‘Devastating’ Swans escape brave Demons after star’s 8-year first in front of Hollywood royalty

Sydney has solidified itself as the form team of the competition, holding off a gallant Melbourne to claim a 19.17 (131) to 17.12 (114) win on Sunday.

It came on a career-best day for small forward Malcom Rosas, who bagged five goals by the 10-minute mark of the second quarter and finished with seven in an electric display.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Rosas, whose previous best in a game was four majors, became just the fifth Sydney player in the past 10 years to record 7+ goals in a match.

It was a scintillating first quarter at the SCG, with the Swans and Dees kicking five goals apiece, before the hosts piled on another five majors in the second to take a 22-point lead into the main change.

Sydney did the majority of its damage off Melbourne turnovers. By late in the third term, the Swans had doubled the Dees’ number of forward-half intercepts and scored 5.4 (34) to 1.2 (8) from the source.

“They’re just better with their ball movement going forward at the moment, and on transition and turnover in particular,” Brad Johnson said.

“And Melbourne, as much as they’re trying to get back to defend, they’re just not there; they’re just off.”

Nick Dal Santo added in the third quarter: “They are devastating on turnover.”

After leading by 25 points at the last change, the Swans held off a late charge by the gallant Dees to win by 17 points in front of world-famous actress Sydney Sweeney.

Melbourne, which continued to prove its credentials in 2026, kicked four of the game’s last five goals to momentarily make Swans fans sweat.

The 3-2-1 (what we learned) via Ben Cotton …

3. ‘ENORMOUS’: SWANS RECRUIT HAS DAY OUT WITH CAREER-BEST SEVEN GOALS

Go off, Malcolm Rosas!

The Swans recruit had an absolute day out with a career-best seven goals – including five in the first quarter and a bit alone.

It was crucial in setting up Sydney’s win and made Rosas the first Swan to kick five goals in a half since Ben Ronke in 2018.

Not bad for Pick 51!

That’s all Sydney gave up to get the small forward in a trade with Gold Coast last off-season as one of the best recruits of 2026.

“He’s just been enormous,” Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson said at half-time.

“It’s turned out really well. It’s the first time I’ve seen him get to as many contests as he has, but then push hard into space.”

Sure, Rosas was taking full advantage of Sydney’s blistering ball movement and general territory dominance.

But the 24-year-old was also getting in the right, dangerous spots inside 50 and finishing his work with great poise and class.

“I’ve loved his craft to find those little pockets of space and have those three uncontested marks in the forward 50,” three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo added.

“Yes, the ball movement has been electrifying at times. But you need to be able to do it and capitalise.

“It is the highest-rated opening half by any Swan since 2024. When you think about some of those great halves from some of those individuals like Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner.

“He’s been fantastic and part of the collective that have moved the ball really well in offence.”

2. WE MEET AGAIN, OLD FRIEND: SECRET WEAPON FUELLING SWANS OFFENCE

It’s been such a major asset for Sydney in 2026 and has revolutionised the game at large. And we saw it in full flight again on Sunday.

Sydney’s surging handball game was again at its potent best at the SCG, including 498 metres gained from handball in the first half alone.

It’s ironically said to be a heavy influence from former Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, who joined Sydney as its director of coaching and performance.

Renowned for his heavy focus on contest and defence in leading the Demons to the 2021 flag, Goodwin is suddenly the secret weapon behind Sydney’s high-octane handball offence.

It comes after the Swans recorded 867 metres gained from handball against the Bulldogs last week – the most ever on record.

And their metres gained from handball is up from 175 last year to 651 in 2026 – ranked No. 1 in the AFL and over double the AFL average of 300.

Nick Blakey personifies that run-and-gun style as a player who has relished Sydney’s gung-ho approach, with the star halfback finishing with 29 touches and 530 metres gained on Sunday.

“He’s crucial to that ball movement. His ability to move at such pace but make crucial decisions that allow the Swans to play a forward half game is incredible,” Collingwood AFLW skipper Ruby Schleicher said of Blakey on Fox Footy.

“He just has that license to get up as high as he would like.

“He knows one speed, and it is absolute flat chat. He creates these meaningful entries inside forward 50.

“He knows the exact time when to take off, and when to put the brakes on, to allow himself to steady and hit these kicks.

“If you’re a Swans forward, you’re absolutely licking your lips when you see the ball in the Lizard’s hands.”

1. BRUTAL DEES BLOW CAUSES RESHUFFLE

A brutal hamstring injury to Brody Mihocek in the opening minutes of Sunday’s game was less than ideal for the visitors.

Not that it affected their ability to put up another big score in proof of Melbourne’s evolution.

But it forced Steven King to reshuffle his side’s mix, with star ruckman and skipper Max Gawn spending more time forward to make up for the absence of Mihocek.

Gawn was reasonably effective with two goals.

But it meant we didn’t get to see ruck greats and ex-teammates Gawn and Brodie Grundy go head-to-head as much, with Max Heath occupying a key chunk of the ruck role for Melbourne.

And Melbourne’s other forwards struggled to impact aerially; Sydney took 16 marks inside 50 to the Demons’ seven. Though clearly that has a lot to do with Sydney’s quality entries.

Even Gawn noted at half-time the centre bounce scoring source at the SCG is “strong” and an area he’d ideally be contributing towards more in his natural role.

“I don’t mind (playing forward) when ‘Moose’ (Heath) is going alright, especially in the first quarter. Brodie probably got going a bit in that second quarter,” he said.

“We’ll find that right balance but it does seem like I’m the one that will be more (in the ruck).”

Gawn himself sustained an injury blow, with the 34-year-old leaving the game after copping an accidental Grundy shin to his face in the third quarter before returning.

With Mihocek now set for a stint on the sidelines, King will be forced to get creative to replace the veteran recruit’s magnet in attack.

Relive Sydney v Melbourne in our blog below!