Round 3 – Richmond v Sydney: Bloody Amazing! We’ve just strangled Richmond!
Who would have thought? Not even the most ardent, fanatic Swan would really have believed we could beat Richmond today. Richmond? At home? They just don’t lose at the G! But we did it! We did it!
Like many of us, this was my first live game since 2019. A hot 32 degrees is forecast in Melbourne, and I oscillate between driving there in my 5 SWANS red number-plated car, or taking the tram. I take the car, avoid Punt Road where possible, and 5 kls down the track, it has taken one tedious hour to get there. The tram will certainly win out next time.
With no hard copy membership cards these days, the queues outside all Gates are horrendous. Most of us know what needs to be done to get in, some don’t have their SMS messages, and some don’t even realise they need one! It’s a bit of a mess, but we eventually find our way to our allocated seats, amongst the red and white faithful.
Our intent is certainly there in the first quarter. The Swans’ pressure is on and our 2.5 to 1.3 score at the end of the first quarter, thanks to goals from Tom Papley and Tom Hickey could well have been greater had we been able to take advantage in front of goal. But, it’s a good start.
The second quarter is extraordinary. I wish I could come up with a stronger and more explosive word for Pressure. Despite the opposition kicking two consecutive goals within a minute, threatening our ascendency, we are not deterred. In fact, it inspires us. Now only nine points ahead, these young and more experienced Bloods are relentless. Time and time again, they apply the pressure, not only preventing Richmond from doing what we all know they can do, but playing almost perfect footy themselves. Nothing seems to deter them. Teenagers Chad Warner (2), Haydn McLean, Sam Wicks (2) and Logan McDonald add goals, and Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney round the number to eight for the term. An astonishing 30 minute display of football, extending our lead to 40 points at half time.
Will they come back? Can we sustain this pressure? Surely, they’ll come back? I’m nervous.
Goal for goal for most of the third quarter. Luke Parker, the first, from a 50 metre penalty, Lynch then for Richmond, Tom Hickey kicks his second (a great pick-up in the off season, considering our injury-prone ruckmen), Lynch another, and after Nankervis marks but is not paid, Logan McDonald combines with Sam Wicks for this third. Isaac Heeney adds another from the boundary line 50 metres out, and the massive contingent of Bloods supporters is ecstatic! Paps gets us going again as he dribbles one through for a 51 point lead with only half an hour to go, and the Sydneey Sydneey Sydneey chant is excitingly and pleasantly deafening.
But, surely they’ll come back? This is Richmond! I’m still nervous.
Paps (how we love him) intercepts, grabs the ball and kicks his third. 57 point lead – can we maintain it? Can’t help but think of the last two weeks: 50 points up early in the last quarter, only to allow the opposition off the hook when they kick away, and we end up victorious by only 30 odd points.
Still 51 points up half-way through the quarter, I can’t completely relax. Lynch pops one through for them. 45 points up. Another to them. 38 points now. ‘Six minutes to go’, the woman behind, reassures me. Chad Warner misses straight in front, Isaac gets our fifth poster, but Logan McDonald makes amends and I find myself relaxing and smiling behind my mask. The siren goes and we’ve won by 45 points.
While singing the song, the word comes to me. It was more than pressure we applied, it was strangulation!
Everything we did at the G today was almost perfect. The strangling, the tackling, the pin-point accuracy in getting the ball to each other – no matter where on the ground – the confidence, the relentlessness, and the belief in each other was evident from whoa to go. This sense of one–ness, knowing what these young men are capable of, will surely hold them in good stead for future success in the not-too-distant future.
This win sees us 3.0 at the start of the season. The last time this was the case was in 2016, and we all remember that we were Minor Premiers that year. It’s early in the year and I’m not predicting anything. But we’ve been super impressive so far.
In fact, we’ve been bloody amazing!
Go Bloods!
About Jan Courtin
A Bloods tragic since first game at Lake Oval in 1948. Moved interstate to Sydney to be closer to beloved Swans in 1998. My book "My Lifelong Love Affair with the Swans" was launched by the Swans at their headquarters at the SCG in August 2016. www.myswansloveaffair.com
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A lot of em were missing in action in the first half. Warner’s running goal must have brought the house down. Should be the 3rd rising star in a row.
The Swans are looking damn good this year Jan. And playing an attractive brand of footy while doing so! They punished us (the Lions) on turnovers in round one and did the same to the Tigers this week. Nothing beats that slow simmer of hope rising throughout a match. Hope can be the worst of things at times, but its really what keeps us coming back. Glad you could get back to the footy.
Hi Jan, you would have to be really excited with the way the Swans are playing (and Winning) this season. Last week against the Crows, I couldn’t believe my eyes at the Way the Swans attacked the ball, marked everything, both in defense and attack and moved the ball on with precision Their second quarter, in particular, was truly amazing. I tell you, I was really impressed. I fully expected the Bloods to put up a great showing against Richmond but was really excited with the way they kept at the Tigers all game, nullifying Dusty’s usual brilliance for most of the game to convincingly toss the reigning Premiers. All that said Jan, I hope you are well and enjoying Easter.
hey there Jan yes the amazing team did it and most impressively!!! go the swannies. what a team! wow!!
Wow Jan, you must be exc tied about this start to the year. My Lions round one loss is looking g better by the week! Good luck to the Swannies for the rest of the year, what a team they are!
Hi Jan, it was exciting to be at the G to see this amazing win unfold. I was actually supposed to be in Byron Bay for BluesFest, which was sadly cancelled. Seeing the Swannies win was a very agreeable alternative to my abandoned musical weekend.
It was my first live game since July 2019. I was impressed by our speed and intensity. The foot skills of the young players are exquisite and allow us to execute a more ambitious style of play, matched with our usual grit and determination. I’m excited by the possibilities.
I was also pleased by the large contingent of Bloods supporters present. And did n’t we make some noise. If we can play like this more often then not, then we will win our fair share of games. And it will be very enjoyable to watch either live or on tv. Trying not to let expectations run rampant, though let’s enjoy the ride.
Thanks you for your kind words, everyone!
Only Round 3, and a long way to go to sustain the pressure and speed of the game – especially for the young guys – but all we can is enjoy the moment! Just as in life!
Go Bloods!
Your Swans are great to watch Jan (until we play you). Great credit to the club’s recruiting and coaching as you have built from the ground up.
Who would have thought the Swans and Eagles could be high scoring sides after the dour encounters of 2005/6? Tom Hickey was a great get for you. I had a lot of time for him at the Eagles but being second banana to Nic Nait just didn’t suit his endurance running game style. Win win for him and your Bloods.
Enjoy.
Congrats to the Swans, Jan. Way too good on the day. Swans have some very exciting kids running around.
Season just got interesting this weekend past.
Thanks Peter and Joe. Good luck to your teams this year!
Youth youth youth. Gee they’re courageous. Very much mpressive. Go bloods.
Well, I’m so pleased for those red-and-white fans – especially you, Jan!
Wonderful start to the 2021 year for you all! It’s probably hard to not look ahead, but optimism is what it’s all about I reckon.
Julie xxxx