Sydney’s season had been “torpedoed” even before they were locked in to meet two-time reigning premiers Brisbane in a qualifying final, at least according to the club’s chair, Andrew Pridham, a couple of weeks ago. But a season that seemed to be heading toward an inglorious ending – with five players suspended by the club for a breach of club standards – has suddenly taken flight again, after the Swans blew away the Lions for a stunning 53-point triumph at the SCG.
Even without the suspended Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice, the Swans who lined up against the Lions on Saturday afternoon looked as familiar as any to run out in red and white this year. The rapid and relentless ball movement that has been critical to the Swans’ resurgence was there for all to see. So was the newfound strength at stoppage with Errol Gulden rising to the occasion, James Rowbottom putting his head over the ball, and unheralded recruit Jai Serong playing the most influential game of his career as he clamped down on the Lions’ dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.
