Sydney have shown absolutely zero signs of any scars from last year’s crushing Grand Final loss, taking out their match simulation hit out over cross-town rivals GWS by 51 points at Tramway Oval.
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Dean Cox’s side excelled after quarter time, finishing the match with a score well into triple digits to win 19.11 (125) to the Giants’ 11.8 (74).
Both sides started like a house on fire in the first term, kicking nine goals between them where youth shone bright alongside the usual suspects.
Braeden Campbell was the story of the opening half with four goals well before the main break, as teammate Joel Amartey consistently stood tall inside the attacking arc to finish with half a dozen of his own. For rivals GWS, it was Cody Angove who hit the scoreboard hard early with his first two goals in orange and charcoal coming before quarter time.
“Both coaches would be very happy (with the) high intensity for a match sim game,” Swans 2005 premiership player Jared Crouch said at quarter time.
Young forward Aaron Cadman booted three majors for the Giants, while reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan also kicked a couple.
Sydney were without captain Callum Mills (plantar fasciitis), while small forward Tom Papley and veteran duo Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd also missed the clash.
Additionally, Logan McDonald is still dealing with an ankle injury that has him in doubt for Opening Round, while Robbie Fox and Hayden McLean are slated to feature in the VFL match sim instead.
Giants fans waiting to watch new recruit Jake Stringer in action will have to wait a little longer as well and star trio Tom Green (calf), Stephen Coniglio (face/shoulder) and Sam Taylor (concussion) were absent.
Sydney goalkickers: Amartey 6, Campbell 4, Heeney, Gulden, Jordan, Adams, Co. Warner, Grundy, Hayward, Ch. Warner, McCartin
GWS goalkickers: Cadman 3, Angove, Hogan 2, Daniels, Jones, Greene, Leake
Giant blow as preseason injuries pile up | 01:10
The 3-2-1… (with Dylan Bolch)
3 – SWANS UNVEIL FORWARD DUO
A young gun and star defender could be the answer to Sydney’s forward line conundrum as they look to put their grand final demons behind them in 2025.
With youngster Logan McDonald in doubt for Opening Round due to an ankle injury, key forward Joel Amartey and swingman Tom McCartin starred in Friday morning’s match simulation at Tramway Oval against the Giants.
McCartin has been training as a forward throughout the summer as new coach Dean Cox searches for ways to improve the Swans’ output in 2025.
Amartey booted a career-high 43 goals from 25 matches in 2024 and all signs point towards some natural progression this season.
And if Friday’s match simulation is anything to go by, the pair look like they are building some serious chemistry that could see them becoming very dangerous in the same forward line.
“If McCartin and Amartey can combine in the forward line, that is great news for Swans fans,” commentator Justin Edwards said.
“(Amartey) is looking good and that’ll excite Swans fans,” he added.
Amartey booted six goals for the match while McCartin added one of his own.
“It’s almost reminiscent of that (night) in Adelaide where he kicked nine!” Edwards proclaimed.
“(McCartin’s presence up there means Amartey has more one-on-ones and he’s taken full advantage of that,” Crouch said.
Hayden McLean and Robbie Fox both played in the VFL match simulation, indicating they’re probably further down the pecking order.
With McCartin playing in the forward half, defender Lewis Melican will need to step up in the backline.
“Melican might be the key man in defence… he’s always promised a lot,” Edwards said.
Bont backs in Jamarra’s future at Dogs | 02:20
2 – GIANTS YOUNGSTERS SET TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
The Giants will look quite different in 2025 to how they did last season.
A quartet of established players departed via trade or free agency – Harry Perryman joined Collingwood, Nick Haynes went to the Blues and duo Isaac Cumming and James Peatling headed to Adelaide – while there are several others who will begin the year on the sidelines due to injury or suspension.
While the addition of Jake Stringer from Essendon will help to alleviate the loss of those players, it’s up to a bunch of youngsters to step up and seize their AFL opportunities.
“They’ve been able to expose some of their first-round draft picks over the last couple of years,” Edwards said.
“This is a chance for the young Giants to really cement their spot.”
One player who impressed on Friday morning was draftee Cody Angove.
The Giants pounced on Angove earlier than expected at the most recent draft, but his skills and attitude were on show for all to see at Tramway Oval.
Angove booted two goals in the first half, applying plenty of pressure in the forward half.
“Young Angove is only light, he certainly hasn’t looked out of place, he’s had a couple of fierce tackles,” Sydney premiership player Jared Crouch said on Fox Footy.
“He’s in the right positions, presents at the ball… he’ll gain confidence… he’s doing all you can ask for,” Crouch added.
Elsewhere, Tasmanian James Leake and Phoenix Gothard also got some valuable minutes under their belt as they hunt AFL debuts, while Conor Stone, who attracted interest from Essendon during the trade period, is developing nicely in a new role at half-back.
Curnow undergoes minor knee surgery | 01:35
1 – SWANS ARE STILL VERY, VERY GOOD
Yes, it’s a February match simulation, but it seems as though Sydney will feature at the pointy end of September once more in 2025.
In their first competitive outing under new coach Dean Cox, there was plenty to like about a new-look Swans outfit.
“I like the way they’re moving players around,” Crouch said.
McCartin played as a forward, Sam Wicks looks to have found a place in the defensive half having spent time on Toby Greene, while Matt Roberts also looks ready for more responsibilities.
Isaac Heeney had a career-best year in 2024 and had some nice moments on Friday, while Errol Gulden also looks ready to take his game up another notch.
“He has a fantastic work rate… no one goes near him,” Crouch said of Gulden.
“He’s a great young player… if I was the opposition I’d be doing a bit more work on him.
“They have their Rolls Royce’s in there and they’ve had their hands on the football.”
Braeden Campbell also caught the eye playing as a half-forward, booting four majors in the first half.
Campbell has struggled to cement a place in Sydney’s best 23 but put forward a strong case on Friday. Corey Warner, the brother of star midfielder Chad, is another player who will be hunting more senior opportunities in 2025, and Crouch believes his form could have serious ramifications on whether the Swans can keep his star brother.
“I find it equally intriguing (as Chad) how he progresses this year… if he does cement himself in the Swans’ best (23) and he gets regular games, what if big brother goes: ‘I could play a couple of years here with little brother and we could do something (special),” Crouch said.
Recap all the action from the Sydney Swans vs. GWS Giants match simulation LIVE in our blog below!If you can’t see the blog, click here.
Giant blow as preseason injuries pile up | 01:10
SQUADS
SYDNEY
1. Chad Warner, 3. Taylor Adams, 4. Brodie Grundy, 5. Isaac Heeney, 8. James Rowbottom, 9. Will Hayward, 10. Aaron Francis, 12. Angus Sheldrick, 13. Oliver Florent, 15. Sam Wicks, 16. Braeden Campbell, 17. James Jordon, 19. Peter Ladhams, 21. Errol Gulden, 22. Nick Blakey, 24. Dane Rampe, 25. Ben Paton, 27. Justin McInerney, 30. Tom McCartin, 34. Matt Roberts, 35. Caleb Mitchell, 36. Joel Amartey, 37. Corey Warner, 40. Tom Hanily, 43. Lewis Melican
GWS GIANTS
1. Harvey Thomas, 2. Darcy Jones, 4. Toby Greene, 5. Aaron Cadman, 6. Lachie Whitfield, 7. Lachie Ash, 8. Callan Ward, 10. Jacob Wehr, 11. Phoenix Gothard, 13. Ollie Hannaford, 14. Toby Bedford, 16. Brent Daniels, 17. Finn Callaghan, 18. Conor Stone, 21. Leek Aleer, 22. Josh Kelly, 23. Jesse Hogan, 24. Harry Rowston, 25. Lachlan Keeffe, 26. Jake Riccardi, 27. Harry Himmelberg, 29. Cody Angove, 30. James Leake, 31. Toby McMullin, 32. Kieren Briggs, 33. Xavier O’Halloran, 35. Max Gruzewski, 39. Connor Idun, 44. Jack Buckley
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