LUKE STARS AS BUDDY STRUGGLES
THEY came for the Buddy Franklin show but it was Luke Parker who took centre stage in the Sydney derby winning a remarkable fourth Brett Kirk Medal for best on ground as the Swans emerged 20-point winners in an enthralling contest on Saturday night.
The Swans co-captain broke an exhilarating game open with three consecutive goals either side of threequarter time before setting up Isaac Heeney with the next as the Swans broke away late from a gallant GWS outfit.
While there was hope Franklin would kick five, Parker would steal the show with that haul for the evening, the last of which was a stunning snap from 40m out that brought the red and white half of Stadium Australia to its feet.
His five majors are an equal career best haul along with 21 disposals and five tackles.
“He’s (Parker) just got the ability to be able to go forward. He did it a couple years ago and kick goals for us. He’s got great forward craft and we were able to keep the deck in our forward half and then capitalise on those opportunities,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
It was a game full of star individual contributors with three goals apiece from Heeney and Ollie Florent with the latter also providing 20 disposals in arguably his best game as a Swan.
While Sydney would break away late, the final margin doesn’t adequately show how tight and captivating the 23rd edition of the Battle of the Bridge was, as both sides struggled to extend the game beyond a threegoal lead.
“They were just more efficient.
Scoring shots were even. Halfway through the second half, Parker showed why he’s such a good player,” GWS coach Leon Cameron said.
“A resting mid to kick five goals is disappointing on our defensive side. And after halftime we were just scrambling in attack.”
Tom Green was the main reason for the Giants’ ascendancy early, kicking two first half majors and dominating proceedings in the middle of the ground in a sign he is ready for a breakout campaign.
Harry Himmelberg was right there
He’s got great forward craft
Swans coach John Longmire
with him for the Giants, demonstrating plenty of poise and composure inside attack to finish with three goals, although he faded in the second half.
While it was hard to hit the headlines amongst Buddymania in Sydney, Paddy McCartin deserves plenty.
The former No.1 draft pick’s return to AFL football after four years spent battling concussion issues was seamless, bar for a bad turnover conceded to Bobby Hill in the second term.
He grew into the contest alongside the masterful work of his brother Tom down back, finishing with 14 disposals and six marks.
Amid an engrossing contest, the duel between Giants veteran Phil Davis and Buddy Franklin, in pursuit of 1000 goals was an epic one. Franklin may have been on the winners list but Davis was immense down back.