Dual premiership Kangaroo David King believes the fourth-quarter stoppage goals Sydney conceded to the Giants is “not a one-game or a one-quarter issue”, suggesting the alarming trend threatens to break the on-field trust of the group.
The Swans on Saturday night led the Giants by 24 points early in the last term before Adam Kingsley’s side stunned the reigning Grand Finalists, booting the final four goals of the match to pull off a remarkable one-point comeback win at the SCG.
Giants skipper Toby Greene was his side’s hero, booting two of those four majors, including the match-winner in the final minute from a forward 50 stoppage.
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Greene’s game-deciding goal was one of three the Swans conceded from a clearance inside their defensive 50.
While Swans coach John Longmire was thrilled with his side’s “outstanding” intent and effort – personified by the fact they won the contested possessions (+23), clearance (+9) and inside 50 (+15) counts convincingly – he lamented the three Giants majors that were generated from Sydney’s defensive arc.
“Those three defensive stoppage (goals) in the last quarter, we’ve got to get that stuff right,” Longmire told reporters.
Sydney Swans press conference | 06:17
“They (the Giants) only had 10 inside 50s in the last quarter. We did a lot right, but didn’t do enough right.”
King on Fox Footy’s First Crack pointed to vision of the three goals the Swans conceded from defensive 50 clearances.
“They smashed them everywhere. They should’ve won the game by four goals on all statistical measures. But the thing that kills you if you don‘t get the job done at forward 50 stoppages for the Giants, you’ve got a problem,” King told First Crack.
The first one saw Toby Greene break away from the stoppage unopposed – he was one of four Giants players left open goalside – then produce a brilliant soccer goal.
The second instance highlighted how Swans defenders Aaron Francis and Tom McCartin started as the defensive ‘sweepers’ before they moved in and committed to the stoppage, which left Greene and Harry Perryman unopposed goalside. Consequently, Perryman pounced on the loose ball and kicked the goal from almost point-blank range.
The final play was, ultimately, the match-winning one. As the ball was tossed in inside the Giants’ forward 50, Greene pushed off direct opponent Ollie Florent and made a beeline for Sydney defender Braeden Campbell, with Florent then matching up on young Giant Xavier O’Halloran. Swans star Chad Warner was also in the vicinity, standing next to Giants on-baller Stephen Coniglio. But Campbell didn’t follow Greene out of the stoppage, nor did Florent go back to man up on the Giants star, nor did Warner stick close to Coniglio.
Brereton in awe of Greene smarts | 03:52
Consequently for the Swans, Greene was fed a handball then snapped a tough goal – despite pressure from Swans player Dylan Stephens – to put the Giants in front by one point – a lead they held onto until the final siren. Warner also had an opportunity to smother Greene’s kick, but didn’t get hands to the ball.
Post-goal footage showed a perplexed Florent with his arms out questioning his Swans teammates about the backline breakdown.
King pointed out that this was an alarming trend with the Swans, who’ve now conceded 85 points from defensive 50 stoppages this season – the worst in the AFL.
“This is not a one-game or a one-quarter issue,” King said on First Crack.
“It’s a big issue for you if you continue to let your teammate down. You break the trust, you break the bond of looking someone in the eye and saying ‘do the job for me’.
“If you gave Chad Warner 10 more opportunities as a one-off event to come and smother that ball, of the 10 he would smother that nine times. So he didn’t really commit to the smother with the game on the line.
“I think they’ll be harsh in this review. The assessment on Monday will be right between the eyes. It won’t be: ‘Hey well done guys, we did everything right and should’ve won the game.’ It’ll be: ‘This is life and death right here. What’s happening?’”
Toby Greene: “I was bloody cooked!” | 00:59
Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna suggested injured co-captain Dane Rampe was “a significant out” for the Swans.
“He’s the organiser there. He’s the one that would bark (instructions) and not allow any of that, so someone else has got to step up,” Montagna told First Crack.
While ample attention post-game was placed on the last goal and Sydney’s poor communication, Longmire was quick to suggest it wasn’t a one-off for his team.
“I haven’t seen it, so I’d have to go back and have a look at it, but I think there was a handover and he just didn’t get it right for that minute … that’s what I’ve been told,” Longmire said.
“It’s easy to say that now. We haven’t got Dane Rampe at that point in time
“But there were two others (defensive 50 stoppage goals) before that as well.”
