The Sydney Swans continued last week’s trend of stunning losses, going down in their most recent game to lowly Adelaide. Fans and commentators were just aghast at the team’s spectacular failure. Only a year ago, the Swans flew comfortably to the grand final. This season they are a stumbling team in 14th spot on the AFL ladder, with just four wins to show for their efforts. Their dreams of making finals seem to be all but over after another lacklustre showing.
It started out a match full of potential as the Swans opened the game with the first goal. That moment of excitement quickly faded. They’ve been held goalless in the last quarter and complete a copy of that—a 39-points offensive explosion. Adelaide cruised, kicking 12 goals in a row and up by an incredible 12.3 to 1.4 at halftime. Garry Lyon, a former Melbourne captain and highly respected AFL commentator, condemned the Swans’ first half form, describing it as a “reserves” grade standard.
By midway through the second quarter, the Swans were in deep trouble. At one stage they were lucky to get two marks inside 50, whilst Adelaide were getting 25 marks for the quarter. After the break, the Swans came out with a renewed sense of purpose. They came out fired up, Chelsea netting four of the first five goals. But even this feverish activity was too little, too late to save the day.
As the Swans have come on hard times this season. An avalanche of injuries to linchpins such as Chris Godwin and Mike Evans has only made them more reclusive. Rookie coach Dean Cox is facing huge heat in his first season. Now, even casual fans and analysts alike are wondering what the hell this team is doing.
Garry Lyon expressed concern over the long-term implications of the Swans’ performance, stating, “This is getting to the territory of real damage for the Sydney Football Club.” His comments underscored the growing anger among allies. They would have had expectations beyond the current ninth place given their appearance in last season’s grand final.
The atmosphere at the match was bittersweet, as the 2005 Sydney Swans team performed a lap of honour at halftime, marking 20 years since their breakthrough victory. This tribute served to underscore the sad contrast between a club’s former glory and its current fate.
