Swans Review - Essendon (1 June 2013)

4 Adam Goodes majors leads the Swans to a decisive wet victory against Essendon in Sydney

SYDNEY 3.4 6.7 11.10 17.13 (115) ESSENDON 1.4 3.7 7.9 10.11 (71)
GOALS Sydney: Goodes 4, Malceski 2, Everitt, McGlynn, Bird, Kennedy, Jack, Jetta, Parker, Pyke, O'Keefe, Mumford, Mitchell. Essendon: Goddard 2, Carlisle 2, Crameri 2, Melksham, Winderlich, Hibberd, Bellchambers.
BEST Sydney: Kennedy, McVeigh, Malceski, Jack, Goodes, Mitchell, Bird. Essendon: Stanton, Hibberd, Heppell, Zaharakis, Watson, Carlisle.
UMPIRES Donlon, Dalgleish, Rosebury.
CROWD 29,792, at SCG.

It was the week from hell for Adam Goodes, but he turned hell into something more like heaven, albeit a wet one, on Saturday afternoon at the MCG, kicking four majors, and picking up 15 disposals to just about be the best on ground. Certainly, it was an effort, at times belying the fact that it was wet and that he'd had an emotionally draining week, probably like no other before in his life. 

What we saw on this rainy afternoon was vintage Goodes. Yes, he had a slow start, but when he got going, he played a giant part in the Swans ousting a very good Essendon team by 44 points. Up and about, Goodes is a sight to see, and his celebrations, exuberant at the best of times, came with a little something extra on this night. The crowd rose to their feet pretty much every time he touched the football, which was frequently in the second and third quarters, when Essendon were close enough to challenge.

Goodes, however, was not the only one who played a brilliant game. The rain was kind to the Swans. It always is, as it should be for a team named after a bird who exists mostly on the water. Tonight was a flashback to the Swans of 2004-06 under Paul Roos, the famously "ugly" football - remember that Andrew, Demetriou? - that was apparently casting a pall over the AFL at the time. The lock down, stoppage-heavy brand that was the norm then has been mostly replaced by a game full of attacking flair, courtesy of Messers Jetta, Hannebery, Jack, and others, but the Swans of 2013 proved that they could play like their premiership-winning cousins from that era, completely shutting down a very good Essendon team. 
 
Admittedly, there were times when the Bombers got close, but never close enough in the second half to give Sydney supporters and the coaching staff too much of a fit, and too many recollections of the last time the Swans had played on the Sydney Cricket Ground - the draw vs. Fremantle after a final quarter fade-out. It was a midfield battle in the trenches on a wet and greasy night, where there were almost as many behinds kicked as goals. 

Essendon's dangerous and inspirational Jobe Watson didn't trouble the scorers on this night, and was held to a meager-by-his-standards 23 touches. His match-up with Josh Kennedy didn't eventuate, and Essendon fans must wish that it had, for Kennedy, who was reasonably quiet last week, dominated the game, kicking a goal to go with his 37 touches. Skipper Jarrad McVeigh was brilliant in the midfield again, with 34 touches, and the corps of back-men, led by Nick Malceski, did a solid job on a tough night, holding the Bombers to ten goals. Against his old team, Ted Richards was a pillar of strength. When is he not, though?

Debutant Tom Mitchell looks the good. His numbers playing for the Swans reserves had been extraordinary leading up to today's first grade debut, including a ridiculous 56-disposal game recently, and his early entry into the game after the Tommy Walsh injury - about the only bleak point for the Swans this night - was certainly worth the wait. He ended up with 16 disposals and a goal, and looked very much at odds with his rookie status. Another gun mid for the Swans to plug in and send off to the races. It's an embarrassment of riches at the moment, and it must drive opposition coaches crazy.

Every post was a winner tonight for the team wearing red and white. It wasn't a pretty game in most respects, but for the Bloods, whom the scoreboard favoured by 44 points when it was all said and done, it was pretty enough - and a message-sender to the rest of the League. A seven goal win in the wet against a team spoken about as premiership contenders in 2013? They'll take that every day of the week, and you can imagine that they played for their teammate Goodes tonight, and they did him proud. 

Go Bloods!