They did the hard work, but sloppy Swans beat themselves in grand final rematch
Sydney’s 2024 grand final review took a full day, and it was brutal. It had to be.
The review of Saturday’s rematch with the Brisbane Lions won’t quite be as painful – there are levels to this, of course – but it won’t exactly be fun.
Sam Wicks at the full-time siren.Credit: Getty Images
In their season-opening 20-point defeat to Hawthorn, the Swans’ big problem was their approach to the contest. They fixed that up; from the opening bounce, their intensity, physicality and pressure was on point, and didn’t substantially waver.
The problem this time was their execution. It cost them a game they probably should have won by two to three goals. In effect, they defeated themselves.
“I thought we gave ourselves every opportunity, against a really good team,” said coach Dean Cox. “We just didn’t finish off our work at times. Normally, we’ve been pretty good in that area.”
In the critical moments, when it was there to be won, the Lions were just so much cleaner. Whenever the Swans had the ascendancy, on the other hand, they too often picked the wrong option or missed the target.
Isaac Heeney kicked two goals for the Swans.Credit: Getty Images
Their start was almost flawless, but they left too many goals out there; Tom McCartin and Will Hayward put easy set shots out on the full during their opening-term assault, and so their 15-point lead at the first change should have been bigger.
Joel Amartey, a player who the Swans really need to step up and be more consistent this season, kicked 0.2, and didn’t do a whole lot else. There were plenty of other occasions when players could have lowered their eyes and spot a free target, but instead, they went for glory themselves.
