Round 6
Sydney Swans v GWS Giants
7:50pm, Friday 17 April, 2026
SCG
The latest chapter of the Sydney derby between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants at the Sydney Cricket Ground turned into a storm affected spectacle literally as lightning halted play for one grueling hour and only added to the Swans’ eventual dominance. These clubs are familiar to lightning interrupting play as was the case way back in 2014 when the Giants recorded their first historic victory over the Swans at Skoda Stadium. The Giants are becoming experts at lightning affected games having endured a 30 minute disruption in its Round 2 loss against the Saints.
At least the hour delay gave television viewers the opportunity to flick channels and marvel at the performance of former Giant, Jeremy Cameron and his ten-goal haul. It really was a horror night for the dogs with young star Sam Darcy going down again with an ACL injury, Tom Liberatore with concussion and O’Donnell and Lobb with hamstrings.
But back to the Derby – or is it Battle of the Bridge? I learnt last night that when the game is hosted by the Swans it’s the Sydney Derby and when played at Sydney Olympic Park it’s the Battle of the Bridge. How ridiculous. Am I missing something here? Surely both clubs can agree on one or the other. Alternatively, come up with something new?
When Giant key forward Jesse Hogan withdrew only minutes before the game joining live wire Brent Daniels and young gun Aaron Cadman in the stands the match odds blew out substantially. The Giants were always going to be up against it.
Sydney stamped their authority on the contest early and never really let go, powering to a commanding 17.5 (107) to 8.18 (66) victory in front of nearly 44,000 fans.
The Swans were cleaner and more clinical, making the most of their opportunities, while the Giants’ familiar Achilles’ heel goal-kicking inaccuracy proved costly once again.
Led by a brilliant performance from Nick Blakey who claimed best-on-ground honors for the renamed Kirk-Ward Medal (at least both clubs agreed on that one), Sydney controlled the game through run, ball use and midfield ascendancy. Charlie Curnow chipped in with three goals, while Isaac Heeney and Brodie Grundy were influential around the contest.
The Giants had their moments. Clayton Oliver was prolific and Jake Riccardi battled hard up forward but they simply couldn’t convert enough chances to genuinely threaten. Ryan Angwin did a good job containing Swan star Isaac Heeney early in the game, while the inclusion of Leek Aleer to support young ruckman Nick Madden helped in part to nullify the effectiveness of the in-form Brodie Grundy.
The game’s defining off-field moment came at half-time, when lightning strikes near the SCG forced an extended delay. Sydney held a 19-point lead at the main break when play was halted. The delay stretched well beyond the standard interval, ultimately lasting over an hour as multiple lightning strikes reset safety protocols.
Players were stuck in the rooms trying to stay warm before finally returning to the field at 10:02pm. Speaking of players stuck in the rooms the Fox Footy cameras captured all the inner workings of players, coaches and staff and how they occupied themselves in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways.
The athletic Charlie Curnow was seen roaming the rooms minus his playing jumper exposing his marvelous, chiseled rig. What an athlete! It reminded me of his father David back in the 1970’s who I rowed with in the Carey Grammar 1st VIII and played footy in the school’s 1st XVIII. Charlies’ dad was a great athlete. The Curnow family were very talented – great genes. Charlies brother Ed was a tough, reliable contributor for the Blues. David’s brother (Charlie’s uncle) Roger was a monster himself – and a handy footballer. He played in the 1978 Hawthorn Reserves Grand Final side. He requested a clearance to Fitzroy but was refused. Roger trotted off to the VAFA and carved out a stellar career.
Back to the Sydney Derby. After the restart, the Giants briefly threatened closing the gap to within a couple of goals in the final term, but Sydney quickly slammed the door shut. The Swans kicked six of the last seven goals, turning a competitive contest into a convincing statement win and reinforcing their position at the top of the ladder.
A night that started as a fierce cross-town battle turned into a weather-interrupted grind and ultimately a showcase of Sydney’s class. The lightning delay may have paused the action, but it didn’t change the Derby/Battle of the Bridge script: the Swans remain kings of the Harbour City.
Charlie’s uncle Roger played in the 1978 VFL Reserves Grand Final.
Charlies dad David at Carey Grammar 1975.
SYDNEY SWANS
4.1 7.3 10.3 17.5 (107)
GWS GIANTS
2.5 3.8 5.16 8.18 (66)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Curnow 3, McInerney 2, McDonald 2, Amartey 2, Jordan 2, Lloyd, Papley, Rosas, Blakey, Sheldrick, Ch. Warner
GWS Giants: Riccardi 3, Gothard 2, Bedford, Callaghan, Aleer
BEST
Sydney Swans: Blakey, McInerney, McCartin, Heeney
GWS Giants: Oliver, Riccardi, Ash, Whitfield
LATE CHANGES
Sydney Swans: Nil
GWS Giants: Hogan (quad)
Crowd: 43,986 at the SCG
Read more from Richard Griffiths HERE
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