Star full-forward Charlie Curnow delivered a season-best performance with eight goals, while Hayden McLean added four as the Swans made a strong return to form with an impressive 114-point victory over Richmond at the SCG.
The match marked a rare visit by the Tigers to Sydney, and although the Swans rested several key players, they still dominated in a commanding display that helped restore confidence after last week’s 27-point loss to Geelong. The pre-game AFL Record had predicted the outcome: “2nd v 17th and it’s at the SCG. This won’t be close.”
After struggling on the narrow oval in Geelong, Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner were relieved to be back home at the SCG, where the wide open spaces and sunny conditions suited their style of play. Both players recorded 32 disposals, with Heeney kicking five goals and Warner adding three.
The Swans gave ruckman Brodie Grundy a well-earned rest, as he had played every game this season. In his absence, cult figure Peter Ladhams made his first appearance of the year, contributing one goal along with 28 hit-outs and 24 disposals. If the Swans are to challenge for the Premiership, maintaining Grundy’s fitness will be crucial.
Swans coach Dean Cox praised Ladhams’ performance after he transitioned from the VFL to the SCG.
“I was speaking to Brodie throughout the week and being such a competitor, he wants to play, he wants to train every day, he wants to play every game,” Cox said.
“But with workload that he’s had, we had to rest him at some stage and with Pete being in great form, we had to make sure that we had to do it then and there. He performed really well and played the way he’s been playing every week which was really good to see.”
The teams were evenly matched in the opening stages. Richmond showed no fear, scoring through Noah Roberts-Thomson, Jasper Alger (two goals), and Tyler Sonsie. The Swans, however, were inconsistent, exemplified by forward Logan McDonald missing a straightforward shot just 10 metres out, only to later kick a harder goal from 40 metres and a tight angle. McDonald smiled ruefully as the ball went through.
It seemed like it would be a tough game for Sydney, but Nick Blakey’s efforts ensured no slip-ups. Majors came from James Jordon, Heeney, Curnow (three goals), and Warner, giving the home side a 20-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Curnow started the second quarter with his fourth and fifth goals, extending the Swans’ lead to 25 points. Richmond’s decision to place inexperienced 20-year-old Luke Trainor on the full forward looked ambitious at best and reckless at worst. After Curnow’s fifth goal, Trainor’s nightmare ended, and Ben Miller took over.
McLean kicked two goals in the second term, while Ladhams scored his first goal of the year from 25 metres out. Both players had spent most of the season in the VFL.
Warner proved dangerous with time, space, and the sun on his back. By the second quarter, he was tormenting the Tigers, with seven score involvements. McDonald’s second goal and Curnow’s sixth extended the lead to 58 points. The game was effectively over despite two Richmond majors from Mykelti Lefau and Oliver Hayes-Brown.
Heeney had his best quarter of the game, recording 15 disposals and a goal, while also helping his team win clearances.
McLean opened the third quarter with his fourth major, joined by Joel Amartey, who grabbed his first goal after a rare quiet game. Curnow’s seventh goal in a row equalled his season-high performance against the Western Bulldogs in round seven.
Heeney’s third and fourth goals in the quarter pushed the Swans to 139 points, surpassing their previous highest total of 132 against Carlton. Warner’s second goal extended the lead to 97 points.
By the final quarter, the Swans were content to handball without providing the goal-kicking threat that had defined the afternoon.
After four consecutive Swans behinds, Curnow kicked his eighth goal of the game, marking his best return of the season and earning the loudest cheer of the afternoon from the 38,000-strong crowd at the SCG.
Heeney’s fifth goal of the afternoon came via an assist from debutant Harry Kyle, who was cheered on by five friends each with a letter of his last name – and his number, 32 – painted on their bare chests.
Warner’s third goal sealed the victory, turning what had started as a competitive game into a training drill against a demoralised Richmond team.
The Swans will review injuries to midfielder Justin McInerney and defender Lewis Melican on Monday ahead of next Sunday’s clash against St Kilda at the SCG. Captain Callum Mills is also expected to return.
“Justin rolled his ankle so it was an option to put him back out just after half-time, but it was still a bit sore,” Cox said. “So it was about trying to manage him the best way we could not make it any worse.
“He was walking around the change rooms, which is good and Lewis’s hamstring got a bit tight so we’ll get scans on both of those. Hopefully, there’s not much there and we can move on to St Kilda pretty quickly.”
