.
But the opening-term blitz that left Brisbane shellshocked was more than even the most optimistic Swans fans could have hoped for. It was less surprising to see Gulden take command of the midfield as the architect of the rousing win. The Swans academy graduate has hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks and finished with a game-high 34 disposals, eight clearances, 915 metres gained and a goal.
But his greatest contribution was in leading the way with his tireless running on the outside and tenacity at the coalface. On a day when key forwards might have been irrelevant in wet and wild conditions, Charlie Curnow and Logan McDonald delivered career-defining games. Prized recruit Curnow bounced back from booting 32 goals with Carlton last year to more than double that and win a third Coleman medal in a first campaign with the Swans.
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