FLYING SWANS DESTROY GIANTS
HOW quickly things change in football.
It was the Giants who prevailed in a Sydney derby elimination final last season but fast forward 11 months and it’s the high flying Swans who have inflicted further humiliation on GWS’ season, with a 73-point win in the 24th edition of the rivalry.
Luke Parker claimed a remarkable fifth Brett Kirk Medal for best on ground at the SCG with his 34 disposal game as the Swans won their fourth game in a row – 17.10 (112) to 5.9 (39) – to maintain their pursuit of a top four spot.
It’s the third game in a row that Parker has claimed the award, as he spearheaded a midfield brigade that simply had too much strength and class for a Giants outfit that was too meek yet again.
James Rowbottom matched Parker all the way in the midfield with 13 tackles and 23 disposals, while Errol Gulden was another outstanding performer, racking up 33 possessions and 10 inside 50s.
The Giants started brightly, kicking three first-quarter goals, but they would manage just two more for the entire game as their season continues to fade away in embarrassing fashion.
Harry Perryman is one of few Giants who can hold his head up high after he tagged Swans dynamo Chad Warner from quarter time, after his 10 disposal opening stanza.
He would restrict Warner to just 10 more disposals for the remainder of the game.
Sam Taylor continued his excellent season, which should net him a best and fairest award and potentially an All-Australian blazer, by quelling Lance Franklin’s influence – but the Swans legend would still finish with three goals.
The scoreboard contributors were plentiful for the Swans as they continue to mount a case as a premiership contender.
Isaac Heeney and Sam Reid also produced three-goal games, while Tom Papley continued his stellar form with two goals.
A fifth win in a row for the Swans looks almost certain as they shape up against bottom of the table North Melbourne next week.
As expected, the Giants, who had set themselves for this game, started well but a big fly and mark from Heeney in the first quarter helped change the momentum early.
His launch will be a mark of the round contender and after going back and slotting the major en route to three goals for the game and 40 for the season the Swans wrested back control very early on.
James Rowbottom came into the derby eighth in the competition for total tackles and would add another 13 to that count as he exemplified the Swans’ extra grit and desire at the contest in one of his best performances as a Swan.