Sydney v Brisbane
An Early Season 8 Point Game
Pregame – All games are equal, but some games are more important than others.
The reigning back-to-back premiers, the Brisbane Lions early season woes in 2026 have gone from bad to worse starting this season with a Round-Zero loss at home to the rampant Doggies, as well as significant injuries to Hugh McCluggage and Logan Morris. To add to their woes, some undisciplined acts by the Lions last week resulted in suspension to three players who will sit in the stands this weekend.
With apologies to Sam Draper, Lincoln McCarthy (good to see him back), Daniel Annable, James Tunstill, and Noah Answerth, their inclusions this week due to the absence of recognised premiership players Hugh McCluggage, Harris Andrews, Zac Bailey, Darcy Gardiner and Logan Morris (hand injury) means the Lions are possibly fielding their weakest team since 2023.
On the other hand, the Sydney Swans who might still be rehabbing mentally from their dismal performance in the 2024 Grand Final against the Lions when they were physically and psychologically dwarfed on that fateful afternoon, need to exorcise those demons if they want success in season 2026. I note that in season 2025, the Swans played like they were still shell-shocked when they failed to make the finals.
So, isanything different in season 2026?
After a blistering start to 2026 last week against the Baggers there is a ‘vibe’ the Swans are back in town, however, one win does make a season, and now they face their nemesis, the Brisbane Lions, under lights at the SCG in a real test of their mettle.
On paper, the Swans should win and create a two-game break over the Lions, however, this game is a real test of their mental fragility.
The Lions needs to conjure a win against the odds while the Swans must hold their bottle against a team who have had their measure recently.
The Game
In the dying minute of the last quarter with nothing really left on the line, Sam Wicks busted a gut to rundown Kai Lohmann. Wicks’ team-orientated desperation in the dying minute highlights the differences in the Swans circa 2022 to 2025 to this 2026 reincarnation of the Bloods under the tutelage of Dean Cox.
The Swans ended up doing what they had to do get over the undermanned Lions obliterating them in the first half with a style of footy that continually moved the ball forward by whatever means necessary. It was a style I can only describe as ‘shock and awe’. In the second half the proud, undermanned, and wounded Lions showed enough that even in defeat that they are still a threat this year.
It was a solid win by the Swans; however, their 44-point margin may have wallpapered over the Swans Achilles heel.
Sydney’s Achillies Heel
In 2024 I reviewed the Swans win over the Giants to record their tenth straight win, but I was scathing on the Swans, highlighting they are beating up teams in a short burst to pull out to six or seven goals lead while not even breaking even for the rest of the game. It was a false economy, and shortly thereafter the Swans season nosedived to the point they just scraped into the Grand Final, only to be crucified by the Lions.
So, is the past relevant now?
In four consecutive quarters this season the Swans have kicked a very impressive 28 goals, however, in the four quarters bookending the last half of the Carlton game and the first half of the Lions clash, the Swans have kicked only eight goals and on both occasions their opposition have outscored them.
It is a Swans watch more than it is a concern, and after a putrid start to the season last year they gladly accept a two-nil start to the season with a winning aggerate of 107 points.
Next week the Swans travel to the MCG for a blockbuster Thursday night clash against the Hawks, who will punish the Swans if they don’t play a full four quarters of football.
Brisbane Showed Enough
In the second half, the Lions outscored the Swans by four points as they played the game right out to the final siren.
It is easy to say the Swans switched off, but that undermines the Lions sustained effort to at least match the Swans after being monstered before the main break.
With nine players missing from last season’s Premiership side, including superstars Harris Andrews (more on him later), Zac Bailey and Hugh McCluggage, it was foreseeable even before the first throw-up (ball up, chuck up, whatever) the inexperienced Lions were always going to struggle. Like all teams with a great culture, they settled after the main break and came out with purpose and resolve to test the resilience of their young and inexperienced players.
In the second half, James Tunstill, Daniel Annable, Zane Zakostelsky (he’s name will be a trivia question in years to come with the ZZ initials) and the returning Lincoln McCarthy all showed enough to make old man Fagan smile with their endeavour and effort.
Did Darcy Wilmot, Darcy Forte and Ryan Lester cover the absence of Harris Andrews?
Or, did Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Charlie Curnow have their measure?
From the very first chuck-up it was obvious the Lions were going to double team Curnow all night. In varying couplings of Lester, Wilmot, Fort and others, they kept the Swans glamour recruit goalless for the game as they doubled teamed him all night, with one holding him back from contests while another would sweep across the front of the pack to take a mark, or spoil the contest.
As far as nullifying Curnow, the Lions’ game plan worked perfectly, however…..
There is only one problem concentrating on one player, and that is a couple other players will get off the chain. And that is exactly what happened.
In an article this week, I stated Amartey looks like a completely different player as the second or third string forward under Curnow, and so it proved again tonight, with five goals being great reward for his effort. Amartey also got a lot of his possessions up the ground, imposing his presence in an tole similar to Matthew Richardson at his peak at Richmond.
With Amartey, confidence is everything, and he has now kicked eight goals to start the season.
For the first time in his career I am all chips in on the Amartey Party.
Secondary to Amartey being a much better player with Curnow up forward, it has also allowed Logan McDonald to ease his way back into form after missing the entirety of last year. McDonald is one goal away from being dominant again.
With Curnow being effectively doubled teamed all night there was not much left in Fagan’s cupboard to quieten Amartey and McDonald, and it highlighted just how important Harris Andrews is to this team as the General up back.
Harris Andrew’ Suspension Hurts
The Lions defensive unit needs Harris Andrews out on the park playing and not sitting on the pine due to a stupid and silly suspension.
Don’t get me wrong, Andrews deserves to be out for three matches, but in the process, it has exposed his importance to the Lions with at least two, if not three defenders required to cover Charlie Curnow, a role Andrews would have covered single-handedly.
Do the Lions win if Andrews was playing? Maybe, maybe not, but it would have dramatically altered the Lions dynamics up back.
Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale
Statistically, both Zorko and Neale put in good performances with 30 and 28 possessions respectively, however, sometimes statistics don’t tell the whole story. Both players ran their guts out and got plenty of possessions, but from the comfort of my lounge chair they both seemed to turn the ball over more than normal (or deliver the ball to a 50/50 contests), especially in the centre corridor.
On a night when the Lions were always behind from the first minute or so, recent history would suggest Zorko and Neale, with their exquisite ball use and run, would be the catalyst of a Lion revival. Alas, it just wasn’t their night.
The Ashcrofts, Dunkley, Wilmot, Fletcher and Rayner never gave up all night, but they just didn’t have enough mates to come along for the ride. Special mention to Bruce Reville, Keidean Coleman, and Lincoln McCarthy who played their role and didn’t give up the fight.
At the other end of the pendulum, Premiership players Ty Gallop, Kai Lohmann, and Jarrod Berry all had very quiet nights.
Sam Draper
Sam Draper looks good in the maroon jumper, and in his first hit out with the Lions he progressively got better the longer the game went.
Recruiting Draper during the offseason to cover the retirement of the Big ‘O’ was a wise move by the Lions, and from exposed form at the SCG he will repay the Lions faith in him so long as his body holds up.
Oscar Allen
Unlike Draper, Oscar Allen’s form since… how many years can I go back, has been average at best.
Only Ty Gallop, who looks a bit overwhelmed this season, had less possessions than Allen. For a player who was brought to the Lions Den to fill the holes left by Joey Daniher (retirement 2024) and the injury prone Eric Hipwood, Allen needs to lift his consistency and intensity.
After two games, the former Eagles captain needs to start living up to his potential. It has been several seasons now since Oscar tore a game apart.
The Importance of Callum Mills to the Swans Chances
Since the 2022 finals series, Callum Mills has had a real torrid time for one reason or another and he has not been able to string enough games together to have much impact on the team he captains.
In season 2026 he looks fit and ready to be the Swans’ on-field leader again, especially up back.
The Swans kicked the majority of their goals from defensive turnovers, and it can directly be credited to Callum Mills orchestrating the Swans defensive run, led by Tom McCartin, Nick Blakey and Riley Bice (best on ground for this match) continually streaming forward, while Jake Lloyd, Dane Rampe and Lewis Melican formed a staunch defensive brick wall.
I forgot how important Mills is to the Swans, and it is no coincidence the Swans back six look remarkably stronger with their Captain back.
Riley Bice and Angus Sheldrick
It is great when players who have been around a club for a few years on the fringes finally realise their own potential.
I could be wrong, but from the outside it looks like Dean Cox has released the shackles on Riley Bice and Angus Sheldrick to allow them play with more freedom and to back their own judgment.
If anybody suggested Bice and Sheldrick along with a rejuvenated Tom McCartin would be the top three possessions winners for the Swans (in any game) you would be laughed at and drug tested, however such was the case on a warm night at the SCG.
Just for the record, Nick Blakey, Justin McInerney and Callum Mills were next on the Swans list of possession getters in front of the Swans glamour midfielders.
It is testament to Cox’s game plan of ‘shock and awe’ that in the ‘helter skelter’ of chaos it means the Swans are not dependant on any one player – the Swans ‘shock and awe’ game must create headaches for opposing coaches.
Matt Roberts, Jai Serong and Malcolm Rosas
Matt Roberts, who has always promised plenty, but who at times has lacked consistency, has had a stellar start to the season with two top shelf performances to kick start his season. Roberts running game and confidence has surprised many this year.
Recruiting players to fill a specific identified gaps in team setups has become all the rage in the last few of seasons, and sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t, but it is generally a low-cost risk. Using the Collingwood in 2023 example, when it works it is a thing of beauty.
After two rounds Jai Serong and Malcolm Rosas have fulfilled the roles the Swans hierarchy recruited them for with aplomb. It is early days, but they have both adjusted well to the Bloods culture.
A message to Charlie Curnow
The Swans’Blood culture is a totally different beast to the culture you came from at Carlton.
It is not about you anymore, and you are not required to do heroics just to be noticed. If it is your turn to be the decoy like it was against the Lions, then don’t lose your bottle. Yes, you were blanketed by being double teamed all night, but if that means the glory goes to Amartey, McDonald or somebody else, then keep drawing two or three players to you as it is the team thing to do.
At times in the second half, you were obviously frustrated and you gave away a couple of stupid frees, as well as trying (without success) to do the magical, with neither helping the teams cause.
Be patient and your day will come – you played your roleagainst the Lions, albeit a negative one attracting defenders to your area.
Tom Papley and Charlie Cameron
Tom Papley looks like a Jack Russell who has jumped out of a car window and has no idea where he is heading. A few preseason niggles means Dean Cox has only used him in short bursts to start the season.
Papley just needs a goal to find his direction again.
Charlie Cameron, who is a very similar player to Papley, has been the one shining light up forward for the Lions this season. His career has looked over a few times in the last couple of seasons, but to his credit he has followed the example set by Jack Gunston who just keeps on defying the odds.
Injuries
As soon as Kelly Underwood (unlike most, I don’t mind Underwood as a Commentator) mentioned the Swans having a near full list of available players Issac Heeney and Errol Gulden both left the field with one clutching his thigh, and the other with what looks like a serious shoulder injury.
The commentators curse strikes again.
With a short turnaround before the Swans take on the Hawks at the MCG next Thursday it would probably be prudent to err on the side of caution for both Heeney and Gulden and rest both, especially with a bye the week after.
For the Lions, who have a bye next week, Zac Bailey and Darcy Gardiner will return from suspension for their Round 3 clash against the Saints, with Hugh McCluggage being a chance, as well as the forgotten player in the AFL, Tom Doodee.