Charlie Curnow strengthened his bid for a third Coleman Medal with a six-goal performance as Sydney Swans secured a commanding 35-point victory over the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Friday night. The 13.12 (90) to 7.13 (55) win saw Curnow torment the Bulldogs once again, having kicked seven goals against them earlier in Round 7.
Match Summary
Playing in front of 35,227 fans, Curnow slammed through four goals in the first half, setting the tone for the Swans. The 29-year-old now leads the AFL goalkicking with 44 goals, ahead of Gold Coast's Ben King on 43. Sydney, sitting second on the ladder with a 13-3 record, bounced back from a 43-point loss to Brisbane Lions despite making six changes for their Pride Game.
Injury Concerns for Both Sides
Swans coach Dean Cox was forced into four injury-enforced changes, with Joel Amartey (Achilles), Logan McDonald (quad), Pete Ladhams (groin), and Sam Wicks (hamstring) all sidelined. The Bulldogs, who dropped to eighth place with a 9-7 record, suffered their own injury setbacks. Defender Connor Budarick left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury, while Nick Coffield was subbed out after a concussion from a knee to the head by Swans midfielder Chad Warner.
Key Performances
Brodie Grundy dominated the ruck with 61 hitouts, while James Jordon effectively nullified Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, who managed just 10 disposals at half-time and finished with 19. Hayden McLean, returning from the VFL, kicked three goals alongside Curnow. Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, and Nick Blakey also contributed heavily to the Swans' dominance.
The Bulldogs struggled in attack, managing only two points from nine forward entries in the first quarter as Sydney kicked five unanswered goals. Aaron Naughton missed a close-range set shot, highlighting their woes. Ryley Sanders, playing his 50th game, and Arty Jones helped reduce the margin to 27 points at halftime, but Curnow's back-to-back goals in the final term extinguished any hope of a comeback.
Disciplinary Concerns
The Bulldogs face potential scrutiny from the match review officer over Matthew Kennedy's high bump on Sydney's Caiden Cleary in the second quarter. Kennedy gave away a free kick, but Cleary was able to finish the game. Bailey Dale and Ed Richards were among the best for the visitors.
