November 8, 2024

AFL 2021 round 16: Sydney Swans demolish West Coast Eagles – as it happened

West Coast #WestCoast

1.54am EDT 01:54

First the good: Sydney were superb. With the ball they were brave, they took on the corridor, they backed their skills, and they nullified the conditions and the narrows of GMHBA park. All across the ground they were committed, hungry, and stuck to their tasks for four quarters. It was the kind of performance that a coach must dream of. The four points surely secures a spot in the finals, but the percentage boost, and the manner of the victory, suggests they can do more than simply make up the numbers in September.

Now the bad: West Coast were awful. So bad they made Sydney looked better than they were? Perhaps. But this was an abject, insipid display. There was a lack of fight, an inability to adapt to the conditions, and a woeful adherence to a flawed game plan that was never going to work at this venue. Throw in two injuries and you have about as disastrous a day at the office for players and coaching staff as you could imagine. This was a defeat that not only jeopardises the Eagles’ finals chances but suggests a line needs to be drawn under this premiership-winning era of the club. A slow decline was brutally exposed and with only Andrew Gaff the only player of note absent, it looks like it’s time for some home truths in the Eagles’ rooms.

Updated at 1.55am EDT

1.43am EDT 01:43

One-sided from start to finish. Sydney were superb. West Coast were awful. Pick your own narrative, both deserve headlines.

Updated at 1.44am EDT

1.40am EDT 01:40

Q4: 2 mins remaining: Swans 18.9 (117) v 3.8 (26) Eagles – Great work from Fox, strong presence in the goalsquare from Amartey, and Heeney snaps the goal over the back.

1.38am EDT 01:38

Q4: 3 mins remaining: Swans 17.9 (111) v 3.8 (26) Eagles – This one was over at quarter-time but it’s credit to Sydney they’ve maintained their standards and intensity for four full quarters.

1.33am EDT 01:33

Q4: 7 mins remaining: Swans 17.9 (111) v 3.7 (25) Eagles – “High pressure without the ball, thirst for the corridor when they’ve got it. They could cause some damage in September,” King suggests. Dunstall agrees.

1.28am EDT 01:28

Q4: 11 mins remaining: Swans 17.9 (111) v 3.6 (24) Eagles – Are West Coast now the story of the round? Or does that remain Richmond dropping out of the eight? Not a bad weekend for Melbourne to have a wobble.

1.27am EDT 01:27

Q4: 12 mins remaining: Swans 17.9 (111) v 3.5 (23) Eagles – Papley’s belatedly in the mood, and he snaps his second after Sydney demonstrated they remain hungrier and more determined at ground level, despite the scoreline.

1.22am EDT 01:22

Q4: 15 mins remaining: Swans 16.8 (104) v 3.5 (23) Eagles – Gee-whizz. Sydney score another direct from the centre clearance. Papley, buzzing from his goal, sets up Heeney to kick a goal on the run. West Coast’s percentage is getting absolutely mullered.

1.20am EDT 01:20

Q4: 16 mins remaining: Swans 15.8 (98) v 3.5 (23) Eagles – Franklin looks certain to run in towards goal and shoot, but he unselfishly centres to Papley instead, who kicks a goal that improves a quiet showing.

1.18am EDT 01:18

Q4: 17 mins remaining: Swans 14.8 (92) v 3.5 (23) Eagles – An update on Jones, who is done for the day, and looking sorry for himself with plenty of ice on his right ankle. Eagles down to three on the interchange.

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