Opening game of the season, unfortunately the Swans are without their contested ball mids in Mills, Parker and Adams. Hence Papley and Heeney starting on the ball, their most important forwards. Pickett out for Melbourne with suspension. Florent kicks the opener, with a floater from 50, Viney replies with an effort stoppage goal. I knew Melbourne would have some depth issues this season, but some of these selections are worrisome to say the least. The Demons blow some easy opportunities, as they tend to do, in a low-scoring opening term, Sydney up 9. A significant amount of fumbling, dropping marks and missing targets, mostly by Melbourne, in humid conditions. Langdon goals after the halftime siren, in a dismal quarter of footy. The Swans lead by 7, with just the two goals kicked in the term. Fritsch with a good snap to start the 3rd and McLean misses from the goal-square, but then gets a quick reprieve from a 50. Fritsch slots his third for the term, with a bit of a silly advantage call. Viney goals from 50 to tie it up, Winsor good on debut. Sparrow quite poor though, Sydney up 2 at 3-quarter time. Warner goals from outside 50 after they had been wasteful. The Swans kick on and win it, by 22 points. They're going to be a strong team come the 2nd-half of the season, with the players to come back, assuming health. Sydney won the hit-outs and were +11 in clearances, the disposal even. The Swans with 14 more inside 50's, for 5 more scoring shots. Heeney best afield, with 26 disposals, 13 clearances, 8 inside 50's, 7 tackles, 619 metres gained, a goal and an assist. Grundy doing a good job negating Gawn's ruck dominance, with 23 disposals, 2 contested marks, 33 hit-outs, 9 clearances, 5 inside 50's, 6 tackles and 5 intercepts himself. Blakey 26 disposals, 6 inside 50's, 6 intercepts, 529 metres gained and 2 assists. Warner 26 disposals, 12 inside 50's, 588 metres gained, a goal and 2 assists. For Melbourne, Viney 30 disposals, 7 clearances, 9 inside 50's, 7 tackles, 625 metres gained, 2 goals and an assist.
3. (Syd) I. Heeney, 2. (Melb) J. Viney, 1. (Syd) B. Grundy.
3. (Syd) I. Heeney, 2. (Melb) J. Viney, 1. (Syd) B. Grundy.