The Sydney Swans have equalled their highest win in club history with a 171-point demolition of the West Coast Eagles in front of over 31,000 people at the SCG.
The match was practically over at quarter time as the Swans booted 9.4 (58) to 1.0 (6); their largest quarter time score since 2017.
It is West Coast’s darkest day as a club as they sunk to their heaviest defeat in the club’s history and fourth 100-point loss in 2023.
It is also the most points they have conceded in a match, beating their previous record of 201 against the Swans at the SCG in 1987.
The Swans got off to an excellent start as they opened up a 52-point lead at the first change. The ball was played mostly in the Swans’ forward 50 as the Eagles failed to get past Nick Blakey and Braeden Campbell who were well set up at the half way line.
It was tough going for the Eagles who were getting thrashed in all key statistics. At quarter-time, West Coast trailed Sydney in disposals (108-60), inside 50s (20-6), tackles (17-15) and clearances (14-8).
The Eagles started the second term positively with a quick goal from Tim Kelly. That goal was short lived as Campbell continued to run havoc off the halfback line and beautifully set up Isaac Heeney’s first goal of the afternoon.
Consecutive goals to Jack Darling reduced the lead but the Swans regained the ascendency to lead by 68 points at the main break.
The result was a foregone conclusion entering the second half and it became a case of what margin the Swans would win by. Gulden booted his third goal of the night to push the score beyond 100 points and the Swans continued their onslaught.
As the third quarter time siren sounded, the Swans had kicked a whopping 15 consecutive goals and led by 137 points; the sixth highest margin at three-quarter time in VFL/AFL history and Sydney’s highest ever score at three-quarter time.
Oscar Allen’s second goal in the 15th minute mark of the final quarter broke a streak of 18 straight goals for Sydney and trimmed the margin back to 149 points. A large cheer went out across the SCG when Hayden McLean kicked his third goal and notched up 200 points for the Swans.
Errol Gulden will win a Brownlow medal
The 20-year-old set the competition ablaze in his debut season in 2021 and has elevated himself to become one of the best midfielder’s in the competition. Not only did he rack up 32 touches including two clearances and five tackles but Gulden impacted the scoreboard with three goals.
Gulden is only in his third season and already producing remarkable numbers in a midfield full of stars.
Does the AFL need to step in with the Eagles?
The 2023 West Coast Eagles are arguably the most uncompetitive side we have seen in the modern era and losing by 171 points is a poor look for the game. 50 scoring shots to nine makes for a dull game.
AFL Nations’s Mark Maclure said the game should be called off due to how uncompetitive the match had become.
“If this was a prized fight, they would be stopping it,” Maclure said on AFL Nation.
“Sydney hasn’t been under pressure at any stage of this game.”
The AFL needs to ask themselves this question: Is the situation with the Eagles so dire it requires immediate support?
The final scoreline on Saturday suggests it does.
Does Adam Simpson survive as coach?
West Coast sit dead last on the ladder with just one wine and a percentage of just 47.3.
Simpson has only led the team to three wins from their last 36 matches and it is clear the Eagles have hit rock bottom.
Maclure added that Simpson would face plenty of pressure this week about his future as coach.
“Coaches don’t survive this," he said.
“I don’t want to be rude but they just don’t. They're a wealthy club and they’ll sort it out.
“Simpson is contracted to this job and he wants to see out this contract
“Coaches don’t survive this. I don’t want to be rude but they just don’t.”
FULL SCORE
Sydney: 9.4, 14.9, 25.14, 31.19 (205)
West Coast: 1.0, 4.1, 4.3, 5.4 (34)
GOALS
Sydney: Heeney 5, McDonald 4, Amartey 4, McLean 3, McInerney 3, Gulden 3, Warner 2, Parker 2, Clarke 2, Sheldrick, Papley, Fox
West Coast: Darling 2, Allen 2, Kelly
BEST
Sydney: Gulden, Rowbottom, Heeney, Warner, Sheldrick, McLean
West Coast: Shuey, Kelly, Yeo, Williams, Petruccelle, Duggan
INJURIES
Sydney: N/A
West Coast: N/A
CROWD: 31,367 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.