Round 22 – Sydney v Collingwood: Swans ruffle Pies’ feathers

Round 22 Swans v Magpies – Sunday 14^th August, 2022; 3:20pm at the Sydney Cricket Ground

 

I’m in Sydney.  It’s been just over three years since I was last here. Since the mid-1990s I’ve generally visited at least once per season to see the Swans play.  As we all well know the pandemic has turned our world as we know it on its head.  0ver 2020 and 2021 the Swans played nearly everywhere else but Sydney, including a ‘home’ final in Launceston last season.

 

Other than the footy, I’m here to do the City2Surf – I’ve done it maybe a half dozen times before since 1996 – though I’d hasten to add that I’m a walker not a runner.  However, a heavy head cold and some other health complications have necessitated a late scratching.

 

I’ve come up with my mate Geoff and his son Marius. Geoff and I go back to sharing a flat in London in 1991 where we bonded over our devotion to the Swans, including the occasional visit out to the Acton Hotel at Shepherds Bush to see the AFL replays from the week before.

 

We are staying with my mate Anne at Abbotsford, who I first met on a trip in Africa nearly 30 years ago and we remain good friends.  Anne is always very generous in accommodating me and others who may come north.  Her location offers a lovely ferry ride into Circular Quay and visits to the Sydney Rowing Club adjacent to the ferry terminus.

 

This visit is somewhat bittersweet after hearing the sad news of the sudden and tragic passing of our Almanac friend Jan Courtin.  I sometimes think of myself as fanatical however I pale in comparison to Jan who travelled far and wide to satisfy her love affair with the Swans.  I had the pleasure of meeting her a number of times both in Sydney and Melbourne, after developing an initial virtual friendship commenting on each other’s Swans articles.

 

It’s poignant that this week’s game is against the Magpies as Jan had a particular dislike of this Club based on past experiences. Her Swans connection goes right back to her great uncle Jim Caldwell who captained the Swans in their 1918 Premiership win over the Magpies.  I’ll be thinking fondly of Jan this weekend.

 

I lieu of doing C2S, Anne & I have headed off to see the Archibald Prize at the NSW Art Gallery on Sunday morning.  More about that another time.  Come game time it has become a little complicated. I need to pick up some Member’s guest passes that my Sydney mate, Bullbar has arranged, ever accommodating of my needs. I’ll get to the SCG early to grab some seats, pass out to meet Geoff and Marius after they’ve completed the C2S and catch Bullbar to get those extra passes.

 

There is a lot of activity about the place. It will be a big crowd.  All is sorted and we are in the top level of the Bradman Noble Stand at the northern end of the ground. After a narrow win against the Pies in the Twos I’m ready for the big game to begin. There is a strong westerly wind blowing across the ground which may prove influential.  We are kicking to the far end.

 

After a tight contested start we grab the first two goals; Heeney from in front after a clever weighted pass from Buddy, then a rarity from Rampe drifting forward.  Heens is getting plenty of touches in his 150^th game. The Pies counter with a few against the run of play, however by end of quarter with snap goals to Paps and Buddy we lead 28 – 15.  I note the incessant loud music which is played after each goal – a bit doof doof.  I don’t understand why this is necessary. It’s annoying!

 

The second stanza maintains its intensity. From my viewpoint we are in the ascendency though not making it count on the scoreboard after wasting several opportunities. A goal out the back to Hayward ever working hard running up and back follows on from the dynamic Warner splitting the pack. We get a bit of a break. Though the Pies counter and at the main break we lead 37 to 22.  Still tight and contested. Not much music this quarter.

 

In the break I go to find Bullbar a few levels down to catch up and thank him for the guest passes. The stand is heaving with activity.  I miss seeing the lap of honour for our retiring champ Joey Kennedy.  On my way back up I notice on the screen Buddy has snapped an early third quarter goal.  We are entering a twilight zone and I can only hazily make out the play to the far end, to which we are kicking. We continue to apply extreme pressure and hold the ball at the far end.  A goal is snapped. Is it Paps? No its Heens. My eyes are going. Goals follow to Errol and Paps either side of a Pies reply. The music is sounding much better; I discern snippets of a few Jets songs.

 

We’ve opened a substantial break approaching 6 goals.  Just when I’m starting to feel relaxed an appalling decision against Paddy McCartin for a deliberate rushed behind gifts an easy goal to the Pies. Then an uncharacteristic turnover from Buddy mid-field donates another goal. They are within 4 goals going into the final quarter and given their recent form the Pies are not without a chance.  64 – 41 at the final break.

 

The battle is intense though a long snap from James Rowbottom extends our edge. The Pies are throwing everything at us however our defense is outstanding.  The moment of the match comes when the Pies Mihocek is seemingly running in to an open goal and is knocked offline by a desperate Rampe lung.  What an inspiration. The crowd erupts and the roar is greater than I’ve ever experienced at this ground.  It continues until a few minutes later when a long kick into our goal mouth bounces high.  Heens rising like a ballet dancer against two Pies flips the ball into the path of a surging Buddy who gathers with one hand and slams it home. We are out of our seats immediately above the action. The roar continues. Its music to my ears! Our desperation does not waver, though the Pies fight it out with a late goal. Final score 77 – 50.

 

It’s been a great performance with an even contribution from all from Hick in the ruck all the way through to Clarkey holding the dangerous N.Daicos.

 

After bathing in the afterglow for a short while we head to the Shakespeare Hotel in Surry Hills to catch up with another Almanac Swans writer Tom Bally to debrief. Footy offers so much more than just the game; meaning, connection, friendship. Vale Jan Courtin.  Cheer, cheer!

SYDNEY                   4.4    5.7    9.10    11.11 (77)
COLLINGWOOD      2.3    3.4    6.5      7.8 (50)

 

GOALS  
Sydney: Franklin 3, Heeney 2, Papley 2, Gulden, Hayward, Rampe, Rowbottom
Collingwood: Cameron, Cox, N. Daicos, J. Daicos, Ginnivan, Johnson, Mihocek

 

BEST  
Sydney: Mills, Rowbottom, Fox, P. McCartin, Parker, Franklin, Warner
Collingwood: J. Daicos, Pendlebury, Cameron, Maynard

 

INJURIES
Sydney: None
Collingwood: Ginnivan (hamstring), Hoskin-Elliott (nose)

 

MEDICAL SUBS
Sydney: Braeden Campbell (unused)
Collingwood: Callum Brown (replaced Jack Ginnivan in third quarter)

 

CROWD: 44,659 at the Sydney Cricket Ground

 

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