AFL live: Curnow all smiles as Swans demolish Carlton in fiery SCG clash to start the new season

1 month ago 20

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Watch: The Heeney incident

10.17pm

Swans romp home over Blues

Sydney have thrashed Carlton by 62 points.

After trailing by 10 points at half-time, the home side put on a clinic, kicking 18 goals in the second half to Carlton’s four.

On a night that it’s hard to find positives for the Blues, Sam Walsh has had a big night.

He has had 32 possessions - 16 kicks, 16 handballs - and looks to be running injury free.

Jagga Smith has been serviceable, collecting 26 disposals.

But they have not been able to match motors in the second half with Sydney power runners Errol Gulden, Justin McInerney, Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney.

Up forward for Carlton, Harry McKay struggled.

FT: Swans 20.12 (132) defeated Blues 10.9 (69)

10.09pm

Curnow brings up his third

Former Blue Charlie Curnow continues to rub salt into the wounds.

He has now kicked his third goal of the night, the latest coming from a free-kick.

He was held goalless in the first half, but has capitalised on Sydney’s second-half dominance.

Carlton’s Ben Ainsworth gave the Blues’ fans something to cheer about with a late goal. That’s his second of the night.

Five minutes remaining: Swans 19.10 (124) leads Blues 10.7 (67)

10.04pm

Swans fans will like what they are seeing

Angus Sheldrick has kicked a goal for the Swans to stretch the lead to 57 points.

The Blues are making fundamental mistakes and grinding to a stop, with Zac Williams the latest to leave the field with cramps.

By contrast, the Swans are full of running and moving the ball with precision.

9.58pm

Long year ahead for the Blues

Most predicted a Sydney victory, but maybe not this easily.

With a lot of the last quarter still to play out, they have taken a 50-point lead.

It begs the question: Where do these teams finish at the end of the year?

I know it is ridiculously early, and only one match in, but the Swans have a finals finish written all over them, while Carlton could be in wooden spoon contention.

Adding to the Blues’ woes tonight, Adam Saad has been benched with hamstring soreness.

With 11 minutes until full-time: Swans 17.9 (111) lead Blues 9.7 (61)

9.49pm

Swans pick up where they left off

If Blues fans were hoping for a quick response to start the last quarter, they didn’t get it.

Instead, Sydney have kicked the first goal of the term to continue to pile on the pain.

Ruckman Brodie Grundy roved his own tap-work and snapped a major to give Sydney a 45-point lead.

9.40pm

3QT: Swans land a dozen in a term

It is all Sydney at the SCG now.

After a Marc Pittonet goal kept the Blues within touch deep into the third quarter, the Swans answered with four in a row. That’s 12 for the term now, and this is becoming ugly for the Blues.

Tom Papley hasn’t had his usual impact, but he’s still a barometer for the Swans.

Charlie Curnow was quiet for the first half but has helped himself to a couple in the third quarter.

Tom Papley has also nailed a major in that quarter after spending most of the first two terms on the bench.

3QT: Swans 14.9 (93) lead Blues 8.6 (54)

9.35pm

Say good night, Carlton fans

The Swans have turned this match on its head.

They have booted back-to-back goals – through that man Isaac Heeney, and Matt Roberts – to grab a 27-point lead as we close on three-quarter time.

That’s 10 goals to four in this third term.

It was almost worse. Patrick Cripps had a brain fade and gave away a free kick after the Heeney goal – before the ball had been returned to the centre square.

Thankfully for Cripps, Justin McInerney missed the shot.

9.30pm