It may only be Round 12, but the 2024 premiership is up for grabs for the Sydney Swans.
John Longmire’s side are enjoying one of the best seasons of the modern era – with two and a half games and a healthy clear percentage at the top of the ladder at 10-1 (150.1%) – the club’s best ever result, whatever it did. has not achieved since 1935.
Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna on Fox Footy’s The first crack said the football world “must recognize what we are seeing” with the Swans.
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Because for all the talk about how open the premiership race and the season in general is, Sydney has been ahead of everyone as the frontrunner with a clear flag.
The figures amply support this.
Longmire’s men rank first in the AFL in points based on turnover differential, points based on clearance differential and in pressure differential. The Swans also have the most points for and the fewest points against of any side – labeled by Montagna as ‘almost the full profile’.
But it takes more to be a great team. And as Swans star Tom Papley said foxfooty.com.au, The team has built a strong bond over the years to help develop the incredible chemistry we currently see on the pitch.
“We’re a tight-knit group of guys and have been that way probably since the first hub was built (in 2020),” Papley said. foxfooty.com.au Last Friday night.
“You become very close and are together every day, even on weekends. That’s the great thing about living in Sydney and playing for the club, that’s the culture.
“It is quite special, but the job is not done yet.”
Most will recognize that Sydney’s breakneck speed and punishing ball movement is the biggest force ripping out the hearts of opponents, with the likes of Will Hayward (22 goals), Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald (both 19 goals) playing a major role. degree of benefit, despite the last two. go under the radar.
But Papley said the club prides itself on its commitment to the defensive side of the game and the offense flows naturally from that.
When it comes to extrapolating what they do, the Swans appear to have reached at least a tentative definitive limit.
Since the AFL expanded in 2011, twelve teams have been 10-1 or better, with all ten making at least a preliminary round. Five of those teams won a premiership.
Sydney’s rise from 2023 finalist to bona fide flag favorite should not come as a huge shock as the club is just two years removed from a grand final appearance.
Two years on from that 81-point mauling by Geelong, Papley acknowledged it was a “tough loss”, but one that the Swans “learned from” and “made us better”.
Sydney was arguably ahead of its time in reaching that decider with a youthful squad that has only improved since then – both individually and as a unit. Growing a young core together, as Sydney has done, is the ideal blueprint for any team aiming for sustained success and multiple premierships.
This group may well have what it takes, led by a coach who has already been to four major finals.
Central to it all has been the emergence of superstar midfield trio Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden, with the latter two still only 23 years old and 21 years old respectively and in a scary position for the rest of the AFL.
Brownlow Medal favorite Heeney’s move inside was perhaps ironically more out of necessity than choice, amid injuries to key midfielders to start the season.
The Swans’ superstar ball brigade also does things a little differently. It is not the typical dominant midfield that controls the play and contested possessions, but through sheer strength, finesse, class and the ability to get to the scoreboard.
Heeney, Warner and Gulden have combined to score or assist 505 points all season so far, which has never been done before. In terms of pure goals, Warner has kicked 19 (second best at the club) and Heeney has kicked 17 (fifth best).
“They’ve scored more damn goals than me and they play in midfield! It’s just a joy to watch,” Papley said.
“’Chaddy’ (Warner) can do whatever he wants, it’s pretty impressive. These guys work hard and work a lot on their craft. It doesn’t just happen, they work hard at it.
“It’s quite special.”
Warner in particular has cemented his status as the league’s bona fide superstar midfielder this year, including a red-hot patch in recent weeks, averaging 25.3 disposals and three goals in his last three games.
Papley explained how the 23-year-old had to adapt his approach and maximize his potential from the moment he was first drafted with Pick 39 in the 2019 National Draft.
“I think when ‘Chaddy’ first came in, he was told by ‘Horse’ (Longmire) to slow down. He was going too hard in his freshman year of preparation,” the small forward said.
“You see him now, he’s an elite athlete and probably one of the most elite athletes in the league – speed, strength, power and he’s smart. He’s also a good boy off the field, he’s humble, that’s what we like about him.”
The emergence of Sydney’s midfield has been crucial in leading the club to new heights and has been Longmire’s biggest asset overall.
St Kilda legend Nick Dal Santo believes Sydney’s star players, such as Port Adelaide’s, can be compared to some of the best of the modern era, including those of the West Coast in the mid-2000s and Geelong’s in the late 2000s and early 2010.
“Imagine walking to the first bounce in the middle and you see Gulden and Heeney. Then the next man is Warner, who you don’t really want to play with either. You don’t have to go anywhere, right?” Dal Santo said foxfooty.com.au.
While the new-age Swans lead the way, the off-season additions of Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams and James Jordon have all played important roles, adding maturity and leadership to an otherwise relatively young squad.
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And this rise has come despite injuries to captain Callum Mills (shoulder/calf), who is yet to play a game in 2024, and Tom McCartin (concussion), perhaps the most important defender.
The Swans performed so well that even Luke Parker couldn’t beat the senior team when he returned from injury, while the experienced midfielder could still have a role to play once he returns from his VFL suspension.
“It’s obviously difficult for him. But his mentality from the beginning, from not getting picked, to his leadership with the two guys and now getting suspended, it’s actually unbelievable,” Papley said.
“He just has a positive outlook on a lot of things. Good things happen when you have the right mentality, so I’m sure he will be back in the side.”
Sydney has its mid-season bye this week, the ideal opportunity to freshen up and recharge for the second half of the season.
Dal Santo said he “wouldn’t be shocked” if the Swans were to take a break at some point in their remaining match and acknowledged the challenge of being the team leading the pack as the ‘hunted’.
But ultimately, the Saints champions believe Sydney have positioned themselves in the best possible way and clearly stamped themselves as the best team in the competition.
“They play a style of game that is very entertaining and enjoyable,” Dal Santo said.
“I think sometimes we forget that football is about having fun and watching good, fun football. In that regard they are the best in the comp.
“You look at their use of the ball, especially from the center back and through midfield. My eyes say they would have five of the top 20 kicks in the league, all in the same team, which is why their use of the ball is exceptional.”
