Sydney recruit Brodie Grundy has played a starring role in a first-up win over his former team, leading the Swans to a tough 22-point victory over fellow flag hopefuls Melbourne in the AFL season opener.
Grundy was involved in an absorbing ruck battle with ex-teammate Max Gawn as Sydney piled on four consecutive goals at the start of the final term to seal a 12.14 (86) to 9.10 (64) triumph in front of 40,012 fans at a sold-out SCG on Thursday night.
Isaac Heeney stepped up in a Swans midfield missing injured guns Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Taylor Adams, tallying 26 disposals, 18 contested possessions, one goal and a career-best 13 clearances.
Chad Warner (26 touches, one goal) and Nick Blakey (26 possessions) were also busy, while Hayden McLean and Will Hayward booted two goals each.
Grundy, who left Melbourne for a third club during last year's trade period, finished with 22 disposals, nine clearances and 31 hitouts to edge Gawn in their duel.
He used his body well at ruck contests and left Gawn (15 disposals, two clearances, 39 hit-outs) nursing a sore hip late in the game.
Bayley Fritsch booted three goals in the third quarter to briefly give the visitors the lead — and finished with four — before they faded late in warm and slippery conditions.
Jack Viney (31 disposals, seven clearances, two goals) and Christian Salem (27 touches) fought hard against the tide for Melbourne and Clayton Oliver (29 disposals, six clearances) did well in his first senior game after a turbulent off-season.
It was a bruising contest, with Dees defender Jake Bowey sidelined after hurting right shoulder in collision with Justin McInerney not long after Jack Billings replaced Bailey Laurie as a tactical substitute during the third term.
Their inaccuracy was costly early as Oliver Florent booted the first goal of the season from outside 50m to help Sydney to a nine-point lead — 3.3 to 1.6 — at quarter time.
A dour second term featured just one major, from the boot of Swans forward McInerney, until Ed Langdon kicked truly with a set shot after the half-time siren.
Fritsch twice got the Demons back within a kick during the third quarter before putting them in front with a third major when most players stopped on an umpire's whistle and he took the advantage.
Melbourne kicked five goals to three for the term from just 11 inside-50s.
But the Swans turned for home two points in front and team-lifting goals from Warner, Will Hayward, substitute Sam Wicks and Robbie Fox gave the home side a match-winning buffer.
Sydney face another huge test when they meet reigning premiers Collingwood in a Friday night blockbuster next week, while Melbourne have 10 days until their home game against the Western Bulldogs.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
So there you have it! The 2024 season is underway, Sydney are our first winners and we have a whole lot more footy to look forward to.
That comes as soon as tomorrow night, when Brisbane host Carlton at the Gabba in a rematch of last year's preliminary final. The blog will be back for that one, so we look forward to your company then. See you again soon!
Simon Goodwin has spoken to the media now too.
On Melbourne's loss in the contested ball numbers:
"You've got to give a lot of credit to Sydney, they were outstanding in that area of the game, especially after half-time. I think Sydney's scrimmage method and ability to win contests was better than ours. They were a lot cleaner."
On Brodie Grundy:
"He played exceptionally well. Clearly he's a very good player, we know that. To see him thrive at Sydney is a good thing for footy."
On Melbourne's lack of forward connection:
"There wasn't a lot of flow in the game. We need to have a look at it, but clearly we have some personnel coming back in the front half of the ground. That's important for us. We've worked all summer on how to improve our efficiency, but it's not going to be an overnight turnaround. Tonight probably isn't the best night to assess that."
On Clayton Oliver:
"We're happy he's in a great space. He's happy, his healthy and he's contributing to our footy club. He's done all we can ask of him."
On Jake Bowey:
"It's looking more like a collarbone at this stage. We'll need to get some scans. It was a pretty courageous effort, he put his body on the line but came off second best."
John Longmire has been up for his press conference. Here are a few of the best nuggets.
On the midfield battle:
"It was a big ask against an experienced midfield group, but those young boys were good. The longer the game went, our boys came into it.
"It was really hot and humid, almost a wet weather game. Really difficult conditions, so to win the contest in the second half was good."
On Isaac Heeney:
"He was enormous, his whole game was huge. Isaac's four-quarter performance was really strong. It was a hard night for tall forwards, so we talked about him going forward. But he was going so well in the mids, and thankfully we kept him there."
On Brodie Grundy:
"He was a little bit anxious and excited. But he's a pro, he gets himself in a good state to get out there and deliver. It was a good start from him."
Bowey went off with what looked like a shoulder injury in the third quarter and didn't return. The Demons certainly missed his zip out of defence in the last quarter, and will be hoping that it's not a serious one.
We'll hopefully hear more from Simon Goodwin soon.
Might need to ask Sam Wicks what's going on here.
We'll keep the blog running a little longer to try to catch the coaches' press conference, by the way.
Mark Brodie Grundy down for 22 disposals, 31 hit outs, nine clearances, four marks and six tackles in a debut performance to remember.
If he keeps up this level throughout the season, it might be the biggest trade steal in AFL history. He spoke to Channel Seven after the game:
"It's great to be back out, doing what I love, playing footy. So, yeah, I won't take it for granted. It's great to be back out at senior level.
"I try to take it with a grain of salt. It's only one week. Next week it's Collingwood. It's a long season. The really elite players are able to do that consistently. I'm happy with my performance tonight.'
A powerful final quarter from Sydney, one that should get the attention of every other flag-chasing side in the league. When that midfield got going, led by Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden, the Demons couldn't stay with them. And how about Brodie Grundy? He might have just about been best on ground tonight, a tremendous debut in red and white.
There were some good signs for Melbourne tonight, but some familiar failings let them down again. The forward line was an issue again, with dominant spells not capitalised on and way too many opportunities missed. The backline held its own, Jack Viney and Max Gawn led the way in the middle, but again the Demons fail to kick a winning score.
Much to glean from opening night, a big one for Sydney.
Jake Lloyd wasn't happy with the high free kick, but Fritsch isn't complaining. It won't make much of a difference to the scoreboard, but Fritsch has four to his name.
Melbourne still have some forward line issues to work through. They got nothing out of Jacob van Rooyen and Josh Schache tonight, but in lieu of any other obvious options for the time being they may have to persevere.
L to the OG! We've hardly seen him all night, but finally Logan McDonald has escaped Steven May and taken a strong contested grab.
He puts it through the middle, the lead is out to 30 points with five minutes to play and the Swans will win on opening night!
It looked for all money like Bayley Fritsch was out the back and about to mark for Melbourne, but Melican made incredibly ground to put on the spoil and save a goal. Desperation from the Sydney defenders, right to the last.
Melbourne still within reach, but they will need to get things moving quickly.
Max Gawn is looking a little sore and sorry. He's been getting beat up all over the ground, and was just whacked by McInerney off the ball. Free kick given, nothing else required.
Remarkable! Jacob van Rooyen was falling over backwards after a mark was dropped, only for the ball to accidentally deflect from his face to just below his knee, back over his head and through for a goal.
And what a critical goal it is. If that doesn't inspire some belief from the Demons, nothing will.
Melbourne have not been able to get their hands on it in this last quarter. Led by Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney and Brodie Grundy the Swans have absolutely taken control of this game.
Logan McDonald's snap fell short, but Fox was clever enough to get a boot to it off the ground through for a goal. 29 points is the margin, and that might just about be that.
And it's getting mighty tough for the Demons now. Wicks stood under the high ball inside 50, but somehow ended up taking an uncontested mark. From bang on 50 metres, that was a beautiful set shot finish.
The Swans' midfield has gone to another level in this quarter and they are running away with it now.
Max Gawn has been very good too, but I'm not sure I've seen Grundy play a game like this for a good few years. He has turned back the clock, especially in this second half.
Sydney are making their move! It was brave possession after brave possession for the Swans, who picked their way through Melbourne's defence with precision off half-back. The ball became loose inside Sydney's 50 (via Blakey, of course) and Hayward was in the right place at the right time to finish it off.
Sydney right on top of things now.
Off a step, the Chad has just dropped a bomb on Melbourne! Grundy's kick to him was smothered, but Warner was composed enough to gather the crumbs, swing on to his right and let one rip. It's a fantasic goal from the little gun midfielder, and Sydney's lead is out to 10.
Here we go. Swans lead it by two points, but expect plenty more twists and turns.
Much better quarter of footy. Jack Viney is leading the way for Melbourne, but they've got no answer for those busting Nick Blakey runs from half-back.
Fine margins are going to decide this one. Who can take their chances? Can Logan McDonald or Jacob van Rooyen play a part? Is there a knockout punch coming in the Gawn-Grundy bout? Last quarter isn't far away.
Max Gawn belts it out of the ruck, Errol Gulden fumbles it, Christian Petracca pounces on it and kicks the running goal from 35m.
Footy looks easy sometimes.
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