Saturday night’s game in Sydney was full of memorable milestones.

The game started brightly with the Swans winning plenty of the ball. Early goals to Hayward and Ronke, plus a hanger from Heeney suggested the form of the previous week was rolling in to this one. However through the ruck dominance of the man mountain Sandilands and the influence of the brilliant Fyfe the Dockers wrested control of the ball back. If not for some appalling kicking in to the forward line and poor decision making the Dockers may have gone to the first break on level terms rather than 17 points in arrears.

Once the Swans added the first two goals in the second quarter, that’s where any semblance of a tense contest ended .… with Georgie Hewett putting a clamp on Fyfe and our ever-efficient backline mopping up every errant kick from the Dockers, sharing and sweeping forward. Lloyd and McVeigh had it on a string. Though they all got plenty of it down back, with Grundy, Rampe and Mills marking every kick that came their way. They are very good on the intercept. Milestone man Nick Smith, as always, went largely unnoticed. Though he rarely makes a mistake and keeps his opponent quiet, just like Nick has done for his previous 199 games.

Our other milestone man, Josh Kennedy in his 200^th game for the Swans was having an impact on the scoreboard with a couple of goals. He is not getting his usual bag load of disposals though, which are shared between the likes of Heeney and Florent. Ollie is looking all the more comfortable in his role as an old-fashioned winger. And Hannebery was back working his way in to the game. Of course Hannas’ good mate Buddy Franklin was also back. Bud looked a bit scratchy early, as always he drew attention, which opened up the ground for other forwards.  

And all attention was on him when he crashed through the pack, ball in hand leaving his opponent Hamling prone in his wake. The slow-mo replay shows that he collected him with an elbow while trying to free his arms.  Hamling does not return, and the focus turned to whether Buddy will be cited for high contact.  I don’t think so. The Swans went in to the main break 33 points up. The Dockers only goal came from a Swans turnover.

I had a big day. I sing in a gospel choir and we had a gig at Federation Square late afternoon. I often ponder the similarities between the arts and sports, particularly group or team endeavours. The outcome relies on the collective efforts, though we all have different talents, and it’s inevitable that there will be fluffed lines …. and missed kicks. Stay in the moment, get back on track.  It seems that the Swans are the team that knows how to get out of trouble and deliver a cohesive performance. The Dockers are still trying to work that all out.

I settle back in front of the TV for the second half.  I have my elderly Mum staying with me so I’m on my best behaviour! But honestly we were never really challenged, and my bad habits are kept to a minimum. The Dockers kept fluffing their lines, we cleaned up, shared it around and delivered the desired outcome. Buddy provides a milestone highlight in the third quarter with his second goal being his 300^th for the Swans. It’s a Stevie J style hook around the body from a set shot in the right pocket, one more for the highlights reel. After Plugger Lockett, he is the only player to kick 300 goals for two different teams.  Another four goals for the quarter has us 51 points up at the last break.

The final quarter opened up and was more free-flowing though the pressure was off. Tommy McCartin looked more at home as the game progressed and was able to register his first couple of goals in the big time. Buddy and Joey with three goals each, Paps and Tommy with two each head an even performance with Lloydy and Macca prolific and outstanding.

It was a fairly lacklustre game, though. But a big home win provides a needed percentage boost.

Joey Kennedy’s and Nick Smith’s contributions across their 200 games each have been outstanding. Rarely beaten they are the rocks that great teams are built around. And it seems that we are building towards something. Let’s enjoy the ride and the performances ahead.