Round 12 – Sydney v GWS: The Battle of the Bridge, Perth Edition

 

By Caspar McLeod.
13/8/2020- Optus Stadium, Perth.

 

My heart has finally calmed down after watching my beloved Bombers nearly snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and then hand that victory straight back into the mouth of said jaws. Now it’s time to see if my beloved Swans can do any better. Coming off a bye, the Swans play in the now traditional BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE, this time,the Perth edition.

 

Rowbottom gets the Swans off to a flyer. The first gamer Foot takes an uncontested mark 45 out. Unselfishly he passed it off to Dawson, who added our second. A few minutes later, he kicks another. Thus far, we look cleaner and more efficient, especially going inside our forward-50. The Giants look uninterested. The siren sounds with the red and white up by three goals.

 

Blakey kicks an unbelievable goal from 40 meters out after Heywood, like a bull, tore through several big tackles. Suddenly, we are out to a 4 goal lead (23 points to be exact). Jeremy Cameron kicks their first from a soft free. Blakey responds with his second after a horrid GWS turnover. Margin gets back out to 23, which is where it stays at the half. GWS looked in that quarter like they’re putting more effort into the contest, but they can’t break the Swans open.

 

The Giants kick their second to start the second half from an awful free kick. To Finlayson’s credit, he did kick the goal. WOW, the Giants are lucky with these umpiring decisions and nondecisions. Luckily for Sydney, aside from the first goal of the half, GWS can’t take advantage of them. Sydney by 23 points once more heading into the final break.

 

Thurlow kicks the first goal of the last after he benefits from a doggy free(that makes up for the Finlayson decision in the third). Sydney out to 28. Heyward just about seals the win for Sydney after a mark in the goal square. Just as a sign for how well the Swans are going, and for how poorly the Giants have been: Will Hayward completed that mark on his chest. Stephens then seals the win with a brilliant running goal. Margin is suddenly 41. Bell adds some magic off his own with his first. And that where the margin remains as the siren sounds.

 

The Giants are in trouble. Barely holding onto 8th (for now) and only kicking three goals against a team that before the game was sitting 17th and is now sitting 16th. True, the Swans are playing better than a bottom 4 team, but still. The Bombers, Magpies, Bulldogs, Demons and Suns would surely be licking their lips: 8th spot is up for grabs.

 

As for the Swans, they were awesome. The rebuild, thus far, is going brilliantly. Don’t underestimate the Swans for the rest of the year. The BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE.

 

 

To return to the Home Page click HERE

 

 

SYDNEY      3.1       5.2       6.5       10.6 (66)
GWS              0.1       1.3       2.6       3.7 (25)

 

GOALS
Sydney: Dawson 2, Blakey 2, Rowbottom, Foot, Thurlow, Stephens, Hayward, Bell
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron, Finlayson, Langdon

 

BEST
Sydney: Parker, Rampe, Blakey, Rowbottom, Sinclair, Dawson, Melican
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Coniglio, Perryman, Whitfield, Williams

 

INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

About Caspar McLeod

Third Culture Kid at Heart. Grew up in Asia, discovered footy at age 9. AFL has since been my burning passion. Ask me who were the winners all the grand finals between 1938 and last year's decider, and I'll be happy to tell you. I'm a footy nut with a passion for writing and acting. All though I love writing and acting, during the footy season, AFL is my true passion. Waiting ever so patiently for the day when Essendon Next win the flag.

Comments

  1. Keiran Croker says

    Nice summary Caspar. Exciting win for the Swans. Great team effort and all the kids contributed. Very promising!

Leave a Comment

*