The Swans’ win over the Hawks last night felt a little like getting the monkey off your back. They seemed to have the wood over us for quite a while (though, that being said, they’ve seemed to have the wood over everyone for the past few years). We always seemed to be in control, though the Hawks, as they so often do, put a run together in the 3rd quarter that brought the margin down to within a goal at one stage, providing a nervy finish. But to the Swans credit, they controlled the 4th and held on for a gutsy win. It was hard to pinpoint any standout from the game, but I reckon we had 8 out of the 10 best players on ground. It was a very well rounded performance from the team.

The opening quarter was pretty dour. It’s quite easy to say it was cagey, with both teams feeling eachother out, neither wanting to commit too many in attack. But that would be neglecting the fact that both teams were showing their quality on the defensive side of their games. The Swans were holding numbers deep, making it difficult for the Hawks to penetrate, but also leaving us with limited options coming up from half forward. The highlight of the quarter coming when Buddy took a mark in the pocket, then made an unselfish square pass to the returning Rohan for the opening (and only) goal of the quarter. The quarter ended on a sour note, as Teddy went backwards to take a courageous mark, but slammed his head against the ground, which looked like it may signal the end of his night with concussion.

Our 2nd quarter was a lot better. Tippett took a strong contested mark and kicked a goal from the resultant set shot that stretched the margin to 12. Then McGlynn intercepted a handball and kicked one. Another came in quick succession, as Kennedy stood up in a tackle, squeezed a handball out to McGlynn who snapped a quick kick to take the margin out to 25. Then, it was time for Buddy to step up. Firstly, he took a rare pack mark directly in front which was duly converted. And then he ran riot in midfield, intercepting a ball in a contest with Brand, assessing the situation perfectly, seeing Rohan was in a footrace with Jordan Lewis, and proceeded to kick a long ball out in front of Rohan, who was able to run onto it and kick the goal from an open square. That stretched the score to 40-4, but a couple of goals in the last 5 minutes from set shots for Hawthorn meant they narrowed the gap slightly, whilst avoiding their first goalless half at the G since 1927.

Grundy and Rampe had been near flawless through the first half, displaying some fantastic one-on-one defending and a string of well-judged interceptions. It was a big turnaround from some of the rightful stick they took in the aftermath of the Tigers loss last week. And a necessary step-up in production and responsibility, with Richards coming out of the tunnel during the 2nd quarter in his tracksuit, a clear indication he’d be sitting out the remainder of the game. Nick Smith, playing his 150th, was keeping Cyril quiet. As always, Hannebery, Kennedy and Parker were all extremely strong around the ball. And Buddy and Heeney were looking much more threatening than the Hawks’ forwards.

The Hawks had gathered a little momentum at the end of the 2nd quarter, and they continued their run in the 3rd, stringing together 4 unanswered goals that brought the margin right back to a couple of kicks. Rohan steadied the ship, with his pace once again resulting in a goal that gave us a little breathing space. The goals went back and forth, and with the Hawks looking much brighter and energetic than they had through the first two quarters, the margin at the end of the 3rd was only 10.

Buddy Franklin seems to relish the opportunity to kick spectacular goals, and he undoubtedly proved this in the 4th quarter. The highlight of the game coming with 13-odd minutes to go, when the Swans intercepted a handball on the edge of their own arc, they quickly moved the ball into the midfield where Buddy got his hands on it, saw that noone was immediately available to pass to and that there was an open square, and thus unleashed a monster 80-yarder that took just one bounce before going through for a goal.

 

Buddy’s 85-metre monster https://t.co/iJ4zzbVqaA
Buddy doing what only Buddy can!

— Keiron O’Donoughue (@CFC_Blues_Fan) May 21, 2016

 

Minutes later, in what looked like a set play (or an uncanny understanding between the players), McGlynn, from a mark, handballed to Buddy after Hanners had delivered a delightful block on the marker, and Buddy proceeded to kick another bomb from 55-yards out. Just another case of Buddy being Buddy. The Swans proceeded to close the game out in a remarkably assured and controlled fashion, finishing relatively comfortable winners 10.9.69 to 7.13.55. Which begged the question, where was that composure last week?

The Hawks didn’t quite seem to be themselves. Which was quite understandable with the health issues of Roughy casting a cloud over the Club. But it’s unfair to the Swans to say they only won because of the Hawks’ deficiencies. Save for a period in the 3rd when the Hawks gathered some momentum, the Swans were the better and more composed team throughout the night. Our players were simply better all over the ground. Grundy and Rampe were great at the back. Nick Smith limited Cyril’s impact to just one goal. Hanners (33 disposals, 11 clearances), Kennedy (20 contested possessions, 7 tackles) and Parker (30 disposals, 7 tackles) controlled the midfield. Tom Mitchell kept Sam Mitchell extremely quiet all game, limiting him to only 14 possessions, whilst getting his own fair share of the ball too. Tippett (2 goals, 35 hit-outs) dominated the ruck and unsettled the Hawks defence as a target up front. Heeney took some great marks and continued to show his amazing potential. Rohan’s great pace was a welcome return to the team. Laidler and Hewett both made important contributions throughout the 3rd and 4th quarters.

And then there was Buddy, who was ultimately the difference between the two teams on the night. He kicked the Swans’ last 2 goals of the game, both monster efforts too. He also relentlessly worked hard off the ball, chasing down defenders and making hard tackles. How the Hawks would’ve loved to have had him on their side. Or loved to have had Jarryd Roughead out there. He seemed to be what they were lacking – a presence up front.

It will be interesting to see whether we can back that performace up against the undefeated Kangaroos next week. If the players can put that sort of effort in again, and we can get a little lift from the likes of McVeigh and Jack, I can see us ending the Roos’ winning streak at the SCG. Fingers crossed, anyhow.