The Sydney Swans have gone down to the Melbourne Demons at the MCG in Round 3 on Sunday afternoon with the home side recording a 21.8 (134) to 12.12 (84) victory.
A powerful opening quarter from the Demons had the Swans on the back foot early to build a 28-point buffer at the first break.
Sydney gradually clawed its way back into the contest, cutting the half time lead to just 15-points, and got within six points during the third term before Melbourne steadied and eventually pulled away in the fourth with a seven goal to three final quarter.
Swans coach John Longmire said that his side were off early and made to pay.
“We didn’t jump out of the blocks like they did. They were clearly prepared for it in that first quarter and we were just a fraction off, which is all you have to be against good teams,” Longmire said.
“They were obviously bouncing back from last week but are a mature, fierce footy team and we have to make sure we take that head on but we were just a bit off in that space and paid the price early.
“We took a bit of time to get going in the real competitive aspects that we really value, whether it’s the pressure or contested ball, and we dropped away disappointingly in the last term.”
Melbourne's experienced stars shone, with Petracca (33 disposals, six clearances) and Oliver (25, five and two goals) both shining as the latter celebrated his 150-game milestone.
Petracca was the top-ranked player on the ground for contested possessions (18), score involvements (nine) and metres gained (580) in a superb display, with Oliver not far behind.
Grundy (21 disposals, four clearances) stood up as the No.1 ruckman in the absence of Max Gawn and outpointed Swans ruck Peter Ladhams.
Longmire said his side still had plenty of growth areas in them.
“I thought there were different stages where Brody Grundy got on top of us a bit and then we would fight back a bit. But he is a good player, All-Australian ruckman and if you look at their midfield group, they are littered with experience and All Australians,” Longmire said,
“We look at that and know we have a bit to get to. They are a good hardened team that have been playing together for a while and we need to get to that level.”
The Swans will return to the SCG on 8 April for an Easter Saturday clash with Port Adelaide.
