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Swans smash West Coast in Geelong blowout

3 minute read

West Coast have been embarrassed at Geelong's GMHBA Stadium for the second time this AFL season, with Sydney smashing the lacklustre Eagles by 92 points

CALLUM MILLS.
CALLUM MILLS. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

A ruthless Sydney have annihilated a dismal West Coast by 92 points to continue the Eagles' horror AFL record at GMHBA Stadium.

The game was moved from the SCG due to NSW's COVID-19 outbreak but the Swans were more than at home in the first AFL game in Geelong not involving the Cats.

Sydney were as good as West Coast were bad, putting the game to rest early in the second quarter to take a 61-point lead into halftime, as the Eagles recorded their lowest score since round 23, 1992 and their third worst ever.

Their first-half score of 1.3 (9) was their lowest under Adam Simpson, who started coaching the Eagles in 2014.

The Swans shared the goals around in the 18.10 (118) to 3.8 (26) result, which consolidates their position in sixth at 9-6

West Coast's last game in Geelong was in round six when the Cats embarrassed them by 97 points in a performance Eagles coach Adam Simpson labelled as "weak".

He was far more measured this time around but was still left frustrated by never being in the contest.

"It's probably not that emotive (this time). I think we've got to look at our method and how we go about executing it," Simpson said.

"Contest stuff wasn't too far off, but (the Swans) were cleaner, the way they used the ball, their run and work rate, we weren't at the same level.

They have now lost eight straight games at the Geelong venue by an average losing margin of 68 points.

West Coast's combined score in second quarters in their two games in Geelong this year is 0.1 (1) to the opposition's 16.3 (99).

Making matters worse for West Coast (8-7, seventh) was captain Luke Shuey was reported for striking Swans midfielder Callum Mills and Eagles onballer Jack Redden was subbed out with a knee injury.

But Sydney were back to playing the type of football they showed in the early stages of the season when they defeated flag fancies Brisbane and Geelong.

"It was outstanding. From the first bounce really right to the end, keeping them goal-less in the last quarter," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"It was a really even team performance and it was just fantastic to see us play the entire game like that against quality opposition."

Superstar Lance Franklin booted three goals and was one of eight Swans to kick at least two majors, taking his career tally to 976 as he closes in on the magical 1000-mark.

Sydney's forward line dominated the Eagles' defence, which was made to look dysfunctional, with the Swans scoring 15 times from 32 inside-50s in the first half.

Mills was the Swans' standout in the midfield with 35 touches, while Swans ruckman Tom Hickey competed hard with former teammate Nic Naitanui.

The Swans face the rampaging Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium next weekend while West Coast are due to host lowly North Melbourne at Optus Stadium.

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