A Fox Footy expert analyst is predicting the Sydney Swans to take an unexpected tumble in 2024, tipping them to miss the top eight just two years after making the Grand Final.
After an uninspiring start to the 2023 campaign – losing six of their first nine games – the Swans finished the regular season with a wet sail, winning six of their last eight en route to an eighth-place finish.
However, despite notching a finals berth, St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna is anticipating a downfall for Sydney this year, citing John Longmire’s side won two of its 10 games against top-eight teams last year.
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“For me, the toughest team to assess to try and work out where to put (is) Sydney. I’ve had issues with them in the past,” Montagna said during Monday night’s bumper First Crack Season Preview.
“You look at their profile from last season … their turnover game’s pretty solid. We know their contest and clearance game has been a massive issue and they reckon they’ve addressed that with the personnel (they added in the off-season).
“They base their game on their pressure – which is elite – but when I take a look, I mean, they shouldn’t have been there (playing finals). We know about the score review (fiasco against Adelaide) and then the North Melbourne game where they had the extra player run on the ground – they shouldn’t have won that either and if they don’t, they finish 13th last season and then we have a different perspective on the Swans.”
North Melbourne legend David King saw Sydney’s situation “a little bit differently” to Montagna, commending the off-season addition of former Collingwood and Melbourne ruck Brodie Grundy.
“They’ve been given the best list free kick of all time with Brodie Grundy,” King boldly declared. “At 29 years of age (he’s got) low kilometres on the clock.
“I mean, he’s a dual All-Australian, dual best and fairest, played six games in ‘22, played 17 games last year, but only low percentages in the ruck for a guy of his standing in the game. That’s an absolute bonus for the Sydney Swans.”
King pointed out the Swans blew opportunities during the 2023 season, winning 11 of the 17 games in which they led at three quarter-time.
“That’s a huge number … It’s almost comical,” he said. “Things just went wrong at Sydney last year, so I can see them really bouncing, really bouncing.”
King lauded the arrival of ex-Demon James Jordon – whom he dubbed “chronically underrated” – in his plaudits for the Swans.
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“I think he (Jordon) will play a lot of minutes in this midfield, which will force (Luke) Parker and (Isaac) Heeney forward more,” King said.
“They’ll become more damaging, they won’t be Franklin-centric.”
Sydney’s midfield contingent needs help from all its members, particularly after skipper Callum Mills’ off-season shoulder injury and, more recently, Parker’s broken arm suffered during the Swans’ pre-season meeting with the Giants.
“I’m excited about where they can go. Errol Gulden … Chad Warner is a star-factor player, they have got all the boxes ticked, for me,” continued King.
“I just think (with) a bit of maturity, situational play, correct a few things – small things – they’re winning 13 to 15 games.”
Montagna conceded his bold prediction might leave him red-faced at season’s end.
“This is the team (prediction where) I might get egg on my face,” said Montagna.
“I’ve got them just out of the eight. This is the one that could backfire on me and might get used against me later in the year.”
Host Anthony Hudson also tipped a top-eight outcome this year for the Swans, who host Melbourne in their season-opening clash at the SCG on March 7.
