The Sydney Swans have pulled off a fantastic victory at a sun-bathed MCG over Richmond, beating the reigning premiers by a whopping 54 points.
It might not have been the biggest upset of the year so far, but in terms of the strength of the win it was right up there, dominating throughout to win each of the first three quarters by more than the one before.
It was a two-way street, and as good as the Swans were, the Tigers were probably just as bad.
The men from Punt Road kicked three of the last five goals, but were comprehensively beaten in almost all key areas of the game in what was a dirty day for the club.
Gerard Whately said on AFL Nation that "It's a few years since we've seen a Richmond defence as uncommitted as this on the 'G".
Former Richmond defence coach Justin Leppitsch wouldn’t have been able to believe his eyes watching his former defenders avoid the Sydney forwards like they were contagious, saying on commentary “they look a bit lifeless and disorganised today".
It was a missed opportunity for the Tigers to kick Punt Road back into life on a Saturday night, but instead it will be Sydney fans salivating over the prospect of their team going deep into the year.
There were big injuries to the Tigers, as Dion Prestia went off early in the first quarter with a hamstring strain forcing the activation of Daniel Rioli as the injury sub.
Then in the last quarter, it was Kamdyn McIntosh who came off second best in a big collision with Swans’ captain Dane Rampe in the last quarter. Mcintosh will now likely miss at least 12 days under the AFL’s new concussion protocols.
There were some more classy young Swans, a big ruckman who’s finally beginning to peak, and a cheeky game plan from John Longmire that got the Swans the win.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Another Sydney kid steps up
Another week, another Sydney kid steps into the limelight. Chad Warner might have been behind his mates in Errol Gulden, Braeden Campbell and Logan McDonald for the first two weeks, but his domination on the MCG showcased his class against the older bodies.
Warner’s potential wasn’t on show in his few games last year, but has started this year like a bull on fire and today was his day to outshine his young teammates.
Warner had a huge moment at the end of the 2nd quarter when the Swans were on a hot streak, bursting out of the centre bounce, breaking a Jack Graham tackle and kicking the goal from 50 metres out to the loudest MCG roars of the day.
Another young one for the Swans in Sam Wicks, in a similar boat to Warner playing seven games last year, was perhaps Warner’s biggest competitor for the man of the match title. 21 year-old Wicks kicked three goals in his 22 touches, and found swathes of free grass with 12 marks.
Swans in beat the Tigers at their own game
So often we hear about the Tigers swarming other teams out of the contest, with their pressure - both physical and implied - a key aspect to the game.
Today the script was flipped and suddenly it was the Swans everywhere on the MCG and in the face of Richmond players.
The Tigers are well known for their ‘raise the fight’ call that goes out to the players in times of need, but every time they looked poise to reassert their influence over the match the Bloods kicked back.
Sydney outworked their counterparts both in and out of the contest, winning both the contested and uncontested possession counts.
The match topped off a stunning form reversal for the Swans, who finished in the bottom four just last year and less than three rounds into the new season have knocked off the reigning premiers.
The pickup of the season?
It’s not often AFL players peak at their fourth club, if at all. However, Tom Hickey has flown under the radar this season and exploded against Richmond on Saturday.
Hickey comprehensively beat premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis and was everywhere on the ground, kicking goals up forward and finding paddocks of space on the wing. For whatever reason, Nankervis, one of the fittest ruckman in the competition - who left Sydney at the end of 2016 - couldn’t go with him.
Hickey finished with two goals and five marks playing as an out-and-out ruckman, his influence over the game was as big as anyone in a Swans jumper.
What’s next?
The lid is officially off. The Swans are the real deal after pumping the reigning premiers, despite the absence of the best key forward of the decade in Lance Franklin.
Sydney now have games against the Bombers, Giants and Suns in the next three weeks - all of whom have struggled at times over the first three rounds - meaning they could well be 6-0 after those matches.
As for the Tigers, we know they don’t hit their straps until September rolls around and they’ve had similar hiccups in recent years as well. They’re still the team to beat in the competition and face Port Adelaide in a Friday night blockbuster at Adelaide Oval in Round 4.
FULL SCORE
Richmond: 1.3, 4.6, 7.9, 10.12 (72)
Sydney: 2.5, 10.10, 15.12, 17.15 (117)
BEST
Richmond: Lambert, Short, Baker, Martin, Lynch
Sydney: Wicks, Warner, Dawson, Mills, Hickey
INJURIES
Richmond: Prestia (hamstring), Mcintosh (concussion)
Sydney: nil
Crowd: 43,637 at the MCG
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