Swans trump Dons to stay top
By Aidan Pauna
Sydney Swans vs Essendon. 1st August 2014.
Sydney were dealt a huge blow before the bounce, with superstar Lance “Buddy” Franklin a late out due to pulling up sore after Thursdays training session.
Tim Membrey, taken in the 2012 AFL Draft, was his replacement in what was his first AFL game.
The Difference
Quarter 1 – Uncontested Footy
At quarter time the Swans were +24 in disposals but importantly, and crucially, they were +33 in uncontested possessions, a huge differential.
When you allow Jarred McVeigh, Heath Grundy and Nick Malceski more than 6 uncontested possessions in a quarter, you are in trouble.
McVeigh and Malceski in particular are elite users of the football.
This is why Essendon found themselves trailing at quarter time.
They allowed the Swans too much time and space.
Quarter 2 – Marking
At half-time the Swans have extended their dominance to +64 in disposals and with this have taken 37 more marks, 61 compared to Essendon’s 24.
Essendon are allowing the Swans to hang onto the ball and are allowing them to set up their structures and set plays far too easily.
The lack of defensive pressure from Essendon has been worrying and it is showing in the numbers.
Adam Goodes leads all players with 9 marks, 3 more than the next player.
Quarter 3 – Uncontested Footy (again)
Essendon had 84 uncontested possessions in the first half.
In that third quarter they had 70.
They managed to get that outside run which had been missing and the proof was in the pudding.
They dominated the first 15 minutes of that quarter before the Swans halted the momentum and got back on top.
David Zaharakis was big for Essendon that quarter, racking up 8 disposals and 2 tackles.
Heath Hocking also lifted with 7 disposals after only having 2 in the first half.
4th Quarter – Polish
With the game up for grabs in the last quarter, it was Sydney who took it with both hands.
They held their marks, hit their targets and didn’t give away silly free kicks.
On the other hand, Essendon didn’t.
Tom Bellchambers and Jake Carlisle gave away silly free kicks when the Bombers were in attacking positions.
Travis Colyer and Brendon Goddard also dropped simple marks.
It was the story of the game.
The Swans were just too polished, too quick and too good on the night.
Final Score: SYD 11.13.79 bt ESS 8.9.57
Subs: Jake Lloyd (SYD); Cory Dell’Olio (ESS)
Umpires: R.Chamberlain, R.Findlay and T.Pannell
Crowd: 36,804
