An impressive Sydney Swans outfit outlasted Carlton at a waterlogged SCG on Friday night to win by 22 points in what a brutal affair.
Carlton staged a brave comeback in horrid conditions after Sydney kicked the opening five goals of the match before the Blues were gifted their first in the square shortly before halftime, reducing the margin to 28 at the main break.
Carlton rallied in the second half to kick five goals to one stretching into the fourth quarter to come within a couple of accurate kicks of the lead, but goals to Ben McGlynn and impressive youngster Tom Mitchell in his fourth game propelled the Swans to a 8.17 (65) to 5.13 (43) victory.
Ryan O’Keefe excelled in the less than desirable conditions to garner 29 disposals and seven tackles while Kurt Tippett stood out in the wet, playing a smooth game in conditions not usually suited to bigger bodies. Among the other standouts were Craig Bird (33 touches) and Luke Parker (23, one goal).
Carlton response was better in the second half after coach Mick Malthouse berated his side for their poor effort, but the coach was maybe too easy to put the result down to the weather.
“We haven’t trained or played in the wet for months, so it was always going to be a while to adjust to the conditions. Sydney did,” Malthouse said post-match.
“We gave up the first quarter and when you give up the first quarter – four-odd goals down – on a night like this, it is very hard to drag it back.”
The weather didn’t seem to affect Sydney’s play- the Swans featured five first-year players including Mitchell, Dane Rampe, Jed Lamb, Brandon Jack and substitute Xavier Richards.
“It was a matter of just trying to take ground and trying to play the game in our half,” Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy told ABC’s Grandstand.
“It was extremely slippery, especially in that second quarter.
“And [Carlton] were pretty good; I think they probably played it a little bit better than us.
“But we were able to not allow them to score which was good, but after that we sort of got the momentum back.”
The Blues did their chances of making the AFL’s top eight no favours and fell to 6-7 overall with a tough matchup against Collingwood looming next weekend.
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